HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2025-11-10MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
November 10, 2025 5:30 p.m.
215 N. Tioga St.
ZOOM (ID 98910958241) YOUTUBE LINK
AGENDA
1) Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
2) Persons to be Heard and Board Comments
3) Consider approval to re-levy unpaid Water/Sewer accounts
4) Consider approval of an agreement for DER Administrator services
5) Consider Consent Agenda Items
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
d. Ratify appointment of Distribution Operator at SCLIW - LoMonaco
e. Proclaiming November 19th as GIS Day
f. Approval of award of bid – Vibro Screen
g. Setting public hearings for November 24, 2025, regarding a local law rescinding and
replacing Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 144, Energy Code Supplement and a
proposed amendment to the contract with City of Ithaca for Fire Protection and
Emergency Services
6) Report from Town Officials
7) Review of Correspondence
TB 2025-11-10 (Filed 11/12) Pg. 1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
November 10, 2025
Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Pamela
Bleiwas, Margaret Johnson and Susie Gutenberger Absent: Rob Rosen
Staff Present: Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Justin McNeal, Acting Director of
Engineering; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; CJ Randall, Director of Planning;
Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk; and Joe Slater, Director of Public Works
Mr. Howe called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at 5:31 p.m.
1) Persons to be Heard and Board Comments - None
2) Consider approval to re-levy unpaid Water/Sewer accounts
Standard annual resolution to re-levy unpaid billings.
TB Resolution 2025 - 128: Authorization for 2025 Water & Sewer Re-levy Delinquent
2024/2025 Water & Sewer Rents.
TOWN OF ITHACA
Reconciliation of Receivables
ITEM# DESCRIPTION WATER SEWER TOTALS
1 Delinquent Re-levies $ 81,709.85 $ 48,376.57 $ 130,086.42
2 Billing Credits $ (58,239.63) $ (40,483.81) $ (98,723.44)
Account Receivable Balance: $ 23,470.22 $ 7,892.76 $ 31,362.98
Whereas, (Item No. 1 above) $130,086.42 of delinquent water and sewer charges inclusive of
penalties and related surcharges for the billing period 12/1/24, 3/1/25, 6/1/25 and 9/1/25 remain
unpaid and due to the Town as of November 6, 2025, to be re-levied onto the 2026 Town and
County Tax Bills; and
Whereas, (Item No. 2 above) ($98,723.44) billing credits will be carried forward for December
2025 Water & Sewer Billing cycle; and
Whereas, Town Code Chapter 261 and Town Code Chapter 210 provides for all delinquent
accounts for payment of water and sewer rents and related charges to be placed on the ensuing
years tax roll as a re-levy; now therefore be it
Resolved, that this governing Town Board approves the list of delinquent water and sewer
charges of $81,709.85 and $48,376.57 respectively, for re-levy to the 2026 Town and County
Tax Roll; and therefore, be it further
Resolved, that a certified copy of this resolution along with a listing of those re-levied water and
sewer charges are to be delivered to Tompkins County Assessment Department by the Town
TB 2025-11-10 (Filed 11/12) Pg. 2
Receiver of Taxes for the purpose of adding these delinquent charges to the 2026 Town and
County Tax Roll, the Finance Officer for accounting purposes, and to the Southern Cayuga Lake
Intermunicipal Water Commission for the purpose of reconciling and account billing purposes.
Moved: Pamel Bleiwas Seconded: Eric Levine
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Johnson and Gutenberger
3) Consider approval of an agreement for DER Administrator services
Mr. Howe gave an overview, saying that the Board passed the Distributed Energy Resource
(DER) Plan in October and this is yet another step in the process which names and contracts with
Paul Finn as the DER Administrator. The City will also be contracting with Mr. Finn and then
we will move into the TGEN phase and public outreach.
Ms. Johnson asked what this means to our residents.
Mr. DePaolo responded that there will be an outreach educational program for residents to learn
about opting in or out for signing up for the municipality to decide where you are going to get
your energy from, which should be the same rate or better using a significantly higher percentage
of renewables than most usually get.
The DER Plan is different. The DER Administrator would be bringing parties together as
shareholders to contract together and achieve the financial benefits of purchasing renewable
energy together. The Community Choice Aggregation can stand alone, but Mr. Finn is involved
in both.
