Lansing Supervisor Kathy Miller told the Sewer Committee Wednesday that a vote can take place in August or September instead of next April or May or later.  The Town will need to obtain legislative approval of an early vote at the state level.  An earlier vote would relieve institutions, businesses and homeowners on the cusp of replacing their current septic and package systems within the proposed initial service area.

"We can hold a vote in August or September," Miller said.  "If a majority vote 'yes' the town goes forward with the procedure, after which the sewer district would be subject to a permissive referendum next Spring when the procedure is completed."

After a media report earlier this week that water in Lansingville contains trihalomethanes (THM) levels that exceed federal standards, officials at the Bolton Point Water Commission and the town of Lansing were quick to point out there is no danger to the public and that the matter is being addressed.  The Ithaca Journal report said THM levels had reached 86 parts per billion at the Cayuga Power Plant, 6 parts per billion above the allowable annual maximum  average.

THM is a byproduct of the chlorination process.  Lansing Supervisor Kathy Miller says THM increases in water mains that are not in constant use.  Because there are relatively few customers in the northwest part of the town THM levels there are likely to rise.  She said the water commission plans to reduce THM levels by flushing that part of the system.  Miller added that installation of an aerator will provide a permanent solution.

Lansing School Superintendent Chris Pettograsso presented statistics on how school district voters might vote on a $10.8 million municipal sewer proposal next year.  The numbers came from an exit poll during the May 21 school budget vote.  53% of voters who filled out the exit poll said they would support a yes' vote on sewer. 

"People that tended to fill out the exit survey were people who voted positively for the budget," Pettograsso said.  "Typically if you are voting yes for the budget you are voting yes for the sewer."

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists of possible traffic delays on Route 13 in the town of Dryden, Tompkins County.

The bridge replacement project at Fall Creek is nearing the completion point and Route 13 is being shifted slightly south to match the new bridge alignment.  Beginning on June 12, the tie-in pavement reconstruction between the existing and the new alignment is being done.  Motorists may experience delays on Route 13 in this area, as flaggers will be directing alternating traffic in one lane at and around the bridge site.  The alternating one way traffic operation will be in place weekdays, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. for approximately two weeks.

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New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio announced Tuesday that the State Senate has taken a tremendous step forward in adopting a tougher stance against violent crime by enacting “Brittany’s Law”.  This legislation, S.1850A, sponsored by Senator Nozzolio, will create a publically accessible registry of convicted violent felons.

“Brittany’s Law represents a major step forward for our State in the fight against violent crime.  By putting new measures in place to track violent offenders and keeping our communities informed of their whereabouts, Brittany’s Law will save lives.  As Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee,  I will continue my aggressive efforts to enact tougher sentencing laws for violent criminals, reinforce laws to protect women and children from domestic violence, and strengthen the rights of crime victims to prevent future tragedy from occurring,” said Nozzolio.

Continuing its examination of how the Community Justice Center’s Day Reporting Program might be relocated so that the County could vacate the Old County Library building, the Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee today reviewed architects’ detailed concept plans and cost estimates for a proposed slight expansion of the County Human Services Building.

LaBella Associates estimated cost of the 1,600 square foot one-story bump-out on the southeast corner of the building to accommodate Day Reporting at about $1.5 million, including the considerable reconfiguration and renovation of interior space needed.  County Administrator Joe Mareane noted that, as part of the County’s extensive examination of space needs as part of the Center of Government business case analysis, a cost of $1.5 million had been estimated to relocate Day Reporting.

Rep. Tom Reed and a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members have introduced legislation to cut billions of dollars worth of waste, fraud and abuse from Medicare and Medicaid. The Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME) Act preserves the long-term viability of these critical health care programs and works to strengthen the federal government’s hand in protecting taxpayer dollars from being spent fraudulently.

“Combating waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid will save these programs billions of dollars – money better spent on recipients who rely on access to these health care services,” Rep. Reed said. “We have a responsibility to be fair to our taxpayers and root out waste so their hard-earned dollars are being spent as effectively and efficiently as possible.”