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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember NewsletterFINANCE FACTS The Town Board adopted the 2026 Town Budget which is down nearly $1million, or 2.9% from last year and totals $31.26 million and stays under the NYS Tax Cap. Taxpayers, however, will likely see 2-4% increase in their property tax bill as the new budget relies upon a smaller allocation of fund balance than the 2025 Budget. The average increase for a median priced home ($350K) for the Village of Cayuga Heights will be approximately $23 and for Town properties outside of the Village it will be around $80. The actual amount also depends on any changes to the property’s taxable assessed value (the assessment less any tax exemptions). The largest expense for the Town remains personnel at 19% - a cost that is tied directly to providing services like snow removal, road construction/repair, park maintenance, code enforcement, planning, zoning, engineering for capital projects, and permitting for various activities. Fire Protection follows closely, representing about 18% of the Town ’s total expenditures. Most residents receive contracted fire protection services from the City of Ithaca Fire Department, with a smaller portion of the Town being served by a contract with the Village of Cayuga Heights. Providing Town residents and businesses with access to clean potable water and sewage treatment totals $11.36 million of the $31.26 million budget. This includes normal operation and maintenance costs as well as planned capital investments in infrastructure. Funding for the Town’s budget is derived primarily from property taxes, sales tax, usage fees (water/sewer), State Aid and departmental fees. A full copy of the 2026 Town Budget is available on the Town Website. Kelly Anderson Finance Officer November 2025 Newsletter Veterans’ Day is November 11th Operation Green Light is a national initiative to “shine a light” as a visible sign of your support and appreciation of their service and sacrifices, especially as they reintegrate to civilian life. All Town Hall offices will be closed on November 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day. CODES CORNER This is a friendly reminder that the New York State 2025 Uniform Code has been amended/updated and adopted and will go into effect on December 31, 2025. If you are designing a project now and want to build under the 2020 NYS Uniform Code, you must submit a substantially completed building permit application to the Codes Department no later than December 30, 2025. As we enter Fall and begin storing our summer items, please remember that accessory buildings, more commonly called “sheds,” need to comply with Town Code. Sheds do not need a permit in non-commercial, residential or agricultural zones if they are: (a) used for storage of tools, as a playhouse or other similar use; (b) Costs less than $10,000; (c) Is less than 12 feet in height and has a gross floor area that does not exceed 144 square feet; (d) Does not involve the installation or extension of electrical, plumbing, or heating systems; and (e) Does not include the installation of solid fuel-burning heating appliances and associated chimneys and flues. If sheds do not meet the above criteria, they do require a building permit from the Code Dept. Whether or not a building permit is required, placement of sheds are regulated in the Town Code. For example, most Zones prohibit sheds in the front and/or side yard and there are some restrictions on footprint, height and setback from the property lines. We strongly encourage you to contact our office at 607-273-1721 option 3, or email us at codes@townithacany.gov before purchasing or placing your shed on your property. All of our permit applications can be found at the following link: https://ithacany.portal.opengov.com/ Did you “Fall Back” and remember to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors? This is a simple and easy way to ensure you are alerted in the case of a fire or exposure to CO2. Simple steps save lives. Marty Moseley Director of Code Enforcement and Zoning SIREN Delivers Key Community Alerts to Your Phone, Text or Inbox Tompkins County Highway has announced it only send notifications regarding road or bridge clo- sures through the SIREN system. This is a good time to sign up for Siren Alerts. All Tompkins County Municipalities are enrolled in Siren and you can customized the alerts you want and how you want to receive them. https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All -Departments/Emergency-Response/ Emergency-Notifications-SIREN Flood Risk Products for Tompkins County Flood Risk Products (FRPs) specifically developed by FEMA for Tompkins County are available TC FRPs FRPs are non-regulatory data products meant to support and provide information on flood hazard mitigation efforts by providing information that can be used to better understand, analyze, and visualize flood risk in a community in conjunction with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulatory products, such as the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Database. Climate Smart Community Projects Regulations Public Comment Period NYS DEC has proposed amendments to 6 NYCRR Part 492, which governs the procedures applicable to Climate Smart Community projects, including the Zero- Emission Vehicle (ZEV) rebate program, the infrastructure grant program and the Climate Smart Communities grant program. The amendments would repeal the current rules and add a new Part 492 that is restructured to simplify and clarify the three separate programs; ensure consistency of the regulation with the statutory requirements; provide additional flexibility and eligibility for the administration of the program; and make other procedural improvements. Copies of the documents are available Here: A Virtual Public Hearing will be held on December 2nd at 2pm. Or join by phone: 518-549-0500 and enter: Meeting Number: 2821 549 6199 Meeting Password: 93526631 You can also comment via: Email: climate.regs@dec.ny.gov and include “Comments on Part 492” in the subject line. Mail