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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 2026 NewsletterTown Offices will be closed Nov 11Town Offices will be closed Nov 11 for Veterans Day and Nov 26for Veterans Day and Nov 26 & & 2727 for Thanksgiving for ThanksgivingththththththTown Offices will be closed Nov 11 for Veterans Day and Nov 26 & 27 for Thanksgivingththth One of the highlights of my first several weeks has been getting to know our employees better. Their professionalism, dedication, and collaborative spirit are remarkable. Our Public Works staff, for example, works year-round to maintain safe roads, parks, and trails, often under challenging conditions. Much of their work goes unnoticed precisely because they do it so well . I've also gained a deeper appreciation for our water and sewer operations and the intermunicipal partnerships that make them possible. These systems involve substantial infrastructure, skilled workforces, and significant public investments. Long-term planning is essential to maintaining these assets and ensuring reliable services for future generations. Of course, my first weeks have also brought challenges, particularly the 2027 budget and sharply rising fire protection costs. Addressing these expenses while preserving essential Town services will require thoughtful planning and collaboration. I'm also excited about opportunities ahead, including expanding our recreational trail network and strengthening relationships with neighboring municipalities. Perhaps my greatest takeaway so far is how much good government depends on good people working together. I'm committed to maintaining an open, collaborative environment where employees, elected officials, and residents feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. These first weeks have been busy, educational, and genuinely rewarding. I'm grateful for the warm welcome and look forward to continuing to serve this wonderful community. Upcoming MeetingsUpcoming MeetingsUpcoming Meetings Meeting calandar and links to agendas and materials are available at townithacany.gov My First Weeks as Town SupervisorMy First Weeks as Town SupervisorMy First Weeks as Town Supervisor November 2026 Newsletter Town of IthacaTown of IthacaTown of Ithaca Supervisor Eric Levine After more than a decade on the Town Board, I thought I knew quite a bit about Town government. But being appointed Supervisor following Rod Howe's retirement has given me an entirely new perspective. Rod left some very big shoes to fill, and I'm grateful for his years of dedicated service and the opportunity to build on his work . Town Board: 11/9 5:30pm Zoning Board: 11/10 6pm Public Works Committee: 11/17 9am Planning Board: 11/17 6:30pm Planning Committee: 11/19 3pm Town Board: 11/23 4:30pm Ag Committee: 11/24 6pm Planning Board: 12/1 6:30pm Conservation Board: 12/3 4pm Zoning Board 12/8 6pm By Kelly Anderson, Town Finance Officer The Town of Ithaca’s proposed 2027 budget reflects a significant increase in the cost of fire protection and emergency services. As Town Finance Officer, I want to explain what is driving that increase and how it affects property owners. For a typical property with a taxable assessed value of $355,000 outside the Village of Cayuga Heights, annual Town property taxes are estimated to increase by approximately $373, or about $31 per month. Nearly all of that increase supports fire protection. Actual tax impacts depend on each property’s taxable assessed value and applicable cost for other services like water and sewer. Village of Cayuga Heights residents pay for fire protection through their Village taxes and therefore will not see the same increase in their Town taxes. Their Town property taxes are expected to increase by less than 3%. For a residential property in the Village with a taxable assessed value of $500,000, that means approximately $30 more per year in Town taxes, or $2.50 per month. We recognize that the increase for property owners outside the Village is substantial, particularly for residents on fixed incomes and households already managing rising costs. Where the Increase is Going The proposed budget would raise approximately $13.73 million in property taxes, about $1.97 million—or 16.67%—more than the previous year. This percentage represents the increase in the Town’s total property tax levy, not the percentage change in each property owner’s bill. Of the additional revenue: Continued on Page 3 Understanding the Proposed 2027 BudgetUnderstanding the Proposed 2027 BudgetUnderstanding the Proposed 2027 Budget Approximately $1.79 million is attributable to fire protection costs. Approximately $185,000 supports all other Town expenditures combined, including general fund, highway, and water and sewer operations. The proposed levy exceeds New York State’s property tax cap for the first time since the cap was established. Budget-Continued from