FAA FUNDS COVER AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS
The Board voted unanimous approval for $2.7 million in previously planned
improvements to the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) funds will cover 90 percent of the cost of the projects,
which are part of the airport's five-year plan. The state Department of
Transportation (DOT) will fund 5 percent and Tompkins County will fund
5 percent, for a total local cost of $134,091 for all of the projects.
The projects include: a 6,800 square-foot expansion to the fire and rescue
building for parking airport vehicles under cover; repaving a ramp near
the old terminal; and purchase of a boarding bridge for the regional jets
that serve the airport. The airport is also purchasing 30 acres of land
that lies in the flight path at the departure end of the main runway. The
land is seen as a buffer between the approximately 500-acre airport and
future development in the area, said Airport Manager Robert Nicholas. Nicholas
reported earlier today that the flight schedule at the airport is close
to its usual level, but that the passenger load yesterday was 20 percent
of normal, in the wake of the terrorist attack on the U.S. September 11.
Contacts: Michael Lane, Chair, Public Works Committee, 844-8440; Robert
Nicholas, Airport Manager, 257-0456.
COUNTY APPROVES SECOND PAYMENT FOR LEGAL FEES
The Board approved an allocation from its contingent fund of $14,031.54
in a second payment for legal services associated with the redistricting
lawsuit brought against the County by the Town of Ithaca and others. To
date, the total County cost of the lawsuit, twice dismissed and now in
a second appeal, is just under $45,000. Contacts: Tim Joseph, Chair, Budget
Committee, 277-2519; Jonathan Wood, Deputy County Attorney, 274-5546.
HIGHWAY MANAGER CHAMPIONS NEED FOR ROAD REPAIR
Highway Manager Peter Messmer detailed the current status of highways
maintained by the County. Messmer explained that increased traffic and
heavier trucks have resulted in more wear on the roads, and that the County
has fallen behind on maintenance due to a long trend of underfunding. The
annual cost to keep one mile of road in good condition for 40 years is
$5,140, said Messmer. The County Highway Division is responsible for 307
miles of road. Messmer has requested an additional $1.3 million for the
Highway Divison in 2002. Contact: Peter Messmer, Highway Manager, 274-0309.
SHERIFF ANNOUNCES "HEROES FUND"
Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill announced that local law enforcement
agencies will be collecting money for the families and survivors of police,
fire, and emergency medical officers who died in the terrorist attack on
the World Trade Center. Collection jars will be placed at retail establishments,
and checks payable to the Heroes Fund may be sent to the Tompkins County
Public Safety Building, 779 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY 14850; attention Lynn
LaPlante. Meskill read from a prepared statement: "We are mindful of the
thousands of people who have been terribly impacted by this disaster. We
as the public safety community feel we need to make this special effort
to show support for the families of our fallen colleagues, who died selflessly
serving the public." Contact: Sheriff Peter Meskill, 257-1345.
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