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05-16-2013	NYSDEC Stormwater Annual Report for the Tompkins County Stormwater Coalition Now Available for Review and Comment
	The annual report for Tompkins County’s Stormwater Coalition is now available for review and comment. Members of the public are invited to ask questions and provide comments on the 2012-2013 ...

05-16-2013	Don't Forget to Write! Great Ithaca Write-In May 17th
	A reminder that May 17 is the 25th anniversary of "The Great Ithaca Write-In"--an initiative led by Tompkins County Historian Carol Kammen, with the date proclaimed by Tompkins County Legislature ...

05-15-2013	Public Comment Sought on Proposed Amendments to Child and Family Services Plan
	For the next 30 days, the Tompkins County Department of Social Services will accept comments from the public on amendments to the following changes to the Child and Family Services Plan: The ...

05-10-2013	Ithaca Airport Tower to Remain Open
	Local officials are applauding the decision today by the federal government to restore funding to keep open the control tower at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The U.S. Department of ...

05-08-2013	Committee Review Continues Toward Vacating Old Library
	Continuing its examination of how the County could vacate the Old County Library building, the Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee today reviewed updated preliminary concept drawings prepared ...

05-07-2013	What Are Tompkins County’s Health Challenges? Health Department Seeks Community Input
	What are Tompkins County’s greatest health challenges, today and over the next five years? The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) invites the community to weigh in on this question as part of a ...

05-07-2013	Bonding Authorized for $6.5 Million in Capital Projects
	In three separate votes, the Legislature approved the issuance of serial bonds and notes to support nearly $6.5 million in County capital projects—up to $4.3 million to help support road and highway ...

05-07-2013	Legislature Renews Call for Ban or Moratorium on Fracking and Urges New Environmental Review Process Due to Conflicts of Interest
	The Legislature once again urged a ban or moratorium on high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing in New York State—supporting bills pending in the State legislature that would, if enacted, support ...

05-07-2013	Legislature Supports Legislation to Amend Mortgage Recording Tax
	The Legislature, by a vote of 13-1 (Legislator Dooley Kiefer voted no; Legislator Jim Dennis was excused), “endorses, supports, and encourages” the State Legislature to adopt pending bills in the ...

05-01-2013	Applicants Sought for Sportsmen’s Position on Fish and Wildlife Management Board
	Tompkins County is seeking applicants to fill an open two-year term representing the County on the regional New York State Fish and Wildlife Management Board. The position serves as the County’s ...

05-01-2013	Work Group Hears Comments on County Livable Wage Policy
	The County work group reviewing the County’s Livable Wage Policy heard comments today regarding the policy, which has been in effect since 2003. The policy calls for the County “to consider wage ...

04-29-2013	Paying for Long Term Care: Presentation May 2
	The Caregiver support group of the Office for the Aging is sponsoring a presentation on "Paying for Long Term Care" on Thursday, May 2, at 6:30 PM at Lifelong, 119 W. Court St., Ithaca. David ...

04-26-2013	Department of Emergency Response Urges Community to Take Part in RecruitNY Open Houses
	The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response is alerting the community to Recruitment Open Houses being held around the county this weekend, as part of the third annual statewide “RecruitNY” ...

04-25-2013	County Invites Input on Livable Wage Policy May 1
	A County work group reviewing the County’s Livable Wage Policy has scheduled two public input sessions on Wednesday, May 1 to gather public comment on the Livable Wage Policy, in effect since 2003. ...

04-23-2013	Senators Schumer and Gillibrand Urge FAA, Senate Leaders to Keep Ithaca Airport Tower Open
	U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today called upon the federal government to take the necessary steps to keep the Ithaca Airport tower open, in the wake of federal sequestration. ...

04-22-2013	Safe Medication Disposal Day This Saturday, April 27
	A reminder that the county’s next Safe Medication Disposal Day will be held this Saturday, April 27. The collection event gives residents the opportunity to safely dispose of expired or no ...

