HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2025-11-24
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
November 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 215 N. Tioga St.
For your convenience, participation is available through
ZOOM (929) 436-2866 Meeting ID 98910958241 and viewing only via YouTubeMeetingsLink
AGENDA
1. Report – Village of Cayuga Heights Fire Department – Chief Tamborelle
2. Public hearing regarding an amendment to the contract with the City of Ithaca for Fire
Protection and Emergency Services
a. Approval
3. Public hearing and consider adoption of a local law rescinding and replacing Town of Ithaca
Code Chapter 144, Energy Code Supplement
a. SEQR b. Adoption
4. Consider approval of Lower Stone Quarry Agreement
5. Consider award of Inlet Valley Construction Project
6. Committee Reports
a. Public Works
b. Planning
c. Codes & Ordinances
d. Personnel & Organization
e. Budget
f. Other
7. Consent
a. Approval of Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Approval of revisions – Personnel Manual – Leave & Vacation Buy Back Policies
d. Set public hearings for December 8, 2025, regarding proposed local laws amending
Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270, Zoning: a) changes in certain definitions, height
limitations and placement of accessory buildings; b) the issuance of permits to build;
c) Expiration of variances and Special approvals d) Posting of Notices and f) Chapter
250 to erect yield signs on one-way bridges in Forest Home
e. Ratify Permanent Appointment of Finance Manager – GTCMHIC - Sandsted
f. Approve Promotional Non-Competitive Appointment of Administrative Assistant II –
PWD – Wright
g. Ratify Appointment of Laborer – Rose
h. Authorization to Apply for Funding through the 2025 Technical Assistance to Grow
Pro-Housing Communities Grant
i. Approval for sale of surplus items
8. Correspondence and Board/Staff Reports/Comments
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
November 24, 2025
Minutes
Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Susie
Gutenberger, Pamela Bleiwas, and Margaret Johnson Absent: Rob Rosen
Present: Judy Drake, Marty Moseley, CJ Randall, Paulette Rosa, and Hilary Swartwood
Mr. Howe opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
1. Report – Village of Cayuga Heights Fire Department – Chief Tamborelle
Chief Tamborelle gave an overview of the staffing, bunker program, calls and equipment
purchases coming up in the near future.
Of note were - a detailed explanation of the renovations associated with the Bunker Program and
how the Program recruits, trains and retains members and the success of their relatively new
Mentoring Program. The Department is extremely successful in recruitment in an era when most
volunteer departments struggle to attract membership, and
A new truck ordered in 2023 is expected in 2026 with payment due then. Truck and air pack
prices have at least doubled in the last 10 years, and
Calls are increasing and they are on track to reach 800 calls this year where usually it is 600/650.
Distribution of calls is Village – 395, Town – 197, Mutual Aid – 45. Town responses included
134 EMS, 3 fires, 7 MVAs, and 53 Other.
Chief Tamborelle will start as the paid Fire Chief of the Department in 2026.
Board members thanked him for his report, and his service, and congratulated him on such a
successful department.
2. Public hearing regarding an amendment to the contract with the City of Ithaca for Fire
Protection and Emergency Services
Mr. Howe opened the public hearing. There was no one wishing to speak and the hearing was
closed.
Mr. Howe explained that the amount we are allowed to pay for services is stipulated under the
2020-2024 contract, which was extended for 1 year. We received a bill in May of 2025 that was
$611,000 more than what we were contracted to pay. To pay that overage, the contract must be
amended to reflect that increase.
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 2
Mr. Levine asked if the City was saying that they would not come to the negotiating table before
this was paid.
Mr. Howe responded that although we want to pay our fair share, we had requested information
on what the increase consisted of before automatically paying it without question. We finally got
the additional information, but there were some tense moments.
There are procedures in the contract where the City is required to come to us in these types of
situations, and we are certainly looking at language to add during negotiations to avoid a similar
situation because it was disappointing to be given such a bill May of this year after the close of
the 2024 books and we don’t know if they are on budget for 2025.
