HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2026-08-10MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
August 10, 2026
AGENDA
1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Persons to be Heard and Board Comments
3. Overview of Bangs and Emergency Medical Services to Town of Ithaca Residence
4. Public hearing and consider adoption of:
a. A local law to override the Tax Levy Limit established in GML §3-C
b. Adoption of the 2027 Bolton Point Budget (SCLIWC)
5. Authorization to apply for DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grant Program.
6. Consider approval of Budget Amendments
7. Consider Consent Agenda Items
a) Approval of Town Board Minutes
b) Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c) Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
d) Approval of revised Distributed Energy Resources Agreement
e) Approval of Watershed Manager agreement – CWIO
f) Approval of Amendment No. 4 for the IAWWTF Capital Improvement Plan Project
g) Approval of Esri Proposal – Town of Ithaca ArcGIS Urban Initial Capability
Deployment and Knowledge Transfer Workshop
h) Approval of Provisional Appointment of Engineering Technician I – Sandsted
i) Approval of Budget Amendments and Modifications
8. Review of Correspondence/Reports of Town Officials and Committees
Links to the meeting materials are available at https://townithacany.gov/meeting-calendar-agendas/.
Board Member(s) may attend via the videoconferencing platform ZOOM when necessary. The public can
access ZOOM by the links provided or by going to www.zoom.com/join or calling (929) 436-2866 and
entering the Meeting ID# 98910958241.
Public comments where applicable can be made at the meeting in person or via ZOOM; by mail to the
address above, or via email to Clerks@townithacany.gov until 3pm the day of the meeting. All comments
become a public record and are distributed to Board Members and the Applicant(s) prior to the meeting.
The meeting is also broadcast and saved as a courtesy on Youtube.com/@townofithacavideo
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
August 10, 2026
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Rich DePaolo, Pamela Bleiwas, Eric Levine,
David McCune and Diana Sinton Absent: Susie Gutneberger
Present: Judy Drake, Justin McNeal, Marty Moseley, CJ Randall, Ashley Colbert, Joe Slater, and
Nate VanWhy
1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Howe opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
2. Tompkins County Sheriff’s Report - Sheriff Osborne
Sheriff Osborne gave a brief report:
New incident reporting portal is up and running which shows the types of calls going out
and the location
Wrapped up with Grassroots
Patrolling Cayuga Lake with our new boat
Continue to deal with parking issues on East Shore Drive and we have issued many
tickets to try and address it
Questions
Mr. Howe asked about the frequency of large trucks getting stuck in the Forest Home area.
Mr. Slater responded that it still happens, but less frequently than it used to.
Mr. DePaolo asked what the department’s policy was on body cameras and what the retention
period is related to body cameras.
Sheriff Osborne responded that they are always activated and he has expanded them to the jail
staff as well because he thinks it helps keep interaction records accurate. The recordings are kept
for 90 days unless something happens to warrant keeping it longer.
Mr. McCune asked if the Sheriff’s Department works with the City Police to enforce traffic rules
in relations to speed on Floral Ave.
Sheriff Osborne responded that they don’t typically, but that they do work a lot with the City and
that he would look into that.
3. Persons to be Heard and Board Comments
Scott D’Vileskis attended via ZOOM and said he is opposed to raising the taxes beyond limits
that are already set. He also stated that the water and sewer fees raised his taxes by 50% in one
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 2
year when water and sewer units were added and there were at least 40 other properties that had
units added even though the property may or may not actually have access to those services. He
said he did not like the way that happened and hoped the Board was working on making it right.
4. Overview of Bangs and Emergency Medical Services to Town of Ithaca Residents
(Audio failed - notes by memory and limited audio)
Megan Bangs from Bangs Ambulance gave a report on Emergency Medical Services in the
County.
She gave a thorough breakdown of the operations of Bangs Ambulance in the Town over the last
80 years, touching on the fact that they have had no municipal or County funding in their 80 year
history.
Mutual aid is a big part of responses, and the Towns of Dryden and Trumansburg have their own
EMS response services. Bangs rarely has to cover for Dryden and Dryden has to respond to
Cortland a lot given their location, which isn’t really fair to their tax base, but it’s the location.
In 2025 Bangs had 12,000 calls and had to request mutual aid only 87 times. Trumansburg had
approximately 5,000 calls and Bangs had to provide mutual aid to them for 58 calls.
For response times, for zip 14850 and 4,600 calls, the average response time was 7 minutes,
which given our location and the geography of the 14850 area is amazing.
