- By Dan Veaner
- News
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Andy Sciarabba said, "I like the idea of having it in there." Noel Desch agreed. "I think we have to face the music," he said adding that making the cost available for each resident is better than making residents ask to have the information looked up for them. After suggesting changes to the chart to make the information more accurate, the committee agreed to include it.
Only residents in the initial service area will be charged for the cost of the collection system, wastewater treatment and operation and maintenance. That cost is an anticipated $865 per year.
Or is it? The committee anticipates that as new homes are built in the district the cost per household will decrease. So a resident paying $865 in the first few years may pay much less in five, ten or twenty years. Additionally the committee is seeking donors to lower the cost to as low as $548 per year. The fact sheet explains the benefits and the costs of the project, how costs are determined, and a brief description of the sewer system. Those in the district but not in the initial benefit area will pay $145 to pay for the trunk sewer line, but won't pay more until a collection system is available in their neighborhoods.
Getting accurate information to the public was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. Blum presented a new draft of the fact sheet with vital information divided into headings to make it easier to find, and with a larger district map on the back so residents can see at a glance where their property falls in the district. The fact sheet will be mailed to prepare residents for public hearings in which they will be invited to ask questions about the sewer and issues raised in the mailing.
Committee chair Bud Shattuck noted that Village of Lansing Mayor Donald Hartill had promised to draft a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the two municipalities by the end of this month. He suggested following up with the Mayor to make sure it is ready in time to make any adjustments that might be needed before the proposal is presented to the Town Board. With the village's contribution to the project part of the MOU, he said it would help insure that the total costs are accurate.
Sciarabba reported on progress he and Desch have made with potential donors, and on a meeting they had with School Board President Bonita Lindberg, Superintendent Mark Lewis and other school officials. Sciarabba said that while Lewis fears the sewer will mean growth beyond what the school district can handle, that Lindberg is interested in figures that show how additional school taxes from new homes would impact the district's ability to keep up.
Sciarabba said that a new housing study currently being drafted by Tompkins County show that the majority of more than 4,000 new residents will be between 45 and 65 years old. He noted that Chamber of Commerce President Jean McPheeters was currently in State College, PA, a community similar to Ithaca, to learn how growth has affected that area. He asked McPheeters to ask what effect their growth has had on their school district so he could share the information with Lansing school officials.
Sciarabba estimated the school district stands to gain an additional $117 million over 30 years. "We've got a job to do to convince them to support this," Sciarabba said. He said he and Desch will be going to the August 14th School Board meeting to present the project and answer questions.
The committee will meet again August 9th to finalize the Wastewater Facilities Plan before presenting it to the Town Board the following week. Once the plan is presented to the Board it plans to mail the fact sheet and set public hearings.
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