TB Resolution 2025 - 131: Approve Increase in Town of Ithaca’s 2024 Payment under the
2020-2024 Contract for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services Between the City
of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca
Whereas, in Town Board Resolution 2019-184, the Ithaca Town Board approved a contract with
the City of Ithaca for the provision of fire protection services and emergency medical services for
the 2020-2024 period in virtually all of the Town except for the Village of Cayuga Heights, New
York and part of the northeast portion of the Town (the “Contract”), and
Whereas, pursuant to New York Town Law Section 184, the Contract set forth the annual sum
the Town was to pay the City each year (the “Annual Sum”), as well as a methodology to adjust
each year’s Annual Sum if the Ithaca Town Board (acting as and for the Town’s Fire Protection
District) and the City of Ithaca amend the Contract accordingly, and
Whereas, the Contract states that “Under no circumstances shall the total amount paid by the
Town in any calendar year, plus any adjustment for that year paid in the subsequent year, exceed
the annual budgeted amount … approved by the Town … without
the Town’s prior written approval of any budget changes resulting in such increase”, and
Whereas, for 2024, the Contract listed $3,857,826 as the Annual Sum, and the City did not seek
the Town’s prior approval to exceed that amount, and
Whereas, by letter dated May 28, 2025, the City for the first time informed the Town that the
Ithaca Fire Department’s 2024 net expenses had greatly exceeded the amount budgeted by the
City and Town, and
Whereas, for 2024, the Town was billed and has made payments to the City in the amount of
$3,840,000, and the City has informed the Town that the Town’s 2024 Annual Sum based on the
increased net expenditures is $4,450,762.59, which is $610,762.59 more than the Town’s
payments to date, and $592,936.59 more than the Annual Sum stated in the Contract, and
Whereas, the Town must prioritize the safety and welfare of town residents and general public
who work and visit our community, by ensuring that adequate fire protection services and
emergency medical services shall be provided beyond December 31, 2025, and
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 3
Whereas, the Town is constrained to approve the unbudgeted 2024 expenditures imposed upon
the Town by the City so that the City will resume negotiations on a 2026 fire services contract,
which needs to be negotiated, drafted, approved and executed by the City and Town, all before
January 1, 2026, and
Whereas, pursuant to New York Town Law Section 184, the Town Board held a public hearing
on the 24th day of November 2025 for the purpose of hearing public comment on a proposed
Contract amendment to increase the 2024 Annual Sum to $4,450,762.59, 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 amendment 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 amendment to increase the 2024 Annual
Sum to $4,450,762.59, and hereby authorizes the Town Board members to execute such Contract
amendment on behalf of the Town of Ithaca Fire Protection District, subject to the review of the
Attorney for the Town and further subject to the City of Ithaca’s execution of the Contract
amendment.
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson & Gutenberger
3. Public hearing and consider adoption of a local law rescinding and replacing Town of
Ithaca Code Chapter 144, Energy Code Supplement
Mr. Howe asked Mr. Moseley and Ms. Swartwood to give an overview of the legislation.
Mr. Moseley stated that we have an automatic update in our Energy Code and we found it is
easier to find the ICC Code so we are updating the Town Code to reference the ICC Code and
contain the stricter requirements of the Town’s Energy Code and allow enforcement by the Town
of the stricter portions of the regulations, with a variance process through the Town’s Zoning
Board of Appeals. Variance from the base NYS ICC Code would be through the State’s variance
process.
Mr. Howe opened the public hearing.
Sarah Carson, Cornell University, Campus Sustainability spoke about renewable energy credits
(RECs) and crafting the local legislation to encourage strategies for the most rapid development
of renewable energy.
There are concerns about Appendix CC, Zero Energy Commercial Building Provisions which is
optional at the State level and seems to be inconsistent with the IECS and the NYS Clean Energy
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 4
Standard, specifically CC103.3.2 which requires RECs be from a “generating asset constructed
not more than 5 years before the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.” where NYS requires
the asset’s operation was commenced after January 1, 2015, and the Town and City adopted the
same, but the Appendix states differently.
She was concerned that this would inhibit projects and it does not sync wit the time it takes to
successfully plan and construct large-scale renewable projects. Cornell could plan projects that
align with the NYS requirements but not under this 5-year restriction.
Discussion followed on the topic and the need to file the local law to be heard at the State level.
It was decided that the adoption of the legislation would be postponed to give Staff time to
research the comment.
4. Consider approval of Lower Stone Quarry Agreement
Brief overview given; no questions.