She said Bangs has been called out by the County as a private entity that should be paying for
access to the dispatch system and critiques on call times, but we are doing this without funding,
and we are a small operation. The Fire Department has fewer fires and can respond quickly. The
Fire Department shows up and stabilizes, but they don’t transport, so we should not be charged
for getting there using the same callout systems. They need us.
If we are coming from the hospital and the IFD is responding from downtown or the Village, of
course they are going to get there first, but again, IFD doesn’t transport, we do.
Questions
What are the challenges?
It is hard to get staff when we are competing with government salaries and benefits, and so that
affects our staffing and ability to respond. Our EMT staffing is pretty good, but the next level of
care, being a paramedic, is not and the only training is Elmira or Syracuse, and it takes 18
months.
Another issue is misuse of the system. Tompkins County has a rule that if they dispatch us to a
call, we must accept and be enroute within 5 minutes or they are going to go to mutual aid. The
problem is that sometimes it is just someone who can’t get off the ground, that is not an
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emergency or medical issue per se but adds to the call volume and less ability to respond to when
an EMT or ALS is really needed.
Lastly, the narrative and criticism that is directed towards Bangs because we are a private, for-
profit business. We get a lot of pushback when trying to talk about issues and problem solving. A
lot of times from the taxpayer funded EMS servers because they want a county-wide solution so
that their residents are covering for other municipalities, and if that happens, they will
cannibalize our staff. It isn’t necessarily funding, it’s the lack of providers, and we can’t
compete with municipal benefit packages.
The Board thanked her for her time and service.
5. Public Hearing and consider adoption of:
a. A Local law to override the Tax Levy Limit established in GML §3-C
Mr. Howe noted that this is a standard action taken each year to allow for some leeway. We
have never had to use it, but it is better to have it if needed.
Mr. Howe opened the public hearing; there was no one wishing to speak and the hearing was
closed.
TB Resolution 2026 - 049: Adoption of Local Law 5 of 2026 entitled “A local law to
override the Tax Levy Limit established in General Municipal Law §3-C
Resolved that the Town Board adopts Local Law 5 of 2026 entitled “A local law to override the
Tax Levy Limit established in General Municipal Law §3-C” as submitted.
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Sinton and McCune
b. Adoption of the 2027 Bolton Point Budget (SCLIWC)
Mr. Howe said there is a 4.5 increase over this year and a 5% increase in the water rate.
Mr. Howe opened the public hearing; there was no one wishing to speak and the hearing was
closed.
Mr. DePaolo suggested that they put the information in percentages as well for ease.
TB Resolution 2026 - 050: Adoption of the 2027 Bolton Point Budget (SCLIWC)
Resolved that the governing Town Board adopts the preliminary 2027 Bolton Point Budget as
the Final 2027 Bolton Point Budget.
Moved: Dave McCune Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
(Duplicate
Resolution Number)
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 4
Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Sinton, and McCune
6. Authorization to apply for DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grant
Program.
Mr. Smith gave a brief overview, noting that the proposal is for an Arborist to do an inventory
and assessment on the Town’s six preserves and prepare a Community Forest Management Plan
for them, with no local match required. He added that there is a wide range in pricing and his
estimate reflects that.
TB Resolution 2026 - 051: Authorization to Apply for Funding through the 2026 Urban
and Community Forestry Program to develop Natural Areas Assessments and a Forest
Management Plan for the Town Preserves
Whereas, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
announced the availability of funding under the 2026 Urban and Community Forestry Program,
which includes a combined category to develop Forested Natural Areas Inventory/Assessment
and Community Forest Management Plan, and
Whereas, grant amounts are accepted between $50,000 - $2,500,000, with no local match
required, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is seeking to hire a forester/arborist to develop forested natural
areas inventories/assessments of the Town’s six preserves (+/- 353 acres) and prepare a
community forest management plan to assist in the Town’s management of these properties, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board, on August 6, 2026, expressed their support for
this grant application and inventory/assessment and community forest management plan project
as an important step to promote the long-term health of the Town’s preserves, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca estimates the total cost of this project to be approximately
$150,000.00, based on cost estimates provided by several forestry firms, and
Whereas, grant applications are due by August 12, 2026; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca, or designated representative, is hereby
authorized and directed to file an application for inventories/assessments and a community forest
management plan to be prepared for the Town preserves under the 2026 Urban and Community
Forestry Program in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00, and upon approval of said request to
enter into and execute a project agreement with NYSDEC for such financial assistance to the
Town of Ithaca.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Diana Sinton
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Sinton, and McCune
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 5
7. Consider Consent Agenda Items
Ms. Randall spoke briefly on the ArcGIS project. She highlighted that it was part of a no match
grant for $243,00 that was applied for to develop ARC GIS for larger multi-phased development
projects.