The DER Administrator is not paid by the Town, but by a percentage of project related costs paid
presumably by the vendors of power. We are not financially exposed uner this agreement.
TB Resolution 2025 – 129: Approval of a Contract with Local Power LLC for Distributed
Energy Resource Administrator Services
Whereas, Article II (Distributed Energy Resources Program) of Ithaca Town Code Chapter 135
(Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources
Program), and the Town of Ithaca’s Local Distributed Energy Resource Plan (DER Plan)
approved by the Ithaca Town Board on October 6, 2025, authorize and provide for a local
Distributed Energy Resource (DER) program that is under municipal oversight and must be
consistent with PSC orders, and
Whereas, Article II of Chapter 135 and the DER Plan provide for the use of a DER
Administrator to implement and administer the DER program and certain activities described in
the DER Plan, subject to Town oversight, and
Whereas, the Town wishes to have Local Power LLC, with principal offices at 91 Mountain St.,
Haydenville, MA 01039 (“Contractor”), be the DER Administrator and perform the professional
TB 2025-11-10 (Filed 11/12) Pg. 3
services described in a proposed Contract for Services between the Town and Contractor (the
“Contract”), and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and
its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, it has been determined by the Town Board
that approval of the Contract is a Type II action because it constitutes “routine or continuing
agency administration and management, not including new programs or major reordering of
priorities that may affect the environment,” and thus this action is not subject to review under
SEQRA, now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board approves the Contract and authorizes the Town Supervisor to
execute it, subject to the review of the Attorney for the Town.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Rod Howe
Votes: ayes – DePaolo, Howe, Levine, Bleiwas, Gutenberger and Johnson
4) Consider Consent Agenda Items
Mr. Howe read portions of the GIS Proclamation, noting that GIS has become a vital role in the
continuing growth and planning of the Town.
Mr. DePaolo added that Mr. Villanueva came through in the clutch at a recent SJC meeting by
quantifying the median household income in the Town, allowing us to qualify for 0% interest on
$25M in capital improvement costs for the IAWWTF.
Ms. Johnson asked what GIS is and Mr. Howe responded that it is mapping and demographics
based on geolocations and Mr. Villanueva had given a presentation last year on the program and
he will ask him back in the near future.
Mr. DePaolo asked what a Vibroscreen is and Mr. Slater explained that it is a piece of equipment
that can screen different things like ditch cleanouts and compost which allows the Town to use
parts of the different products screened for other purposes like clean fill for shoulder building
and making gravel mixes so there is some payback to the Town.
TB Resolution 2025 - 130: Adopt Consent Agenda
Resolved that the Town Board adopts the Consent Agenda actions:
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
d. Ratify appointment of Distribution Operator at SCLIW - LoMonaco
e. Proclamation of November 19th as GIS Day
f. Approval of award of bid – Vibro Screen
g. Setting public hearings for November 24, 2025, regarding a local law rescinding and
replacing Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 144, Energy Code Supplement and a
TB 2025-11-10 (Filed 11/12) Pg. 4
proposed amendment to the 2020-2024 contract with City of Ithaca for Fire
Protection and Emergency Services
Moved: Susie Gutenberger Seconded: Margaret Johnson
Vote: ayes – Gutenberger, Johnson, Levine, Howe, DePaolo and Bleiwas
TB Resolution 2025 – 130a: Approval of Town Board Minutes of September 29, 2025
Resolved that the Town Board approves the draft minutes of October 27, 2025, as final, with any
non-substantive changes made.
TB Resolution 2025 - 130b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 21 for FY-2025
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes payment of the audited vouchers in total for the
amounts indicated:
VOUCHER NOS. 2025 1025 - 1062
General Fund Town Wide 68,073.05
General Fund Part-Town 15,463.39
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 23,856.00
Highway Fund Part Town DB 93,615.61
Water Fund 13,373.03
Sewer Fund 15,091.92
Capital Projects 37,748.70
Trust and Agency 25,389.24
TOTAL 292,610.94
TB Resolution 2025 - 130c: Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
Resolved that the governing Town Board approves payment for the following audited vouchers
for the totals listed:
Voucher Numbers: 453-495
Check Numbers: 21474-21516
Capital Impr/Repl Project $ 11,910.26
Operating Fund $ 66,381.91
TOTAL $ 78,292.17
TB Resolution 2025 - 130d: Ratify Appointment of Distribution Operator at SCLIWC
Whereas, the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission on November 6, 2025,
appointed Antonio LoMonaco to a Distribution Operator position- permanent non-competitive
status under NYS HELPS, retro-active to October 7, 2025; now, therefore be it
TB 2025-11-10 (Filed 11/12) Pg. 5
Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify SCLIWC’s appointment
Antonio LoMonaco to a Distribution Operator position- permanent non-competitive status, retro-
active to October 7, 2025, at the 2025 Classification 5B Step 1 rate of $30.32 per hour, with no
changes to benefits.
