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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupervisor Desch RE Misc CombinedBARBARA A. ECKSTROM TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS SOLIO WASTE DIVISION Bostwick Road Ithaca. N.Y. 14850 Telephone (607) 273-6632 TOWN OF 1TH,\Cak 0>SP0SlTtOtH?Atf- SOLID WASTE MANAGER August 11, 1988 Noel Desch, Supervisor Town of Ithaca 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 RE: Tompkins County Recycling Demonstration Project Dear Mr. Desch, Attached is a sample resolution for the Ithaca Town Board and yourself to consider. Please review and modify as necessary. Also attached is a sample letter that will be included as a part of the promotional mailing the County will send to residents. If you wish, this letter will be included on Town of Ithaca letterhead with your signature. Please review and modify the letter as you see fit and send it back on Town letterhead. The County will then use this letter to make copies. The area we are targeting is the "South Hill" area between Route 96 and Ellis Hollow Road. Hopefully, this section will add to our understanding of the residents in Tompkins County by providing a good cross section of demographics. If you or any members of the Town Board has questions, please call me at 273-5700. Sincerely, Jc. Lee Cornell Recycling Coordinator Attachments cc: James Mason, Chairman, Board of Representatives Ken Tillapaugh, Chairman, Public Works Committee Mary Call, Board of Representatives (NE Ithaca/Lansing) Beverly Livesay, Board of Representatives (SE Ithaca) Deborah Dietrich, Board of Representatives (W Ithaca) Barbara Eckstrom, Solid Waste Manager RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE COUNTY OF TOMPKINS TO DEMONSTRATE RECYCLING IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA The Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, duly convened in regular session, August , 1988, does hereby resolve as follows: WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca recognizes that the cost and environmental impacts of landfilling solid waste need to be minimized, and WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca recognizes that recycling of solid waste can substantially reduce the size of the solid waste stream, and WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins desires to initiate a demonstration recycling project in October, 1988; now therefore be it. Resolved, that the Town of Ithaca endorses and encourages the County of Tompkins to demonstrate recycling within the Town in consideration of the following terms and conditions: A. The Town will allow the County to distribute recycling containers to households in the Town. B. The County will arrange for the servicing of these containers on the same day as usual garbage disposal. C. The County will provide a public education program in the Town for recycling. D. The Town will provide mailing labels and/or address lists for targeted areas. E. The Town will endorse the program as part of a public promotion program. F. The Town agrees to take part in the program starting in October, 1988 and terminating at the end of said program. TOWN OF ITHACA LETTERHEAD SAMPLE LETTER Dear Town of Ithaca Resident: We are proud to announce that the Town of Ithaca's "South Hill" has been chosen to participate in Tompkins County's Recycling Demonstration Project, one of the few county administered recycling projects' in New York State. This voluntary project, which also involves five other municipalities will serve as a model for the County and as a study area for New York State. The Town Board is pleased that our community is being placed in the forefront of recycling activities and our confidence is buoyed by the tremendous success and tradition of all volunteer activities within the Town of Ithaca — (Noel-name a few activities, such as fire companies, ambulance, youth associations, etc.) Recycling is one of the best ways to handle trash disposal. Items normally discarded can be sorted from your trash, collected and turned into another item of value. If each of us recycles a portion of our waste stream, the collective impact will help to slow the rate of increasing disposal costs. Each of us generates about 2-1/2 pounds of waste per day, almost half a ton per year. Your recycling commitment, your participation in this simple program can save landfill space, and conserve national resources and energy for future generations. Town of Ithaca Residents are being asked to separate newspaper and glass from their trash and put this material in a blue recycling box provided by Tompkins County. Place the blue box with recyclables out at the curb like you do normal trash. The enclosed brochure outlines the details of the program. We urge your support and cooperation in this worthwhile program. Please, make a commitment to recycling. Best regards. Noel Desch TOWN OF ITHACA FINAL 136 EAST SENECA STftBT ITHACA, NEW YORK OlSPOSITiON DATE 4 October 3, 1988 Dear Tcwn of Ithaca Resident: Vfe are proud to announce that a portion of the Tcwn of Ithaca has been chosen to participate in Tarpkins County • s Recycling Demonstration Project, one of the few County administered recycling projects in New York State. This voluntary project, v^ich also involves several other municipalities, will serve as a model for the County and as a study area for New York State. The Tcwn Board is pleased that our corniunity is being placed in the forefront of recycling activities and our confidence is buoyed by the tremendous success and tradition of all volunteer activities within the Tcwn of Ithaca (Youth Recreation Activities, Fire Cotpanies, United Way). We urge your support in this simple, worthsdiile project. Please make a carmitment to recycling. Very truly yours. Noel Desch Supervisor ND/js MEMDRANDUM TO: Ithaca Tcwn Board FROM: Noel Desch RE: Town Objectives - 1986 DAHE: January 7, 1986 Tliis statement of objectives is developed from observations that I make thrcughout the year through discussions with Town staff, Board members, constituents and cur colleagues from other municipalities- They become a little more formalized in my mind as the budget process develops, so you will not find items that are beyond our ability to pay for them. There is, however, a built-in overload vben it cores to available staff time. This overload is appropriate because seme projects will take longer to evolve, therefore, often not demanding the forecasted staff tiire. On the other hand, there are always new unforseen demands on our time so we must be careful to consider the objectives as guidelines and not, in roost cases, absolute schedule coramitnents. We will go with the sane comnittee structure and assignments in 1986 as in 1985. I will not put Councilwcman Leary on a specific conmittee this year but suggest that she take the first year of her term sitting dovTn with the members of the Town staff and attending as many meetings of the various ccxrrnittees as she would like. Administrative & Planning Activities 1. Personnel Function Now that we have designated a Personnel Officer (Connie Allen) it will be much easier to provide erployees with answers to personnel related questions such as benefits, job descriptions, etc. Now that the new health insurance plan is in pla::e, we can ccxnplete work on the Personnel Manual (March 1, 1986) and an update to the Town Code of Ethics (April 1, 1986). Work on jc^ description updates will be completed hopefully by July 1, 1986 and the eirployee performance appraisal ocrtpleted by S^tember 1, 1986. 2. Cost Analysis and Forecasting We need to evaluate the effectiveness of our purchase order syston. Is it being ccnsistently used? What cost information is now Town Ctojectives - 1986 2 January 7, 1986 available? Hew effective is our overall purchasing? Where can additional savings be generated, i.e., more buL^^"' bidding and purchasing, electronics, nail hookups, energy audits, naintenance procedures on vehicles and equipment. On the latter, vAio maintains the vehicle maintenance card? It should not be the driver \rfTO decides v^en vehicle preventive maintenance is to be done. Should a motor pool be set up in the Highway Facility? Another exartple is the hi^ repair cost for the combined plc^.Vsander, due primarily to the cost of pulling itself up Route 13 everyday. need to evaluate desirability of a Pole Bam somevhere (i.e., Christopher Circle) in the Northeast to improve the service, reduce cost and perhaps be useful for other purposes. 3. Town Records We spend a considerable amount of time looking up a wide variety of information in the various minutes. A coiputerized index to such minutes vrould be an extronely useful tool, not only for saving time but developing a data base for future decisions. The indexing of minutes will give us a start but this needs to move along faster in order to be of optimal use. Another must is to duplicate a set of minutes and locate the duplicate in a secure archive. If a fire or other trage(^, i.e., vandalism occurred it would be iirpossible to retrieve the information. I have already directed Jean to proceed with this project with a two month target for conpletion. 4. Tax Parcel Overlay cn Aerial Photo and/or Enlarged USGA tfeps The feasibility of such a base map should be made to enchance revia^ of subdivisions, rezoning proposal, drainage rraster plan, etc., developnent. A data base inventory utilizing the tax parcel nunrber can then be created so that we can track trends in preservation of open space, woodlands, active farmlands, wetland, etc. Intermunicipal Agreements/Contracts Fire Contract - City of Ithaca We extended the contract for another year on the same terms as the previous two year contract. This was done to give both parties the opportunity to ccnplete our master planning effort to see if there is a basis for a long term joint arrangement or in the alternative to determine if it is in the Towns best interest to establish its own Fire Department. We are hoping to complete this wark in time for budget consideration in the F^U of '86. This will be a monumental task but it is achievablel Town CSDjectives - 1986 3 January 7, 1986 Intermunicipal Sewer Use law The revisions to the new law now in place will make it easier to provide pretreatment management. However, one additional task remains and that is the establishment of rates for the new sewage treatment plant. The rates may include a surcharge for higher strength industrial contributions. Such provisions would be incorporated in Article 10 of the law. As a footnote, we must also finalize an agreonent with the County to accept septage fran licensed haulers fron the whole County. Sewage Treatment Ccntract - Village of Cayuga Heights The formal contract expired a few years ago but we have been unsuccessful in getting the Village to proceed with an update, in spite of several attenpts. It is in our interest to push this to conpletion before the remaining capacity is overcomiitted. Since there are now five municipalities utilizing the facility there would be many advantages to an intermunicipal operation, perhaps with the same Cormission that operates Bolton Point. Planning for expanded capacity V7ill soon become a necessity. Capital Project Design 1. Route 96 We must forcefully and effectively lobby with the City to get at least the two lane highway approved up West Hill. We should also clearly state for the corrmunity the advantages of a four-lane road with the overpass, not only in terms of its safety value but as an inportant econonic consideration for the West End of the City. One of our stated objectives, over the years, is to support the preservation and enhancorent of the econonic viability of the downtown area of the City as the County's central commercial district. The lack of a highway will only serve to further isolate the City businesses. Since the City has veto power over this project, we must state clearly v^iat our desires are. 2. Vfest Hill Water & Sewer There are a nunber of reasons why we itust now itove forward on the