to: NYSDEC Office of Climate Change, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12233-1030; ATTN: Myra Fedyniak Public Comment Period Ends Dec 9 at 5pm REGISTER HERE Gadabout Transportation Survey Gadabout is conducting a Survey to learn more about rider experiences and how they can improve their services. If you ride with Gadabout, or have in the past, please take a moment to complete the survey. Your input helps them plan for the future and continue providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities in Tompkins County. Please share with anyone that might, may, or has used Gadabout. The survey will be available through 11/15/2025. You can fill out the survey online at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/5WGJX9R or by phone by calling the County’s Office For the Aging (COFA) at 607-274-5449 on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9am-12pm or request a paper copy from them by calling 607-273-1878 anytime. We’d love to hear from as many people as possible. Reminder Leaf Pickup Begins November 10, 2025 Town of Ithaca Leaf Collection (outside the Village of Cayuga Heights) will begin Monday, November 10th at 7a.m. and continue throughout the week until finished. Tompkins County Assessment Office Temporary Move to 31 Dutch Mill Road in Lansing The move is planned for on or around November 1st and will most likely last until the new Center of Government Building is completed. Parking has always been a major complaint, and the new location has easy access and plenty of parking. It is also nicer than the offices we have had, so although I literally grew up in the Annex Building C (my parents worked in offices here), I am excited about the potential of this new location. We will be looking to schedule meetings in some municipalities to accommodate anyone who may have difficulties getting to Lansing, and you can also always give us a call and we can schedule a time for one of our Appraisers to come to you. Jay Franklin - Director of Assessment - jfranklin@tompkins-co.org It’s Coming….Snow & Ice A major issue during snow removal operation is trash and recycling bins being placed in the right -of- way (ROW) during and immediately after snow events. Road crews work hard to clear our roads as quickly as possible after a weather event. Please help them by delaying putting trash and/or recycling bins out during snow events and directly after. If you must put them out, please put them in your driveway away from the road as to not to impact road clearing efforts. These containers become a hazard for our drivers when they are placed in the ROW. In addition, they could blow into the street or may be pushed into the culverts by snow clearing operations. Thank you in advance! Town Crews NYSEG Electric Transmission Reliability Project Public Comment Open Through 1/29/2026 New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is rebuilding the existing 21 - mile electric transmission line between the Montour Falls Substation and the Coddington Substation on King Rd East in the Town of Ithaca. The project, known as the Finger Lakes Area Infrastructure Reliability Project (FLAIR), adds lighting protection and will replace the wooden poles with steel poles within the existing right-of-way. FLAIR is anticipated to affect thirteen properties in the Town of Ithaca, all close to the Danby town line. Construction is scheduled for 2027/2028. Maps, presentations, guides to the process for electric transmission facilities, and how to submit comments are available at https://fingerlakesareareliability.com. Questions about the project can be directed via email to planning@townithacany.gov or by phone at 607 -273-1721 (option 3). SPCA In Need of Donations this Holiday Season The Town contracts with Tompkins County Animal for Dog Control, a department within the SPCA. I reached out to Director Bouderau for a Wish List : • Towels (used is fine) • Canned Dog Food • Clumping Cat Litter • Canned Squeeze Cheese • 13 Gallon Trash Bags • Paper Towels • Liquid Laundry Detergent • Dish and Hand Soap Donations can be dropped off at the Pet Adoption Center 1640 Hanshaw Road. There is also an Amazon wish list you can go to and have items sent directly to the Center. Paulette Rosa Town Clerk If I won the Lottery, I wouldn’t tell anyone, but there would be signs.” Shop Small Business Weekend Friday, November 28, 2025 Additional Dates Saturday, November 29, 2025, Sunday, November 30, 2025, Location: Downtown Ithaca Celebrate the season by shopping local and supporting your favorite small businesses throughout Downtown Ithaca. Enjoy exclusive deals and festive charm all weekend long. Earn a free tote bag when you make a qualifying purchase at participating locations while supplies last. Ithaca Turkey Trot Thursday, November 27, 2025 - 9:00am Ithaca High School - 1401 N Cayuga St Price: Free—Suggested $10 donation to Loaves and Fishes Join the Finger Lakes Runners Club on Thanksgiving morning as they host Ithaca ’s Turkey Trot. The festive community prediction run offers a fun experience for all! Those who finish closest to their predicted time are awarded pies. Post-run refreshments provided. Online registration required. 2025 COOKIE WALK This year’s Cookie Walk will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6th. The Walk will open promptly at 11 am and will run until 3 pm (or until the cookies are sold out) in Center Ithaca on the Ithaca Commons! Consider pre- ordering cookies to skip the line and get the best selection! They make great gifts for friends, family, teachers, caregivers and are perfect for your holiday entertaining. Now Seeking Bakers! Want to bake and/or volunteer at the event? Click the button below. Cookie Walk Baker & Volunteer Information Tompkins County Public Library Open House to Mark 25th Anniversary of Historic Move to East Green Street The celebration, which will run from 2-4 p.m. on November 8 inside the library, will include treats, all ages crafts and games, a dance party, historic displays and an opportunity to learn more about all the services TCPL offers. For more information Check out the TCPL website here.