TB Resolution 2025 - 132: Approval and authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign a
contract with Erdman Anthony for Professional Services for the Lower Stone Quarry Road
Drainage Project
Whereas, on July 18, 2025, the Director of Engineering (Director) received responses to a
request for qualifications for the Lower Stone Quarry Road Drainage Project (Project), and
Whereas, Erdman Anthony has been selected based on adequately outlined related work
experience, project objectives, and timelines that meet and/or exceed our expectations, and
Whereas, Erdman Anthony provided a proposal for the scope of work to be performed, dated
September 10, 2025, and
Whereas, the Director has reviewed the proposal and recommends the Town Board award the
Project for the feasibility study scope as identified by Erdman Anthony, now, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board approves and authorizes the Supervisor to execute a contract for
the Project to Erdman Anthony, with an office at 145 Culver Rd, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14620,
for an amount not to exceed Seventy-Three Thousand One Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents
($73,100), subject to review by the Attorney for the Town.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Rod Howe
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson & Gutenberger
5. Consider award of Inlet Valley Construction Project
Brief overview given; no questions.
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 5
TB Resolution 2025 -133: Authorization to Award Construction Contract for 2024 Inlet
Valley Sewer Improvement Project
Whereas, on November 10, 2025, the Town of Ithaca Town Engineer received bids for the 2024
Inlet Valley Sewer Improvements Project: Construction Contract, and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, approval, construction and implementation of the
Improvement and establishment of the Town of Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Area,
together with the related actions and approvals required by other boards and agencies (the
“Project”), is an Unlisted action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board, acting in an
uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the Project, made a negative determination of
environmental significance on October 7, 2024, and
Whereas, at its meeting on October 7, 2024, the Town Board adopted a Public Interest Order (TB
Resolution 2024-101) establishing the Improvement and the Town of Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley
Sewer Improvement Area and authorizing a maximum amount of $1,278,685.00 to be expended
on this Improvement this was subject to permissive referendum in the manner provided in Town
Law Article 7 and Town Law Section 209-q, no referendum was requested, and,
Whereas, at its meeting on October 6th, 2025, the Town Board authorized the award of the 2024
Inlet Valley Sewer Improvements Project: Materials Contract (TB Resolution 2025-113) in the
amount of $366,840.00, and
Whereas the Town Engineer reviewed the sole bid and qualifications received and has determined
the bid in the amount of $519,000.00 made by Vacri Construction Corporation, One Brick Avenue
Binghamton, NY 13901 is both responsive and responsible, and now, therefore be it
Whereas an additional 10% for contingency is recommended in the amount of $51,900.00 for a
total of $570,900: now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the award of the contract for the Town of
Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project: Construction Contract to Vacri
Construction Corporation; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute such contract subject to review of the
final contract documents by the Town Engineer and the Attorney for the Town; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Engineer is authorized to approve change orders to such contract upon
receipt of appropriate justification provided the maximum amount of such change orders shall not
in the aggregate exceed $51,900.00 without prior authorization of this Board, and provided further
that the total project cost, including contract, engineering, legal, inspection, and other expenses,
does not exceed the maximum authorized cost of $ 1,278,685.00 for the project.
Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Eric Levine
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson & Gutenberger
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 6
6. Committee Reports
a. Public Works – Mr. Howe reported - discussed a request to remove a streetlight on
/Glenside Ave; Joe is working on ROW and use permits; reviewed the Snow & Ice
policy
b. Planning – Mr. DePaolo reported - reviewed the RFQs for South Hill TND SEQR
process; the stalling and alternative options for a Historic Preservation Committee
c. Codes & Ordinances – Ms. Randall went through the memos sent in the packet
regarding upcoming legislation for approval (Attachment 2)
d. Personnel & Organization – None
e. Budget – None
f. Other –
Fire Services - Mr. Howe reported that negotiations continue with the City for a fire
protection contract and regarding the consultant’s report.
CWIO – Ms. Johnson reported that they adopted their 2026 budget, and elected
officers; presentation on Bio Solids research
SJC – Mr. DePaolo reported that the NYS DEC did not agree with our memo and
issued a draft SPEDES permit with greatly reduced limits. He is working with
Community Science Institute for water sampling to back up our claims.