04-19-2013	Emergency Dispatch Professionals Thanked and Honored
	Tompkins County is expressing thanks to its dedicated emergency telecommunications personnel, as it marks National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Tompkins County. Every year during the ...

04-18-2013	Broadband Committee Asks People to Register Interest in Broadband Service
	Tompkins County’s Special Committee on Broadband is asking people to contact the County’s partner in extending high-speed Internet service, Clarity Connect, to indicate their interest in receiving ...

04-18-2013	Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail Plan Workshops April 24-25
	Are you interested in helping plan a new water trail for Cayuga Lake? Tompkins, Cayuga, and Seneca Counties, in partnership with the New York State Department of State, have engaged a consultant ...

04-16-2013	Legislature Delays Action County Code of Ethics
	After discussion, the Legislature delayed action on a proposed new Local Law that would amend Chapter 32 of the Tompkins County Code: the Code of Ethics. Legislators voted 10-4 to delay ...

04-16-2013	Old Courthouse Renamed in Honor of Governor Daniel Tompkins
	The Legislature approved the permanent renaming of the Old Tompkins County Courthouse as the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Building, in honor of Governor Tompkins, who served as Governor of New York ...

04-12-2013	Opt-Out of Junk Mail for Earth Day
	Mail Preference Service Helps Tompkins County Save Trees and Eliminate Solid Waste. Each year, 10 billion pounds of solid waste are created by direct mail advertising, but this April 22nd in ...

04-08-2013	April 11 Event Will Focus on Hydrilla Eradication Plans for 2013
	At a free public event this week, sponsored by the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council and the Hydrilla Task Force (HTF) of Tompkins County, will provide the public the opportunity to ...

04-08-2013	TCCOG Sponsors April 16 Forum on Gas Drilling Impacts on Human and Animal Health
	An upcoming educational forum, sponsored by the Tompkins County Council of Governments, will examine the potential health effects of gas drilling on farm animals and pets, and how such potential ...

04-05-2013	Possible Delays at Recycling and Solid Waste Center
	The weigh scales at the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center will be serviced on Monday, April 8th during operating hours. Please use caution as traffic patterns may change. Be ...

04-05-2013	Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response Promoting 9-1-1 Awareness and Education in April
	April is National 9-1-1 Education Month, and the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition (the Coalition) is encouraging public safety officials, schools, government officials, and industry leaders to ...

04-03-2013	Richard C. Snyder Appointed County Director of Finance
	Richard C. Snyder has been appointed as Tompkins County’s Director of Finance. The Legislature, by unanimous vote, confirmed the appointment, as recommended by the Director of Finance search ...

04-03-2013	County Will Explore Suit Against the FAA as Part of Aggressive Effort to Keep Airport Tower Open
	County Administrator Joe Mareane briefed Legislators on efforts to seek funding to keep the control tower open at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, in the wake of the loss of federal funding for ...

04-03-2013	Legislature Reaches Position on SAFE Act
	The Tompkins County Legislature, after listening to over two more than hours of concerned public comment and discussing the issue for another hour-and-a-half, reached its position on the New York ...

03-27-2013	Committee Recommends Legislature Seek Re-Examination of New York SAFE Act
	The Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, in a more than two-hour-long special session, with six alternate proposals before it, hammered out a recommended resolution for the full Legislature to ...

03-26-2013	County Moves Ahead With Examination of Livable Wage Policy
	Two committees of the County Legislature have agreed that the County should proceed with an examination of the County’s Livable Wage policy. The Legislature’s Budget, Capital, and Personnel ...

03-26-2013	Applicants Sought for Tompkins Cortland Community College Trustee
	The Tompkins County Legislature is seeking an individual to appoint to the Board of Trustees of Tompkins Cortland Community College. The appointment will complete an unexpired term ending in ...

03-24-2013	Airport Officials Respond to Sequestration Concerns
	Local officials and air travel experts today responded to the loss of federal funds for control tower operations at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, assuring the flying public that the Ithaca ...

03-20-2013	Tompkins County Once Again Ranked One of the Healthiest Communities in New York State
	The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin today released county health rankings for most counties in the United States. Tompkins County was ranked the third healthiest county ...

