HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2025-09-04
1
Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
September 4, 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 (via Zoom)
Staff Present: Michael Smith (Senior Planner)
Guests: Pete Loucks, Evan Ogata, Ed Dubovi
1. Discussion with Ed Dubovi, from the Lansing Conservation Advisory Council (CAC), about the idea of
becoming a Conservation Board (CB)
a. Ed shared information about conservation work going on in the Town of Lansing and their Open
Space Plan, and asked questions
b. Town of Ithaca (TOI) CB members shared their experience of the Town’s CAC becoming a CB in the
past and of currently operating as a CB
c. The main takeaway was that the support that the TOI CB receives from TOI staff is critical
2. Persons to be heard: None
3. Members comments/concerns
a. Frank is interested in creating a guidance/training document for members of CB.
b. Mike’s 2025 summer intern started an orientation/ onboarding guide.
c. Frank could create a guide that has a higher level of detail, for example, about the process of
environmental review’s
d. The guide will have links to important documents
e. Goal: Finish by end of year
4. Environmental Review Committee:
a. Field hockey phase 2 project does not need Planning Board approval anymore, so the CB doesn’t
need to review
b. No other current projects for environmental review
c. Discussion of high power lines across Game Farm Road property: The power lines are not in the
project drawings because they are too far away from the playing fields
5. Chair report: None
Coordinator report:
a. The Upcycling Summit about businesses that have developed around invasive species was
interesting. Products that businesses have developed include biochar, fertilizer, dyes, and fibers.
b. Reminder: Upcoming New York State Conference on the Environment in Kingston NY
c. Upcoming free New York State Invasive Species Expo
d. Verizon cell tower lawsuit is in federal court and a mediation process has started
e. Planning staff and COC committee are working on updating subdivision regulations. They are
referencing the Open Space Index. Staff are digitizing the 1992 paper version and working on a GIS
version
6. Approval of Minutes: July 3rd minutes were not available
7. September 13 Ethnobotanical Trail event
2
a. In conjunction with Public Works Open House
b. Tutelo Park, Ingrid will have table, Mike Roberts and Steve Henhawk will give tours
c. Lori will join and help direct people from public works to the park
8. Regular reports and updates:
a. Scenic Views Committee: No news
b. Communications Committee
i. Ingrid has drafted a poster to promote Town parks, preserves, recreation ways, and scenic
views. It is intended to go on existing signposts at some of these locations.
ii. CB Members will review and provide feedback for Ingrid
c. Tompkins County EMC
i. Still working on strategic plan and coming up with detailed work plans for the next few years
ii. At the September meeting there will be a presentation on sewage sludge and an effort to put
a moratorium on spreading it on farm fields because of the hazards of PFAs and other
contaminants
d. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitors:
i. BMI teams sampled at 3 sites: Below Potters Falls, German Cross Rd, and Six Hundred Rd
riffles on 8/22, 23 & 24. 8/22 sample was analyzed live that day, the other two samples were
preserved in alcohol for future analysis at CSI’s Langmuir Lab weekly evening sessions.
ii. James and wife Di attended the annual Volunteer appreciation party at Steward Park
8/23/25, where they got the volunteer of year award: a gift card for a native tree from The
Plantsmen Nursery. NYS Assemblymember Anne Kelles attended, with a NYS resolution
appreciating CSI on its 25th anniversary of volunteer community water monitoring. Food
was especially good, with Purity bringing a new flavor ice cream for dessert.
iii. On 8/27 volunteers took a scheduled synoptic sample of Six Mile’s 16 usual sites from
Yellow Barn to Plain St downtown. The CSI lab measures these samples for 2 bacterial and
11 physical and chemical indicators of stream health, and publishes results on its
communityscience.org website.
e. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Volunteers:
i. Weeded parsnips and burdock around Beebe Lake
ii. Weeded swallowwort on South Hill
iii. Weeded swallowwort and stilt grass at Lick Brook
iv. Potted dwarf cherries, shrubs, and trees at Plant Production Facility, where they watched a
grafting expert put two different kinds of bud grafts for a lingering ash experiment onto green
ash rootstock to see if these clones are resistant to emerald ash borers
v. Trimmed trails and collected witch hazel and basswood seeds in McLean preserve
vi. Cleared and blazed trail in Polson Preserve.
9. Other comments:
a. South Hill Rail Trail Extension update: A Friends group is forming and doing brush clearing, led by
Bill Goodman
10. Discuss October Agenda:
a. Eva will provide a summary of the scenic resources sign project
11. Adjourn: 6:56pm
Minutes drafted by Ingrid Zabel