HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2026-03-05
Conservation Board Members and Associates (*)
Lori Brewer (Chair), Frank Cantone (Vice-Chair),
James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Pete Loucks, Richard Martinez
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TOWN OF ITHACA
CONSERVATION BOARD
4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026
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Aurora Conference Room
215 N. Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(The rear entrance is handicapped accessible)
(607) 273-1747
Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person at Town Hall
or virtually via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/6750593272).
AGENDA
1. Persons to be heard
2. Members comments / concerns
3. Environmental Review Committee Update (Lori)
4. Chair and Coordinator reports
5. Approval of minutes from February 5, 2026
6. Discussion of the 2025 Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award nominations
and selection of a winner
7. Continue discussion of ideas to support the Town’s parks, trails and preserves
8. Recap of the scenic resources sign project (Eva)
9. Regular reports and updates (5:00 pm)
a. Scenic Resources Committee (Eva)
b. Communications Committee (James)
c. Tompkins County EMC (Pete)
d. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program (James)
e. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Program (James)
10. Other Business (5:20 p.m.)
11. Review 2026 Work Goals (Frank) / Discuss April Agenda
12. Adjourn (5:30 p.m.)
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Town of Ithaca Conservation Board (CB) Meeting
March 5th, 2026, 4:00 PM
(In Person at Town Hall and via Zoom Video Conference)
Final Minutes
Members present: Lori Brewer (Chairperson), Frank Cantone (Vice Chair), James Hamilton, Richard
Martinez, Eva Hoffmann, and Pete Loucks
Staff: Mike Smith – (Senior Planner)
Guests: Kristen Steele
1. Call to Order and Introductions
• Chair Lori Brewer called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees.
• Members and guests introduced themselves.
Guest Introduction
• Kristen Steele introduced herself to the board. She recently returned to Ithaca after living in
England and France. She holds a PhD in conservation biology and anthropology and is pursuing
work related to wildlife impact assessments. She learned about the Conservation Board through
discussions regarding a Drew Road property.
2. Public and Member comments / concerns
A concern was raised regarding noise pollution from truck traffic on South Route 13.
Discussion points included:
• Loud braking from trucks creates noise disturbance.
• Current zoning regulations do not address noise generated by state road traffic.
• Some municipalities post “No Jake Brake” signs, but Route 13 is a state road.
Outcome
• Mike will check with the Town Director of Public Works for a contact at the New York State
Department of Transportation (DOT).
3. Environmental Review Committee (ERC) Update
Solar Project Review:
Mike Smith explained the environmental review process for the “Bomber Heights” solar project currently
under consideration on Troy Road.
Key points:
• The Town Planning Board declared its intent to serve as Lead Agency for the environmental
review.
• Letters were sent to involved and interested agencies to confirm whether they object to this
designation.
• Agencies have 30 days to respond.
Solar Project Questions and Discussion
a) Panel lifespan
• Solar panels typically last 25–30 years.
• Studies suggest panels may still produce around 80% of original output after 25 years.
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b) End-of-life disposal
• Projects must include a decommissioning and site restoration plan.
• Panels and infrastructure must be removed and the site restored if the project ends.
c) Future reuse
• Members suggested that reuse of infrastructure (such as replacement panels) may be preferable to
full restoration in some cases.
• The board may submit comments encouraging future reuse options.
d) Wildlife fencing concerns
• Discussion included potential impacts of 8-foot fencing around solar installations.
• Deer can jump fences or become entangled.
• Wildlife rescue impacts and potential stress on wildlife services.
• Clarification that fencing is primarily intended to restrict human access, not wildlife.
e) Vegetation management
• Some solar installations use sheep grazing to control vegetation instead of mowing.
• Members expressed support for this approach due to lower emissions and ecological benefits.
4. Coordinator Report (Mike)
Mike Smith provided an update on the Town’s Deer Management Program.
Key points:
• The program began February 1 and runs through March 31.
• 10 deer have been harvested so far, comparable to 8 at the same point last year.
• Harvest data must be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC).
