HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember NewsletterClerk’s Corner
Beginning last August, the Town Clerk’s Office has
been transitioning some of it’s services to a new
online platform called Laserfiche. The services
remain the same, but you no longer have to “sign
up” or remember a password!
Laserfiche is more user friendly for non-property
associated services that fall under the Town Clerk’s
Office such as marriage licenses, dog licensing and
accessible parking permits.
You can still access our online services through the
Town’s website https://townithacany.gov/ under
“Forms, Documents & Permits” on the landing page.
Select the Town Clerk’s box and our list of services
comes up with brief descriptions and the link to the
appropriate application. All services that are
available only to Town of Ithaca or Village of
Cayuga Heights residents have an “address
verification” tool at the onset of the application. This
will save those residents who have an “Ithaca,
14850” address the time and frustration of
submitting applications to the wrong municipality.
Email notifications will now come from a
noreply@townithacany.gov. We hope this helps you
identify the email as legitimate and that it will cut
down on them going to your “junk” folders.
Beginning January 1st, we will have completely
transitioned all services and will roll out the last one,
the Dog Licensing Form. We hope you find it
easier to use.
December 2025 Newsletter
Accessible Parking Permits – Placard applications
can be submitted electronically or in person at Town
Hall. For permanent applications, you will be notified
by email that your permit is expiring in the month it
expires. If we do not receive a response from you, a
hard copy will be mailed to the address on file as a
follow-up.
Dog Licensing – New and renewing licenses,
replacement tags and notifying us that you no longer
have the dog. We have no way of knowing the
status of your dog if you do not tell us. If you are
moving, or you rehomed the dog or experienced a
loss, we need to know so we do not start the NYS
required ticketing process.
Marriage related – Marriage license applications do
have to be done in person, but requests for certified
copies or “transcripts” or starting the State’s
apostille process (common for other countries
verifying your marriage) are available by emailing or
calling the office. Once we determine we hold your
license we can send you a link to the application
form.
Freedom of Information Requests (FOIL) – This is
a request for Town held documents. The most
common are requests for property records such as
building permits or variances on a property you are
interested in, but most documents held by the Town
of Ithaca are public information. There is also an
option on the Town’s website that will direct you to
the public repository which holds such documents
as board and committee minutes, Town Budgets,
and more.
As always, we welcome your feedback on our
processes and ideas for future articles in our
monthly newsletter.
Paulette Rosa
Town Clerk
Holiday Tree Pickup Schedule
The Town of Ithaca Public Works Department will be picking up discarded holiday trees after
the holiday and will continue throughout the Town through Friday, January 17th, as our
schedule allows.
The intention of the Town’s tree collection service is for residents of the Town
of Ithaca (outside the Village of Cayuga Heights) to discard their holiday trees
by putting them out at the roadside for pick up by the Town ’s crews.
The crews will not be picking up any brush or yard debris during this
collection. This collection is specific to discarded holiday trees only.
Trees need to remain out of the rights-of-way; this will ensure your safety and
that of your neighbors. Errant trees can wreak havoc on the storm water
systems and can create a hazard for walkers and cyclists.
You may also drop your holiday trees off at the Public Works Facility, 114 Seven Mile Drive,
Monday thru Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. any time of the year. Please sign in at the office.
A Holiday Note from Code Enforcement
Dear Friends and neighbors,
This holiday season, please remember that some decorations and vegetation used inside are or can
be combustible. Combustible decorations and vegetation include items such as hay bales, limbs,
leaves, and Christmas trees and festive lights and candles. Please inspect your decorations often
and make sure to keep water in your tree stands and mist live-cut boughs and wreaths. For more
safety tips on fresh cut trees, from the NYFP click here: Fresh Cut Tree Safety.
In addition, if you have a fireplace or a wood, pellet or coal stove, please make sure the chimney is
cleaned annually and in safe operating condition and inspect and service other heating appliances
for safety prior to use.
Remember, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors often. These are your first line of
defense in the unfortunate event of a fire or smoke-filled area or an appliance producing carbon
monoxide. Always exit the building immediately and then call 911.
Reminder – The 2025 NYS Uniform Code goes into effect on December 31, 2025, and if you are
designing a project now and want to file under the current Uniform Code, a substantially complete
building permit application must be filed with us no later than the end of business on December 30,
2025.
The 2025 NYS Uniform Codes is available here: 2025 Uniform Code
Have a safe and happy holiday season. If you have any questions on what requires a building
permit, please feel free to email us at codes@townithacany.gov or call us at 607-273-1783.
