- By Dan Veaner
- News
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The Mayor had hoped the Town's numbers would prove to be high, taking the sting out of the price tag for constructing the trunk line along East Shore Drive (Route 34). Because it is a State road East Shore is the only one of three proposed choices that is subject to State Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The DOT requires limited work hours each day, and that equipment be moved at the end of each day so the road can be reopened the rest of the time. This would add almost a million dollars to the price tag in labor costs, extra days and traffic control.
A few residents were present to observe the discussion. Sorel Gottfried, who lives on Cayuga Heights Road, spoke passionately to urge the Trustees to hire an outside consultant to get numbers the Village could trust before committing to a choice. Mayor Hartill replied that by taking Mr. Blum's estimates and having Mr. Putnam to evaluate them, they had effectively used the equivalent of an outside consultant in a way that is affordable for the Village. Ms. Gottfried expressed her distrust of "the way municipalities build such projects."
The Town's first choice is a route through the old Ithaca Auburn Short Line Railroad bed, because a gravity feed system there would cost the least for the town. The Village prefers the East Shore Drive (Rt. 34) choice because it would provide the least disruption to Village neighborhoods during the construction phase and for maintenance. Both the Town and the Village have expressed the opinion that if their first choice is not used the sewer will be built along Cayuga Heights Road.
Trustees considered possible issues with pumping stations and odors emanating into neighborhoods. Mr. Putnam and Mayor Hartill noted that venting is similar to that in a home. Mr. Putnam said, "If it's done right you won't notice it unless you are 15 to 18 feet tall." Mayor Hartill also noted the Cayuga Heights Road route could present opportunities for the Village in planning for the future. With the excavation paid for by the Town project, the Village could lay down pipes and equipment for planned future expansion at great savings. As it is, the Village will use the new trunk line to some extent. The Mayor estimated the Village's contribution to the project would fairly be about 10%.
They also discussed problems that would arise if the Town chose to exercise Eminent Domain along the railroad bed route, which could result in time-consuming lawsuits and legal negotiations with multiple land owners. Time is of the essence for the Town, because construction and materials costs are rising steadily. It is in both governments' interest to cooperate if possible, and both Mr. Farkas and Mayor Hartill have said they would like to continue the cooperative relationship the two entities have enjoyed.
At this point the consensus is that the Village wants Route 34. All the Trustees weighed in. John O'Neill said that because of the time that legal challenges would add to the process, "Route B (the railroad bed) is a dead horse." Lynn Leopold, whose property is on the railroad bed, said, "I don't want it in my back yard, but I don't want to vote to put it in some else's front yard (referring to Cayuga Heights Road) without substantial benefit to the Village." Frank Moore spoke of making Route 34 the only choice, and Larry Fresinski argued for Route 34 even if it does cost more. "This is a once in a lifetime shot," he argued, adding that doing it the best way for the Village in the long run is more important than the cost of the project.
The final decision will be made at the December 19 Trustee meeting, after which the Town must decide whether to go along with the Village's choice, or to pick another route.
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