Mr. DePaolo gave a brief overview of Amendment No.4. The Wastewater Treatment Facility is
roughly looking at $200,000,000 in repairs and they are addressing them on an immediate need
basis and then a short-term capital improvement program that will take care of things regardless
of what scenario ends up being.
TB Resolution 2026 - 052: Consent Agenda
Resolved that the Town Board adopts the following Consent Agenda items:
a) Approval of Town Board Minutes
b) Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c) Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
d) Approval of revised Distributed Energy Resources Consulting Phase 2 Agreement
e) Approval of Watershed Manager agreement – CWIO
f) Approval of Amendment No. 4 for the IAWWTF Capital Improvement Plan Project
g) Approval of Esri Proposal – Town of Ithaca ArcGIS Project
h) Approval of Provisional Appointment of Engineering Technician I – Sandsted
i) Approval of Budget Amendments and Modifications
Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Eric Levine
Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Sinton, and McCune
TB Resolution 2026 - 052a: Approval of Town Board Minutes
Resolved that the Town Board approves the draft minutes of July 27, 2026, as final with any
non-substantive changes made.
TB Resolution 2026 – 052b: Approval of Town of Ithaca Abstract 15 for FY 2026
Resolved that the Town Board approves payment of the following audited vouchers for the
amounts listed:
VOUCHER NOS. 2026 748 - 793
General Fund Town Wide 95,963.89
General Fund Part-Town 12,772.54
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 6,340.94
Highway Fund Part Town DB 62,305.38
Water Fund 29,788.84
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 6
Sewer Fund 142,466.86
Capital Projects 6,415.20
Fire Protection Fund 66,289.84
TOTAL 422,343.49
TB Resolution 2026 - 052c: Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
Resolved that the Governing Town Board approves payment of the following audited vouchers
for the amounts listed:
Voucher Numbers: 292-339
Check Numbers: 21980-22027
Capital Impr/Repl Project $ 218,611.92
Operating Fund $ 214,286.93
TOTAL $ 432,898.85
TB Resolution 2026 - 052d: Approval of DER Consulting Phase 2 Agreement
Resolved that the Town Board approves the DER Consulting Phase 2 contract and scope of
services through December 31, 2027, not to exceed $70,000, as submitted.
TB Resolution 2026 - 052e: Approval of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Manager contract
Resolved that the Ithaca Town Board, as fiscal agent for the Cayuga Lake Watershed
Intermunicipal Organization (CWIO), approves the contract for the Watershed Manager effective
October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028, through the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and
William Smith Colleges as submitted.
TB Resolution 2026 - 052f: Approval and Authorization to sign Amendment No.4 for the
Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility Capital Improvement Plan Project –
Engineering Services
Whereas, the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Town of Dryden are the joint owners of the
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF); and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca previously approved its share of the preparation of the IAWWTF
Capital Improvement Plan (the “Project”) and authorized the Town Supervisor to execute an
agreement with Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. (“B&L”) pursuant to TB Resolution 2024-035, as
subsequently amended, including by TB Resolution 2025-049; and
Whereas, B&L has submitted proposed Engineering Agreement Amendment No. 4, dated July
22, 2026, for the Project; and
Whereas, Amendment No. 4 authorizes design, bidding, construction-phase, resident project
representative, and additional services associated with completion of the near-term capital
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 7
improvements identified in the May 2025 Preliminary Engineering Report, as supplemented by
the June 11, 2026, memorandum regarding recommendations for near-term capital
improvements; and
Whereas, the near-term improvements generally include work involving the anaerobic digesters
and waste-gas burner; headworks; raw influent pumping; primary settling tanks; tertiary
phosphorus treatment; bulk chemical receiving; de-chlorination; septage receiving; sludge
thickening and dewatering; concrete and building-envelope repairs; facility safety; and security,
site, electrical, and SCADA systems; and
Whereas, Amendment No. 4 reissues and updates Exhibit K (Amendment to Owner-Engineer
Agreement), Exhibit A (Engineer’s Services), and Exhibit C (Payment to Engineer), including
revised scopes, durations, fee information, and additional services; and
Whereas, the amendment amount is Four Million Nine Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars
($4,980,000.00), resulting in an adjusted total engineering agreement amount of Five Million
Four Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($5,467,000.00); and
Whereas, the Town Board desires to authorize execution of Amendment No. 4, subject to final
review and approval as to form by the Attorney for the Town and confirmation of the Town’s
proportionate funding obligation and available appropriations; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board hereby approves Engineering Agreement Amendment No. 4 with
Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. for the IAWWTF Capital Improvement Plan Project, substantially in
the form presented to the Town Board; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute Amendment No. 4 on behalf of the
Town of Ithaca, together with such non-material changes as may be approved by the Attorney for
the Town
Resolved, that the Town Supervisor, Director of Finance, and other appropriate Town officers
and employees are authorized to take all actions reasonably necessary to carry out this resolution.
