WEEDSPORT - After a public hearing, the Brutus Town Board unanimously established the second Tuesday in May as assessment grievance day during its meeting Monday night
The board also examined code enforcement, water lines and the Cayuga County Fair.
Local Law No.1, 2009 rescinds Local Law No.1 of 2004, which had extended the statutory date of assessment grievance day from the second Tuesday in May to June to accommodate the schedule of Robert Brown, former assessor, who served more than one jurisdiction. Current assessor, Pamela Kelley, only serves Brutus, so the board returned to the second Tuesday in May described by New York State Real Property Tax Law.
The town determined that it will establish a capital project to replace a steel pipe under the Thruway to allow the future development of a water district in the area north of Route 31.To significantly reduce the project's cost, the pipe placement will occur when the New York State Thruway Authority's project in the area takes place.
Bids for the pipe opened Dec. 8 and the town engineer confirmed the lowest bidder met all specifications. The project's cost will be paid for by a loan not to exceed $35,000 at the lowest interest rate offered to be paid for over the next 10 years.
Town engineer Tom Piascik discussed costs for proposed Water District No. 7, including 26 properties and seven businesses for 33 units. He estimated pipeline at $70 per linear foot.
“The only way that district can be built is to get a grant or borrow money over 30 years at a lower interest rate,” he said.
The code enforcement officer previously cited the Christou Property, after the demolition/collapse of a trailer left on the property by tenants. A deadline was set to clean up the area. The owner failed to comply and was forwarded a letter advising the fines due were about $5,000.
The board was not clear on whether the town justice had found the owner guilty and assessed the fines. If he has assessed the fines, they have to be paid. The justice can decide not to assess the fines, so the board referred the case back to the justice.
The board also discussed a collapsed building at the Robert Smith property on Route 34 and determined that it had been eight to 10 years since the issue first came to the town's attention.
The town clerk cited dates of July 22, August 12 and Oct. 14 when Smith failed to appear when asked to respond to the board.
Smith described the barn as an old carriage barn that was historic, now with its sidewalls all down, practically flat, but an old dormer remains intact. He said there were some huge old beams he had difficulty removing by himself since he had had cancer and a stroke.
“I'm not going to push myself where the barn is there and I'm not,” Smith said.
He said he couldn't afford to pay a contractor to remove it.
“We have a code that everybody is supposed to abide by. Our backs are against the wall,” said Town Supervisor James Hotaling.
The board ultimately decided it would give Smith until the next board meeting on Feb. 9 to think it over and propose a solution. Meanwhile, Smith agreed to allow the highway superintendent to take a look at the barn.
The board heard a request by Bill Faulkner, president of the board of directors for the Cayuga County Fair, not to be charged for a mass gathering permit for the upcoming year.
John Lester, director, said the fee added costs to the fair last year, especially with free parking and no charge to attend.
“The thing that hurts us is the $1,000 extra for the fee with a bond on top of that,” Lester said.
The board explained if a single musical event draws more than 5,000 people, such fees cover the costs to the community for police, fire, and other coverage for health and safety. The fee applies to “outdoor public music, amusement, and assemblies” according to town law.
“We're not looking to have a concert,” Faulkner said.
The town agreed as long as nothing was included to trigger the permit.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Local Law No.1, 2009 rescinds Local Law No.1 of 2004, which had extended the statutory date of assessment grievance day from the second Tuesday in May to June to accommodate the schedule of Robert Brown, former assessor, who served more than one jurisdiction. Current assessor, Pamela Kelley, only serves Brutus, so the board returned to the second Tuesday in May described by New York State Real Property Tax Law.
The town determined that it will establish a capital project to replace a steel pipe under the Thruway to allow the future development of a water district in the area north of Route 31.To significantly reduce the project's cost, the pipe placement will occur when the New York State Thruway Authority's project in the area takes place.
Bids for the pipe opened Dec. 8 and the town engineer confirmed the lowest bidder met all specifications. The project's cost will be paid for by a loan not to exceed $35,000 at the lowest interest rate offered to be paid for over the next 10 years.
Town engineer Tom Piascik discussed costs for proposed Water District No. 7, including 26 properties and seven businesses for 33 units. He estimated pipeline at $70 per linear foot.
“The only way that district can be built is to get a grant or borrow money over 30 years at a lower interest rate,” he said.
The code enforcement officer previously cited the Christou Property, after the demolition/collapse of a trailer left on the property by tenants. A deadline was set to clean up the area. The owner failed to comply and was forwarded a letter advising the fines due were about $5,000.
The board was not clear on whether the town justice had found the owner guilty and assessed the fines. If he has assessed the fines, they have to be paid. The justice can decide not to assess the fines, so the board referred the case back to the justice.
The board also discussed a collapsed building at the Robert Smith property on Route 34 and determined that it had been eight to 10 years since the issue first came to the town's attention.
The town clerk cited dates of July 22, August 12 and Oct. 14 when Smith failed to appear when asked to respond to the board.
Smith described the barn as an old carriage barn that was historic, now with its sidewalls all down, practically flat, but an old dormer remains intact. He said there were some huge old beams he had difficulty removing by himself since he had had cancer and a stroke.
“I'm not going to push myself where the barn is there and I'm not,” Smith said.
He said he couldn't afford to pay a contractor to remove it.
“We have a code that everybody is supposed to abide by. Our backs are against the wall,” said Town Supervisor James Hotaling.
The board ultimately decided it would give Smith until the next board meeting on Feb. 9 to think it over and propose a solution. Meanwhile, Smith agreed to allow the highway superintendent to take a look at the barn.
The board heard a request by Bill Faulkner, president of the board of directors for the Cayuga County Fair, not to be charged for a mass gathering permit for the upcoming year.
John Lester, director, said the fee added costs to the fair last year, especially with free parking and no charge to attend.
“The thing that hurts us is the $1,000 extra for the fee with a bond on top of that,” Lester said.
The board explained if a single musical event draws more than 5,000 people, such fees cover the costs to the community for police, fire, and other coverage for health and safety. The fee applies to “outdoor public music, amusement, and assemblies” according to town law.
“We're not looking to have a concert,” Faulkner said.
The town agreed as long as nothing was included to trigger the permit.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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