plan developed last year in schematic form. First and fororost, these areas are in critical need of the services. Secondly, the Tax Reform Act will significantly increase municipal borrowing costs probably after January 1, 1987. This means that we should rapidly develop the scope of work, retain engineers and contract for construction as soon as the iirprovemsnt can be approved. The suggested scope of work is listed in the appendix. Town Objectives - 1986 4 January 7, 1986 3. Tcwn Drainage Master Plan Although we have made considerable strides in inproving the drainage and erosion control in several areas of the Town, we imst complete the first phase of an overall Town plan to deal with sore urgent problems on South Hill and potential on West Hill. Sane field improverrents must be accorplished in 1986. In all probability this vrork can be done in-house. One of the early action items should be the irodification of the major drainageway under Stone Quarry Road so that the railroad track grade can be lowered to reduce the alignment hazard, Hie City is no longer interested in the major storm interceptor along the ipper side of the old railroad bed. A suinner 1986 schedule should dovetail with plans to construct the bikeway down to Buttermilk Park. Some form of easanent is needed for the porticn from Stone Quarry up the hill to Aurora Street. Morse Chain owns this portion of the right-of-way. Burns Road Project The third and final phase of the Bums Road projects should be designed o\'er the winter of '86-'87 so that construction can be ccirpleted in the construction season of 1987. A design was done many years ago that vrould link Bums Road with East King Itoad where they intersect Coddingtcn Road. This option may still be preferable to raising the grade at the existing intersection. Hospital Access Road The Town is the coordinating entity in this conplex local circulation matter. The various pieces of funding are in place and discussions with the owners of tvro private parcels cire ongoing. Construction of the first phase during the surrmer of 1986 will be necessary. Preliminary design by in-house staff is underway. Pine Tree Road Alignment The County is canmitted to ccanplete the study of the alternatives involved with this ccrrplex circulation problem. The Town is already committed to assist in the design and field layout. This whole matter should be resolved in 1986 with some constructicxi effort desirable before the year is out. Sand Bank Road Realignment This alternative access fran South Hill to Elmira Road is becoming more l^vily used. The realignment at the Buttermilk Falls Park end will take place in 1986, therefore, planning and schematic design should proceed on the elimination of the hairpin ttims cn Town Cfcjectives - 1986 5 January 7, 1986 the hill portion. Construction should be done in 1987. Some land acquisition will be necessary. Inlet Valley Park Project It is expected that City acquisition of this prcperty will enable the Town/City to jointly conplete the design of the first phase of facilities (i.e., playfields, etc). It may even be feasible to conplete the rou^ grading in 1986. Pleasant Grove Raad - Northeast Btkeway Cornell has committed itself, in oonjuction with the Ttown House Project on Jessup Road, to construct the bikeway to the end of its property toward Ccmnunity Comers. The Village still wants to relocate a portion of the road inside the Village. We expect the final scheme to be accomplished in 1986, with construction likelv in 1987. ^ Capital Project Construction 1. Forest Home Drive The design features with repsect to drainage, retaining walls and road ali^Tment are already in place. Ihe first phase of construction will be corrpleted over the winter of '85-'86 and the renainder by September 1, 1986. The work also includes the To^m/Comell project on the curve above Beebe Lake. 2. Bums Road Phase I and II will be corrpleted by the end of July 1986, now that the placement of fill is underway again. 3. Park Lane Extension Excavation will be completed following relocation of the gas line scheduled for midsummer of 1986. Paving of the road may not occur until 1987. 4. Calkins Road Paving 'Ihe Town needs to consider the desirability of paving this increasingly heavy used road. Several property owners have requested that ve do so and I have indicated the possibility for 1986 or 1987. 5. Fall Creek Flood Control Improvement Tcwn Cfojectives — 1986 6 January 7, 1986 The allocation of $10,000 by the County has enabled the Town to move forward on the construction of the new gabion retaining walls with coirpletion expected during the summer of 1986. This will corplete the urgent aspects of this critical project. 6. V7ater & Sewer Improvements - West Hill - East Shore An optimal bidding date is September 15, 1986 with construction over the winter and a ccrrpletion one year later. This will enable us to permanently finance the project prior to the implementatiCTi of the new tax reform bill on January 1, 1987. This is a very formidable schedule! 7. South Hill Bikeway Since the^ agreanent on this project with the City/State has been executed it should be possible to acccmplish ccnstructicn of major sections of the bikeway this suirmer. Tcwn Cbjectives - 1986 7 January 7, 1986 1986 CaMITTEES Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Ccmnission Noel Desch, Treasurer George Kugler Special Joint Siixrorgnittee (Joint Sewer Agreerrent) Noel Desch, Chairman Shirley Raffensperger A1 Di Giacomo Fire Master Planning Carmittee Noel Desch Marc Cramer Gloria Howell Montgorrery May Personnel Ccmnittee Connie Allen, Chairwoman Noel Desch Marc Cramer Montgomery May Henry Aron Shirley Raffensperger Tcmpkins County Econonic Advisory Board Robert Bartholf Town Objectives - 1986 8 January 1, 1986 APPENDIX Water & Sewer EKtensicns Sewer West Haven Road (remainder) Cairpbell Avenue East Shore Drive to Town line Taughannock Boulevard to Town line Mater *Includes West Hill Reservoir rfecklenburg Road (to West Haven) Tnmansburg Road to Town line Taughannock Boulevard to Town line Woolf Lane H^ts Road Iradell Road Dubois Road to Town line Ccddington Road to Taiffi line King Road East link to Troy Road MEMORANDUM: TO: Noel Desch FROM: Peter Lovi DATE: December 26, 1984 Received attached materials from Jeffrey Peel at Tompkins County Health Department. The application dating from 1964 indicates that Town accepted, indeed sought, responsibility for this water system. At present however, the parcel on which the well is located (Tax Parcel #36-2-12) is listed as being owned by Fairview Manor Realty, 423 Oak Avenue, Ithaca. We also have the final subdivision plat, with all conditions relating to the water system, on file. Ms. Audrey Balander will be handling this case inthe future; Mr. Peel is leaving as of today. I informed Mr, Peel that I would need to discuss this matter with the Town Supervisor, Engineer, and Attorney before commenting further. I wondered whether or not the consolidation of water districts would be involved in some way. Perhaps Jim can help us out on that one. TCHD wants to know who will help them in the testing of the well. As has been described earlier, there are roots and other materials growing into the well and it will need to be tested in the near future. / <iec FINAL disposition date MIMJRflNDUM TO: Ivan C. Burris FRDM: Noel Desch RE: Sewer Permit Procedure DATE: October 15, 1984 Thanks for writing to remind us of the recently clarified procedures involving new sewer connections, apologies to you and Johh Andersson for any inconvenience this has caused. Rest assured that proper tests of the si±)ject main will be performed to assure us that unacceptable infiltration will not exist. The tests will be performed vd^en the Town installs manholes on the system at the time additional connections are made. Proper drawings (which are available) will be filed for review by Torqpkins County Health Department. It is my understanduig that the inside pliirbing has now heeaa inspected and a permit issued. Your proiipt response on this is c5:p>reciated. Your main point is veil taken. You ask if there is any basis for seme property owners to be exeirpt from some of the rules. The ansv^ is no and there was no intent to authorize and eceaipticai in Mr. Schwan*s case. We vere simply dealing vd.th an oversi^rt resulting frciri poor ccxmunications at Town Hall. New for the record, lets deal with a separate exanple of poor cannunications fron your end. Afparently Cornell University was authorized to proceed wildi plunbing work for the Fish Hatchery addition without having ^>plied for a sewer permit frcm the Town. The City apparently proceeded with plumbing in:^)ection prior to the Tcwn being informed of the project. This caused us seme nin-nai embarrassment because Cornell was directed to stop "the job of its failure to apply for a sewer permit (and other reasons). For all the reasons you state in your mano, this situation needs to be rectified and I would appreciate your attenticxi to it so that we all get office and field records straight. Thanks again for taking the time to help us get on the ri^t track. Perhaps in a f&t months it vould be vorth\diile to have a meeting to further critique how we are doing. ND/js oc: Jack Dougherty Jchn Andersson Ted Wixcm Larry Fabbrmi Lew Cartee SJS File /'•„ -.. "• fObfV V-«. - ' ,, ' * iSv m MEMORANDUM / '• "'i V. '!-.^ n ',. ♦•r>' ♦ , 'rji,^ ■ •*"■ * . . -• '• . . ■ "■ .>• f\- "•' ' ■-■ .^ , .,^:;^^■.^v,'p..-f„. «;•>■''» i«TOe^llvS^- '-• ■■-;• '•> •/ ii.:' • •; ■ ;■/ TO: . Larry Fabbroni FROM; Noel Desch^/^ RE: Fire Hydrant Security DATE: May 21, 1982 We seem to be heading into a dry summer and there already has been some examples of unauthorized use of Fire Hydrants. Although the Bolton Point staff monitors this situation quite well, we also have a responsibility to be alert to hydrant misuse in our travels around the Town. This means that members of the Town Highway staff and engineering staff have a role to play in this effort. Unauthorized use should be reported to Ted Wixom before citations are issued. I am also getting a new catalog on bulk water dispensing systems, to locate one in 2-3 locations where people beyond the service area can fill containers rather than vandalizing hydrants. Some engineering will be necessary. ND/js f ; I, •• v •- •'« ••-1 . l"■ f-- V -■ February 18, 1981 - ^ ijg/ n RECEIVED-. TOMPKiNS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING Frank R. Liguori PE Commissioner of Plannir^p^^j>jCgpl|^^^ Noel Desch, Supervisor • ' . Town of Ithaca 126 East Seneca Street . . ' - - Ithaca, NY . 