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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 2026 NewsletterBoth the Town and the County are beginning the process of determining their 2027 Budgets which make up your Town & County Tax Bill. Below is an excerpt from the County’s weekly budget guide for how they plan, fund and deliver services. We thought we would bring this to you as well as explain what we do at the Town level. Every day, Tompkins County provides services that help keep our community healthy, safe, and connected. Some of these services are highly visible, like elections, road maintenance, or emergency response. Others happen behind the scenes but are just as essential, from inspecting restaurants and protecting public health to helping older adults remain independent, supporting veterans, administering public assistance programs, and coordinating mental health services. The Town begins its budget process in March with monthly meetings gathering and discussing information on financial trends, sales tax revenue, State and Federal budget impacts on our funding streams and looking at our 5-Year Capital Improvement Projects for what is slated for the upcoming year and departments submit their budget worksheets in July. This all comes together to set the framework for the Budget. In September, the Town will preview the preliminary numbers and information and links for the Public Hearing held in October on the Preliminary 2027 Budget. In the meantime, comments can be submitted to Town Board through the Town Clerk’s Office clerks@townithacany.gov. August 2026 Newsletter Town of IthacaTown of IthacaTown of Ithaca Budget SeasonBudget SeasonBudget Season Have a question about the County budget? Send it our way! Throughout this series, we'll answer selected questions from residents in our Resident Question of the Week feature. Submit your question on our 2027 Budget Feedback Portal. Follow along each week on the Tompkins County website and social media as we explore how the County budget supports the services, infrastructure, and programs that help make Tompkins County a healthy, safe, and thriving community. Development Project Updates from PlanningDevelopment Project Updates from PlanningDevelopment Project Updates from Planning From housing and renewable energy to healthcare, recreation, and commercial redevelopment, theTown's active public & private project portfolio reflects continued investment in our community'sfuture: SouthWorks Residential Neighborhood This transformative redevelopment effort along Danby Road/NYS-96B is part of the broader mixed-use redevelopment of the former Morse Chain site (aka Chain Works). The Woods neighborhood (in the Town), eight residential buildings with 130 mixed-incomeapartments.The Gateway, (in the City), a 100 units of mixed-income housing, with community gatheringspaces, recreational amenities, sidewalks, and trails. East Hill Projects:Beginnings (formerly CFCU) Credit Union Improvements – Exterior building renovations andupgrades to the drive-through - Completed. Dunkin' Donuts — Remodeled location on Pine Tree Rd – Completed. Maplewood II – A Planned Development Zone (PDZ) covering nine acres south of Maple Avenueof six apartment buildings containing 615 studio, 1 & 2 bedroom units approved in 2025 withanticipated construction in 2028. Mirabito/Burger King – Redevelopment of the existing gas station site, to include a conveniencestore and Burger King w/drive-through and EV charging stations – Under Construction. South Hill Projects: Bomber Heights Community Solar – A a 5-megawatt community solar array on approximately 31acres on Troy Road. Inlet Valley/Elmira Rd/NYS-13 Projects: Comfort Inn Hotel – New construction of a 67-room hotel – Under Construction.Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 81 Union Training Facility – New construction of a union officeand training center between Sunny Gables and Eddydale Farm Stand – In Planning Board reviewphases. Self-Storage Facility – New construction of a climate-controlled storage facility on the corner ofRoutes 13/13A - Spring 2027. West Hill Projects: Babcock Ridge Trail at the Culver Road Preserve – Open Space with trails, benches, picnictables, and parking areas – Completion Fall 2026.Carrowmoor Solar Energy System – A 5-megawatt community solar array on 30 acres offMecklenburg Road – Under construction. Cayuga Medical Center Emergency Generator project – Power infrastructure upgrades (FEMA)to support operations in extreme weather – Under construction. East Shore Drive Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Corridor Project between Boynton Middle Schooland the Ithaca Youth Bureau continues to move through State processes. The Upcoming & Current Projects page is a great place to track the progress of these projects andof course, check the Planning Board agendas for opportunities to comment when applicable, orcontact the Planning Department at 607-273-1721 option 2. C.J. Randall, Director of PlanningC.J. Randall, Director of PlanningC.J. Randall, Director of Planning Bolton Point Celebrates 50 YearsBolton Point Celebrates 50 YearsBolton Point Celebrates 50 Years On July 15th, over 125 community members helped celebrate the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission’s (SCLIWC) 50th Anniversary. The day included tours of the water treatment plant, interactive displays included water pipe repair, fire hydrant operation and water quality testing, Also included in the tour, was GIS mapping and historical photos and equipment from the past 50 years. Steve Riddle, General Manager ofthe Southern Cayuga LakeIntermunicipal Water Commission/Bolton Point Water System,speaking to attendees. SLIWC was created for the common benefit of its five member municipalities (including the Town of Ithaca) and looks forward to providing the highest quality water at the lowest possible cost to all of our customers for the next 50 years! Notable Projects Around TownNotable Projects Around TownNotable Projects Around Town Comfort Inn Hotel located at 635 Elmira Road Ithaca College (IC) Track and Field construction started in the summer of 2025. The track and field includes bleachers, a press box, two shotput areas, one hammer/discus throw area, score board and a sidewalk along Grant Egbert Boulevard. IC hosted their first home track meet on the new field April 2026. The project is nearly complete. The Codes Department has had a busy year so far processing building permits and inspecting in progress builds. Two notable projects nearing completion are: The Comfort Inn Hotel located at 635 Elmira Road began construction in October of 2025. The hotel is approximately 37,000 square feet, 3 stories and includes 67 rooms. Although it is nearing completion, no date has been set. Ithaca College Track located at 953 Danby Road Dana Magnuson Electrical and