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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2026 Newsletter fly OF lz.� O 9n �-. • • 1 1 18 YI ��wY04� MARCH 2O26 NEWSLETTER i Town Receives Gold Designation from New York Association of Towns Yy The Town of Ithaca has been named a Town of Excellence by the New York Association of Towns (NYAOT), joining twelve other s towns across New York State to receive this prestigious designation Q. in the program's inaugural year. The Towns of Excellence Program recognizes towns that exemplify outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to their community. Towns are evaluated across multiple categories From Left to Right: Finance Officer including economic development, sustainability and sound Kelly Anderson and Town Board planning, community engagement, quality of life, governance and Member Susie Gutenberger- transparency, and workforce development. Fitzpatrick accepted the Gold Award Full Press Release at the NYAOT meeting. Annual End of Year Members Needed for Planning Board and Reports and Goals Zoning Board of Appeals for 2026 APPLY HERE Every year in February the The Planning Board consists of seven regular members with two Town Supervisor and alternates who are appointed by the Town Board. The Planning Department Heads submit Board is charged with reviewing land use and development issues their annual year end reports and approving subdivisions, site plans and special permit requests. and goals to the Town Board. Planning Board meetings are generally held at 6:30 pm on the first Here is a link to the and third Tuesday of the month. Various term lengths are available combined reports; we hope now. you take a minute to read Zoning Board of Appeals consists of five regular and two alternate y members who are appointed by the Town Board. The Zoning Board them as they are a good way is a quasi-judicial board that is charged with ensuring that the to get an idea on what we zoning ordinances are complied with or that variances and/or accomplished last year and special approvals are granted when certain criteria are met. Zoning our plans for next year. I Board meetings are generally held at 6 pm on the second Tuesday believe that they will illustrate of the month. There are two alternate member positions open. how and why we received the Gold Town of Excellence Some knowledge of the application of municipal law or other rules Award mentioned above. and regulations is helpful but not required. Both Boards have a residency requirement for members to live in the Town of Ithaca and both Boards' members receive a small stipend. Water Bills Due Avoid a late fee and pay your water bills by Monday March 30, 2026. You can pay in person at Town Hall, Online, by Mail or the drop box at the Buffalo St entrance. Sign up for ACH payments and never have to worry about paying your water bill on time again. Town Board member Robert S. Rosen, (b. 06/26/1959) passed away on February 16, 2026 after a six-month battle with cancer. Rob had many roles within the broader community, and as part of that, the Town was fortunate that he chose to be involved with us. He was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2012 and become chair in 2014. He was elected to the Town Board in 2022 and last fall was re-elected to a new three year term. Rob was involved with many committees including Codes _ l and Ordinances, Public Works, Joint Sewer Commission, and the Community Housing Development Fund. Rob brought an inquisitiveness and thoughtfulness to his Town responsibilities. He will be deeply missed ' by his fellow Town Board members and by Town staff. The Town will be working with the family to identify a place in the Town for planting a tree in Rob's honor. His obituary can be found here. From the desk of Town of Ithaca Supervisor Rod Howe: The Town of Ithaca is holding another informational meeting on Community Choice Aggregation on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, at 6PM online through the QR code in the attached notice. Learn about how the Town of Ithaca's new community energy program works! Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is an electricity and gas supply aggregation program authorized by New York State Public Service Commission according to its regulatory requirements. The goals of the program are to define and create options for both electricity and natural gas supply users, maintain competitive rates, at or above state renewable energy requirements. The Town's selected CCA Administrator Local Power will run the meeting, and Town officials will participate alongside them. This meeting is part of a larger CCA outreach and education program to inform the residents and businesses of the Town. Several public meetings and several online sessions will be held in coming months, both with public feedback and Q&A. The Town adopted local laws in 2022 and 2025 to join with the City of Ithaca to achieve locally adopted energy goals in a new energy service called Tompkins Green Energy Network (T-GEN) - www.tompkins- gen.com/town-of-ithaca-der T* G �= N -. , March 18 PUBLIC NOTICE Public Info. Session Virtually on zoom Register via e - Ithaca's BASIC Energy Choice: code Corn[r►unIiy t-.rIui(;e HcycyreyauUri kC,CA) O -O How the TOWN of Ithaca's new energy program harnesses the o,rr EEG"; power of community �° MORE INFO • Local Power - • A Message From Code Enforcment Director Marty Moseley The Town's Code Enforcement and Zoning Department has completed another busy and productive year serving our community. In 2025, the Department processed approximately 1,256 permit applications, complaints, and compliance letter requests, issued 1,119 permits, and reviewed 35 Zoning Board of Appeals variance requests. Throughout the year, the Department continued its close collaboration with the Town's Planning and Engineering Departments. Staff worked together to review amendments to local laws, evaluate engineering projects, and assist in the review of all Development Review applications submitted to the Planning Department. This coordinated approach ensures that projects throughout the Town meet safety standards, zoning requirements, and long-term community planning goals. Adoption of the 2025 NYS Uniform Code and Energy Code On December 31, 2025, New York formally adopted the 2025 New York State Uniform Code and Energy Code. These updated regulations set new statewide standards for building construction, fire protection, and energy performance. All new construction projects must comply with the requirements of the 2025 NYS Uniform Code and Energy Code. In addition, effective January 1, 2026, the Town adopted an updated Ithaca Energy Code, requiring all new residential and commercial construction to meet net-zero energy standards. This significant step reinforces the Town's commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and long-term energy savings for property owners. Free Energy Code Training on March 17, 2026 9:00 am To assist design and construction professionals with these new requirements, the Town is offering a free Ithaca Energy Code training on March 17. Architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants are encouraged to attend. Training details and registration information are available here: - https://townithacanV.gov/ithaca-energy-code-training-free/ Updates About Accessory Structures (Sheds) In 2025, the Town amended its Zoning Code to permit certain accessory buildings, such as sheds, to be located in side yards under specific conditions. These amendments vary by zoning district, and property owners should be aware that requirements differ depending on where the structure will be placed. For example, within the Low Density Residential Zone, accessory buildings are now permitted in either the rear yard or the side yard. When placed in a side yard, the structure may not exceed 12 feet in height and must be limited to a maximum footprint of 350 square feet. Please remember that all required front, side, and rear yard setback standards remain in effect across all zoning districts and must be met regardless of where the accessory building is located. If you are considering installing an (shed) accessory building on your property, please contact the Code Enforcement and Zoning Department before installation. Staff can help confirm proper placement and ensure compliance with Town zoning requirements, helping you avoid potential violations or costly relocations. t. 607-273-1783 codes@townithacany.gov o Town Offices, 215 North Tioga Street Our staff welcome your questions and are happy to assist with any projects you may be considering. Daylight Saving Time Begins March 8, 2026 Daylight Saving begins Sunday March 8 at 2am local standard time. Clocks are to be set forward one hour. Take this opportunity when changing your clocks to please also �( remember to check and replace batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Working detectors save lives and are a critical part of home safety. Scammers are impersonating city and town governments using official-looking emails to trick people into paying fake invoices or sharing information. 1 • • + Fake Invoices or Documents Look out for incorrect emails such as: "Verify Your Account" Links • town ithaca-gov.com Q Suspicious URLs �• Ithacany@outlook.com 1111111011111111 Info@ithaca.ny.gov ' •, �• Fake Invoices Watch for Urgent or Threatening Langue ®° Wire Transfer Requests �• Immediate Payment Required • Demand for Gift Cards �• Your Application Will Be Denied • Final Notice! W at To D. if You Receive a Suspicious Emaii Do Not Click Links Verify the Contact the Report to Your or Download Files Sender's Address Department Directly IT Department Official Town of Ithaca Emails V@townithacany.gov Legitimate Town emails only come from this domain. When in doubt: Verify before responding! 