Village of Lansing

 

MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Monday, November 21, 2005, in the Village Office.

 

Present: Mayor Donald Hartill; Trustees, Lynn Leopold, Frank Moore and John O’Neill; Attorney David Dubow; Clerk/Treasurer Jodi Dake; TG Miller Engineer David Putnam.

 

Mayor Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:30P.M.and opened the public comment period. Tobe, a Community Party observer, stated that after attending the sewer information meeting regarding the three possible routes, he prefers Route B down the railroad bed. East Shore Drive would be his 2nd choice. Don stated that he has received 5-6 written comments following the information meeting, none of which was in favor of the old railroad bed route. They all preferred either Cayuga Heights Rd. or Route 34. One responder feels there may be flaws with the original Environmental Impact Statement that was completed. The question has again arisen as to why the Town of Lansing doesn’t build it’s own sewer plant. Don will forward these written comments to the Board members.

 

                       Motion-To Close the Public Comment Period  

 

Trustee Leopold moved to close the public comment period. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

Next on the agenda was the engineer’s report. Dave Putnam stated that N. Triphammer Road was winding down. They should be done working on the road for the winter by Wednesday.  They will start again in March or April, weather permitting. Don commented that there have been many positive comments on the new streetlights.

 

The Board discussed the issue of having a bus pull off area in front of the HSBC Bank on N. Triphammer Road. The bus currently stops in front of the Mobil Station and backs up traffic. Don thought that TCAT was intending to go through Pyramid Mall and have the stop there instead of on N. Triphammer Rd.  TCAT is trying to cater to its riders and their desired pick-up and drop-off preferences. Don suggested trying to acquire some more land in front of HSBC and have an actual area for the bus to pull into. Dave Putnam will talk to Rich Brauer about putting a bus shelter in front of HSBC with a designated area to pull off the road.

 

Now that the weather is cold, Dave will be working on Northwood Drive engineering. 

 

The Board discussed the different sewer options for the routing of the proposed transmission line from the Town of Lansing.  They talked about finding a creative way to get around the objectionable technical features of running the line down Route 34.  It was generally felt that if they could find a way to use Route 34 that would be the preferred way. Don added that if the City of Ithaca joins Bolton Point, they would also be looking at Route 34 to run their water line. Don and Dave will meet next Monday to discuss the technical aspects of the sewer line going down Route 34. Dave will look into the right of way possibilities along that route. Don is trying to come up with a method whereby putting a pump station in the hillside can be avoided. John O’Neill asked if the Village should do a feasibility study on this before the end of the year. Don stated that the Board would revisit this issue at the December 5th meeting.

 

Don stated that he would be willing to consider having a ranking of the different routes. Frank disagreed and thought our choice should be limited to the one alternative deemed acceptable. Don stated that first we need to know if going down Route 34 is feasible or not. Don wants to do as much as we can to maintain good relations with the Town of Lansing.

 

Don asked David Dubow to look into whether the Village could put up signage on a state highway, specifically related to braking and noise issues. David stated that the Village does not have the authority to place traffic related signs on a state highway, but it can seek such signage from New York State. He also pointed out that enforcement will always be an issue. Lynn feels we should be able to drop the speed limit on Route 34 through the Village. Lynn stated that she hears the Jake brakes on the trucks all day. Lynn will draft a letter to the Mayor regarding this issue and he will forward it to NYSDOT.

 

The next on the agenda was to look at the by-law changes for the Recreation Partnership. Don asked if Jodi was able to contact the Village representative, Barbara Nosanchuk. Jodi called twice but has not heard from Barbara. Jodi will try to get her to come to a meeting in the need future. The changes to the by laws are minor housekeeping issues.

