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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2013-08-20 TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 20, 2013 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Board and Staff Present: Herb Engman, Rich DePaolo, Rod Howe, Mike Smith, Rich Schoch 1. Approval of Minutes: Mr. DePaolo moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Engman. Carried. 2. Member Comments / Concerns: No member comments or concerns. a. Modifications to the agenda: Added #6 - Baldwin Property, #7 - Inlet Valley Cemetery, #8 - Gateway Trail Update 3. Adopt-a-Park Program: Mr. Howe reported that the program draft is ready for the SAC and Town Board to review. 4. Status of Forest Home Park Plan: Mr. Engman stated that the park looks great! Mr. Schoch reported that he is working with Montana Peterson to determine placement of the donated bench purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Arms and to determine a fall tree order for planting. There is a $5,000.00 beautification grant out of which we will be purchasing large specimen trees and a weed wrench tool. The possibility exists for organizing another volunteer weekend. The previous volunteer weekends resulted in pulling out small invasive species (garlic mustard, barberry, honeysuckle, and privet), topsoil placed in holes and seeded to grass, and a stump removed. Mr. Schoch has not heard any further information about the Hasbrouck bench that Cornell University agreed to replace. Mr. Engman will follow up with David Gross to contact David Cutter, Cornell Architect, about the Hasbrouck bench. Mr. Schoch mentioned that Mr. Cutter is invited to the next Forest Home Association meeting. Mr. Engman remarked that he would like to see a stone wall along the streamside rather than a bench with a historic plaque mounted on the wall. Mr. Howe stated that Montana Peterson is in contact with a Cornell professor working on a feasibility study for an energy demonstration pilot for hydropower, small scale solar, or possibly geothermal energy. 5. Town Board Referral – Pest Management: Mr. Engman referred to the Conservation Board’s Recommendations for a Town of Ithaca Pest Management Policy of April 4, 2013 to start the conversation. Mr. Schoch stated that the policy looked fairly good with his biggest concern being management of the program, e.g. (1) to contract it out or to increase workload of Town staff, (2) to bear the cost and management of training/certification, equipment and herbicides and pesticides. Mr. DePaolo raised the issue of how to manage private property outside of parks and the negative effects of unmanaged contiguous municipalities/property. Mr. Smith reported that the Conservation Board has used the Westhaven Preserve as an example and publicly demonstrated the process of removal and management of swallowwort. One approach for ash trees is inoculation with a registered and approved insecticide every three years which would be expensive for forests, but possible for those trees that may present safety issues if diseased and for valuable specimen trees. Mr. DePaolo asked about the range of the Emerald Ash Borer to which Mr. Schoch reported that one was th found July 29 in a trap in the Town of Dewitt in Onondaga County. He said that Mark Whitmore mentioned that they may already be in our area, but have not been found in traps yet. Mr. DePaolo stated that the Town’s rights-of-way are a concern to which Mr. Engman stated would have to be our focus for pesticide use due to safety concerns. Mr. Schoch reported that the larger ash trees are in decline due to a variety of reasons and have been for the past several decades. He suggested starting fresh with planting other native hardwood species. Discussion was held about inventory of problem trees. Mr. Smith informed the group about a 50/50 match grant from DEC for management, but an inventory would need to be done first. Mr. Engman proposed the idea of the DEC and college students completing an inventory as a first step. Mr. Howe suggested researching “best management practices” that are already established. Mr. DePaolo stated that it would be hard to answer the question of contracting out or utilizing Town staff without the cost of management to aid in the decision. Mr. Schoch stated that Jim Engle, owner of White Oak Nursery in Canandaigua, was hired by Cornell Plantations for $50./hour. He uses a rotary cutter and sprays the trunk and has had good luck. He has also done work along Game Farm Trail. Mr. Engman would like to know if there are any communities that have noted success. Mr. Smith will follow up with the EMC Board for successful approaches in other communities and the cost associated. Mr. Engman wants to continue to look for grants to plan to include public training. Mr. Howe indicated that Cornell Cooperative Extension may also have useful information. Mr. Smith knows of a Conservation Board member who has done volunteer programs. Mr. Schoch indicated that we have accumulated some useful tools for swallowwort and woody invasive species management. Mr. Engman raised the possibility of recruiting volunteers through the Finger Lakes Land Trust for a possible campaign along with the Conservation Board. Mr. DePaolo asked about management of construction sites and ditching done by the Town. Mr. Smith reported that any construction that goes through the Planning Board has the issue addressed. Mr. Schoch reported that the Town hydro-seeds as a standard procedure when any soil is disturbed by regrading. 6. Baldwin Property: Mr. Schoch and Mr. Engman met with Finger Lakes Land Trust regarding the donated Baldwin property. New member and forester Lance Ebel will devise a forest management plan and share it with Mr. Schoch and Mr. Engman. There will be cooperation dealing with invasive species. The abstract has gone to Guy Krogh for review. There will be a grant from Mr. Baldwin for maintenance of the property. He is also willing to pay for installation of a footbridge and forestry services. This will add 14 acres to the existing 16 acres near Pew Trail. The proposed agreement has provisions preventing development of the property. There will be a one-time stewardship fee of $11,000.00 payable to Finger Lakes Land and Trust. There is a 15-year timeframe on the forest management plan. Discussion about the possibility of Adopt-a-Park volunteers was held. The proposed agreement is in for legal review then will go to the Town Board. 7. Inlet Valley Cemetery: Mr. Schoch reported that we have a Cornell P.O.S.T volunteer crew doing cleanup and clearing the brush and vines from the wall today. Mr. Engman has heard nothing on the grant application, but advises submitting it to see what we can get. He stated that he has heard no more from the family requesting internment in the cemetery. There is no record that there is an available plot. They would need to produce a receipt for purchase of the plot in order for the issue to go any further. 8. Gateway Trail Update: Mr. Smith reported that Fisher Associates is working on the survey and environmental design for DOT. Fisher Associates needs inspection records of the bridge in order to proceed. The City approved $15,000.00 for inspection by LaBella. Fisher Associates will need to gain access to the bridge during the inspection. Mr. Engman reported that the Emerson property division is underway. We will need to work with the new owner to work out Gateway Trail details for use. Mr. Schoch asked about more proactive recruiting for Adopt-a-Park volunteers. Mr. Howe suggested putting information in the fall newsletter for neighborhood recruiting. Mr. Engman stated the importance of the community being fully informed about what they can and cannot do under the Adopt-a-Park program. We need to ensure that the property boundaries are clear. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for: September 17, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. Future Agenda Items: Forest Home Wall / Sidewalk Work Coddington Road Sewer Line Extension Grant for Inlet Valley Cemetery Bluegrass Lane Trail after Hanshaw Road Walkway is complete Parks and Trails (Michigan Hill Park, South Hill Trail, Forest Home) Water and Wastewater Master Plan South Hill Trail Extension lvp