11^850 Dear Noel: . Thank you for your letter of February 10th suggesting that we coordinate the Warren Road improvements with any Village and Town of Lansing water system improvements including the insertion of sleeves as necessary before laying the new road bed. As you may know, Tom Miller is now completing the water supply study for the Warren Road area including possible exten sions into the Town of Lansing. I understand his report will be completed near the end of February. The report will be distributed to the Town and n Village of Lansing as well as the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission. Hopefully, decisions will be made in March or April as' to further steps in the improvement of water pressure and fire flows in the area. As a minimum, sleeves will be placed as necessary before recon structing the road bed. Thank you for your interest and I will keep you . informed. . . n Sincerely Frank R. Liguori , ' • - , Commissioner of Planning -• ' ' FRL:ys cc: Harris Dates, Chairman, Board of Representatives James Ray, Chairman, Planning 6 Public Works Committee Seymour Smidt, Mayor, Village of Lansing Philip Munsonj Supervisor, Town of Lansing Donald Terrell, Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission 128 East Buffalo Street, Ithaca, Nev\/ York telephone (6071274-5286 /274• 5287 MEMORANDUM TO: Don TerrellACarry Fabbroni FROM: Noel Desch 1/j^ DATE: June 9, 1980 I am asking Connie Allen to set up a four hour working session with you, Ted VJixom and X to identify a program of system im provements in the Town of Ithaca, which the Town Board should be considering over the next five years. The meeting should be the week of June 16, 1980. Some of the items are: (1) Connect Maple Avenue to Town system. (2) Replace 2" line on Slaterville Road and tie to Commission water. (3) Improve pressure - Glenside, (4) Loop East Shore Drive main. (5) Loop Danby Road main. (6) Small water extensions. In the meantime, you should come up with your own laundry list, I*m sure there are others. ND/js TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 August 20, 1979 Mr. Clinton Cotterill Supervisor Town of Dryden 65 E. Main Street Dryden, NY 13053 Dear Clint: As you proceed with plans for the Snyder Hill Water District it perhaps would be helpful to have the following information for setting up the district budget. There will be a one-time connection charge pursuant to Article 18 of the Intermunicipal Agreement, the amount dependent on the date of the connections. I presume this will be collected by the Town of Dryden and passed on to the V7ater Commission. The Town of Ithaca will assess the Town of Dryden a transmission charge to help retire the Town of Ithaca water debt. I would expect this amount to be $8 per unit, per year including undeveloped frontage at 100 feet per unit and/or undeveloped acreage. The amount is about one-third of the benefit charge assessed to Town of Ithaca customers on the same formula. There will also be a surcharge for maintenance of the Town system equivalent to 10% of the water billed to the district quarterly. This should be added to the customer's water bill, collected by the Dryden Town Clerk and payable to the Town of Itnaca quarterly. The surcharge money is used by the Town of Ithaca for painting reservoirs, repairing water breaks, painting and flushing hydrants, etc. I hope the foregoing information will be of assistance to you. Please let me know if you need clarification. Very truly yours. Noel Desch Supervisor ND:ca cc: L. Fabbroni^ Comm. Metzger Comm. Myers MEMORANDUM TO: Shailer Philbrick, Chairman Operations Committee FROM: Noel Desch RE: Bolton Point - Mylar Originals DATE; February 16, 1979 I reviewed the matter of storage and usage of the mylars with Larry Fabbroni in relation to the concerns you and Don raised at a recent Commission meeting. The mylars are used infrequently and only for the purpose of running prints, usually in response to requests from the plant The mylars are kept in their own drawer (perhaps a more remote one would be better). If you still are uncomfortable with the file arrangement, it would be a good idea to talk directly with Larry. I doubt that we can afford a separate locked drawer but the operating committee may wish to get some prices anyway. I do hope that we will not hear a request to move the mylars to the plant. From a safety and security standpoint such a move would be unacceptable. do. Let me know if there is something further that I should MEMORAUPUM TO: Members of ad hoc Supplemental Agreement Committee FROM: Noel Desch RE: Long Range Planning Considerations DATE: March 19, 1979 I will be unable to meet witli you at noon on March 27, 197 9, but would encourage you to keep our action plan going and Mrs. Constance Allen will attend on my behalf. There are four aspects of capital planning that come to mind. 1. Adeguacy of Commission facilities, i.e., intake, treatment and delivery to member systems. 2. Adequacy of member systenjs to transport new demand. 3. Adequacy of proposed facilities to serve needs programmed. 4. Implication of SEQR. Commission facilities may become inadequate through the extension of new water districts and/or through the addition of one or more large customers. Perhaps our agreement should state: "VJhen a member municipality is considering the creation of a new water district it shall so inform the Commission of this intention at the time the consulting engineer is retained to prepare the preliminary plan." Further "Water permit applications which request a new average daily demand of 50,000 gallons or more shall be referred to the Commission for approval." The foregoing level of control should be adequate for the next 10-15 years or more to handle Aspect #1. Aspects 2 and 3 The Health Department now performs this review (I believe). We expect to publish rules and regulations which do not, at; this / point, seem to focus on improvement to municipal extensions but ' rather on services. Why do we need to duplicate the Health Department Review? On the other hand the Health Department cannot be expected to enforce our Rules and Regulations. If we perform such a review we must be' sure we do not assume responsibility for adequacy of system. " That is the responsibility of the consulting engineer- ^It seems to me that our next step is to review our Rules and Regulations with the Health Department to provide for complete but non-overlapping reviews. Aspect 4 It seems to me that the .Rules and Regulations constitute an unlisted action under SEQR and therefore require a determination of environmental significance. My question to- you is who should be the lead agency in this review? Insofar as new extensions are concerned, I do not see the Commission taking a role as an involved agency or lead agency ex$e^ when questions of adequacy of the Commission system become involved. I hope you have time to review these points at the meeting on March 27, 1979. We should plan to reach some conclusion at the following meeting of the ad hoc group. ND/js ad hoc Committee: Ken Myers Noel Desch Ted Wixom Don Terrell ^IT^rry Fabbroni Nancy Fuller Anne Krohto MEMORANDUM TO: Larry Fabbroni FROM; Noel Desch RE: Water System Improvements and Repairs DATE: June 29, 1979 We need to begin formal planning of the next series of water system improvements and repairs. There is only one remaining item for accomplishment this year, other than those in the bidding or contract stage, and that is the Cliff Street Pump Station. With your workload, should we get someone else to put some specifi cations together for structural and mechanical repairs? It is essen tial that we get as much reliability built into this pump station including quick coupling capability with fire department equipment before we take the Triomansburg Road tank out of service for painting - which we should accomplish next year. Next year should we try to do Northview and Trumansburg tanks in one bid package? I would still like to find a solution to the Glenside pressure problem even if it means buying a used tank of small capacity. Would it make any sense to move the Pine Tree Road tank over there? Why don't you get Len Bower down to look at possible sites? I don't think we can afford to run too much pipe and we probably don't need too big of a tank. Unfortunately we are probably looking at another pump station, but we do have several spare pumps - with probably the wrong flow characteristics. We are generating excess income from West Hill, probably sufficient to do these projects in addition to the surcharge being generated for the tank painting program. We also have pipe replacement on East Shore Drive, Slaterville Road and small extension requests along Coddington. In conclusion, the real critical job is Cliff Street and mainly from a timing standpoint. We must have that done by cold weather. ND/js £s -■T,.;.,-. September 3, 1974 ^ To; Walter Schwann From: Noel Desch Subject: Water and Sewer Extension Policy, Town of Ithaca Several months ago when we were considering a series of water and sewer extensions we were criticized for not having a formal policy. In a way this was true although we had rather thoroughly tested the situation. The more recent issue of extensions to major property holders of undeveloped land on West Hill prompts me to put down my thoughts. Again, there also is a relation ship to our contract conflict with the City of Ithaca vis-a-vis no water without sewer and vice versa. We can assume that if there is to be any major growth in Tompkins County a major segment of it will occur in the Town of Ithaca. We all know the reasons why — I won't re-state them. The Town government will be under continued pressure to permit the growth to occur. I firmly believe we must not prevent growth but we must assure the community that our policies are consistent and well directed. Several basic questions come to mind in formulating such a policy: 1. What qualifications must be met before the Town is willing to finance and/or otherwise approve the extension of water and sewer improvement? 2. If several improvements qualify but only part can be funded, what elements should be considered in establishing the priorities? 3. What will the new Health Department regulations do in terms of curtailing growth in non-sewered areas? 4. Should further sewer connections be held in abeyance until the treatment facilities are updated? Qualifications - There are a great many localized conditions which suggest a separate consideration of water and sewer. Water - Generally water will be less expensive to extend than sewer, particularly when one considers the upcom-ing increased benefit charge involved with new waste water treatment facilities. On the other hand, the $23,00 benefit charge will accumulate a surplus slower than the $50.00 sewer charge. 1. There must be at least R-30 density already developed for the area to be watered. 2, In undeveloped, un-watered areas the property owners may hire a consultant to evaluate the economic and engineering feasibility of extending water from existing facilities. Generally, the Town will not fund these improvements until the open land now watered has been developed -- unless the work can be accomplished without increasing the benefit charge burden on the taxpayer above the $23.00 limit. -2- 3. In developed but un-watered areas the property owners shall decide as a group whether water is to be extended. The Town is not obligated to make such an extension if the benefit rate is increased as a result unless a referendum over the whole Town approves such an increase. Sewer - The currently approved sewering of Forest Home,part of Slaterville Road, and part of Elm Street, will eliminate virtually all of the potential community health hazard areas (except the lake frontage). 1. There must be at least an R-30 density already developed for the area to be sewered. An isolated, failed septic system does not in itself justify sewering ^ even though a health hazard is obvious. The Town may need to lend its weight to the Health Department to eliminate these isolated cases. 2. In undeveloped unsewered areas the property owners may hire a consultant to evaluate the economic and engineering feasibility of extending sewer from existing facilities. Generally, the Town will not fund these improvements until the open land now sewered has been developed -- unless the work can be accomplished without increasing the benefit charge burden on the taxpayer above the $50.00 limit. 3. Generally, further sewer extensions should be held in abeyance until the unit debt load on the Town for treatment facilities is known. The foregoing is not intended to discourage the connection of laterals to existing pipe, where the pprson requesting the connection has been paying a benefit charge. The Town engtn^ef^should immediately maR?