BOARD APPROVES IDA BOND ISSUE FOR “THE FIELD”
The Board approved 9-5 (Representatives Joseph, Kiefer, Lalley, Proto,
and Schuler voting in opposition) a measure to help finance the Lansing
recreational project known as The Field. The Board’s vote okays the issuance
by the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) of up to $1.6
million in tax-exempt bonds to the Community Recreation Center. The not-for-profit
group will sell the bonds in exchange for long-term, low-interest loans.
Final approval is needed from the IDA. Contacts: Stuart Stein, Chair, Economic
and Workforce Development Committee, 273-3500; Michael Stamm, President,
Tompkins County Area Development, 273-0005.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN “VITAL COMMUNITIES” OUTREACH
Public comment is being solicited on a set of principles for the County’s
Vital Communities initiative, Deputy Planning Commissioner Joan Jurkowich
reported to the Board. Vital Communities is a participatory process that
allows citizens to help create a shared vision for the future and a coordinated
approach to planning for growth, Jurkowich explained. Unplanned growth
can lead to such things as loss of natural habitats, decrease in water
quality, traffic congestion, and increased cost of providing services.
The Planning Department will be giving a series of presentations over the
next six months to local municipal officials, civic organizations, and
any other interested groups. To reach additional members of the public,
a display is available for public festivals and events. For further information
on the Vital Communities Initiative and the Draft Development and Preservation
Principles, contact Katie Borgella, Tompkins County Planning Department,
274-5560. Contacts: Joan Jurkowich, Deputy Planning Commissioner, 274-5560;
Peter Penniman, Chair, Planning Committee, 387-5897.
COUNTIES AGREE TO SHARE COST OF OLD 76 BRIDGE
By unanimous vote, the Board authorized an agreement between Tompkins
and Tioga counties to jointly fund a new bridge over the West Branch of
Owego Creek, in the hamlet of Speedsville. The total cost is estimated
at $440,000, with a ceiling of $500,000. Each of the two counties will
pay half, and they will continue a cooperative maintenance policy of the
bridge, which spans the county line. Contacts: Michael Lane, Chair, Public
Works Committee, 844-8440; John Lampman, Tompkins County Highway Department,
274-0307.
BOARD CONSIDERS PRE-ELECTION BUDGET VOTE
A resolution presented by Rep. Joe Lalley to have the Board of Representatives
make a “good faith effort” to vote on a County budget by November 2, in
advance of election day, failed 8-6. Representatives Lalley, Proto, Todd,
Totman, Stein, and Winch voted in favor and Representatives Blanchard,
Koplinka-Loehr, Penniman, Joseph, Kiefer, Lane, Schuler, and Mink voted
in opposition of the proposed resolution. Lalley encouraged the Board to
consider the pre-election vote; and those opposed said it would distort
the budget process, would leave out important information, like State Aid
and that the proposed tax rate would already be known before election day.
Contact: Rep. Joe Lalley, 277-4225, 255-6651.
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