03-19-2013	Bonding Authorized for Cayuga Medical Center Improvements
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (Legislator Pam Mackesey was excused), approved issuance by Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca of up to $25 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds by the Tompkins County ...

03-19-2013	Citizens Speak Out on New York SAFE Act; Legislators Call Special Public Safety Meeting Next Week to Examine the Issue
	The Tompkins County Legislature listened to nearly three hours of public comment regarding the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 (more commonly known as the SAFE Act), ...

03-18-2013	County Seeks Comment on Updated Hazard Mitigation Plan March 20
	At two public meetings coming up on Wednesday, March 20, the public will be asked for input on the draft Tompkins County Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan, an updated plan developed ...

03-14-2013	First Program Scheduled at County-Supported Sustainability Center
	The new Sustainability Center, located at the County’s new Human Services Annex, will open its doors next week, with an intergenerational program focused on local food and farming. On Thursday, ...

03-14-2013	SAVE THE DATE - Next Safe Medication Disposal Day Saturday, April 27
	Mark your calendar! The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal has set the date for its next Safe Medication Disposal Day. The collection event, which gives residents the chance to safely dispose ...

03-13-2013	Committee Sets Stage for Study of Old Library’s Future
	Reviewing a framing memo presented by County Administrator Joe Mareane, the Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee today agreed to a plan for examining the future of the Old County Library ...

03-11-2013	Legislators Urged to Oppose New York State SAFE Act
	Concerned citizens today packed the meeting of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, urging that the County call upon New York State to repeal its new SAFE Act, which has imposed new regulations ...

03-07-2013	The State of Tompkins County Youth: A 2012 Needs Assessment of Young People from Birth to Age 24
	The Tompkins County Youth Services Department, along with community partners, has completed a needs assessment of residents between the ages of 0-24 to identify current trends, needs and resources. ...

03-06-2013	A Message to the Community from the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport
	Conflicting information from various sources has done a good job of confusing the general public about what the risks of sequestration might be, what impact it might have on our local economy, and ...

03-05-2013	Legislature Opposes Governor’s Proposal Regarding IDA Sales Tax Abatements
	The Legislature went on record in opposition to proposed changes in the Governor’s Executive Budget that would constrain the authority of local Industrial Development Agencies, such as the Tompkins ...

03-05-2013	$2.2 Million State Grant Awarded to Extend Local Broadband Service
	Legislator Pat Pryor, Chair of the County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband, tonight announced that New York State has awarded a $2.2 million State grant to extend high-speed Internet ...

03-01-2013	Absentee and Sample Ballots Available for Village Elections
	The Villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden and Groton will hold elections on Tuesday, March 19. Only registered voters living within these village’s boundaries are eligible to vote. Sample ballots can be ...

02-25-2013	Nominate an Outstanding Senior!
	Do you know of an older adult who has done something special for the community? Nominate him or her to be recognized by the Office for the Aging at its Annual Luncheon in May 2013! The Tompkins ...

02-25-2013	Administrator Seeks Review of County Livable Wage Policy
	In the first of two meetings with legislative standing committees, County Administrator Joe Mareane today asked the Legislature’s Budget, Capital, and Personnel Committee to review a recommended ...

02-19-2013	IDA Appointments Approved
	The Legislature, by a vote of 9-3, approved Chair Martha Robertson’s appointments to the County Industrial Development Agency. (Legislators Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Kathy Luz Herrera, and Dooley ...

02-19-2013	TC3 President Dr. Carl Haynes Briefs Legislature on State of the College
	In his annual State of the College message to the County Legislature, Dr. Carl Haynes said he is optimistic about the future of Tompkins Cortland Community College in continuing to effectively serve ...

02-13-2013	County Awarded $2.8 Million Dollar Grant to Extend Reach of Emergency Communications
	The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has awarded Tompkins County a more than $2.8 million dollar emergency communications grant, supporting enhancements to the ...