~an inventory of those property owners who have"yet to connect to the sewer within those area? where a grace period was authorized at the time the original districts were formed; i.e., NE, and Slaterville Road. Appropriate notices should be sent to the property owners where connections are required within the next two years. - . \ . g-, The Town may have to mandate the extension of sewer should a health hazard to a large segment of the Town exist. In summarizing, there is one major thrust I would emphasize. We have in the Town of Ithaca a major undeveloped but watered and sewered areas which will continue to generate major debt but not generate proportionate income for many years to come, particularly with Beacon Hills being held up. In my judgment we cannot afford to create another such area. The risks are too great. Not only would we potentially dilute the growth of South Hill but also use up a remaining margin with the present benefit range which may be needed in areas with critical problems. Future Extensions - Once the treatment facilities have been upgraded (or at least under construction) we should authorize the study of sev/ering the lake front properties within the Town and preferably the County. Perhaps this can be done concurrently by the County Sewer Agency. This will be particularly critical as Lansing develops due to tributaries such as Salmon Creek, Twin Glens, etc. ~ for Bolton Point will be on line ahead of any sewer construction. In my view this problem should be resolved before further extensions are made in the Town of Ithaca. In closing I would simply state that these are my views and I hope they will stimulate discussion and the eventual statement of official policy. /rurvi r CAYUGA BIRD CLUB ^ 1^r9u\^ ^/7 D ^ Sja^U^'U/XA^ J)a^ "l^Jr I^aAaaL ^ ^ £X/\AA^ ^ ypATMy 'PC^ (majm-^ 1^1/1^ C^iuA• UJMr yj^AA /iAAAM^-^f^^ AMAA44Ja yicAH. yAA CffXAAAyiu /^umAyt^ TruTK ^ X n AyiviXt^ U^rc^ ^yi*y\^'~i A^A/iXj /-jllf Xjl-^i^. l/aJXj XoiJvnxJ Im /)Ai»Ay^^-C^ tA^ /i^i-XLA- y^A^y. ^ yX ytirA-iXityyo ..^\- yiy^Ay ^^Yyiiy y^Af-cXA-iu/ yX f^eAA /y^ ^ff-yyiyLt/^ /I/W/Tvf- A,Xi.^^^A/\X ^A'^\JyXy\yA3 y^T-^X^JAyt^yT^ • tX yx/yJiJyjAiy<LA AXi/A^ AJfy^ y4td (^yj-TyyAXiy/^yiA^ n ^it/iXid ^Xa, yiAtZtA'TiX y^iAiA-Ai (/CuiJ^(MyUiA iXlyt AAX^ yO-C'Vl/ lAttAAX^yX '~^ Q-jy^n-iy^T-n/ J} ^ , 7y^, drr' ^U yr.-/ ;yp ^0 2'yJ' n-j/" U'lw r>^-->vi^^ ^jrUWVy -v^ Urr^y^) ^^pyyfl ^jyyui^y^ -ryj tj ^Yl ^ /( u u ^ f^KT^wi/ .rvT yyr^ 9^ f J.py^ y py (yjp. fy^/7] 7^^ ^ yjQ ~r 'A; /vw" 0/^j fl ^ n 0-^ yY^ YY Q. i^>^7 JY-kx ifny'^ri/^rxo^y^ 7J/J_ YYk ^ • cy7yjy%yyyjx7y y^y ^ kirv^/yp Tjji^vyyiuy Yvpxy ttk'v f-rrw rvT^'/ yyyj \ny y p-^rHyy^T^ yyy ^ --v-umvw V y^-v yyyy y y-rry^r^ j-v^T^i^yr 7^,-^ y^y yTvjy yhyym-^ Y ' yjyyyjy^' UJ. \^' u '^i/ w \ 0 ff I/Ll /i4-a.-<:^l4<-<fCo ^ l(Jv ^--r-Lt rr-'. , ^ t- b'(y^4yi •^3 63 Of HH- 32 HO yiA/-nyi^'■ -': - ;>,-i ■ V •'. , : ^ - -:V^' >• -. -r . ,.r3':-"'""■ m 2 6 1981 LAW OFFICES OF MAZZA, WILLIAMSON 8c CLUNE 317 NORTH TIOGA STREET ITHACA. NEW YORK 14850 BRUNO A. MAZZA. JR. ROBERT I. WILLIAMSON ROBERT J. CLUNE AREA CODE 607 TELEPHONE 273-3339 EDWARD A. MAZZA July 17, 1978 Mr. Noel Desch, Supervisor Tovm of Ithaca 126 E. Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Mr. Desch: I represent Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kramer who live at 128 Salem Drive, Ithaca, New York. They have a situation in which there is a sliver of property between Salem Drive and a part of their would-be road frontage that belongs to the Town of Ithaca, At the present time, the Kramer's are maintaining this piece of property. They would like to know if they could meet with the Town Board to discuss the possiblity of the Town conveying that sliver of property to the Kramers for one dollar. If everything sounds satisfactory, they would agree to get a survey made for final approval by the Board. They have been represented by other counsel in the past and informed me that they started this procedure once before and received preliminary approval from the Board, but are not aware of what happened after that time. Thus, we are starting the process over again. It is my understanding that the Town Board will meet in early August. Please advise if it would be possible for us to appear at your next Board meeting. Very truly yours. EDWARD A. MAZZA EAM:dd TOWN OF ITMACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 November 28, 1979 Mr. John M, Andersson, P.E. Director-Environmental Health 1287 Trumansburg Road Ithaca, New York 14850 RE: Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Survey Dear Mr. Andersson: In consulting with those with firsthand knowledge of any sites that have been or are currently used for the storage or disposal of dangerous or hazardous materials or chemicals, we can find no evidence of such a site within the Town of Ithaca. Thank you for the opportunity to respond. Very truly yours. .Noel Desch Supervisor LPF/js -■ ' P * INS Cfli o* WILLARD C. SCHMIDT, M.D., M.P.H. Commlssionar of Health Mr, Noel Desch, Supervisor and Town Board Members Town of Ithaca 132 Updike Road Ithaca, New York 14850 yi/ A ^ 1287 Trumansburg Road Ithaca. New York 14850 607-273-7272 November 9, 1979 RE:Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Survey Dear Supervisor Desch: Recent New York State legislation requires that each County in the State survey its area in an attempt to locate and identify inactive hazardous waste disposal sites. The Tompkins County Health Department has been delegated this responsibility for Tompkins County. We are, therefore, requesting each Town, Village, and City Board to review past disposal or dumping activities within their boundaries. If any member of a board, or any citizen, has firsthand knowledge of any sites that have been or are currently used for the storage or disposal of dangerous or hazardous materials or chemicals, we would appreciate having that information listed on one of the enclosed forms and returned to the Health Department. If necessary, subsequent field inspections and site evaluations will be perfomed by the Health Department and/or other agencies• It is imperative that precise information be given, to ensure that sites are properly identified and that the degree of hazard can be assessed Please do not list sites receiving only municipal or household type waste unless there is evidence that quantities of hazardous waste were also placed there. The attached list will provide you with some examples of the kinds of sites and materials that are of concern. Rfi:' Inactive Hazardous Waste Page 2 Disposal Site Survey (cont'd.) November 9, 1979 We would appreciate an initial response by December 7, 1979. If other sites are reported or found after that, please transmit this inforraa' tion to the Health Department on the same type of form. Very truly yours. John M. Andersson, P.E. Director-Environmental Health OMA/cb •r Encs. cc: Each To^'m Supervisor and Board Each Village Mayor and Board Ithaca City Mayor The Ithaca Journal -•5 Ithaca Times The Grapevine Cornell Daily Sun Cornell Chronicle The Ithaca College News" Newfield News The Free Press Danby Area News Lansing Observer ' Syracuse Newspapers The Ithacan Good Times Gazette The Cortland Standard Dryden Rural News WE IV WTKO WVBR FM Stereo CBN WGMF Radio WKRT Radio Center WICB-TV WCIC-TV WHCU AM/FM Stereo Cerrache TV, Channel 13 WICB AM/FM Ithaca INACTIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL SITES Identified Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites in Tompkins County, as of November 1, 1979: 1. Abandoned lagoons at Smith-Corona in Groton, used for metal plating waste. 2. Fly ash disposal sites for Milliken Station power plant in Lansing. 3. Waste disposal site for laboratory chemicals from Cornell University in Lansing. 4. Buried site for low level radioactive materials from Cornell University in Lansing. Examples of Chemicals Considered Hazardous or Dangerous: A. Halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methyl chloride, chloroform, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). B. Aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene^ xylehe. C. Tars, such as coal tar. D. Halogenated organics, such as phosgene, kepone. E- Substituted aromatics such as phenol, cresol, aniline, pyridine, F. Pesticides,such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, toxaphene, diazinon. G. Other chemicals, such as asbestos, mercury, cadmium, cyanide. X • /V' *1 TOWN OF ITMACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 April 25, 1980 Mr. Paul Komar Area Manager New York State Electric and Gas Corporation Ithaca-Dryden Road Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Paul: You may recall that there was considerable discussion about the attached County Board Resolution before it failed on November 26, 1979. One of the primary reasons for its defeat was related to the burden placed on those vendors, such as New York State Elec tric 6s Gas, in terms of reconstructing the billing program to segregate electricity and gas use for heating versus cooking, etc. I believe that there is no problem with regard to electricity but natural gas is another matter. It would be helpful to have an idea of what percentage of the consumption and cost is involved with heating and cooking in the "average" home utilizing natural gas for both heating and cooking. Perhaps with the trend toward budget billing of these services there is an easy way to develop a resolution to take care of the minor aberration which inevitably come about where some families use more or less than the average gas for cooking. It has also been suggested that repeal of the sales tax on resi dential heating fuels will have an energy conservation disincen tive. I would appreciate your comments on this. I am of the opinion that the increment of savings is sufficiently small, that such disincentive would not be the case. Finally, there is the fear that any savings will be wiped out by automatic price increases. There is probably no guarantee that such offsetting increases will not happen but again your comment might help us to develop a method of achieving support for the repeal of sales taxes on these essential commodities. Very truly yours, Noel Desch Supervisor ND/js cc: J. Murphy H. Dates RESOLUTION NO 312 - A>ENDMENT TO RESOLUTION NO. 256A ADOPTED NO\EMBER IS, 1966 AND A^END^ENTS THERETO WITH RESPECT TO REDUCED TAX RATE ON RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SOURCES AND SERVICES Introduced by Mr. Ray, seconded by Mr. Marchatn, WHEREAS, recent amendments to the New York State Tax Law permit municipal ities to reduce the local sales tax on utilities used for residential use, now therefore be It RESOLVED, on recommendation of the majority of the Budget and Admlnistratio Committee, That Resolution No. 256A adopted on November 18, 1966 and amendments thereto be further amended to reduce the tax rate on residential energy sources and services as follows: Section 2-A. Tax rate on certain energy sources and related services. a) Notwithstanding the rate of tax set forth In section two of this resolution on and after January 1, 1980 the taxes imposed on the receipts from the retail sale of fuel oil (excluding dlesel motor fuel) and coal used for residential purposes; the receipts from the retail sale of wood used for residential heating purposes; and the receipts from every sale, other than for resale, of propane (except when sold in containers of less than one hundred pounds), natural gas, electricity, steam and gas, electric and steam services used for residential purposes shall be paid at the rate of 1% percent. b) Notwithstanding the rate of tax set forth In section four of this resolution, for the purposes of clause (A) thereof, on and after January I, 1980 the compensating use tax imposed by such section on the use of fuel oil (exclud ing dlesel motor fuel) and coal used for residential purposes and wood used for residential heating purposes shall be at the rate of ih percent of the consider ation given or contracted to be given for such property or for the use of such property, plus the cost of transportation except where such cost is separately stated in the written contract, if any, and on the bill rendered to the purchase c) The rate set forth in this section shall apply to receipts from all retail sales and uses described in this section made, rendered or arising therefrom on or after January 1, 1980 although made or rendered under a prior contract. If a delivery or transfer of possession of such property or services Is made after said date. Where such property or service Is sold on a monthly, quarterly or other term basis and the bills for such property or service are based on meter readings, the amount received on each bill for such property or service for a month or quarter or other term shall be a receipt subject to the rate of tax set forth in this section, but such rate shall be applicable to all bills based on meters read on or after January 1, 1980 only where more than one-half of the number of days included in the month or other period billed are days subsequent to December 31, 1979. d) Where a residence is a part of a multiple dwelling or other premises consisting of residential and non-residential units, or where a portion of a residence is used for non-dwelling purposes including the conduct of a trade or business, the same rules and regulations shall be applicable that have been LOST Ayes - 6 Noes - 9 Resolution No» 312 - Amendment to Resolution No. 256A Adopted November 18. 