2026 Spring Brush and Leaf Pickup The Town of Ithaca Public Works Department will be picking up yard waste (brush, leaves, pine needles, dead flowers, garden waste, and grass clippings) starting Monday, April 20, and will continue throughout the Town that week until finished. All yard waste must be at the roadside by 7 a.m. on the first day of collection. THERE WILL BE NO SECOND COLLECTION AND NO CALL BACKS. The intention of the Town's roadside collection service is for Town residents outside the Village of Cayuga Heights and the City of Ithaca to put a reasonable amount of yard waste (as is generated during a normal year) out at the roadside for pick up by the Town's crews. Clearing of building lots and hedgerows is beyond a normal amount of material. Roadside collection crews reserve the right to not pick up excessively large volumes of brush and improperly piled materials. Please note that our crews do not use leaf vacuum machines for spring leaf pickup, therefore, no loose piles will be picked up. Also, no plastic bags will be picked up. Brush you collect before the first day of the pickup needs to remain out of the rights-of-way until a couple of days before the pickup; this will assure your safety and that of your neighbors. Errant brush piles can wreak havoc on the storm water systems and can create a hazard for walkers and cyclists. WHAT TO DO • Bag leaves, garden, and other yard waste in biodegradable T Cut Ends paper bags. Fill bags and place on road shoulder. Fold over R A openings of bags to close. Do not staple or tape. 30-gallon F T bags are available at Agway, Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, F T and Wegman's along with other stores in the area. Brush C ! a Pile • Brush should be placed in neat piles going with the flow of ,, F traffic so that the chipping trucks can feed the cut ends first. c • Brush piles should be no larger than a pickup truck load Cut Ends (approximately 2' H x 4' W x 8' L in size). It is not necessary a to cut limbs into small pieces. • Put out limbs no larger than 8 inches in diameter. • Place brush and filled bags of yard waste along road shoulder or at the end of the driveway if no shoulder exists. WHAT NOT TO DO Do not tie bundles of brush. Do not place any materials in a ditch. Do not put out metal, rocks, glass, roots, stumps, or lumber scraps. Do not put brush and leaf bags out until the week before collection. For more information, please call 273-1656 between 6:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also drop your yard waste off at the Public Works Facility at 114 Seven Mile Drive, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. year-round. Please sign in at the office. • - Call for Art 2026/2027 Tompkins County Public Library Keeping Chickens Class TCPL aspires to provide the community with seasonal art March 17 5:30pm to 7:30pm exhibits during 2026-2027. We are seeking curators and/or solo artists, new or experienced, to submit Cornell Cooperative Ext. proposals for an art show (at least 6 pieces). 615 Willow Ave The deadline for the 2026/27 Call for Art Wednesday, April .' 1. Click HERE for application. Important considerations when applying: • Art must be wired and ready to hang on a single center hook. • No pins or adhesives may be used on the walls. Artists/curators must assist with installation/de- Learn practical advice for how to installation of show during library operating hours. successfully raise chickens for home egg • TCPL strongly encourages applications that contribute production. This class will explore topics to our ongoing commitment to diversity, learning and including: sourcing healthy birds, community. determining which laying varieties are best • The curator and proposed artists must currently reside for your needs, options for housing and or work in Tompkins County, or one of the additional nutrition, common illness and pest counties served by the Finger Lakes Library System: prevention, and the joys of living with Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, or Tioga. chickens! Please note: residents in the Villages of Trumansburg and Dryden and the City of Energy Warriors Clean Energy Job Ithaca who wish to keep chickens need a permit and evidence that you have Training Program attended a class on raising chickens. Our class meets that requirement, attendees Energy Warriors is now accepting ENERGY must attend live and will receive a letter to applications for the next paid, clean take to their municipality upon course energy job training program running WARRIORS completion. This class is only offered once March 30 - June 