HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-10 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
9/1W2002
PRESENT : Supervisor Doug Austic, Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Sue
Poelvoorde, Lee Scott, Robert Weatherby, Town Clerk Marsha Georgia, Highway
Superintendent Jim Meeker
ALSO PRESENT : Richard Coogan, of the Jacksonville Community Association,
Michele Vonderweidt, Ulysses Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Commission chair, Christian
Boissonnas, representative to the Tompkins County E . M. C. , and Michael Lunger, of
3017 DuBois Road.
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 pm and led those assembled in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Regular board Meeting 8/13, Special Board Meeting
8/28
Noting corrections, Mrs. Duddleston moved and Mr. Scott seconded to approve the
minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting of 8/ 13 /02 and those of the Special Town
Board Meeting of 8/28/02 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS
Ms. Poelvoorde moved and Mrs. Duddleston seconded to approve monthly vouchers 339-
366, totaling $64,269. 35 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Trumansburg Fire Department
Mr. Austic presented the Fire Department report, which was turned in to him.
Mr. Austic reported that, last month, the Trumansburg Ambulance responded to 29 calls,
and the Fire Department responded to 11 calls.
Trumansburg/Ulysses Joint Youth Commission Chair Michele Vonderweidt
Michele discussed a matter of concern for funding. The Outings Program, a county-
program serving high-risk youth by encouraging good school attendance, demanding
responsible behavior, and helping direct energies in positive, safe channels, has been cut
from the 2003 County budget. The program's annual budget is $ 139,000. The Tompkins
County Youth Bureau has submitted an over-target request to the County Board, asking
that this program's budget be approved, above and beyond the Youth Bureau's current
budget. Mr. Vonderweidt asked the Town Board if they would be willing to write a letter
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to County Representative Peter Penniman, urging approval of the Outings Program
budget, above and beyond the Bureau's currently approved budget. Mr. Vonderweidt
noted that it is important to emphasize in a letter to the County Representative that the
Board's desire is for the Outings Program to be funded without cutting into the Youth
Budget elsewhere.
The Board discussed this matter briefly.
Mr. Scott moved, and Mrs. Duddleston seconded the following motion:
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Youth Bureau's Outing Program has served high-risk
youth in the various municipalities throughout the County, and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Ulysses Town Board that this program provides a
necessary and valuable service to the youth it serves,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses Town Board hereby urges
the Tompkins County Board of Representatives to approve the (Outings' Program budget
in addition to, and without detracting from, the rest of the County Youth Budget.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted. Mr. Austic will draft and send a letter to the Tompkins County Board of
Representatives to this effect.
Dubois Road Water District Request-Michael Lunger, representative
Michael Lunger, of 3017 DuBois Road presented a request for the formation of a 3 -
residence water district on DuBois Road. Mr. Lunger read a letter submitted and signed
by him and three other DuBois Road residents, requesting a water district to serve their
three residences, formed with the following conditions:
The residents of the three properties will pay for all mau:erials and installation
costs.
The system will be installed to the specifications stated by the Town of Ithaca
Director of Engineering.
(The residents) will maintain the system and assume all costs to repair the system.
If at any time municipal water is Stalled at these addresses, the residents will
connect to that system and pay for all tax surcharges.
The costs incurred in the project will be divided up equally among the three
households.
There will be no cost to the Town of Ulysses for this project.
Attached to the request letter, Mr. Lunger submitted a statement from Town of Ithaca
Engineer Dan Walker stating what he would require of a water district for this three-
residence water district; a top-end quote from P&S Excavating of what it would cost to
install water main and service lines as per Town of Ithaca specs for the three-house water
district and a map showing where the Town of Ithaca water lines exist and where the
proposed water district water lines would be installed.
Mr. Lunger reported that he has spoken with his attorney, who recommended that the
residents grant easements for said water lines, with an official survey and conveyances
being conducted after the water lines have been installed.
Mr. Austic stated that he will send the request packet to the Town Engineer for review,
after which the Town Board will discuss the request. Mr. Austic explained that, in order
to establish a water district, the Town Board also will have to hold a public hearing and
put the matter up for a permissive referendum. Mr. Austic also noted that before the
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matter may come before a public hearing, the Board would need official specifications
for the water lines and other aspects of the water district construction.
Tompkins County Representative Peter Penniman
Mr. Penniman presented two handouts regarding the County budget process.
In regards to the youth budget cut of the Outings Program, Mr. Penniman stated that this
was an easier program to decide on, because it was selected by the County Youth Board
as a program that could be cut to bring the department's budget down 20% . Each
department in the County was asked to cut its budget, and departments, including youth,
planning, and other departments, that provide services above and beyond those that are
mandated by State law, were asked to cut their budgets more than others. The need for
budget cuts was identified when the County Board realized that keeping every program at
last year's budget would require a 40% tax increase. As the budget now stands, a 20%
County tax increase will be needed.
Mr. Penniman stated that he feels the County Administrator did a good job on setting up
the budget, and urged the Town Board members to come to the public meeting on the
County Budget on September 24`".
Mr. Austic also asked whether the County Board has made any changes to the method of
replacement selection for resigning County Board members.
Mr. Penniman stated that the County Board has passed a resolution to replace County
Board representatives by special elections instead of appointment by the Town Boards of
a district. The Board has talked about reimbursing the Towns for the election expenses.
Mr. Austic and Mrs. Georgia noted the importance of this reimbursement, as in Ulysses
alone, 18 people work every time there is an election.