02-12-2013	Fire Extinguishers Now Accepted for Recycling
	The Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center now accepts fire extinguishers for recycling free of charge. Federal Safety Equipment of Candor, NY will take the fire extinguishers, remove ...

02-11-2013	Silbey Lecture February 11 Focuses on Democrats’ Role in the Civil War
	Noted Cornell historian Joel Silbey will talk about how the Democratic Party influenced the course of the Civil War, in his presentation “Challenging Lincoln,” the latest in the series of Civil War ...

02-07-2013	With Snow Forecast for Friday, Residents Advised to Take Care
	The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response advises residents to use normal safety precautions for dealing with snow, in light of several inches of snow forecast for this region on ...

02-06-2013	Legislator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Alderperson J.R. Clairborne Recognized for Outstanding Leadership and Service
	County Legislator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne and City of Ithaca Alderperson William (J.R.) Clairborne are being honored for their outstanding contributions to this community as recipients of the City ...

02-04-2013	Strategic Tourism Planning Board Announces Spring 2013 Funding Opportunity: Grant Applications Due March 5th
	Are you interested in helping implement Tompkins County’s recently completed 2020 Strategic Tourism Plan? Does your organization have a project with strong potential to draw visitors from outside ...

01-30-2013	The Red Badge of Courage Continues Civil War Commission Film Series This Sunday
	The Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission continues its Civil War film series this Sunday, February 3, with the showing of the film “The Red Badge of Courage.” The screening will ...

01-29-2013	Legislature Urges Preservation of Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund
	Objecting to the recent practice of by the State Division of Budget to take money from the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund to offset deficiencies in the State Budget and its ...

01-29-2013	Human Rights Director Shawn Martel Moore to Leave County Post
	In what he termed “bittersweet” news, County Administrator Joe Mareane announced that Shawn Martel Moore, who has served as the County’s Director of Human Rights since 1999, and for four of those ...

01-29-2013	Legislature Adopts Recommended Plan for TCAD Funding
	Adopting recommendations of a broad-based task force that studied how to best stabilize funding for Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD , the Legislature by unanimous vote supported a plan that ...

01-25-2013	County Celebrates its Newest Building, the Human Services Annex
	County officials today cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the County’s newest building, the Tompkins County Human Services Annex. The building, located at 214 W. Martin Luther King, ...

01-18-2013	Committee Backs Task Force Recommendations to Stabilize TCAD Funding
	The Legislature’s Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality today recommended that the Legislature adopt recommendations of a broad-based task force regarding county funding to address an ...

01-17-2013	Winter Rabies Clinic at the SPCA January 23
	The Tompkins County Health Department announces our Winter Free Rabies Clinic for cats, dogs and ferrets at the Tompkins County SPCA Pet Adoption Center. The clinic is from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on ...

01-17-2013	Public Hearing on Appendix W Child and Family Services Plan February 12
	The Tompkins County Department of Social Services will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, beginning at 1:00 p.m., to receive comments from the public on Appendix W of the Tompkins ...

01-15-2013	Bids Awarded for Legislature Relocation Project
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, awarded construction contracts for the Tompkins County Legislature Relocation Project, which will renovate and improve the second floor of the County’s historic ...

01-15-2013	Looking Back, Looking Forward, Chair Robertson Announces 2013 Committee Appointments
	As the Legislature enters the final year of its four-year term, Chair Martha Robertson in her annual State of the County message reflected on challenges faced and achievements so far; now the focus ...

01-14-2013	Tompkins County Submits Critical Comments on Proposed Fracking Regulations
	Tompkins County government has made its feelings known about draft regulations that would govern high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) in New York State. Nearly 50 pages of comments submitted ...

01-11-2013	New Address for County Office for the Aging
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging is pleased to announce a change of address. Beginning January 15, the Tompkins County Office for the Aging will be located at 214 West Martin Luther King ...

01-11-2013	Tish Pearlman Named Tompkins County Poet Laureate
	Tompkins County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson today announced the appointment of Tish Pearlman as Tompkins County Poet Laureate for 2013. "We are fortunate in Tompkins County to have an ...