1966 and Amendments thereto with Respect to Reduced Tax Rate on Residential Energy Sources and Services established by the tax commission in order to allocate to such residence the portion of the sale of energy sources or services attributable to the residential portion. e) If the tax commission has prescribed a certificate to be taken by the vendor of the energy sources or services specified In subdivision (a) of this section from the purchaser of such energy sources or services, such certificate shall be applicable for the purposes of this section. Where a certificate is required, unless such vendor shall have received such certificate in such form as the tax commission may prescribe, signed by the purchaser and setting forth his name and address, together with such other information as such commission may require, stating that the premises, for which such energy sourcesor services are purchased, is used solely as a residence or Identifying the residential portion of premises, for which such energy sources or services are purchased including instances where a multiple dwelling unit or other premises consists of residential and non-residential units or where a portion of a residence is used for non-dwelling purposes, such as the conduct of a trade or business, the provisions of this section shall not apply and the tax shall be imposed at the rate provided for in sections two and four of this resolution. No further certificate need be furnished for any subsequent purchase for such premises if the Information set forth in the certificate last furnished the vendor has not materallly changed. CC: County Attorney County Administrator STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF TOMPKINS* I hereby cert of a resolxitj.on ad- the RESOLUTION NO. 312 of 11/26/79 LOST Ray/ Marcham Clynes/Culligan - Move to amend "This resolution is only effective for a 12 month period and action is necessary by this Board for continuance of thereduction outlined above." Amendment LOST Roll call on Original - Ayes 6 - Noes 9 - Res. LOST. - . -NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION ,ITHACA. NeVyORK 14850 •--■ ■■ ■ . . ; June. 2/1980 • ■ ■;-JUN.4 '198a.--. ■■ Mr.,'Noel Pesoh ■ TOWN OF ITHACA - ... Si^eiTvisor- ^ Town'.of Ithaca , . ' . '126 East Seneca Street 1 . . - ' • Ithaca, New York ■ 14850 ; . .. . - ■ pear-Noel,. v , , - -,;' In your letter of-'April 25," 1980, you pointed out that one of ■ the main reasons that the County Boafd Resolution oh. eliminating the ' 'County S^es Tax on heating fuels; was' defeated due to the feeling that it would he difficult to segregate the cooking,- etc.uses'-from the totalenergy bill. - This certainly is-true,, for Itywould'be es^ensive and'almost•iripossible in some cases to meter.the heating portion-only. .'However, the following should be ccnsidered.-iri; this-regard: . 1. Almost'all uses of ^energy withto a residence produces he'at, either .-directly', or. indirectly. Cooklrg, llght- \ ing, refrdgeration^ and/your-TV!, add.heat within the - • house and is:* usef ul-'duMng the-nine months that, heat ' is • required., . . ' ■ ; ' ; 2, -ihe-'.pprtioh of-eners^ "used for-such uses as c6oking\' (3-5^) a'■ refrigeration (10-12^), color TV (ll3^) is'small, cpnp^d to.heating (50-70^). ' .■ 3- Cobkirig, lifting, and-refrigefation-are-all "necessities ' in our society today. ' ' *. ' - ' 4. Finally, it .appears that ."the state had the same problem ^ ■ of segregating other "uses, and their final bill (enclosed) • allows the county to ^-eliminate, sales taxes for-"the use of -• all energy within a-residence. . • • l ^ - "I agree with you that' repealing the sales tax will not produce-, "■ a'disincentive for'conserving.The savings is.too small, and I, believe that irpst individuals are now conserving to save ^ney, and tMs action in itself- would not'discourage;th'em to condiriue 'to tiy,to"save money.' ' The" agreement .-that "this savings will'.-be wiped out by.'incre^es'is •' weak." Alth6ugh .it appears tha-fc. energy prices'will continue to increase'in the future, sb-will.the cost of other essential-commodities. Thus, does this mean if prices for other necessities such as food and medicine increase, that we should, start to charge sales taxes on these'essential conmodlties? NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION ITHACA, NEW YORK 14 850 June 2, 1980 Mr. Noel Desch Supervisor Town of Ithaca 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca^ New York 14850 - 2 - The real issue here, I believe; is it fair to tax energy, which is as essential as medicine or food? New York State, along with other neighboring states - Connecticut, Vemont and New Jersey have repealed the sales tcLx on energy used for residential purposes. They recognize the burden of taxing this essential commodity: They recognize that a poor family uses as much energy as an affluent family, due to poor insulation of their homes and staying home more often, and with a sales tax as a percentage of their use, they end up paying a larger portion of their income in taxes. During the past few weeks, Broome County has joined others that • have repealed the sales tax. On October 1, New York State will take the final step in repealing their portion of the sales tax on energy. Althou^ the savings are relatively small, its adoption would be an important indication to the overburdened taxpayers that the county not only recognizes their plight, but has also commenced action to provide relief on an essential commodity. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me. Regards, jp^ PAUL KCMAR General Manager^Ithaca Area PK:jmd End. T®WW ©F ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 May 27, 1981 Mr. Kenneth Myers President Citizens Savings Bank Tioga 6c Seneca Streets Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Ken: The enclosed article printed in the May 19 issue of the Ithaca Journal erroneously reflects unfavorable administra tion of our Town government and I would like to clear the record in an appropwriate manner. It is very unlikely, for example, that a property in the Town of Ithaca could have had an escrow account understated by $133/month even with school taxes included. Without revealing the names of the property owners involved, would you please verify the municipal location of the prop erty used in the example. In the event that the property is in the Town, can it be determined that it was a bank error. If the latter is the case, then obviously Mr, Keough*s quote "This is not the place to complain. It's city hall, or town hall" was taken out of context. Your assistance in clearing up the matter will be greatly appreciated. Very truly yours, . - Noel Desch Supervisor ND/js enc.* ^arii#e|cro« accouiit celf^ wli f iuctuaji,:witiT- taxes'f 'By PATRICIA BRAUS -T Journal Slaff •Last-year, a Tompkins County cou- pie purchased their first home in the ^ Town of Ithaca. After years of renting, the couple carefully planned for major ex penses; §262 per month"*, for their $32,000 mortgage, and $89 per month to place in an escrow account for payment of taxes. •' -'-Aj.n.v "Last month, their escrowaccount bill skyrocketed over $40 to account .for tax "increases, ' Now both the working husband and his working wife are wondering how .they-will be able -to. pay.'$lJS-;.per- month for taxes. ' "What's" more, they are wondering . why their bank did not do a.better job n of planning for 1981 taxes.•!•. - A $40 per month increase. inUhe monthly escrow account bill is un-. usual, according to James Keough,- "Vice President of the mortgage de partment at Citizen's Savings Bank. ' But as long as taxes increase, so n will. the monthly bill. for" /scrow. accounts. "• This year the average escrow ac count increase for a house'- with a $50,000 mortgage was $20 per month for Citizen's customers, Keough said. • . . That does not'mean all'tncreases wWe $20 per month, however. Some .•',peopl^;viilt te:paying $40 more per i" month^.while'pthers will be paying- •. $40 less per month than they paid last: n year, Keough said. The lucky prie paying less will be doing so bedause their 1980 taxes did. not" deplete' their-escrow accounts. The ones paying a Tot more money . will be doing-^so for one of two" reasons: " either ;198l- taxes increased, a tremendousTamount, or the bank" • miscalculated;-^^' n n The'iiilthaca-scbuple-mentioned iflr this article "-mil be . paying. for .a , miscalCulaUoir'th' -"ear. ; ■•• • While the bank .. ..r Imows how.' much individuals will" be charged in- . the-..commg-!tax,'iyear.' financial of-;,. ficers try .td leaye enough money-in' each v--escrow.-^account" .Jo , insure, payment of. taxes. • ... In this case,.there was not enough• '■ money left in" the account -and the. bank ended!up paying the difference." When the couple has reimbursed the" bank; their monthly escrow account' payment will decrease. Until then, they will be farced to find a way to •pay $133 permonth." Because the bank sends out escrow mortgage account bills, some home owners think it is the bank's faultthat they are paying more money. . .. They should- look -elsewhere . to .complain; Keough said. "This is notthe place to complain, It's city hall/ ISank a^inistratioh of escrow ac- • counts began- after the Depression. . Many homeowners lost their homesbecause they could not pay. t^es- during the Depression, Keough said. " Now, when a homeowner,■purchases a mortgage he is required to pay money in to an escrow account for taxes every.month. This makes it-easier for the homeowner, to pay histaxes, Keough-^ said. -"-People, are stretching - and stretching andstretching. There isn't any money left to come up "with these-bills;-'' : / T r • TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 November 16, 1981 Bangs Ambulance, Inc. 209 West Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Mr. Bangs: I am enclosing a section of Town of Ithaca Tax Map #46 which shows the parcels with house nximbers on East King Road. There is some concern about the possibility that emergency vehicles might miss one of these residences because the newer houses have higher numbers. Can you give us your opinion on the seriousness of the prob lem. As you can appreciate, it is not a trivial matter to change house numbers. We are in the process of providing the City Fire Department with maps of the Town showing house locations, and addresses. Perhaps this would suffice to overcome such concerns. Very truly yours, Noel Desch Supervisor ND/js enc. A'! < d-L. ■'••J- - ' • • i'i •ifflK.--.' "-Vs'^.cfv .TO'. ►Joez- OC^OA fiilswi.' ^ )<'Oy^ 9fir\E', - -TK-tS^ ''^ • l^D<Lp)iOi •gfUMV-T?aL) A-T r/iMMUjoiTv^ 'tVXfiiart.. ^ oc Tt^ Jtoi0m._6lkSijMOS \WOfXrtnJTS /^noO ^CCtJy(U\^C^ pcipe'Xisuio's A5^S<>.NAPT1»^aJ OP 2€?«?ojg!giglC(T^. , VAviML\W lOl , _ q, ~A6i-v\AJLduj| , Nb^J-Ta^PFvc , - jS^VC<AAA^uvjar2. • T. p^rxis jTTZirFPic^ E^STS . J^Onz- jogw SMert^CM:^\^!flArt)UO^.^.T. - O.V-. vAiAiiAsw .Tift-f^-c O.W.-\(&rrALjb1 M^-T^ <5,14^.^l^*\iUAvi( - |J iT. - , •, y psrtt GLO Gs>Tirt/nJCel/SyV\nl(5Uj - tJ ,T. _ 0.jc1(^rip4 - ^JT.-TZJfeAE^ (&(<iC2iVWiMciM - M^T - Jt\4. ^•LvXPtOvoAtWA^ - Cl+*rM£3Jei , (ZtoSlLjSsMO PbST. - iJgTVie Pl>OlDC fTcAnJTK!2A>/Ut>u) - M ,T. - Ai<^ ^'D«SY2.Ui^- ^luL (!!iot(SV4 ~ DOMJ^VlTy . 1\A^ef2^ouoP5V^a£-(K/) - NJ/T. - Pife. ^HaaAJLcUj NvT. VWfiXSli// - - c) )j^^L^du)u>/t^ ' r^ugtrvr 6 " l.