Mr. Penniman asked how much the election workers are paid for a day of work, and was
told that they make between $60. 00 and $ 100. 00 .
Mr. Penniman also reported that the County has not yet been able to set regulations for
jet-skis on the lake.
TG Millers' Presentation of Map Plan & Report for the Church of Latter Day
Saints/Maguire's Water District
Mr. Austic stated that TG Miller's has prepared a map, plan and report for the Latter Day
Saints' Church/Maguire Water District on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Austic asked the
Board's pleasure-either to schedule a public hearing, or to agree to let the Town Attorney
and Engineer look the map, plan and report over. The Board agreed to hold off
scheduling a public hearing until the Town's Attorney and Engineer have had a chance to
review the map, plan and report, and advise the Town Board concerning this document.
Mr. Austic also noted that he was asked about a water district on South Street recently,
though nothing official has been submitted.
Tompkins County E.M.C.-Christian Boissonnas
Mr. Boissonnas noted that, since the E .M.C . has already completed its aquifer study, the
list of questions for the Town Board concerning this study is now a moot point.
Jacksonville Community Association-Richard Coogan
Mr. Coogan reported the Community Association is considering hosting a community
meeting concerning wells.
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Regular Town Board Meeting \
9/ 002
Mr. Coogan also reported that the extension for the main street, improvement project
through the hamlet was granted.
TOWN REPORTS
Highway Superintendent James Meeker
Mr. Meeker reported the Highway Department mowed all roadsides, poured concrete,
helped the Town of Enfield with its paving work, and put dow:«2 stone and oil.
Mr. Meeker also requested the Board's permission to look into prices for a new truck.
The Board agreed that Mr. Meeker may check into prices for EE newer truck.
Code Enforcement Officer
Mr. Rachun was not present. No report was presented.
Town Clerk
Mrs. Georgia reported that a total of $5,661 . 10 was collected by the Town Clerk's Office
in fees during the past month. Of this, $4, 128.42 will be electronically transferred from
the account by NYS DEC for the DECALS program.
Mrs. Georgia also reported on the CMS copy machine contract. The lease on the current
copier is up, so she got prices and information on a new machine. Mrs. Georgia noted
that it seems it will be possible to lease a newer, better model for a lower monthly
payment. The Board agreed it would be to take out another lease, as repairs on
leased equipment is provided for, while the service contract on an owned copier would be
over $500 annually, in addition to the cost of buying the machine.
Board Members & Committees
Mrs. Duddleston noted the Chamber of Commerce's community planning workshops.
The first one is scheduled for October 3rd. These workshops will be an opportunity for
discussion of planning issues among the various groups in the community.
Mrs. Duddleston also reported that she is not sure when the next EMT meeting will take
place, as the former head EMT was discharged. The Fire Department has been asked to
develop a completely thorough budget for 2003 . Mrs. Duddleston has asked that all
income, including donations be reported. This has not been done in the past, and it leaves
a fair amount unreported in the budget.
Supervisor
No questions were posed concerning the Supervisor's Financial Report.
Mr. Austic noted that budget time is approaching rapidly.
OLD BUSINESS
Woolf Lane Property-Water District #3
Mr. Austic reported that Town Attorney is proceeding with Article 78 grievance
proceedings against the Town of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals. The Town of Ithaca is
aware of the situation. Mr. Austic also noted that Mr. Wilson is working on the eminent
domain issue, but has not accomplished much to that end to date.
Other
No other Old Business was discussed.
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Town of Ulysses
Regular Town Board Meeting a itt
9/ 1 '02
NEW BUSINESS
2003 Budget Planning
Mr. Austic noted that any agencies that normally submit a budget request should make
sure that they get their requests in. Mrs. Georgia noted that the Clerk's office has found
some real shortcomings with the SPCA not fulfilling the contracted services as far as dog
license reminder letters and tickets. Mr. Austic asked if the Board should ask a
representative from the SPCA to attend the next meeting in order to discuss its budget
request and the provision of its contracted services. The Board agreed. Mrs. Georgia will
ask someone to attend the next meeting .
EMC-Aquifer Study
Mr. Austic confirmed that the Board review of the Aquifer Study survey would be a moot
point now.
Cable Franchise Agreement
Mr. Austic noted that an agreement must be reached before October 13th. The Towns of
Caroline, Ithaca, Danby, Lansing, Dryden, and Ulysses are planning to establish
simplified agreements between each Town and Time Warner Cable, instead of trying to
come up with one County-wide agreement, which has not been able to be agreed upon
yet.
Mr. Meeker requested that the new contract include a stipulation that Time Warner
inform him, as Town Highway Superintendent, of when and where they are installing
underground cable. He needs to know how deep the cable is buried and how close it is to
the ditch, where the highway department has to mow brush.
The Board set a public hearing for the franchise agreement for 7 :00 pm on Tuesday,
October 8th.
Other
Mr. Austic asked if all the Town Board members had received information on Cornell
Cooperative Extension's recommendation to add the Agricultural exemption to the Fire
Tax assessment. This would mean that agricultural property would be assessed for Fire
taxes according to the taxable value after the agricultural exemption is factored in.
HEARINGS FROM GROUPS & INDIVIDUALS
No comments were heard.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Austic noted the receipt of information from Tompkins County about a State
beautification grant. Up to $3 ,500 is available for urban forestry and other municipal
beautification.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Mr. Weatherby moved and Mrs. Duddleston seconded to
adjourn the meeting.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The meeting adjourned at 9 :05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk . .f°
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