TB Resolution 2025 - 130e: Proclaiming November 19th as GIS Day
Whereas, fascination with the earth’s geography inspired the early explorers of our country to
learn and record information about the surface, subsurface, and hydrogeologic features of the
land and its people, environments, resources, political boundaries, and characteristics and today
remains a fundamental part of our national heritage, and
Whereas, geographic information has many useful applications for our municipal government
and is a valuable resource used in the analysis of infrastructure, emergency services, economic
development, sustainability, and long-range planning, and
Whereas, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology provides an efficient means of
managing geographic information and providing data that allows for effective decision-making
and improved delivery of services to the residents of the Town of Ithaca, and
Whereas, GIS helps the Town of Ithaca navigate change with data-driven insights and expertise
that provide better choices for how people work and live, and
Whereas, anyone can use GIS to inform decision-making, analyze information about people,
places, and environments, and create a positive impact, and
Whereas, GIS empowers cultural preservation of the arts, history, and human anthropology
through connections with spatial data, and
Whereas, this annual public awareness program encourages all citizens to think and learn about
the significance of place and how we affect and are affected by it, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca’s Engineering Department plays a vital role in the continued
growth of the Town with its outstanding efforts in the advancement of GIS and its foresight in
creating programs that can be used to better manage services in the Town; now therefore be it
Resolved that November 19th is hereby designated as GIS Day in the Town of Ithaca in
conjunction with the celebration of National GIS Day celebration on the third Wednesday in
November.
TB Resolution 2025 - 130f: Approval of award - VibroScreen
Whereas the Public Works Department solicited bids for a Vibroscreen SCM40 or similar and
received one response from ALTA Equipment Company, 5985 Court St., Syracuse, NY, for a
delivered price of $110,931.00, now therefore be it
TB 2025-11-10 (Filed 11/12) Pg. 6
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the purchase of the Vibroscreen SCM40 from ALTA
Equipment Company as described above.
TB Resolution 2025 - 130g: Setting Public Hearings
Resolved that the Town Board will hold public hearings at their meeting on November 24, 2025,
which begins at 4:30p.m. at Town Hall, 215 N. Tioga Street, and broadcast on the ZOOM
videoconferencing platform, to hear all persons interested in commenting on a) a local law
rescinding and replacing Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 144, Energy Code Supplement and b) a
proposed amendment to the 2020-2024 contract with City of Ithaca for Fire Protection and
Emergency Services.
5) Report from Town Officials
Mr. Howe noted that we have received a few comments about the NYSEGS Finger Lakes Area
Reliability (FLARE) project and asked Ms. Randall to give an overview.
Ms. Randall stated that FLARE involves rebuilding a 21-mile stretch from Montour Falls to
Coddington Road substation bulk transmission lines by replacing the wooden old-style H poles
with steel poles. There is a website with all the plans and maps and dates of various public
hearings linked on our website and via the most recent newsletter. This is Phase 1 and is slated to
begin sometime in 2027/2028.
Mr. Howe noted:
That the City will be discussing the proposed joint Historic Preservation Program on Wednesday.
Town Hall is once again lit green for Veterans’ Day.
Mr. DePaolo summarized the recent meeting with DEC regarding upgrades to the IAWWTF.
The DEC formula includes hypothetical data which would result in the addition of millions of
dollars in capital improvements. We continue to look at ways to bolster our case that their
calculations are incorrect and decrease those potential costs.
6) Review of Correspondence – None
Motion by Mr. Howe, seconded by Mr. Levine to adjourn the meeting; unanimous.
Submitted by
Paulette Rosa
Town Clerk