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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Department_2025 Annual Report DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 114 Seven Mile Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 Roads, Parks, Trails, Sewer, and Water 2025 Town of Ithaca Department of Public Works Annual Report The Town of Ithaca’s Department of Public Works (DPW) was successful in accomplishing many tasks during the 2025 fiscal year. Below is a summary of some of the major projects and accomplishments that the group of 30 DPW Staff members performed: Department of Public Works Permitting Town Staff administered 20 Right of Way Permits, 1 temporary road closure permit, 12 driveway culvert permits, and 21 Tutelo Park Permits collecting a total of $8,611.00. A total of $280,372.13 was also collected in performance bonds throughout the year. Streetlights After several years of implementing a streetlight conversion project, the Town finally signed off on converting 272 of the Town’s streetlights from high pressure sodium to new, LED lighting that is proven to be more energy efficient. Project closeout was delayed due to the Town’s decision to pursue state of the art wireless controls. Each streetlight was originally converted to a wire mesh communication network that was determined to be non - communicative in several locations across the Town. It was determined that some of the spacing of the lights was too much of a distance apart. The communi cation was corrected with New York Power Authority who swapped out the old wire mesh communication to LTE standalone nodes. Completion documents were signed October of 2025. Pine Tree Road Pedestrian Walkway Town staff learned that there were no legal rights for maintenance of a pedestrian walk that parallels Pine Tree Road from Synder Hill Road to Ellis Hollow Road. Visual inspection determined that storm drainage was in disrepair and asphalt surfaces we in need of maintenance. Town staff worked with Tompkins County and Cornell University to make necessary repairs to the storm drainage and draft an agreement that outlined maintenance responsibilities moving forward. The agreement was reviewed by the Town Board and signed by the Town Supervisor early December. Cartegraph Town of Ithaca Department of Public Works Staff continue to educate themselves with the complexities of this program as well as continue to find additional areas for its use. Cartegraph Asset Management software produced by OpenGov continues to be built out by the Town’s GIS Analyst and Administrative Assistants as well as the remainder of the Department of Public Works staff that utilizes it to monitor and maintain the Town assets. Fleet It was determined in 2024 that the Town’s fleet radios could no longer communicate with emergency services in the area due to being aged and outdated. Money was budgeted for the purchase and installation of new fleet radios in 2025. Approximately 20 pieces of vehicles and equipment were upfitted with newer 800 series radios so staff can communicate with each other as well as contact emergency services during events such as natural disasters. The Town’s Department of Public Works is deemed an Emergency Operations Center through the Town’s Emergency Preparedness Plan. Snow Removal Cameras Department of Public works staff worked with Adirondak Cabling to procure and install 2 new snow and ice monitoring cameras on East Hill and South Hill. The cameras complement the two existing cameras that the Town acquired through a New York Power Authority grant that was included in the Town’s Streetlight Conversion Project. The existing cameras from that project were installed in the Northeast and West Hill por tions of the municipality. All cameras allow Town staff to view live stream images of key locations of the Town’s road network to monitor winter weather coming through the area. The cameras are also paired with infrared road temperature sensors that allow supervisor to make educated decision to dispatch Department of Public Works snow and ice personnel. The cameras have been proven to be efficient and cost effective. Department of Public Works Open House On Saturday September 13th 2025, the Public Works Department hosted an open house. The open house included Town staff as well as staff from Bolton Point, the Ithaca Fire Department and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department. This event is held every couple of years and has progressively grown more successful. All entities involved displayed key pieces of equipment that are utilized in their respective profession. The event attracted many residents, especially small children, who got to experience the equipment from the perspective of the Public Employees for the day. Key initiatives for the Department of Public Work in 2026 The Highway Department is looking to coordinate the asphalt restoration of approximately 3.10 miles of roadways as well as pavement maintenance of approximately 8-10 miles of the Town’s existing highways. The Town’s Road Crews are also looking to complete a sizeable stormwater project on West King Road. Related to the administrative side of the Town’s Highway Division portion of the Department of Public Works, Town Staff is looking forward to establishing updated right of way permitting per recommendations from the Town’s consultant CMS Delaney. Water and Sewer Crews are looking to foreshadow the work of the Town Engineering Department in their endeavors to replace short sections of failing water main throughout the Town as well as continue to maintain all the new backup generators throughout the utility system. Town’s Parks Maintenance Teams will be busy with aiding contracted construction crews to develop the Babcock Preserve and the new infrastructure associated with accommodating the expansion of this preserve to the Town’s existing parks and trails network. Parks crews will also be looking into the future to monitor and maintain some of the newer preserves and trails such as the new Flores preserves and South Hill Trail Extension on South Hill. In summary, DPW staff will be focusing on many departmental wide maintenance endeavors continuing to the Cartegraph Asset Management System to continue teambuilding, innovation, and efficiencies.