Code Enforcement OfficerDana Magnuson Electrical and Code Enforcement OfficerDana Magnuson Electrical and Code Enforcement Officer Have you ever wanted to give back to the community you live in, but weren’t sure how to get involved? There are regular and alternate positions anticipated in: A regular member is a full voting member with a 5- or 7- year term (or filling an existing term for fewer years) An alternate member votes in the absence of a regular member with a 1-year term which is a great way to see how a board works/the level of commitment needed. Please consider joining. All meetings are open to the public and you can watch previous meetings on the Ithaca YouTube Meetings site if you want to see how they run. Planning Board - is a quasi-judicial board which reviews land use and development issues under the Town of Ithaca Code and other Town, State and Federal regulations and guidance. They consider subdivisions, site plans and special permit requests. Meetings are on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 pm. Zoning Board of Appeals - is a quasi-judicial board which considers requests for variance and/or special approval and determinations under the Town of Ithaca Code and other Town, State and Federal regulations and guidance. ensuring compliance of the Town of Ithaca Code and its zoning ordinances, considering variances and/or special approvals requests and weighing the criteria set for each type of variance by Town, State and Federal laws during deliberations. Meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6 pm. Some knowledge of the application of municipal law or other rules and regulations is helpful but not required. Both Boards do have a Town residency requirement, and members receive a small stipend per meeting attended. Conservation Board – is looking for several residents with a passion for conservation, recreation, or education to join their efforts to safeguard and promote our natural and scenic resources for all. The board engages both the Town Board and Planning Board to make sure our community's environmental concerns are heard. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. If you are interested in proposed development projects, deer management, invasive species education, water quality, waste awareness, scenic resources, or other conservation concerns. Joint Youth Commission – The Joint Youth Commission is a Town-supported County Partnership offering job training and recreational programs to youth in our community. Each participating municipality appoints a representative and a Youth representative. Please contact Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk at 273-1721 #1 or via email at clerks@townithacany.gov with any questions. Applications are available on our website, TownIthacaNY.gov. Board Recruitment AnnouncementsBoard Recruitment AnnouncementsBoard Recruitment Announcements College Move InCollege Move InCollege Move In Cornell University August 17 & 18: First Year and Transfer Students August 21 & 22: Upper Level and Returning Students Ithaca College August 17 : Early Arrivals August 19: First Year and Transfer Students August 22 & 23: Upper Level and Returning Students It’s that time again! The students are moving back into Town. Below is the move in schedule for Ithaca College and Cornell so you can plan your day accordingly. We’ve recently seen an increase in signs being placed along roadways throughout our area. A reminder to all residents and businesses: Placing signs in the public right-of-way is illegal under New York State Highway Law §52. This includes signs on: Road shoulders and medians Intersections and traffic control areas Utility poles, trees, and public structures Unauthorized signs may be: Removed without notice Subject to enforcement action Issued appearance tickets that can result in fines and court surcharges These regulations are in place to: Maintain roadway safety/sightlines Prevent driver distraction Keep public spaces clear and accessible Legal alternatives: If you wish to advertise or post a notice, place signs on private property with the owner’s permission and ensure compliance with local sign ordinances. We encourage everyone to stay compliant and help keep our roadways safe. For questions, contact your local municipality or highway department. Tompkins County Public Service Announcement:Tompkins County Public Service Announcement: Roadside Signs in New YorkRoadside Signs in New York Tompkins County Public Service Announcement: Roadside Signs in New York Weekly Farmers’ Market at Groundswell FarmWeekly Farmers’ Market at Groundswell FarmWeekly Farmers’ Market at Groundswell Farm The Groundswell Incubator Farm is excited to offer a weekly produce pickup and farmers market for the community. Stop by on Mondays from 5:00–7:00 p.m. to purchase fresh, seasonal produce directly from Groundswell Incubator Farmers and meet the people growing your food. Enjoy a variety of farm-fresh vegetables throughout the season, including juicy heirloom tomatoes, fresh peppers, and more. Groundswell farmers utilize organic, regenerative practices, and no chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers are permitted on the farm. Find the Groundswell Farm at Ecovillage: 100 Rachel Carson Way. Around TownAround TownAround Town Tompkins County is inviting residents to participate in the final public convening of its CountywideMinimum Wage Study, where consultants from theCornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab will present highlights of the study's findings and gather final public questions and comments before the report ispresented in full to the Tompkins CountyLegislature. The presentation will include an overview of thestudy's key findings followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab research team. Light refreshments will be provided. Childcare assistance can also bearranged for those who need it; communitymembers are encouraged to indicate that need when registering. Project information, background materials, andupdates are available on the Tompkins County Minimum Wage Study webpage: tcgov.co/minwage. Tompkins County Invites Community to Final Countywide Minimum Wage Study August 27 6 to 7:30pm Borg Warner Room at TCPL Roller Skating at Cass Park Friday Family Fun Roller Skating is back atCass Park . Please be advised some nights have twosessions (5:30-7:00pm & 7:30-9:00pm).When Cass Park pool is open there willonly be a 7:30-9:00pm session. All skatersare encouraged to use our onlineregistration system to pre-purchasesession admission. There will be walk upspots available if pre-registration has notreached capacity prior to the start of eachsession. Roller Skate Sessions will belimited to 100 skaters including any scheduled groups. Skate Admission: $7/person 18yrs+ and $5/person under 18 yearsSkate Rental is an additional $3.50 fee/rental.