18. ® O O 0 a year. The Town of Ithaca backyard This training is designed to support Green Career Pathways chicken guidelines can be found here. individuals entering the green jobs economy - no prior training is necessary! Instructor's bio: Sarah Lubold an ESOL Earn up to $2,500 while you complete an Environmental educator, homesteader, amateur Literacy Pre-Apprenticeship and earn key industry beekeeper, and CCE Tompkins Master certifications such as OSHA 10, Building Science Gardener. She and her family live with a Principles certification, and Boot Camp for Weatherization small flock of Rhode Island Reds and Installers. Following the 12 weeks, interested trainees Khaki Campbell ducks in West Groton. may be able to pursue advanced industry certifications Sarah is active in the Cayuga and (e.g. heat pump installation) at no cost. Tompkins Counties' Farmworker and Training takes place in the City of Ithaca from 8:30 am - Immigrant community. 12:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Applications are now open and will be accepted until March 13. Applicants will be Fee interviewed on a rolling basis. Spaces are limited, so This program is valued at $20, however, apply now! please pay what you are able. Paying To learn more about the Energy Warriors program, visit more than $20 will help others attend the www.energy-warriors.org. If you need support with class. transportation or childcare to attend this training, please reach out to Energy Warriors at EnergyWarriors(c).cornell. Register HERE. edu. Energy Warriors Spring 2026 Training Outline LtheLearningWeb American Luw-i g yy ao.e...yo,.ak Ixcom 9-4wus Red Cross The Youth Exploration Program (YEP) at The Learning Web will be holding HARE YOUR two job readiness workshops for those seeking first-time employment or to brush up on their skills! Cornell's Zeta Psi Fraternity will be guests assisting [U(kY CHARM. YEP with these workshops. Give blood for those in need. Part 1: Getting It Together - March 18th @ 6PM at Tompkins County Public Library Tompkins County March Blood Drives Get your paperwork in order so you can apply for summer employment! 3f312026 Tues St Catherine of Siena Parish 1-6PM 309 Siena Drive Ithaca NY 14850 Learn the skills you need to apply to 3/512026 Thurs Dryden Middle School 230-630 PM 118 Fieeville Road Dryden NY 13053 your first job. 3/7/2026 Sat Arthur E.Bouton Post 770 730-1130 AM 4431 Seneca Road Trumansburg NY 14896 3/10/2026 Tues Dryden Veterans Mem Home 1-6 PM 2272 Dryden Road Dryden NY 13053 3/10/2026 Tues Foundation of Light 10AM-23OPM 391 Turkey Hill Road Ithaca NY 14850 Part 2: Interview Practice & 3/13/2026 Fn TompkmsCounty Library 10AM-3PM 101 E Green Street Ithaca NY 14850 Feedback - March 20th @ 6PM at The 3/13/2026 Fn Danby Fire Department 1130-5PM 1780 Dan by Road Ithaca NY 14850 3/20/2026 Fri Vineyard Church of Ithaca 9AM-2PM 23 Cinema Drive Ithaca NY 14850 Learning Web 3/24/2026 Tues First Unitarian Society ofIthaca 1-6PM 306 N.Aurora Street Ithaca NY 14850 Practice your interviewing skills with 3/24/2026 Tues Enfield Fire Department 12-5PM 172 Enfield Main Rd Ithaca NY 14850 3/25/2026 Wed Dryden Fire Department 12-5PM 26NonhStreet Dryden NY 13053 Cornell students and get feedback! Come to give blood with the Red Cross in March and get a $15 Amazon You are welcome to attend one or both Gift Card by email. Plus, successful March donations get Al C testing depending on the skills you want to (diabetes screen, 1 result in 2026) learn! This is great preparation for a GIVE BLOOD NOW! AIC TEImHG summer job. • ' 4 _ 1, !: O Ages 11-22, Must live in Tompkins County ® '• i:: -�'�1i aIeandro learninq-we b.org p J, ;j; �•. kevin learninq-web.orq Sign up here: https://forms.gle/ 1-800-RED CROSS 1 1-800-733-2767 1 RedGtossBlood org Downivad the 61uud Donor App QkZFigk9t7DjcNN47 GO ITHACA is a nationally-recognized transportation management association (TMA). We are fortunate to partner with Tompkins County, Ithaca Bikeshare, Bike Walk Tompkins, Ithaca Carshare, Commute-with- Enterprise, and so many other community organizations working to improve our local transportation options. You can sign up now to become a GO ITHACA member! Please visit our website at www.goithaca.org, and whether you are an everyday commuter or a local business owner, we look forward to supporting you to meet your transportation needs. For any commuter traveling in or out of Tompkins County, GO ITHACA offers a FREE membership program offering a variety of benefits: • FREE 30-ride Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) & 50% future TCAT pass refills • $50 Ithaca Carshare credit • 50% off Ithaca Bikeshare membership • Emergency Ride Home eligibility ITHACA • 511 NY Rideshare carpool matching • $50 active gear gift card • 50% off garage passes for carpoolers 0 20% off 2 Ourbus rides