01-11-2013	Tompkins County Reimbursed for Recycling and Solid Waste Center Upgrades
	Tompkins County has signed a contract with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for funding under the Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling State Assistance ...

01-07-2013	Members Sought for Assessment Hearing Panels
	The Tompkins County Legislature is looking for interested qualified applicants to serve on the 2013 Temporary Hearing Panels of the County Board of Assessment Review. Panel Members hear and evaluate ...

01-04-2013	Real Property Tax Exemptions Renewal Forms in the Mail
	The Tompkins County Department of Assessment has mailed renewal applications to all senior citizens who received an exemption on the 2012 Final Roll pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 467 ...

01-03-2013	Legislature Approves Budget Transfer in Support of Gun Buy-Back Program
	Approving a Sheriff’s Office budget transfer, the Legislature voiced its official support of a local voluntary gun buy-back program, conducted in cooperation with the City of Ithaca, which will take ...

01-03-2013	Legislature Sets Next-Term Legislator Salaries
	The Legislature, after more than an hour of discussion, set legislator salaries at for the next four-year legislative term, which begins as of the beginning of 2014. With three alternate proposals ...

01-03-2013	Robertson Elected to Fourth Year as Legislature Chair; Lane Elected Vice Chair
	The Legislature has reelected Martha Robertson to lead the Legislature during 2013 and elected Michael Lane to serve in the position of Vice Chair. The positions of Chair and Vice Chair are filled ...

12-26-2012	FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Recycling Leaders Take Next Step
	Tompkins County has embarked on a three-year program intended to further reduce the amount of waste generated by businesses and residents in the County. A $200,000 state grant awarded the Southern ...

12-18-2012	Legislature Approves Update in 20-Year Capital Plan
	Following up a detailed presentation at their last meeting, the Legislature adopted an update in the County’s 20-Year Capital Plan. The vote was 13-1, with Legislator Carol Chock voting no, and ...

12-18-2012	County Bans Use of Hydrofracking Byproduct Brine on County Roads and Property
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera was excused), passed a resolution prohibiting the use on County roads and property of brine containing the byproducts from ...

12-18-2012	Legislature Approves Mortgage Tax Initiative to Support TCAT
	The Legislature will seek State authorization to dedicate revenue from a proposed quarter-percent increase in the county Mortgage Recording Tax to support mass transportation, as is done in 24 other ...

12-17-2012	Committees Consider Issue of Legislator Salaries
	The Tompkins County Legislature will have two committee recommendations to consider when it next month takes up the issue of legislator salaries for the next four-year legislative term. With three ...

12-14-2012	Chair Robertson Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff After Connecticut Shooting
	Tompkins County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson has directed that all County flags be lowered to half-staff in memory of nearly 30 people killed in today’s tragic school shooting in at Sandy Hook ...

12-12-2012	Public Meeting on Responding to Proposed New Fracking Regulations
	There will be a free public information session on "Responding to New Fracking Regulations", Monday, December 17, at the Unitarian Church of Ithaca (corner of North Aurora and Buffalo Street). ...

12-12-2012	County Clerk Awarded State Archives Shared Services Grant
	The Tompkins County Clerk’s Office has been awarded a nearly $140,000 New York State Archives Shared Services Grant to enable the County’s six towns to join the County in digitizing their municipal ...

12-11-2012	Family Caregiving and the Holidays
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging has two upcoming opportunities for those caring for aging relatives to gather with other family caregivers to discuss caregiving concerns, including coping ...

12-06-2012	Environmental Management Council Presents Transportation Award
	The Tompkins Zimride Rideshare Coalition is the recipient of the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council (EMC) Transportation Initiative of the Year Award. The annual was presented last ...

12-05-2012	Flu Reported In Tompkins County
	Seasonal flu has arrived in Tompkins County. Laboratory confirmed cases indicate that there are Tompkins County residents who have become ill with the flu this season. However, these cases do not ...

