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"A lot of people have asked to express themselves on the sewer," said former Town Councilwoman Connie Wilcox Wednesday night at a forum she hosted to discuss the proposed $10.8 million Lansing sewer project.  "I want everyone to be respectful whether you are pro or con on sewer.  A lot of people haven't decided yet."

But of the 50 Lansing residents who attended most have decided that they do not want sewer.  An informal poll showed that of 49 homeowners present only three were in favor of the project, two of them Lansing Sewer Committee Members.  The one who does not own a home was in favor as well, four were undecided, two didn't say one way or another, and the rest checked the 'against' box.

The Lansing Town Board is split on sewer, with Supervisor Kathy Miller and Councilwoman Katrina Binkewicz in favor.  Councilwoman Ruth Hopkins is the swing vote on the board.  She has said she favors sewer because it is in synch with goals laid out in the Town's comprehensive plan, but she has raised many questions about the proposed project along the way and has not come out decisively for or against it.  Councilman Ed LaVigne was an advocate of the project and served on the Sewer Committee, then abruptly resigned from the committee and has become outspoken against it.  He rejected the argument that sewer would attract developers and businesses to locate in Lansing.

"Business has a way of evolving on its own if there is enough pressure there," LaVigne said.  "But if there's not enough pressure there, and this is my opinion, you can't make the pressure."


Others also challenged the idea that sewer will attract business to the Town.

"I think you need to show us the money," Wilcox said.  "We can't even sustain a farmer's market in Lansing.  So build sewer and they will come is not true."

"Basically we're a job center," Sewer Committee member Andy Sciarabba replied.  "Businesses want to be where they have an intelligent workforce where people want jobs.  A lot of folks come in every day to work in the county who can't afford to live here.  That's why an affordable (housing) project is attractive to a developer."


Long-time Planning Board member Larry Sharpsteen noted that Lansing has lost businesses interested in locating here if there were sewer.  Sharpsteen, who was on the sewer committee three proposals ago, said that he favors sewer for Lansing, but doesn't think the all-town approach is fair.

Councilman Robert Cree has said he was philosophically in favor of sewer, but when the project changed from a sewer district approach (in which only those within the district pay the full cost of the project) to an all-Town approach (in which a Tier 1 would receive sewer service and pay 60% of the construction debt, an operation and maintenance charge and a usage cost and the rest of Town property owners would pay $23 per $100,000 of assessed value to make up the other 40% of the debt) he changed his mind, saying he didn't think it is fair for those not receiving service to help pay for the project.

Cree said he has also been swayed by those who oppose the project, noting the proliferation of 'no sewer' signs.  He said that two fifths of the board want to halt the project right now.

"We don't want to spend another dime based on what I'm seeing and what I'm hearing, and the signs," he said.  "Not necessarily here in Tier 2.  Even more telling are the signs that have been popping up in Tier 1.  At what point have we as Town Board members spent enough?"

Sciarabba attempted to explain how school tax savings may offset the Tier 2 charges.  He presented figures showing how the owner of a $250,000 property would save $60 in the first year and $345 in year 10 while only paying $58 for sewer.

"Would you be in favor of sewer if it didn't cost you anything?" he asked.  But his argument fell on deaf ears.

Resident Dewey Ray said the idea of a town center won't work.

"Everybody has their own little hamlets in Lansing," he said.  "We can't make a Trumansburg out of South Lansing."


Another resident, Bill Cogan, said that taxes are out of control, noting that he recieves 3% raises each year but taxes in lansing typically go up by 5%.

"To put this burden on Lansing is absurd," he said.

Developers have expressed interest in sewer for projects they are contemplating.  At least three large projects south of the proposed service area are being contemplated.  Last week Miller said that at least four local developers were considering contributing to the project to lower the cost for current homeowners while insuring sewer would be available for future projects. 

North Lansing resident Vic Rendano, who owns properties in South Lansing, had a different take.

"I have mixed emotions," he said.  "As a business person I feel that if I want sewer at my properties on Triphammer then I should pay for it.  And the tenants I put in there should pay for it, and not retirees and widows and widowers who are just struggling to get by with what they're receiving on a monthly basis.  I think sewer would help the community, but I think it should be paid for by those people who have skin in the game."

"When you look at all the things around here is the risk worth the benefit?  I'm fortunate enough to to be raised in Lansing," LaVigne said.  "I'm fortunate enough to have gone to the schools.  I'm fortunate enough to have a good job. I'm going to survive this but I have to look at other people."

The status of the project is uncertain at this stage.  While the money was approved to hire a company to guide the Town through the environmental review and state approvals, the board has failed to schedule a public hearing required to get that process started.  At Wednesday's Sewer Committee meeting Sciarabba said that without Town Board support the project could die before it can come to a vote.


While the committee is working on a service area expansion plan and ways to better explain the all-town benefits to the public, Wilcox said Wednesday she thinks it is time for the committee to disband and leave the project in the hands of the voters and the Town Board.

At the committee meeting Wednesday afternoon Sciarabba reiterated his contention that the Town Board should take a leadership role in supporting the project because it is good for the Town.  That night Former Town Supervisor and local farmer Jeanine Kirby was as blunt, saying the board should take a leadership role in killing the project.

"Why don't you just drop this?" she demanded.  "Town Board, just drop this.  Let the people who want it pay for it down in the south end.  Leave us alone or we'll go to Cayuga County."

Ray was equally blunt.

"I'm not happy with the Board and I'd like to see three quarters of the Board replaced," he said more than once.

The sewer committee plans to host a series of neighborhood meetings to present the facts of the project and show its impact to specific areas of Lansing.  Wilcox has also said she may host more 'discussion meetings'.

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