HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2026-02-09
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
February 9, 2026
215 N. Tioga St. @ 5:30 pm
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AGENDA
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Persons to be Heard
3. Presentation – Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Coalition
4. Discuss Association of Towns Resolutions for Annual Meeting
5. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Approval of the Bolton Point Abstract
d. Approval of budget amendments/transfers
e. Appoint Zoning Board of Appeals member – Segal
f. Approval of permanent non-competitive appointment- Network Specialist HELPS
g. Approval of contract with Discover Cayuga Lake, Inc for services associated with
SPDES permits
h. Approval of a sewer exemption – 239 Dubois Rd
6. Reports of Town Officials, Committees, and review of Correspondence
TB 2026-02-09 (Filed 2/13) Pg. 1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
February 9, 2026
MINUTES
Present: Board Members Rod Howe, Supervisor; Eric Levine, Pamela Bleiwas, Susie
Gutenberger, David McCune and Diana Sinton Absent: Rob Rosen
Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Justin McNeal, Town Engineer; Marty Moseley,
Director of Code Enforcement; CJ Randall, Director of Planning; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk;
and Joe Slater, Director of Public Works
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance – 5:31 p.m.
2. Persons to be Heard – None
3. Presentation – Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Coalition
4. Discuss Association of Towns Resolutions for Annual Meeting
The Board had no comments or questions about the resolutions.
5. Consent Agenda
TB Resolution 2026 – 016: Adopt Consent Agenda
Resolved, that the Town Board approves and/or adopts the following Consent Agenda items:
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Approval of the Bolton Point Abstract
d. Approval of budget amendments/transfers
e. Appoint Zoning Board of Appeals member – Segal
f. Approval of permanent non-competitive appointment- Network Specialist HELPS
g. Approval of contract with Discover Cayuga for monitoring services
h. Approval of a Sewer Exemption- 239 Dubois Rd
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: ayes – Levine, Bleiwas, Howe, Gutenberger, Sinton and McCune
TB Resolution 2026 - 016a: Approval of Town Board Minutes
Resolved that the Town Board approves the minutes of January 26, 2026, as final with any non-
substantive changes made.
TB 2026-02-09 (Filed 2/13) Pg. 2
TB Resolution 2026 - 016b : Approval of Town of Ithaca Abstract
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the following vouchers in total for the
amounts indicated:
VOUCHER NOS. 2025 1292 - 1304
2026 63 - 111
General Fund Town Wide 91,591.82
General Fund Part-Town 11,318.23
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 17,674.12
Highway Fund Part Town DB 21,563.12
Water Fund 4,741.9
Sewer Fund 10,001.05
Risk Retention Fund 50.
TOTAL 156,940.24
TB Resolution 2026 - 016c: Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the following vouchers in total for the
amounts indicated:
Voucher Numbers: 13-57
Check Numbers: 21634-21678
Capital Impr/Repl Project $ 81,062.60
Operating Fund $ 114,722.29
TOTAL $ 195,784.89
TB Resolution 2026 - 016e: Appointment of Zoning Board of Appeals Member
Whereas there is a vacant Zoning Board of Appeals Regular Member position due to a
resignation, and the Selection Committee recommends appointing Barry Segal, 131B
Christopher Circle, to the position for the remainder of an active term ending December 31,
2028; now, therefore, be it
Resolved that the Town Board appoints Barry Segal as a Zoning Board of Appeals Member for
the term of February 9, 2026, through December 31, 2028.
TB Resolution 2026 – 016f: Approve Permanent Non-Competitive Appointment of
Network Specialist- HELPS
Whereas, the Town Board approved the provisional appointment of Jacob Newman as a Network
Specialist, effective January 1, 2025; and
TB 2026-02-09 (Filed 2/13) Pg. 3
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 Network Specialist 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; now therefore be it
Resolved that the Town Board approves the permanent non-competitive appointment of Jacob
Newman to the Network Specialist position, retroactive to July 1, 2025, with no changes to
wages or benefits.
TB Resolution 2026 - 016g: Approval of contract – Discover Cayuga Lake, Inc.
Whereas the Tompkins County Stormwater Coalition (Coalition) have contracted with Discover
Cayuga Lake, Inc. to assist with public outreach services associated with SPDES permit
requirements for the past 3 years, now, therefore be it
Resolved that the Town Board approves a 1-year contract effective February 2, 2026, through
February 2, 2027, with Discover Cayuga Lake Inc. for services as described in Appendix A of
the contract as submitted, for $7,000, with the Town of Ithaca acting as Financial Agent for the
Coalition.
TB Resolution 2026 - 016h: Authorization for the Town Engineer to issue a Sewer
Exemption for 239 Dubois Rd
Whereas the Town Engineer received a Sewer Exemption request from Barbara Alden and Ellen
Baer, 239 Dubois Rd, to replace an existing septic system that has failed with an onsite system
designed in coordination with Tompkins County Health Department and contractors, and
Whereas the estimated cost to connect to the public sewer system is $59,210 and would require a
pump station versus an estimated cost of $29,670 for a new onsite system, and
Whereas a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions to prevent further subdivision of the parcel
on the property is in effect and filed with the Tompkins County Clerk’s Office, and
Whereas the Public Works Committee discussed the request at its February 4, 2026, meeting and
recommended approval by the Town Board, now therefore be it
Resolved, pursuant to Town Code Section 214-6, the Town Board finds the applicant has shown
unusual and extreme practical difficulties in connecting to municipal sewer for the reasons stated
in the request for the exemption and recommended by the Committee, and be it further
TB 2026-02-09 (Filed 2/13) Pg. 4
Resolved, that the Town Board authorizes the Town Engineer to issue a Sewer Exemption as
permitted under Town Code, for the installation of a new, onsite wastewater treatment system
associated with the existing two-family residence at 239 Dubois Rd, TP 22.-2-1.312, subject to
the consent of the Tompkins County Health Department.
6. Reports of Town Officials, Committees, and review of Correspondence
Mr. Howe reported:
Search for Legal Counsel - The Budget Committee discussed options for the provision of legal
services in preparation for Ms. Brock’s retirement and the suggestion was to put together a
request for qualifications to post for a new person or firm to provide those services and he asked
for consensus from the Board.
The Board discussed the proposed length of contract and whether the focus would be towards a
local person/firm.
Ms. Bleiwas responded that there are a lot of larger firms with satellite offices in Ithaca now and
added that the landscape of municipal lawyers locally has changed over the years, with very few
independent lawyers specializing in municipal law.
The Board agreed with the plan to move forward with an RFQ.
TGEN Outreach – The Community Choice Aggregation CCA now known as TGEN is starting
the education outreach portion of the project with a meeting here at Town Hall on February 18th
and at the City on the 19th. The grant is very specific about answers to questions, so please
forward any questions to Hilary Swartwood; we can literally be sent back to square one if an
incorrect answer is given to the public.
Data Jam - February 21st at the Library.
Thank You – All PW staff for their snow plow efforts, we really appreciate you.
Ms. Rosa reported:
The updated NYAOT Town Law books are available in hard copy or digital; PDF was saved on
server and sent via email to all staff and a hard copy is in the Tioga Room.
The meeting was adjourned upon a motion by Mr. Howe, seconded by Ms. Bleiwas, unanimous.
Submitted by
Paulette Rosa
Town Clerk