Marty Moseley
Director of Code Enforcement
Emergency Calls Guidelines
Department of Public Works 6:30am to 3:00pm
607-273-1656
After Hours
Water or Sewer Emergency
Bolton Point 607-277-0660
Road Blockage or Stormwater Call 911
Power Line Down Call 911
Town/County Tax Bills
By the End of December
Town of Ithaca/Tompkins County
Tax bills are mailed and available
on our website no later than
December 31st. To avoid late
fees, payments are due by
January 30, 2026.
Water Bills Due
Avoid the late fee, pay your water bill by December 30, 2025.
You can pay in person at Town Hall, Online, by Mail or use the drop
box located at the Buffalo St. entrance. Sign up for ACH payments and
never have to worry about paying your water bill on time again.
HUNTING AND HIKING REMINDERS
Hunting season has begun. In this area, bow hunting season
started on October 1st with and ends January 1, 2026. Regular
shotgun season ended on December 7th. Hunting is NOT permit-
ted in the City of Ithaca natural area located between the South
Hill Rec Way and Six Mile Creek. Additional information can be
obtained at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html.
The Town’s Deer Management Program runs February 1st
through March 31st in certain preserves and areas near Six Mile
Creek. Contact Mike Smith, msmith@townithacany.gov for more details.
If you are out hiking or walking your dog during hunting season, please remember to take some sim-
ple steps to help ensure your safety: know when hunting seasons are happening, wear bright cloth-
ing, make yourself heard, be aware, and respect other outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you are a hunter or hiker, please remember to respect private property and always ask
permission to hike or hunt on private land, whether or not it is posted. Landowners who do post are
more likely to say "yes" to people who show their respect for private property by asking first. Tres-
passing could put you in legal trouble and it will make it harder for others to get permission from the
owner.
Road Right-of-Ways (ROW) and the
Town’s Snow Operations Guidelines
What is the ROW?
The ROW is the land owned or deeded to the Town
for public roads, typically including pavement and
the area along each side commonly used for side-
walks, stormwater control efforts, and as a safe re-
covery area for disabled vehicles. Under NYS law,
the Town is tasked with maintaining and ensuring
safe usage of public roadways, including ROWs.
During snow removal operations, ROWs are also
where the snow goes as it is removed from the
roadways. It is important to keep the ROWs clear of
obstructions such as basketball hoops or other out-
door sporting equipment and trash and recycling
bins for our Crew’s safety and efficient snow re-
moval operations.
The Town has the right to remove any obstacles in the ROWs to facilitate safe and efficient snow/
ice removal operations. The Town will contact you once to ask you to remove an obstruction before
Crews will remove it.
Please help us. Whenever possible, please do not park on the shoulder or close to intersections.
Doubling up in driveways helps us clear the roads quicker and more efficiently. If a vehicle does
obstruct snow removal operations, it may be ticketed and removed at the owner ’s expense.
*Reminder: any snow removed from your property/driveway must be cleared from the road.
Snow Operations Guidelines
Regular snow operation hours are 6:30am to 3pm weekdays and as needed on nights and week-
ends. County roads and rural connector roads are our priority, followed by school bus routes when
applicable followed by emergency vehicle access and all other town roads.
HEAP Applications Now Open
The Regular Home Energy Assistance Program
(HEAP) benefit for the 2025–2026 season offi-
cially opened on December 1, 2025. Tompkins
County is now accepting applications.
Tompkins County residents can apply for HEAP
online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or in person at
the Department of Social Services (DSS) office
at 320 W MLK/State Street in Ithaca. The office
is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30
pm. Contact the DSS office at (607) 274-5264
for more information.
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
615 Willow Ave, Ithaca, NY
Get ready to shop local, get a treat for yourself,
and soak up the festive spirit - all while
supporting Tompkins County 4-H youth
programs!
Join us for our first-ever Winter Artisan Market,
featuring local artisans, makers, and crafters
from right here in Tompkins County. Discover
unique handmade gifts, home décor, art, and
tasty treats — perfect for your holiday shopping
list (and maybe a little something for yourself ).
What to expect:
-A curated selection of local handmade goods
-Warm drinks & seasonal treats to benefit 4-H
clubs
-Raffle fundraiser benefiting 4-H programs
-Support small businesses and local artisans
Every table fee and raffle ticket sold helps fund 4
-H youth development programs, supporting
hands-on learning, leadership, and outdoor
education in our community.
Learn More
https://www.facebook.com/share/17Ke6fs2gH/
This festive Downtown Ithaca tradition brings
together dozens of beautifully decorated holiday
window displays. Stroll the Commons and sur-
rounding streets, discover your favorite designs,
and help us crown this year’s winners.
Public voting runs from November 28 through
December 14, with winners announced
on December 17.
Visit Event Website