TB Resolution 2026 - 052g: Approval of Esri Proposal – Town of Ithaca ArcGIS Urban
Initial Capability Deployment and Knowledge Transfer Workshop
Resolved that the Town Board approves and authorizes execution of the any necessary
documents for the Town of Ithaca ArcGIS Urban Initial Capability Deployment and Knowledge
Transfer Workshop as contained in the proposal submitted on August 6, 2026, by Environmental
Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri) Proposal # P024943 and terms and conditions of the
Professional Services Agreement (G363X) through December 31, 2027, not to exceed firm-
fixed-price of $132,000, as submitted.
TB Resolution 2026 – 052h: Approve Provisional Appointment of Engineering Technician
I- Sandsted
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 8
Whereas there is a vacancy in the Engineering Technician I position for the Engineering
Department; and
Whereas the Interview Committee interviewed four candidates from an open recruitment for the
position; and
Whereas the Committee has determined that Travis Sandsted possesses the necessary knowledge
and skills to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position; and
Whereas Justin McNeal, Director of Engineering, appointed Travis Sandsted as Engineering
Technician I, effective August 10, 2026; now, therefore be it
Resolved the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the provisional appointment
of Travis Sandsted as Engineering Technician I for the Engineering Department, effective August
10, 2026; and be it further
Resolved the position is at 40 hours per week, at the hourly wage of $34.22, which is an estimated
annual salary of $71,177 from G8120.101, in Job Classification “IV”, with full time benefits; and
be it further
Resolved, the said appointment is a provisional appointment pending the results from the next
civil service exam for this position or until classified Non-Competitive under the NYS HELPS
program; and be it further
Resolved a minimum twenty-six (26) week probationary period applies with no further action by
the Town Board if there is successful completion of the probationary period as determined by the
Director of Engineering.
TB Resolution 2026 - 052i: Approval of Budget Transfers, Amendments and Modifications
Resolved, that the Town Board authorizes the Town Finance Officer to record all budget
transfers, amendments, and modifications, including all other changes deemed appropriate and
necessary, identified during the review of accounts for the period ending July 31, 2026, and
summarized below:
GENERAL FUND - TOWNWIDE
Code Description Amount
AA1110.110 COURT ATTENDENT 4,359.00
AA1110.489 COURT SECURITY (4,359.00)
AA1320.401 AUDIT 1,350.00
AA1330.420 DUES & PUBLICATIONS 25.00
AA1920.488 TAXES ON REAL PROPERTY 3,357.00
AA7110.410 PARKS TRAINING 780.00
AA88110.441 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE 200.00
AA9030.800 NYS RETIREMENT (5,712.00)
TB 2026-08-10 (Filed 8/21) Pg. 9
GENERAL FUND - PART TOWN
Code Description Amount
BB1910.439 LIABILITY INSURANCE 2,862.00
BB9050.800 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 100.00
BB9030.800 NYS RETIREMENT (1,000.00)
BB1920.488 TAX CREDIT (205.00)
BB8020.101 PLANNING BOARD (1,757.00)
HIGHWAY FUND - TOWNWIDE
DA5130.451 Vehicle Maint & Repairs 2,000.00
DA5130.459 Tools & Equipment 1,500.00
DA9030.800 NYS RETIREMENT (3,500.00)
8. Review of Correspondence/Reports of Town Officials and Committees
Mr. Howe referenced the letter received from Rapp Signs. The request was referred to the Codes
and Ordinances Committee for review and recommendation.
Other
Motion made by Mr. Howe to enter executive session to discuss the possible acquisition or sale
of real property where publicity would substantially affect the value thereof, seconded by Mr.
Levine; unanimous.
Motion made by Mr. Howe motioned to exit executive session and adjourn, seconded by Mr.
DePaolo; unanimous.
Submitted by
Ashley Colbert, Deputy Town Clerk