 

Resolution #5199-To Concur with the Recreation Partnership By-Law Changes

 

Trustee Leopold moved this resolution. Trustee O’Neill seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

Jodi explained that three budget transfers were needed. The salt barn floor and garage heaters are listed under central garage building and equipment. We have nothing budgeted under this code. Secondly, we are responsible for the current year School taxes on the Edelman property that was given to the Village earlier this year. We will also be responsible for the Town & County taxes that come out in January.  After that it will be tax exempt. Jodi called the Tompkins County Assessment Department but they do not know the County rates yet. Another transfer will be needed in the future for that tax. Lastly, $8,500 needs to be transferred for the new truck we purchased. We had budgeted $16,000 for a tractor but haven’t purchased it because the one we want wasn’t on State Contract. If we do purchase this in the future another transfer will be needed. Jodi suggested the transfers be made from the contingent account.

 

Resolution #5200- To do the following Three General Fund Budget Transfers

 

$7,100 from A1990.4, General Government Support, Special Items, Contingent Account to A1640.2, General Government Support, Central Garage, Building & Equipment; and

 

$6,200 from A1990.4, General Government Support, Special Items, Contingent Account to A1950.4, General Government Support, Special Items, Taxes & Assessments on Village Property; and

 

$8,500 from A1990.4, General Government Support, Special Items, Contingent Account to A5112.2, Transportation, Permanent Improvements, Capital Outlay

 

Trustee O’Neill moved this resolution and Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

It was acknowledged that the highway department has done a great job of cleaning up the garage area.

 

Next on the agenda was approval of minutes. Lynn complimented Jodi on doing a great job on the minutes.

 

Motion - To Approve the Minutes from November 7, 2005

 

Trustee O’Neill moved that the draft meeting notes, as reviewed and revised by the Clerk/Treasurer and the Board, are hereby adopted as the official minutes. Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

It was reported that Michael Ward resigned from the BZA on 11/6/05. John Wisor is the current alternate member who will be moved up to an official member to finish out Ward’s term which ends 5/08. Mayor Hartill has spoken with Dolores Adler of 17 Cayuga Hills Road who has agreed to serve as the new alternate member of the BZA.

 

 

 

 

 

                        Resolution #5201-Appoint John Wisor as a Member of the BZA to

                              Fill Michael Ward’s Position Until 5/08

 

Trustee Leopold moved this resolution. Trustee O’Neill seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

Resolution #5202-Appoint Dolores Adler as an Alternate Member of the

                             BZA until the Organizational Meeting in May 2006.

 

Trustee Leopold moved this resolution. Trustee O’Neill seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

Next on the agenda was Mayor’s comments. The Mayor stated that he has already made most of his comments. He stated that the highway department has really put a dent in the “To Do List”. Having John as superintendent and Chris on a part time basis has really helped. Things are looking up. Don stated that he has told John that Rick is authorized to work overtime on nights and weekends to plow if he is needed. The Holiday Party at the Hartill’s house will be Friday December 16th from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

 

John O’Neill stated that he would not be at the December 15th staff meeting.  The office is closed on January 2nd so there will not be a Board Meeting that night.

 

During general comment the Board returned to the intermunicipal sewer issue. It was again commented that to benefit the lake, the best thing to do would be to have a separate sewer plant in the Town of Lansing. Don stated that serious thought must be given to what the cost numbers really will be. Frank stated that he feels an honest calculation has not been done. Frank asked if it would be worth talking to someone like Larry Fabronni. Don indicated that he would contact either Larry or Bill Gray for input and information.

 

John O’Neill reported that he has asked NYSDOT in Albany about sound walls along Route 13. They stated that the only way it would work would be to go through Senator Nozzolio or Assemblywoman Lifton. We’ve heard from a few people on this issue. John thinks everyone along Dart Drive would probably agree. Lynn stated that such walls act as visual barriers also, and that will need to be considered. John stated that in Europe they insert glass panels. Lynn stated that plants would be another way to cut down on the noise.

 

 

 

 

 

Motion- To Adjourn

 

Trustee Leopold moved for adjournment. Trustee O’Neill seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

           

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                 Trustee Frank Moore- Aye                  Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                 Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.                                       

                                                                                                                                                            Jodi Dake                                                                                                                           Clerk/Treasurer