7. Consent Agenda
TB Resolution 2025 - 134: Adopt Consent Agenda
Resolved that the Town Board approves/authorizes/acknowledges the following:
a. Approval of Minutes – Pulled
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Approval of revisions – Personnel Manual – Leave & Vacation Buy Back Policies
d. Set public hearings for December 8, 2025, regarding proposed local laws amending
Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270, Zoning: a) changes in certain definitions, height
limitations and placement of accessory buildings; b) the issuance of permits to build;
c) Expiration of variances and Special approvals d) Posting of Notices and f) Chapter
250 to erect yield signs on one-lane bridges in Forest Home
e. Ratify Permanent Appointment of Finance Manager – GTCMHIC - Sandsted
f. Approve Promotional Non-Competitive Appointment of Administrative Assistant II –
PWD – Wright
g. Ratify Appointment of Laborer – Rose
h. Authorization to Apply for Funding through the 2025 Technical Assistance to Grow
Pro-Housing Communities Grant
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 7
i. Approval for sale of surplus items
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Susie Gutenberger
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson & Gutenberger
TB Resolution 2025 – 134a: Approval of Town Board Meeting Minutes – pulled
Resolved that the Town Board approves the draft minutes of November 10, 2025, as final with
any non-substantive changes made.
Motion made by Riche DePaolo and seconded by Rod Howe to pull this item to discuss changes.
TB Resolution 2025 - 134b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 22 for FY-2025
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the following audited vouchers in total
for the amounts indicated:
VOUCHER NOS. 2025 1063 - 1109
General Fund Town Wide 102,910.40
General Fund Part-Town 56,826.93
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 1,838.17
Highway Fund Part Town DB 103,378.13
Water Fund 339,036.52
Sewer Fund 20,966.36
Capital Projects 16,868.90
Fire Protection Fund 454,699.42
TOTAL 1,096,524.83
TB Resolution 2025 – 134c: Adoption of revised personnel policies
Whereas, the Employee Relations Committee and Personnel & Organization Committee have
reviewed the revised personnel policy and recommend revising for all staff, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve effective immediately
the revised personnel policy listed below to replace the current policies in the Personnel Manual.
Revised Policies:
Paid Parental Leave Policy - revised to clarify total hours as staff are on different hours per week
Pay Periods - Changes pay date from Friday to Thursday
Vacation Buy Back Policy - allows for a buyback twice a year (May and November) instead of
just November. No change in ability to sell a maximum of two weeks per year.
TB Resolution 2025 - 134d: Setting public hearings
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 8
Resolved that the Town Board will hold public hearings at its meeting held on December 8,
2025, at 215 N Tioga St., Ithaca, regarding proposed local laws amending Town of Ithaca Code
Chapter 270, Zoning: a) changes in certain definitions, height limitations and placement of
accessory buildings; b) the issuance of permits to build; c) Expiration of variances and Special
approvals d) Posting of Notices and f) Chapter 250 to erect yield signs on one-way bridges in
Forest Home, at which time and place all persons wishing to be heard shall be heard.
TB Resolution 2025 - 134e: Ratify Permanent Appointment of Finance Manager –
GTCMHIC
Whereas, the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium on November
19, 2025, permanently appointed Jennifer Sandsted to the title of Finance Manager, effective
November 13, 2025; now, therefore be it
Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify GTCMHIC’s permanent
appointment of Jennifer Sandsted to the title of Finance Manager, effective November 13, 2025,
with no changes to wages or benefits.
TB Resolution 2025 - 134f: Approve Promotional Non-Competitive Appointment of
Administrative Assistant II-PWD
Whereas Rebecca Wright was appointed as Account Clerk Typist in Public Works Department
effective September 18, 2023; and
Whereas the 2026 Staffing Plan included the promotional appointment of Rebecca Wright to
Administrative Assistant II position effective January 1, 2026; and
Whereas NYS Civil Service has developed the NY Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement
Statewide (NY HELPS) Program, which allows for competitive positions to be filled via non-
competitive appointment, which means examinations are not required, but candidates must meet
the minimum qualifications of the titles for which they apply; and
Whereas the title of Administrative Assistant II has been approved under the NY HELPS program,
which means those incumbents may no longer be required to take a civil service examination for
their provisional positions as the position is being characterized as “Non-Competitive” unless an
exam is advertised; and
Whereas Tompkins County Civil Service is recommending the appointment to Non-Competitive
NYS HELPS titles as soon as practicable; and
Whereas the Director of Public Works and Personnel Committee recommend promoting Rebecca
Wright to Administrative Assistant II effective November 24, 2025, with the understanding that
wages will be modified for effective January 1, 2026; now therefore be it
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 9
Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve the non-competitive
promotional appointment of Rebecca Wright to the Administrative Assistant II position, Class B,
effective November 24, 2025, with no changes to current wages and benefits.