page 2 Why Fire Protection Requires More Tax Revenue The Town contracts with the City of Ithaca to provide fire protection and emergency response services to most areas outside the Village of Cayuga Heights. The Town pays a share of the City’s actual costs but must adopt its annual budget and establish the tax levy using estimates prepared a year and a half before final costs are known. Between 2023 and 2026, the Town’s fire tax levy fell short of actual service costs by a combined total of more than $3 million. The Town covered those shortfalls using fund balance and redirected sales tax revenues. This limited property tax increases during those years but significantly reduced reserves and the interest income they generate. Repeatedly using accumulated fund balance and reserves to cover operating expenses is not sustainable. Annual revenues need to align more closely with ongoing expenses to protect the Town’s long-term financial stability. Meanwhile, the City’s fire department costs increased, particularly wages and health insurance expenses. Retiree health insurance expenses were inadvertently omitted from the City’s 2026 fire department budget, contributing to the unusually large projected increase for 2027 and, consequently, the Town’s anticipated share of those costs. The proposed fire tax levy reflects both higher projected service costs and reduced reliance on dwindling reserves. The projected 2027 contract expense covers services to be provided in 2027; it does not recover cost overruns for prior-year services or replenish fund balance. Understanding the Rest of the Budget Proposed spending includes approximately $6 million for major improvements and repairs to the jointly owned Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF). This work is part of a larger capital project spanning several years and will be financed through long-term borrowing rather than 2027 property taxes. Total spending and the property tax levy change by different amounts because the budget is also supported by sales tax, state aid, and fees, including water and sewer charges and building permit fees. Town departments work together to update the rolling five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which is used to forecast equipment, infrastructure, staffing, and operating needs while identifying opportunities to control costs. These recommendations inform the spending plans presented to the Town Board. Planning for the future The Town Board has established an Ad Hoc Committee on Fire Protection and Emergency Response to review service arrangements, explore alternatives, and identify ways to manage costs while maintaining dependable emergency services. Its findings will inform the Board’s decisions about future services and budgets. It is too early to predict fire protection costs for 2028 and beyond. As Town Finance Officer, my responsibility is to provide clear financial information, support realistic budgeting, and monitor the Town’s financial position. I will continue working with the Supervisor, Town staff, and the City to review costs and explain their implications to the Board and residents. Once adopted, the full budget document will be available on the Town website. The Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) has launched a new online Transportation Snapshot . Using interactive maps and accessible statistics, the Transportation Snapshot offers a visual exploration of transportation in Tompkins County. Users can explore topics including: Transportation safety: Traffic fatalities and serious injuries, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and locations with high concentrations of crashes. Infrastructure conditions: The state of local roads, bridges, sidewalks, and trails. Travel patterns: Traffic volumes, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), commuting trends, vehicle ownership, and transit use. Transportation investments: How transportation infrastructure is funded and where resources are being directed. New Interactive Transportation Snapshot Puts TompkinsNew Interactive Transportation Snapshot Puts Tompkins County Transportation Data at Your FingertipsCounty Transportation Data at Your Fingertips New Interactive Transportation Snapshot Puts Tompkins County Transportation Data at Your Fingertips The Transportation Snapshot is designed for exploration. Its interactive StoryMaps allow visitors to move between topics, examine geographic patterns, and discover information relevant to their own communities and interests. The ITCTC envisions the Transportation Snapshot as an ongoing resource that can support public discussion, local planning, and transportation decision-making as new information becomes available. Operation Green LIghtOperation Green LIghtOperation Green LIght The Town Passed a Resolution in 2022 in Support of Operation Green Light for active duty service members in transition to civilian life. In honor and gratitude for these men and women, the light bulbs in front of Town Hall will be green for the month of November. LEAF COLLECTI ON Leaf collection will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, November 9 and continue throughout the Town until finished.th Leaves should be at the road shoulder by 7:00 a.m. on the first day of collection. Leaves may be raked to the road shoulder or bagged in biodegradable paper leaf bags (30-gallon bags are available at local stores). Other debris such as pine needles, dead flowers, garden waste, grass clippings, etc., cannot be vacuumed and should be placed in paper bags on the road shoulder. Please fold over the bag openings to close; Do not staple or tape openings. No plastic bags will be picked up. The Town’s crews will go through the entire Town once with the leaf vacuum, then continue to pick up bagged leaves for the rest of the month of November. Moores Outboard Center - (607)272-2036Moores Outboard Center - (607)272-2036 3502 Dubois Rd, Ithaca, NY 148503502 Dubois Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Town of Danby - (607)277-4788Town of Danby - (607)277-4788 1830 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 148501830 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Town of Lansing - (607)533-4142Town of Lansing - (607)533-4142 29 Auburn Rd, Lansing, NY 1488229 Auburn Rd, Lansing, NY 14882 Town of Dryden - (607)844-8888Town of Dryden - (607)844-8888 93 E Main St, Dryden, NY 1305393 E Main St, Dryden, NY 13053 Town of Groton - (607)898-5035Town of Groton - (607)898-5035 101 Conger Blvd, Groton, NY 13073101 Conger Blvd, Groton, NY 13073 Town of Enfield - (607)273-8256Town of Enfield - (607)273-8256 168 Enfield Main Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850168 Enfield Main Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Town of Newfield - (607)564-9981Town of Newfield - (607)564-9981 166 Main St, Newfield, NY 14867166 Main St, Newfield, NY 14867 Town of Caroline - (607)539-6400Town of Caroline - (607)539-6400 2668 Slatervill Rd, Slaterville Springs, NY 148812668 Slatervill Rd, Slaterville Springs, NY 14881 Moores Outboard Center - (607)272-2036 3502 Dubois Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Town of Danby - (607)277-4788 1830 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Town of Lansing - (607)533-4142 29 Auburn Rd, Lansing, NY 14882 Town of Dryden - (607)844-8888 93 E Main St, Dryden, NY 13053 Town of Groton - (607)898-5035 101 Conger Blvd, Groton, NY 13073 Town of Enfield - (607)273-8256 168 Enfield Main Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Town of Newfield - (607)564-9981 166 Main St, Newfield, NY 14867 Town of Caroline - (607)539-6400 2668 Slatervill Rd, Slaterville Springs, NY 14881 Locations to purchase Hunting/Fishing Licenses Please note that we may send leaf crews out earlier than November 9 to test our equipment but will come back to go through the entire Town starting on November 9 . th th Source: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Planning-and-Sustainability/Tourism/Events Drop in Discovery Days at theDrop in Discovery Days at theCornell Botanic GardensCornell Botanic Gardens Drop in Discovery Days at theCornell Botanic Gardens When: 10/31 , 11/14 and 12/5Where: Cornell Botanic Gardens 124 Comstock Knoll Drive Come learn at Cornell Botanic Gardens through a hands-on activity provided by Learning by Leading Youth Educators! Each session will feature a different activity offering a unique way to explore the changing seasons, our incredible plants, and all the ways the living world nurtures us. Tours are offered rain or shine but may be cancelled in the event of severe or hazardous weather. Please come prepared with sunscreen, a hat, water, and rain gear, as needed. Around TownAround TownAround Town Winter/Holiday Festivals and CelebrationsWinter/Holiday Festivals and CelebrationsWinter/Holiday Festivals and Celebrations DECEMBER 5 DRYDEN: The Dryden Holiday Celebration is a village wide holiday celebration with activities and programs for all ages throughout the day. The event culminates in tree lighting on the historic Village Green. TRUMANSBURG: Winterfest 2027 is an accessible and free event. Many of the programs and attractions are family oriented. Local artists and businesses uitlize this event to provide unique items for holiday shopping. GROTON: Festival of Lights is a holiday season celebration to create community connection with events for all ages and cultures, culminating with the lighting of a Christmas tree. DECEMBER 6 ITHACA COLLEGE: Feast of Carols features the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers. They will present a free, full-length holiday concert featuring selections from our repertoire of Negro Spirituals and gospel songs with orchestra, invited soloists, traditional carols, audience sing- a longs and a post concert reception.