-A>^UC»tO/TVc^ - , •* ^\Oyv\iMJ^ . fjrc. '_. iZcM«a»K c^rjc .CplJ^>e^^ tttlUe iq fK; pftfitTsjO r-lB- MEMORANDUM FINAi A-. -^!jSf. DISPOSITION DATE —^rf\ TO: FROM: RE: DATE: James V. Buyoucos Noel Desch Local Law - Fire Zones in Shopping Centers December 16, 1982 We finally have a request from Stewart Knowlton to adopt a local law to permit the Comty Sheriff to provide enforcement at East Hill Plaza. A number of the tenants have complained over the past year or so and Stewart is finally acknowledging the need. I would like to set a hearing at our January 10 meeting for adoption of such a law at the hearing on February 7. Attached is the Local Law adopted by Lansing in 1976. Let's discuss at our next staff meeting. ND/js encs. rvT.. • w*''.CORNELL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES ITHACA, NEW YORK January 26, 1967 Mr. Andy Soyring Zoning Officer Town of Ithaca 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York Dear Andy: With reference to your letter of January 20, 1967, I am enclosing an official opinion dated April 7, 1959 concerning building permits for state buildings. We will comply with the requirement that permits be obtained for all but state and federal buildings. I do believe that it is necessary for the Town to have a record of university buildings constructed recently in the Town. I am enclosing a listoflhrse for you to check. If there are no site plans on file please note and return a copy to me and I will obtain the necessary plans. in the future we will see that building permits are obtained where required. Very sincerely. Noel Desch Assistant to Director ND:md Enclosure cc J. F. Weinhold J. E. Burton j. W, Humphreys Vlease Address Reply to the Department and Not to an Individual - New York State Department of Environmental Conaervatlon 50 Wolf Road, Albany, New York 12233 JAN 27 1983 TOWN OE ITHACA January 21, 1983 Mr. Noel Desch, Supervisor Town of Ithaca 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Mr. Desch: This will acknowledge your recent letter to Mr. Kenneth Wich, Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, concerning our pro posal to control sea lamprey in Cayuga Lake using lampricides. The final decision on this proposal will be made following completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and is anticipated by early spring. Your position will contribute to that decision. Thanks for taking the time to present your opinions and comments We will comment in detail on issues raised in your letter when we prepare the Final EIS. Sincerely, Paul C. Neth, Supervisor Inland Fisheries Section PCN:ev cc: B. Griffin/C. Creech - w/copy of incoming corres. T. Jolliff " " " " f^UG /(.iLd.'<i42^i. /^C". <5- ,J61W^ . Rffi'Q ^'7^-7^9^ CUi-^ ^./f^ /i^ Ci^nn^'n-c^ ^ ^yCn-^-r K , ciA^ - . J ^ . ^ ^ 77 cU-tu^M^ -- -----^ cc^^^<JUl^ ■/ u-£^^ i "^cij . .-nonccJt:^:s>r .j><^ju.u-<?l^^ -<1-5/' ^ ,.^,^ACe/^S-t. /[)<3L^->^ .>42^ -vV: ?■ ,•':<• .yX--'^ :s. ■ ■• >» I6P 1 3 REC'D ,0^ 114 Concord Place Ithaca, New York 14850 Mr. Noel Desch Town of Ithaca Supervisor 126 E. Seneca Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Mr. Desch: September 8, 1983 I want to once again express my complete dissatisfaction with having a jail constructed near the airport area. I think it is detrimental to the North East area of Ithaca. Furthermore, I think there are much better places to build a jail. My views are shared by all my neighbors. I suggest that consideration be given to building a jail at another site. Sincerely yours. Pedro (Pete)^. Guzman PTG/jp mm TOWN OF ITHACA ithaca outdoor sculpture exhibition - 1984I 2 Hillcrest Drive Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 Mr, Noel Desch Supervisor Town of Ithaca 126 E. Seneca St, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 Dear Mr, Desch: A very exciting exhibition of outdoor sculture by 14 artists will be held in Ithaca this May, It will be, as far as we know, the largest number of artists to be gathered together in one outdoor sculpture show that Ithaca has seen, and the possibility of the show traveling to other places is being explored at this time. All of the artists, with one exception, have lived and worked,in Ithaca, Eleven of them live now in or closeby Ithaca, I am writing to ask that the Town of Ithaca grant honorary citizenship to the one sculptor in this group who has not lived in Ithaca so that in the event the exhibition does move elsewhere we can in good conscience and with well deserved pride call it an exhibition of Ithaca artists. The sculptor in question is a very talented artist called Willard Boepple whose work is in the permanent collections of many prestigious places including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Pine Arts Museum in Boston. He has shown at the Andre Emmerich Gallery in New York City and is presently represented as an artist by the Acquavella Gallery there. He was born in 1945 in Bennington, Vermont and has lived in New York City since 1974. He was educated at the University of California at Berkeley, the City College of the City University of New York and the Rhode Island School of Design, His wife, Margaret Boepple is vice chancellor of the City College of the City University of New York and before that she was New York City legislative representative in Albany. Two years ago Mr,^Boepple was totally paralyzed by a disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, For many months he was not able to move or to speak. Recently, after a long and difficult convalescence (which still continues and promises further good progress) he has left the hospital, has regained his voice and is able to 2 Boepple get about in a wheel chair. Most recently, he has been able under careful supervision to walk with crutches. He is continuing his career as sculptor by working closely with an assistant who executes in balsa wood under Willard*s direction. The work is then cast in metal at the well known Johnson Atelier in Princeton, N.J, The two pieces which will be shown in the Ithaca Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition - 1984 are among his most recent work. The physical and spiritual courage and stamina and grace he has shown under these trying circumstances make him, I think, a citizen of the human race of whom we can all be proud and I hope we can honor ourselves as well as him by declaring him an honorary citizen of the town of Ithaca. Those of us working on the May exhibition will be most grateful to you for your careful consideration of this request. With all best wishes. Doria Higgins Coordinator Ithaca Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition - 1984 enc. catalogue in which photographs of Mr. Boepple's work appear resume of his career as sculptor list of artists whose work will appear in the May exhibitionibition y 5 ^ New York State College of a Statutory College of the S Cornell University Department of Education Stone Hall Ithaca, N. Y. 14853 7^ JAN , 71984 ■y TOWN OF ITHACA January 13, 1984 Mr. Noel Desch, Supervisor Town of Ithaca 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Noel: The good folks at the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council have asked me to communicate with you. It seems that it is time for reappointment of town representatives and they haven't received a nomination from you. Yes, I would very much like to continue to represent the Town of Ithaca on the Environmental Management Council. With every good for a great 1984, Sincerely, Richard B. Fischer, Professor Environmental Education RBF:rh .1' 7- . -V lyuro . JAN 1 5 1985 TO\NK OF iTHACA j BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES \ ^ n n Coitrt Housn Itbacs. N.Y^ 14850 h January 14, 1985 The Hon. Noel Desch Town of Ithaca Supervisor 126 E. Seneca Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Mr. Desch: The Town of Ithaca has a designated position on the Environmental Management Council. To date we have not received your nomination for this position. It is important that the Town of Ithaca be represented, and it is critical for us to have our County advisory boards fully occupied. I would appreciate it if we received your nomination as soon as possible for the position on the Environmental Management Council. Term expires December 31, 1985. Sincerely, Stuart W. Stein, Chairman Economic Development/Planning caw Jamu V. Buveuee* John C. Banncv PCTEM 6. GftOttMAM Nft^oN E. Roth BUYOUCOS. BARNEY. GROSSMAN & ROTH Attonncvs at Law 3t5 NORTH TIOGA STREET P. O. Box 6556 ITHACA. NEW YORK 14851-6556 Ama Cooc 607 Phonk 273-6841 April 2,1985 /1 \ v/i ^ / /I/. 1985 Ciaschi, Dieters-Hagen Schaufler & Michelson Terrace Hill Ithaca, New York 14850 Dear Sirs: In response to the request from Mr. Noel Desch, Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca, this is to advise you that we are not aware of any pending or contemplated litigation involving the Town of Ithaca, at the moment, which we perceive as a contingent liability As of the end of December 31, 1984 we had not yet billed the Town of Ithaca for services for the year 1984. We subsequently billed them in the amount of $30,105.00 for the services performed during 1984, which bill has now been paid. If there is anything further that you need please advise. Yours very truly. JCB:bl cc: Mr. Noel Desch MaVjORANDUM TO: John Barney FROM: Noel Desch RE: Handicapped Accessibility to Town Facilities and Programs DATE: August 23, 1985 As I mentioned, we have had an inquiry with regard to the accessibility of the Town Court Roccn to handicapped persons who wish to observe the activities of the Court. In the past we have scheduled Court for the Town Board room on the first floor whai a participant in a particular court case has requested access. Similarly in the past, members of the engineering staff have counseled persms on the first floor when they have requested access. question here is vhat is our cfoligation under the law. It would not be practical to put an elevator in Town Hall nor make the rest of the second floor accessable for Wieelchair activity. We sinply would have to build a new Town Hall sonewhere in the TDwn vAiich clearly would make it less convenient for a large part of the populace. It would not be difficult to install a buzzer at the end of the ramp vdiich vould be connected to the Court room. There is a little concern about the Court being harrassed during its activities but that might be mitigated hy observing through the window next to the Court Room. There seems to be a sense that it is too degrading for a handicapped person to have to request special attention, such as moving Court or engineering but we all have to make ^pointnents and go to the inconvenience of doing so. We must decide very soon vhat modest changes eire apprcpriabe so that all necessary work is done hy October 1986. M)/js FINAL PHONE 607 674*9092 JOSEPH A. CDLLETTI, P. E ^omuftin^ ^n^intex. ''fC / 71985 k. T'OW/V OF ITHACA DISPOSITION DATE fiDAA\A(yr&^ 2 NORTH MAIN BTRECT BHERBURNE, NEW YORK13460 Mr. Noel Desch Ithica Supervisor 126 E. Seneca Ithica/ NY. 14850 December 12/ 1985 Dear Nr. Desch: With the emphasis that New York State is placing on life safety/ environmental and energy conservation codes you may possibly be interested in the services of Colletti Engineering in the event that you should have need of a professional engineering consultant. Our staff which includes registered professional engineers covers a scope of design and construction expertise ranging from land analysis and development through the structural mechanical/ electrical and architectural phases required for a complete project. Our firm has been extensively involved in both the preliminary study/review of building and renovation projects as well as the detailed application of the New York State building saftey/ fire prevention/ handicapped access and environmental codes. As a professional firm/ operating in a rural area ( but with a range of activity that includes major metropolitan areas in this state as well as other states ) our efforts must be both efficient and cost effective and at the same time provide a complete range of professional know-how. JOSEPH A. COLLETTl, P. E. Clon.