Discussion topics:
• Comparison to other local programs (Cornell, Cayuga Heights, Trumansburg).
• Questions about fertility control methods; currently not used by the town.
Town Project Updates
Saponi Park
• A land swap was completed to relocate parkland closer to the original development area.
• The Town will seek future funding to develop the park.
Culver Road Preserve
• Construction has begun.
• Contractor has begun tree clearing and site layout.
• Adjustments to trail placement helped preserve additional trees.
• Shifting trail alignment also reduced excavation needs.
• Resident concerns regarding culvert installation and water drainage were discussed.
• Staff indicated that stormwater management features are planned to prevent additional runoff.
5. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve January’s minutes was moved by James and seconded by Frank, unanimously
approved.
6. Fischer Environmental Award
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The Board reviewed three nominees for the Fischer Environmental Award:
1. Cornell on Fire (activist group)
2. Robert Wesley (long-time environmental educator and botanist)
3. Figueroa (organization or individual; details referenced in nominations)
Members discussed:
• The value of activism in environmental advocacy.
• The impact of long-term local environmental leadership.
• The purpose of the award as recognition of environmental contributions.
Voting Method
• Ranked-choice voting.
• First choice = 1 point, second choice = 2 points, third choice = 3 points.
• The Nominee with the lowest score wins.
Result
• Robert Wesley was selected as the Fischer Environmental Award recipient.
Next Steps
• A formal letter will be prepared on Town stationery.
• A tree-planting ceremony will be organized in recognition of the award.
7. Parks and Scenic Resources Initiative (James/Richard)
The board continued discussion on ways to support and promote Town parks, trails, and scenic resources.
Ideas discussed:
• Install more of the CB created signage at park, preserves and trailheads.
• Six informational signs have been installed at parks/trailheads.
o List includes East Ithaca Recreation Way at Game Farm Rd, Pine Tree Rd, the Pew
Trailhead, East Shore Park, Tutelo Park, and Westhaven Preserve Trailhead.
• The signs highlight scenic areas with photographs.
• May be used to promote parks through awareness and partnerships.
• Creating a map of scenic locations and trailheads
Members proposed:
• Creating a Google map identifying locations of scenic views and trail signage.
• Adding descriptions and coordinates for each location.
• Eventually integrating the map with the Town website.
Actions
• CB volunteers will install additional trailhead signs.
• A shared map will track sign locations.
• Members will contribute short descriptions of locations.
8. Scenic Views Committee
Board member Eva Hoffmann provided historical context on the Town’s Scenic Views Protection
initiative.
Highlights:
• Efforts began in the early 1990s.
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• The Conservation Board conducted a scenic resources inventory and analysis.
• Several publications documenting the work are available on the Town website.
• The program received a 2013 Environmental Excellence Award from NYSACC.
• Members were encouraged to review the publication “Saving Ithaca’s Views.”
9. Regular Reports and updates
Scenic Resources Committee (Eva) – none
Communication Committee (James) – none
Tompkins County EMC – (Pete) – Pete handed out copies of the minutes from the last ERC meeting.
Six Mile Creek Monitoring (James)
• Volunteers working with the Community Science Institute are continuing water quality
monitoring of Six Mile Creek, including analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate samples collected
from the creek. These samples are being examined under microscopes and converted into data to
assess stream health.
• Additional work includes DNA analysis of water samples in collaboration with an Ithaca College
marine biology professor, Cynthia Becker. Environmental DNA testing will help identify
organisms present in the creek and improve understanding of biodiversity in the watershed.
Cornell Botanic Gardens (James)
• Volunteers have been working regularly at McLean Preserve, removing invasive plants such as
honeysuckle and buckthorn using a “cut-and-paint” method. This involves cutting the plant and
applying a small amount of glyphosate to the stump to prevent regrowth.
10. Other Business – none
11. Discuss April agenda – Start planning for the Fischer Award tree planting / continue park, trail and
preserve ideas / continue scenic resources recap.
12. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:37 PM.
Minutes summited by Richard Martinez