TB Resolution 2025 - 134g: Ratify appointment of laborer - Rose
Whereas there is a vacancy in the full-time position of Motor Equipment Operator for the Public
Works Department due to a resignation, but will be backfilling the position with a Laborer; and
Whereas the Interview Committee has determined that Ayden Rose possesses the necessary
knowledge and skills to satisfactorily perform the duties of a Laborer; and
Whereas Joe Slater, Director of Public Works/ Highway Superintendent, appointed Ayden Rose as
Laborer effective December 1, 2025; now, therefore be it
Resolved the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the appointment made by
the Director of Public Works/ Highway Superintendent of Ayden Rose as Laborer, effective
December 1, 2025; and be it further
Resolved the position is at 40 hours per week, at the hourly wage of $25.60, which is an estimated
annual salary of $53,248 from Public Works account numbers, in Job Classification “I”, with full
time benefits; and be it further
Resolved a mandatory twenty-six (26) week probationary period applies with no further action by
the Town Board if there is successful completion of the probationary period as determined by the
Director of Public Works/ Highway Superintendent.
TB Resolution 2025 - 134h: Authorization to Apply for Funding through the 2025 Technical
Assistance to Grow Pro-Housing Communities Grant
Whereas, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Executive Order 30 in July 2023, establishing the Pro-
Housing Community Program to recognize municipalities actively working to unlock their
housing potential, and
Whereas, on September 29, 2025, New York State Homes & Community Renewal issued a
Request for Applications for Technical Assistance to Grow Pro-Housing Communities (TAG-
PHC) whereby the Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) will award technical assistance
grants to foster housing growth and further development in municipalities certified under the
Pro-Housing Community program, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca has been Certified as a Pro-Housing Community since July 2024
and is an eligible applicant for grant funding, and
Whereas, the proposed project is consistent with goals outlined in the Town of Ithaca’s 2014
Comprehensive Plan, including seeking grants to fund affordable housing; the project will
facilitate effective and efficient use of existing and future public resources so as to promote both
TBS 2025-11-24 (Filed 12/5) Pg. 10
economic development and development of much-needed affordable housing; and the project
develops and enhances infrastructure in a manner that will attract, create, and sustain
employment opportunities in the Town, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is requesting $250,000 in funding assistance from the Pro Housing
Supply Funds Program to develop ArcGIS models to create accurate representations of large
multi-phase development projects that are anticipated to be paced as long-term buildouts located
in emerging growth areas close to major employers and activity hubs, and
Resolved, that the Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca, or designated representative, is hereby
authorized and directed to submit an application to the 2025 TAG-PHC, for funding and upon
approval of said request funded by the to enter into and execute any agreements required by
HTFC for grant funding that results from the application.
Resolved, the Town will administer the grant in accordance with all applicable rules and
regulations established by HTFC.
TB Resolution 2025 – 134i: Sale of Surplus Items
Whereas, a municipal online auction is held from time to time hosted by Auctions International
located in East Aurora, NY, and
Whereas, certain items have become surplus/no longer needed by the Town, and
Whereas, the Town wishes to put the following surplus equipment in an online auction in
September:
• Motorola Fleet Radios – 13 Dash Mounted (Models -XRP 4550, cdm750, xrp5550 (e)
• Motorola Fleet Radios - 4 Portable Handhelds (Models -CP200, XTS 1500)
Now, therefore, be it;
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby declares said above-described
equipment to be surplus and no longer needed by the Town; and be it further
Resolved, that the items listed above be placed in the auction with the proceeds from the sale going
into the appropriate funds.
8. Correspondence and Board/Staff Reports/Comments – None
The meeting was adjourned upon a motion and a second, unanimous.
Submitted by
Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk