Village of Lansing

 

MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Thursday October 11, 2007, in the Village Office.

 

PRESENT: Mayor Donald Hartill; Trustees Lynn Leopold, Frank Moore, Larry Fresinski, John O’Neill; Clerk/Treasurer Jodi Dake; Clerk PT, Carol Willard; Code & Zoning Officer, Benjamin Curtis; Supt. of Public Works, John Courtney; Laborers, Marty Moseley.

 

Mayor Hartill called the meeting to order at 12:20P.M. John O’Neill stated that he was disappointed that there will be no deer hunt this year; however, he will continue to pursue it for next year. Frank commented that the Ithaca Times ran an article that made it sound like you could hunt in the Village as long as you got a permit. He feels this article was very misleading. The Board discussed what should be done if an injured deer is found on your property. It was generally agreed that residents should call the Sheriff.

 

John O’Neill stated that the entrance to Lansing Trails has overgrown bushes in front of the sign that the residents would like to have removed. John asked if these bushes would be something the Village would like to have. Lynn stated that these Barberry bushes are too large and not worth moving.

 

Frank stated that he has made a little progress with the Town sewer project stand-alone plant white paper that he has been working on. He has consulted with Todd Cowen. Todd also suggested that he met with Richard Dick. There is nothing wrong with small plants except the administration to run them. It would need to be controlled in a central way. The challenges in getting a new plant approved are how to best make and present the proposal, how to most effectively present the proper arguments in support, and the concept design. Frank would also like to know what the County thinks the sewer problems really are that we are trying to solve. Don will speak with Tony Nekut.

 

Lynn stated that the Green Building Tour was last weekend. The Village Rain Garden was part of that tour. America Recycles Day is in November and they would like to put up signs on the Route 13 ramps. Ben said that our Sign Law has a provision to allow for civic signs.

 

Larry had nothing to report.

 

Mayor Hartill stated that we are getting closer to the end of the North Triphammer Road Project. An agreement was finally reached on the wall signage at Sevanna Park and Lansing West. The letters will be paid for by the local share of the project because they were a trade for an easement to remove their old signage, put up the stone wall and replace their old signage with letters on the wall.

 

Jodi informed the Board that Pam Mackesey from TCAT would be in attendance at the next Board meeting on Monday evening to give a presentation. The auditors are in this week doing our annual accounting audit. John O’Neill stated that he was in the office earlier and the auditors had lots of compliments on the job Jodi is doing. Jodi stated that there is not enough money in the Capital Projects fund to pay Suit Kote. She asked if money could be borrowed from the General Fund to pay the bill. Once NYS reimbursed us for 80% we would return the money to the General Fund. This process takes about a month. The Board approved this temporary transfer.

 

John Courtney has spent the month tying up a lot of loose ends. He had Ithaca Plastics work up a sign for the stone wall at the Pyramid Entrance. We are still having a lot of trouble with our internet connection. It is taking a long time to receive emails. Danica has just done another upgrade which hopefully will alleviate the situation. Larry explained the spam blocker situation. It was questioned whether the Village should switch internet providers. It was agreed that we will wait to see how this new update works.

 

Lastly, John reported that he has quotes on a new skidster with a blade and blower. The total would be about $2,000 over what we had budgeted. ($30,473) Don stated that that is what contingency is for. It was asked how much the old skidster would bring. John estimated that we would get $7-8,000 for it at auction. John also asked if he should go ahead and order the new pick up truck.

 

Don has to leave so he entertained the following motions:

 

Resolution #5386- Abstract of Audited Vouchers

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers No. 5 for the General Fund, in the amount of $25,887.35is hereby approved for payment, and

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers No.5  for the Water Fund, in the amount of $113,025.99 , is hereby approved for payment, and

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers No. 5 for the Sewer Fund, in the amount of $253.80, is hereby approved for payment, and

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers No. 5 for the Capital Projects Fund, in the amount of $365633.59, is hereby approved for payment,

 

Trustee Leopold moved that the foregoing Abstract of Audited Vouchers resolution be adopted and Trustee Moore seconded the motion.

 

                        Deputy Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye             Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                             Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

                        Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

 

 

 

Resolution #5387-To Authorize John to Order the New Pick Up Truck and                                  

                              the Skidster

 

Trustee O’Neill moved this resolution and Trustee Leopold seconded the motion.

 

                        Deputy Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye             Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                             Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

                        Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

 

Ben stated that at the October 30th Planning Board meeting, Bolton Estates would be in for a final plat public hearing. It has been going well; they’ve been very open to suggestions from the Planning Board. There is another Millcroft house going in. The County is taking the Taughannock Project under its wing. They’ll oversee their construction because the County will eventually own that building. Currently it is all one lot with a tax parcel lot overlay. Arleo’s new building under construction is taking shape.

 

Carol reported that 2100 newsletters went out. She stated that the Town of Lansing now does their newsletter electronically and thought that this may be something the Village would like to consider. The Town mailed postcards to all the residents and asked them to respond if they wanted a newsletter mailed to them. Carol will call Sharon at the Town of Lansing to see what the response was.

 

Don left the meeting

 

Lynn would like to finish the planting at the Tompkins Trust Company flowerbed. She will go to Cayuga Landscape to get some more plants.

 

John Courtney and Marty went to Moravia to check out their newly installed radar sign. They say they have not had any tickets issued for speeding since this sign was installed. They claim it works very well. The cost is under $4,000. John is working on one for the Village. It looks like the best place to put it would be behind the guardrail by Cayuga Pet Hospital or Crystal’s Spa.

 

Mrs. Kim’s sidewalk is complete. John looked into a handrail and the cost was $6-9,000. Ben stated that it was not needed as far as a code issue. The Board didn’t think a handrail should be installed. It was explained that the sidewalk was done as part of the N. Triphammer Road Project and in conjunction with the written agreement between the Village and Mrs. Kim that included provisions regarding an easement to remove her driveway and combine it with the Village driveway so that it could line up across from Oakcrest Road.

 

Motion- To Adjourn

 

Trustee Leopold moved for adjournment. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Deputy Mayor-Larry Fresinski-Aye               Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye                Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

                       

The meeting adjourned at 1:25 PM.                                       

                                                                                                                                                            Jodi Dake                                                                                                                           Clerk/Treasurer