HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2025-05-01
Page 1 of 3
Town of Ithaca Conservation Board Meeting
May 1, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
(In Person at Town Hall and via Zoom Video Conference)
Final Minutes
Members Present: Lori Brewer, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Ingrid Zabel, Frank
Cantone
Staff Present: Michael Smith (Senior Planner)
Guests: Evan Ogata and Pete Loucks, prospective members, and Hilary Swartwood,
Town of Ithaca Sustainability Planner
1. Update on Town Sustainability Projects:
Hilary Swartwood reviewed the Town’s Green New Deal resolutions, approved in
2020. The resolutions emerged from a comprehensive energy and conservation
plan, developed in 2014. The resolutions prioritize items for two years, which are
periodically reviewed by the Planning Committee.
Three goals of the resolutions:
- Prioritize regionally sourced, renewable energy. The Town derives its
renewable energy from Constellation Energy, though it is not yet 100%
regionally sourced.
- Reduce emissions by 50% from 2010 values. Purchase renewable energy
credits. Working with the Town Public Works department to purchase
electric, light duty vehicles.
- Carbon neutrality, through the Tompkins Green Energy network. The new
energy code seeks to reduce emissions in new construction, salvage demo
materials. Make changes to set up for success.
James- Regionally sourced energy is important so that one can keep an eye on
the process. Pumping water to holding tanks is probably very energy intensive.
Changed Bolton Point billing to a tiered structure to decrease water use a few
years ago.
Evan- A paradox- save energy in one area and use energy in another area.
Pete- How do you prioritize projects? Hilary works closely with other
departments to measure the project impact and derive the biggest bang for the
buck.
Frank- Changing energy codes (state and local) will impact developers and may
make it more expensive to build housing resulting in unintended negative
consequences on housing availability. Hilary stated that developers are already
complying with the more stringent local codes and will likely be less impacted
when the state changes their energy code requirements.
Eva- What about building efficient, pre-fab housing? Eva also suggested that
Hilary come to the CB more regularly.
Page 2 of 3
2. Persons to be heard:
Evan stated that he walks a lot and sustainability efforts impact him directly.
Quality of life values here are important. He does have an academic
sustainability background, experience with deer management, and watersheds.
3. Members comments/concerns:
Ingrid received an email from Ed Dubovi, a member of the Town of Lansing
conservation advisory council. Ed asked what it takes to convert from an
advisory council to a board. Ingrid will invite him to one of our meetings.
4. Environmental Review Committee Update (Lori):
a. The top three up and coming projects on the Town website
(https://townithacany.gov/upcoming-current-projects/) will be presented to
the Planning Board next week.
b. NYS has three bills regarding plastic carpets. A new bill is going to the state
legislature- no plastic carpet in schools and municipalities.
c. Representatives Lea Webb and Anna Kelles have not been responding to
Lori’s emails regarding plastic carpets. Lori/Mike will engage the Town
Supervisor to encourage responses from our representatives.
5. Chair & Coordinator Reports:
Coordinator report:
a. Babcock Ridge trail project (Culver Road Preserve), 90% plan. Not sure
when the bid will go out. Construction may begin next spring.
b. The Town is submitting a grant to help replace the wooden play structure at
Iacovelli Park, at the end of Juniper Drive, as well as expand the basketball
court, and increase accessibility.
c. Zero Waste has filed lawsuits against Cornell University and the City of
Ithaca regarding the plastic carpet on Tower Road, and recently the court
sided with Cornell and the City.
d. The Town Zoning Board of Appeals denied the height variance request
regarding Verizon’s planned cell phone tower on Wiedmaier Court. Verizon
filed a lawsuit in federal court regarding the grounds for rejection. The Town
has little flexibility in approving or denying cell tower projects.
6. Approval of minutes from April 2025 meeting:
James moved and Ingrid seconded, all in favor. Frank abstained.
7. Planning for Fischer Award tree planting:
Joe Talbut has been in touch with Rich Schoch. Rich would like a Shagbark
Hickory planted in the Babcock Ridge Preserve. Rich is out of town most of May.
Perhaps early June for the planting.
8. Conservation Board member recruitment:
Lori manned a table for Earth Day with the Environmental Management Council
(EMC) and spoke with a couple residents.
Page 3 of 3
9. Regular reports and updates:
a. Scenic Resources Committee: No new information.
b. Communications Committee: On Facebook there were 245 views with four
interactions.
c. Tompkins County EMC: There will be an EMC meeting at the large pavilion
at Stewart Park on May 8 from 4-6pm.
d. Six Mile Creek: The German Cross Road site was the last sample to be
analyzed for bio-monitoring.
e. Cornell Botanic Garden: Green ash seedlings were grafted on the root stock
of surviving ash trees. Lansing- cleared trails in the preserve.
10. Other business: none
11. Work goals/June agenda:
Conduct our June meeting on the same day as the tree planting? We could meet
in the Tutelo Park pavilion, which is down the road from the Babcock Preserve.
12. Adjourn: at 7:00 pm
Minutes drafted by Frank A Cantone.