±u[iing Sngihezx phone 2 NORTH MAIN STREET 607 674-9092 SHERBURNE, NEW YORK 13460 We use the same general format for all our project efforts, whether it be a report on code compliance or a full; -scale ' land n development, building design and construction ihanagement project. This includes: 1. Understanding of client's needs 2. Establishment of■areas of building safety, fire and environmental requirements (code interpretation) 3. Preparation of preliminary reports, drawings and estimates . 4.; When required, a master plan 5. Preliminary construction schedules (' for timing and loan considerations) and identification of" critical program elements 6. Concept approval by client •7-. Preliminary design phase. a. Preparation" of required regulatory' reports, plans, sketches 'and presentation materials b. Meet with regulatory" agencies," code enforcement officers, utility and service company . . .representatives. " • , 8. Prepare all construction designs -drawings, schedules and specifications 9. Prepare all .contract and bidding documents, including- performance, bid, and agency bonds 10. Assist legal counsel in review .of contract documents and ■their execution • ' . 11. Provide quantified bid documents, assist client in • advertisement for bids,- review bid documents, and recommend construction award JOSEPH A. COLLE.TTI, P. E. ^omutting SngLnes-x PHDNE 2 NORTH MAIN STREET 607 674-9092 SHERBURNE. NEW YORK 1346D 12. Construction supervision - ' ' ' - ' a. Provide general review of construction process b. Validate payment requests by contractors* c. Negotiate field change in .design and construction d. Act as client's- field agent during construction e. Provide part time or fiill time resident construction inspection services as required f. Provide owner with periodic reports of construction progress/ financial flow•requirements/ close out and final inspection reports. Of particular interest to you could be our background in the inspection of public and commercial buildings and sites" for compliance with the environmental and building codes. As an indication of our effectiveness/ attached are several projects accomplished by Colletti Engineering". I am available .at your • convenience to meet you. at your office to further discuss this'matter. Yours truly/ John Fecitt/ PE. JF/amt- n n ' . .5 n 'v.' . ! ;. '<> JOSEPH A. COLLETTI, P. E. Con±u[tin^ Snginszx 2 NORTH MAIN STREET SQ7 S74-9092 SHERBURNE, NEW YORK 13460 PUBLIC/MUNICIPAL PROJECTS Accomplished By Colletti Engineering Downsville Water District Improvements Project - new municipal water distribution system Plymouth Land Fill Worcester Land Fill Sherburne Water Main Project - replacement of water mains Worcester Water District #1 Improvements Project - new municipal water distribution system Worcester Water District #2 Improvements Project - new municipal water distribution system. FmHA Building Inspections Montague Water Co- - new water company Montague Sewer Co. - new sewer company Altamont Development Corp. - 4/400 housing development Sherburne Water Supply Sherburne Pavement Restoration Sherburne Route 12 Restoration & Preservation Chenango Heights Bridge - bridge reconstruction Sherburne Municipal Building Roof Restoration Roxbury Run Village - 500 town house resort complex Denver N.Y. Water Company - Denver Sewage Company Schenevus Water District Improvements Project Cherry Valley Central School JOSEPH A. COLLETTI. P. E. ^onAuHtin^ Snglnz^x 2 NORTH MAIN BTRECT • 07 B74-9092 SHCRBURNE, NEW YORK 13460 Edmenston Water Company Hartwick College Bcookfield Central School New Berlin Village Hydraulic Profile Georgetown Water District Butternuts Creek Bridge Broome County Grandstand Downsville Equipment Barn Broome County Fairgrounds Gilbertsville Bridge Ithica College Syracuse Chimes Building Roosevelt Ave, Bridge, Long Island City, NY. LaGuardia Int'l Airport Newark Airport North - East Corridor Rehabilitation - Aratrack RAMAPO Cirque - Water/Sewer/Electric/Gas Unadilla Valley Sports Center m Robert Abrams Attorney General State of New Yohk Department of Law Two WoHUD Trax>e Center New Yohk.N.Y. 10047 FINAL DtSPOSlFiON' DATE January 24, 1986 Noel Desch Supervisor Town Ithaca 126 East Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Mr. Desch: I want to bring the enclosed report, prepared by my office, to your attention. The report describes the results of an investigation conducted by my Environmental Crimes Unit which uncovered a widespread lack of the on-site controls and operating procedures necessary to keep illegal hazardous wastes out of local sanitary landfills in New York State. I am sure that, upon reading this report, you will share my concern about the problems uncovered, and that you will want to take a closer look at landfill operating procedures in your town to insure that the door is not left open to illegal dumpers. As you are aware the illegal disposal of hazardous wastes has been a problem throughout this state. Therefore, my office determined to conduct a test to see how well the prohibition on dumping hazardous wastes at ordinary landfills works in practice. Undercover investigators driving beat-up commercial vans sought to dump containers of water, purporting to be hazardous wastes, at forty sanitary landfills in the Long Island, Mid-Hudson and Capital District regions. At the outset, we planned to see whether it was possible to clandestinely dump the "wastes" or whether a bribe would be solicited in order to dump. Instead, we found that dumping could easily be achieved without payoffs or concealment. Our investigators openly dumped "waste" in nearly every location tested, except when they went out of their way to advise landfill employees they were carrying hazardous waste. -2- The report makes recommendations for future -action which should be of interest to you. I believe this report demonstrates that, in addition to federal and state efforts in this area, more needs to be done at the local level to insure that communities are not threatened by the .illegal• disposal of hazardous wastes in landfills not designed or permitted to hold them. If you or members of your staff would like further information, please feel free to contact either James Sevinsky> Assistant Attorney General in charge of my Environmental Protection Bureau ((518) 474-8096), or Assistant Attorney General Clive Morrick of my Environmental Crimes'Unit ((212) 488-7503). I look forward to "working together with-you and other local public officials on this important environmental issuer - - ROBERT ABRAMS Enc. FINAL DISPOSITION DATE MEMDRfiNDUM 0 TO: John Barney Larry Fatbroni FROM: Noel Desch RE: County Landfills DATE: ;^il 8, 1986 Althou^ I have no specific reason to believe our TOwn will end up with a landfill, I want to be rea<^ if such occurs. Give scins thou^ to what we want and lets discuss it at the next staff meeting. Beyond the NYDBO standards that deal with merrbranes, test wells, etc., should we charge a fee per ton? Clearly we will want a hold harmless provision on liability. For exanple, we won't be able to get liability insurance with a landfill in our Tcmti. How about highway weair and tear? ND/js TIMOTHY T. TERPENING JENNIFER C. TERPENING \ jy[_ 2 91988 207 West King Road U Ithaca, New York 14850 OF ITHACA Phone: (607) 273^931 ' IUVVIMW WMW\ Jiily 27, 1988 Mr. Noel Desch Ithaca Town Supervisor 126 E. Seneca St. Ithaca, N.Y. I^i850 Dear Mr. Deschi I would like to express my disappointment with the Ithaca Town Board for enacting such a sweeping law requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in homes in the Town of Ithaca. I question just how much support you have for this law, as it is written, from private people in your constituency. It seems to me there should have been more discussion and public debate about it before you went ahead with your decision. We used to get a flyer in the mail containing Town news items. Apparently this has been discontinued as we have not received a copy in quite a while. Anyway, we weresnot aware of this matter before we read about the Board's approval of the law. After talking to others I get the impression most people in the Town were not aware something so important was to be decided so soon. My wife and I own and manage a number of apartment buildings in the City of Ithaca and one in the Town of Ithaca. We are very consciencious landlords, especially when it comes to safety for the occupants. In fact we were installing and personally maintaining smoke detection equipment in each apartment many years before the City of Ithaca Building Department or the New York State Building and Housing Code required it. We install the equipment and test it frequently. When we remodel, and have access to do so, we install direct wired alarms in addition to the battery operated alarms already in place. We believe this smoke detection equipment is the first line of safety —after responsible building maintenance and careful selection of tenants. The expense of installing such equipment in a new home will pale when compared to the cost, in terms of dollars as well as personal hardship, for an existing home or building installation. Your enacting this law reminds me of the plumber I once hired who caused a flood in an apartment house. He sent me his bill and asked me to kindly send my contractor's receipts to him when my ceilings were replaced. Third parties tend to overlook the broader impact of such work being done while people are living j.n the hom?. Lauidlords and private families must consider this impact, ana. I. TIMOTHY T. TERPENING JENNIFER C. TERPENING 207 West King Road Ithaca, New York 14850 Phone: (607) 273-0931 page 2 like it or not, it must be added on the bottom line expense of the renovation. And what happens, ultimately, to the bottom line expense of maintaining a home or an apartment building? While all of us know the answer, it appears that governing committies, fire chiefs, building inspectors and private interest insurance companies would like not to ask the question as they go along in making their recommendations. Home owners and families who would like to own a home have no choice but to ask and answer — this question. The questions you and the Town Board should be asking — and answering responsibly -- are those questions that get put to the home owner every day during a renovation project — every day that workmen flock to the job site at $18 to $30 per hour. Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner we've run into a problem over here, this wall is not plumb, this floor is not quite level, we may have to move a radiator if you do this or that, Mr. and Mrs, Homeowner, just how far do you want to go with these new floors and walls and ceilings? Mr, and Mrs, Homeowner, of course, would like to have all new floors and walls and ceilings. However, they must live according to the economics of their real estate investment. They must face reality. And what about the questions B4rs. Day Care Mother will have to ask herself....regarding her continued involvement in the profession versus the expense of renovating her home. Shouldn't the Town board be asking these questions as well? It seems to me the Town of Ithaca government has enacted a law that is not conducive to keeping its established businesses located in the Town, a law that contributes to the lack of cost effective and affordable housing, a law that will surely keep day care mothers out of the business or limit their size and again put more pressure on am area that is causing hardship for so many families. You have enacted a law that appears to be bom of more special-interest wishful thinking thain of responsible consideration for the real life negative impact it will have versus its benefits. I urge you and the Board to reconsider this law entirely and to surely amend it to be sympathetic to all existing buildings. Timgthy T Terp 1 i,i AUG I I 1988 TOWN OF Mr. Noel Desch Supervisor Town of Ithaca Z< Members of the Town Board 126 E. Seneca Sst. Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 Gentlemen: The purpose of this letter is register a plea for sound government in the Town of Ithaca- More specifically, I request you to undertake a critical re-evaluation of the recently passed sprinkler ordinance- The eventual repercussions of this ordinance staggering#let me illustrate with a few examples: are A. Home Costs The cost of providing sprinkler systems in new construction homes with municipal services is approKimately 4^3,000; in new homes on wells and existing homes with municipal water ^4000+; and existing homes with wells -fSOOO. With housing affordabi1ity already an critical issue in the Town, a prespective home owner's income requirement for the same $100,000 home increased between $112 and $186 per month with the passage of this ordinance. To further illustrate a morgage of $100,000 requires an income of $44,800 to qualify. A mortgage of $105,000 requires an income of $47,047. For many home buyers pre—manufactured housing offers an economical alternative to conventional "stick" building. The feasibility of this type of housing being able to accept sprinklers is just about impossible, further restricting housing affordabi1ity and availability to people with moderate incomes. B. Code Enforcement: Anyone who has even a small studio apartment and who wishes to make an addition to his home would be required to v.ca associates lansing village place Ithaca, new york 14850 phone: (607) 257-6866 r ¨ simLtaneously add a sprinkler system. This would and dramatically raise the cost o-f the project. A predictable outcome is -for homeowners to avoid getting a building permit where ever possible. This would result in increasingly di-f-ficult code enforcement and increased fire and safety risks. In short because of the inequities of this ordinance, is very likely suffer the same fate as other such laws - civil disobedience. C. Economic feasibility: Perhaps we should view this issue in light of its economic payback to the citizen home owner. According to Robert Lama of Lama Insurance, one could expect a 5% reduction in fire insurance costs with a sprinkler system installed. Given a typical yearly savings of ^15.00 it would take 200 years to pay back the investment that cost $3000. A $6000 investment would take 400 years. This is pure Fiscal Insanity- To contrast one would realize a 307. savings on fire insurance costs on homes where municipal water is available as opposed to one that is on a well! This would only be one small advantage of extending municipal services to who suffer poor water Also, this ordinance is have few fires and ignores the great majority of fire those of us homeowners quality and quantity, aimed at new homes who older homes who suffer 1 OSS. There are many other issues to be considered but they would require far more expertise and resources than one citizen can co^ntribute. However a sample listing may include: 1. How does this ordinance contribute the Elitist "Ive got mine and the heck with you" thinking which is coming into vogue within the Town. 2. Does the Town have any responsibility to encourage the availability of moderate cost housi ng. 3. Is this ordinance a DeFacto Building Moratorium. 4. With regard to the fire safety issue, are we "killing an ant with a sledge hammer". How many homes have been lost and how many will be saved by this ordinance. Have the residents had their say on this issue. In conclusion, if fire protection is a burning issue amongst the Town Board^may I suggest as a first priority increasing the availability of municipal water to more of our citizens and secondly the immediate suspension of the ordinance until a comprehensive review of the issues is completed. Sincerely, »ph Quigley i • • i < .V;.> n t.sV;: • • @rinW!E[r^, Tcwn of Ithaca Town SL^jervisor 126 E. Seneca St. AUG22I980 town of ITHACA Aug. 17, 1988 FINAL DISPOSITION DATE Dear Sir\Jfedam? We are tenants of the Ed(^^te Park apartments on Dryden road and over a month ago we had called in a ccmplaint aJDout the noise generated by the ventilation fans of the Cornell Performing Arts building. Since that time we have also notified the construction manager (Mr. Eodgers) and the Vice President of Cairpjs Affairs (Dr. W. Gurcwitz) about the noise; we even had a petition signed by thirty-one tenants vhich is included in this letter. We were told that there are consultants working on the problem, but no one has asked if they could monitor the noise level frcan within our apartments vhich directly face the fans. This indicates to us that either the consultants are not actively monitoring the fans during the hottest and more crucial time of season, or they are monitoring frcan the wrong level for vhat you hear below is different frcm that heard on the plane of the fans. Who is truely respnosible for solving this problem? Are there not laws restricting the volume of noise during the ni^t in a residential area? All we ask is that a sound barrier be placed in front of the fans, or to reduce the operating level of the fans so to provide adequate ventilation for an errpty building and lower the operating noise volume. We vrculd appreciate your help in this matter. Sincerely yours. Gigi Caric Tcmiiko Kbdama 110 Dryden Pd. Pipt. 5c Ithaca, NY 14850 1 10 Dryden Rd., ®5C Ithaca, NY 14850 August 3,1988 Prof. William D. Ourowltz Vice president for Campus Affairs Cornell University 313 Day Hall IThaca, NY 14853-2801 Dear Professor Gurowitz: We are writing to express a.concern we have about the noise of the fans of the air conditioner on the roof of the Cornell Performance Arts Theater which has been operating for 24 hours a day since early July. We have already reported the noise problem to the Cornell Construction Management Office (Mr. R. Rogers), City Hall (Mr. L Nagely), and other organizations. They acknowledged that the noise detracts from the quality of the surrounding residents' lives, especially the residents of Eddygate Apartment. However nothing has been done. We have to shut windows,to be able to sleep soundly, listen to the radio, or have a conversation. There is no silence even after midnight or in the early morning. With the summer heat, this constraint poses considerable physical and psychological stress on us. Besides the noise of the fans,'the construction workers of the theater usually start working at 7:00 am and make enormous noises resulting from digging holes with electric drills or similar activities. This violates the noise policy of the city of Ithaca. According to Mr. Rogers (Cornell Construction Management Office), the acoustic system of the theater is costly and of high technical design. However, it is obvious that the architects did not consider the effect of the noise of the fans of the air conditioner on the residential environment. It puzzles us how there was no consideration of the lives of the local residents in the construction of the theater. It seems to us that we have given the responsible parties enough time to resolve the problem. Therefore, we would like you immediately to take the following actions as a temporary solution to the problem. (1) stop operating the fans between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am on weekdays and during week-endsunless required. (2) Build a fence around the fans. ^ (3) Stop noise construction activity before 8:00 am. V/e are sincerely asking you to seriously look into this matter and to take prompt action. Yours sincerely. I 3me Address Signature. itico {CdD^MA 4 DauiJ Sa!kf £J^Y^a.r^. 6B 5 c. e. h^O,.u/y,A.AlpC. 5 iWiU^^r^ ■C.a.cL^^c^+O Prpi- SP) 7 ^■vv(o/HiL /Wr 33- sJy^A ^ *8 J t\i i 7c \o trishn /cwtt: f IfdplmAG 4ft: at .Jb. '/f-Cj 15 15 ;tne l ""fe ■ty|i.Luv' I "s — A 17 18 ctL:C^^ ^ C- (j Mjucf^ 19 20 21 22 SQe(^(^ 23. ^\^y\ 24 (^3^cI'^h f^ / Sa/y 25 26 27 •■^(Mtt-ti'i^ 28 CTAr^BS PN/L/f tc?v29 / ^ 31 h. ^cvbv.'o. I 32 33 34 ■ 35 36 37 cc: Professor David Stewart S&f mv^ tl^VU^y) Gi(oo^ uvr^ (fCu Z/.(L trU^^fe c. i^arT ^rs- ^2:c '/ £t)MOAllb VVU^Nlt, ct}-/?js -topi^ herr /^A>A<y^ ^ 1 OSsfyyi/^l^ .tW , ^ h 'b ^ M ex. (. ■ 3' •... •!.•>••:• - i> r v^* i ifflnn CORNELL UNIVERSITY 313 Day Hall Ithaca, N.y. 14853-2801 Vice President for Campus Affairs Telephone 607 255-4166 August 9, 1988 Tomiko Kodama 110 Dryden Road, #5C Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Tomiko: I first want to acknowledge receipt of your letter signed by yourself and 30 others who are mostly residents of Eddygate apartments. I have looked into the problem and have found that consultants are visiting the site to see what adjustments and arrangements can be made to lessen the noise from the fans. I will try to let you know of the recommendations of_ the consultants. I also have looked into stopping the operation of the fans during the night. I am told that this is not possible because the building is totally enclosed with no openable windows, it relies entirely on the fans for circulation and air. . • • . . '. • ' •I appreciate hearing of your concerns.- -T believe thafpeopl'e are", working to try to alleviate the'problem." As "I learn of progress,' I shall' let you know. . Sincerely, William D. Gurowitz WDG:gfe Ait " OCT - 51968 n i TO^! !v.l v-114 Penny Lane imaca,NY 14650 October 4, 1966 Noel Desch, To™ Supervisor Town of Ithaca 126 E. Seneca Street Ithaca, NY 14650 Dear Mr. Desch, I have been advised that you are the person to address about my concerns. My husband and I recently purchased a home at 114 Penny Lane. On our property is a to™ pump station as well as a tovm access road, used by the tovm and city for maintaining the pump. We are quite unhappy with the ™y the pump station v-;as left after the builder finished construction. There are three problems; • First, the pump station itself is an eyesore. Enclosed is a picture of the pump station we are witing about. When we purchased the house the builder implied that camouflage for the station would be taken care of by the tov-m. Needless to say, that has not been the case. As homeowners, we are concerned about maint^ing the value of our investment and are concerned^bout having this eyesore uncovered. • Se'Cond, the builder dug a trench around the station vhich is supposed to be a ditch for drainage. Enclosed is a picture of tliis ditch still holding water three days after the rain stopped. Additionally, the city workers who read the meter of the pump sta.tion have to stand in the ditch to read the meter. They complained to us about the ditch. This ditch is totally unacceptable to us. Some better solution to insure drainage around this pump must be found. • Third, the access r-oad for use by the tovm and city for upkeep and maintenance is also being used by local citisens as a public access to the Si::-Miie-Creek area. 'This is not only illegal but very dangerous. We are concerned about the liability issue of such a road on our property. m. We believe the Town of Ithaca is responsible for addressing these problems. We are prepai'ed to work with the Town to find mutually acceptable solutions. We would appreciate it if you would call us at your earliest convenience to discuss these matters. Sincerely, Amy Svirsky / June 28. 1989 607-2734221 FAX 607-273-5290 108 Ridgecrest Road — JUN3019^ aiif>iittflx)r 111060 disposit/on oak, Town of Ithaca 126 East Seneca Street Ithaca, NY 14850 AITN: Mr. Noel Desch, Town Supervisor Dear Noel: I understand that the Town has received a couple of complaints con cerning extranely early starting times of our subcontractors and that their heavy equiprent is too noisy at that time of day. To help alleviate this problem, we have asked that the contractors not start before 7:30 with heavy equipment during the week or be fore 8:00 on Saturdays. Should you have any further complaints, please contact us or encour age the individual to contact our office and speak to either Harrison Rue or myself as we would like to minimize the impact of the neigh borhood. If there are any otl^r issues of concern, please contact me. Sincerely [ick Holt RH:PLB