Archive: News

New York has become the 12th state to enact a 'Slow Down to Get Around' law that requires drivers to slow down or move over when approaching waste and recycling vehicles using their safety lights while collecting. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation into law earlier this fall.

Under the law, which is an amendment to the existing 'Move Over Law,' waste and recycling collection trucks are classified in the same manner as police or fire vehicles. The law takes effect November 1st

The Village of Lansing Trustees passed a law Monday that will 'down-zone' a 20 acre parcel on Bomax Road, not far from Warren Road, from business and technology use to high density residential.  Many residents joined Janet Jonson and Lisa Bonniwell, of IJ Construction of Ithaca to protest the proposed zoning change.  Their developments include Lansing trails 1 and 2 and the Janivar Road neighborhoods that were conceived by Janet's husband, developer Ivar Jonson.  This was the third time the Village Hall was packed with neighbors opposing the change, including a public hearing in late October, and a Village trustees meeting in September.

"It's a change from a higher density use to a lower density use," Mayor Donald Hartill said.  "Business and technology is a higher traffic,, higher coverage use than high density residential.  Your neighborhood is a part of the Village.  Our job is to consider the entire village, not just a particular  neighborhood.  i know there is a great deal of concern about possible projects that could happen if the zoning is changed."

The Lansing Athletic Hall of Fame Committee announced this week that the 2016 'Class' inductees will include Dara Porterfield, Charlie Moon, the 1967-68 Wresting Team and the 1982-83 Men’s Basketball Team.  The induction and dinner will be held at the LakeWatch Inn on Saturday, November 26th.  As always Geoff Wright will be the Master of Ceremonies. 

Responding to a measure advanced by Legislator Carol Chock, the Legislature, in 40 minutes of thoughtful discussion, considered whether the Legislature should urge the New York State of Environmental Conservation  (DEC) to require Cargill to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed construction of a new mine shaft, as has been recommended by the County's Environmental Management Council.

A half-dozen residents addressed the Legislature, some members of the EMC, saying the higher level of review is needed to fully explore environmental concerns.  Former Legislator Mike Koplinka-Loehr, who lives near the project site, spoke in support of Cargill's evaluation and efforts to date.  The DEC has issued a negative declaration of environmental impact, and Legislator Chock said she sought through the resolution to bring transparency and have the DEC engage in a full public process should there be questions about potential impact.  It was reported that the DEC has now increased the public comment period on the project by 30 days.

Housing Trust Exemption Law Approved
Following a public hearing, the Legislature, by unanimous vote, approved a new Local Law opting in on a new provision of state law to provide a restricted sale price exemption on houses subject to a housing trust; the exemption covering the difference between the restricted resale price of the housing and the property's fair market value.  The New York State Legislature, at the Legislature's request, passed the new section of the Real Property Tax Law to allow for the exemption.  The Legislature had requested the exemption option as a way for the County to encourage affordable housing.

The Legislature's Government Operations Committee recommended Wednesday appropriating $15,000 in contingent funds to support a structural, mechanical, and codes assessment of the Tompkins Trust building on the Ithaca Commons.  The study would be an initial step in the County's exploration of possible acquisition and reuse of the building as a new home for The History Center in Tompkins County and a proposed heritage education center.

The funding proposal, which will be considered by two more committees before going to the full Legislature, was recommended by a unanimous 5-0 vote.  It would assess the condition of the building's structural and mechanical systems, as well as any required code-related improvements.

Immigrants in New York state comprise 22 percent, or 4.4 million, of the state's population, which is well above the national average of 13 percent, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Immigrants have helped stabilize populations in some upstate cities and driven growth in other areas such as New York City and Long Island.

"Immigrants are nearly a quarter of our population. While the vast majority live in New York City, many are reshaping our suburban and upstate communities and helping revive our main streets," New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. "Our report found that most immigrants in New York are well-educated and actively participate in the workforce. Their rich diversity of cultures and experiences help make our state strong."

Next Wednesday the Town of Lansing will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2017 $4,980,899 budget.  Town Supervisor says that despite exceeding the tax levy cap imposed by the State, property taxpayers will actually pay about five and a half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value less than they payed last year.  LaVigne says Town finances are healthy, and new fiscal policies will keep the Town on track to keep it healthy.

"Is it business as usual?  No, on the contrary," he says.  "We're going in an entirely different direction because we're getting clarity as far as where each expense goes from each fund.  We have tremendous flexibility in case there is a crisis, and it's healthy."

Debbie Munson is the Republican candidate running for Lansing Town Clerk.  After a few years as Deputy Town Clerk, she was appointed by the Town Board to fill Debbie Crandall's remaining term after Crandall retired last April.  Munson holds an accounting degree, and has been a bookkeeper throughout her career, including at Transonic Systems.

She has lived in Lansing 40 years, and has three grown sons with her husband Miles.

 

Tammy Morse is the Democratic candidate for Lansing Town Clerk in the November 8th election.  Morse is currently the Village of Trumansburg Clerk an appointed position with two year terms.  She has worked there for 12 years.

Morse has lived in Lansing for five years.  She grew up in Dryden, graduating from Dryden High School.  She has one grown son.

At the second meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature's special Jail Study Committee, County Administrator Joe Mareane reported that two consultant proposals have been received in response to the County's Request for Proposals to conduct a socially focused population study of the Tompkins County Jail.

The Jail Study Committee was appointed by Legislature Chair Michael Lane following the announcement by the New York State Commission of Correction (COC) of its intent to revoke the Jail's long-standing 18-bed variance that has allowed the Jail to operate above its 82-bed capacity.  Based on the County's appeal, the Commission subsequently agreed to extend the variance through year's end, making it clear that it expects to be informed the County is making significant progress on the population study, the first of two studies the County will undertake focused on the jail capacity issue.

In has come to my attention that New York State has erroneously sent out checks in the wrong amount to recipients of the newly created STAR Rebate Checks.  I do not know of the extent of this issue as the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will not share any information with the local assessment community.  I therefore do not know exactly who should be receiving a check, what the check amount that the property owner received, or even if the property owner has received the check yet.  The chart (below) is what the amount of the STAR rebate check should be for people who should receive the Enhanced STAR credit check.

I have no way to knowing who to verify the check amount with.  I want to ensure that these senior citizens have a way to verify that their check amount is correct.