12-05-2012	Committee Recommends Action to Seek Mortgage Tax Revenue to Support TCAT
	The Legislature’s Planning, Development, and Environment Quality Committee today recommended that the Legislature seek State authorization to dedicate Mortgage Recording Tax revenue for mass ...

12-04-2012	Legislators Hear Highlights of Older Adults Needs Assessment
	Director Lisa Holmes reported on the County Office for the Aging 2012 Needs Assessment of Persons Age 60+, a wide-ranging assessment focusing on factors such as demographics, employment, housing, ...

12-04-2012	Legislature Briefed on Update to Capital Plan
	The Legislature heard a presentation from Commissioner of Planning and Community Sustainability Ed Marx regarding the update to the County’s 20-Year Capital Plan, prior to a scheduled adoption vote ...

12-04-2012	Legislature Calls for More Time for Review of Revised Hydrofracking Regulations
	The Legislature urges that the public comment period on revised State regulations on high volume hydraulic fracturing be extended to at least 90 days, now that the New York State Department of ...

11-30-2012	Geoff Dunn to Join Solid Waste Management Division as Communications and Administrative Coordinator
	Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division Manager Barbara Eckstrom today announced that Geoff Dunn will join the Division next month as Communications and Administrative Coordinator, where he ...

11-30-2012	County Recognizes Home Care Services
	The Tompkins County Legislature at its last meeting recognized the many contributions of the county’s home care services, and the professionals and volunteers who provide high quality and ...

11-27-2012	Difficult Caregiving Conversations
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging is offering a free workshop, titled "Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Family Caregivers," on Thursday, December 6, at 6:30 PM at Lifelong, 110 ...

11-26-2012	Tompkins County Kick-Starts Strategic Tourism Plan With Implementation Funding
	Tompkins County is launching its 2020 Strategic Tourism Plan with a new grant funding opportunity. The Strategic Tourism Planning Board (STPB), the County’s official advisory board for tourism ...

11-21-2012	Bonding Authorized for TC3 Projects
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (Legislators Carol Chock and Kathy Luz Herrera excused), approved issuance by the Tompkins County Development Corporation of $45 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds ...

11-21-2012	County Electricity Consumption Will be Offset by Renewable Energy Certificates
	The Legislature authorized the County to contract with Integrys Energy Services, through the Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance, for the purchase of electricity through the end of 2013, with the ...

11-21-2012	In Unanimous Vote, Legislature Adopts 2013 Tompkins County Budget
	Culminating two-and-a-half months of budget deliberations and more than two hours deliberation tonight on proposed budget amendments, the Tompkins County Legislature, without dissent, adopted the ...

11-14-2012	Opportunities to Serve on the Tompkins County Board of Health
	The Tompkins County Board of Health (BOH) anticipates two vacancies beginning January 1, 2013. Two physician seats. The physician must be licensed in New York State and reside ...

11-13-2012	Youth Services the Focus at County Budget Hearing
	As the Tompkins County Legislature tonight took comment on the recommended amended County Budget for 2013, legislators were asked to take reexamine requests for over-target funding for Youth Services ...

11-12-2012	Celebrate America Recycles Day November 15th
	November 15th is America Recycles Day. Our County has already diverted 60% of waste from landfills. We hope that by working together we can reach 75% waste diversion in a few years. The Tompkins ...

11-09-2012	Veterans Day Closings and Curbside Recycling Pick-up Schedule
	On Monday, November 12th, in observation of the Veterans Day holiday, the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division (TCSWMD) office will be closed. The TCSWMD office will re-open on Tuesday, ...

11-09-2012	Public Hearing on Proposed 2013 Budget November 13
	The County Legislature invites county residents to comment on the County’s proposed 2013 budget at a public budget hearing to be held Tuesday, November 13. The hearing, on both the recommended ...

11-08-2012	National Adoption Day November 14
	National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. This annual event has made the ...

11-07-2012	Legislature Approves Amendment for Solar Exemptions for Commercial Projects
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, amended a resolution passed in 1966, to exempt solar installations to commercial projects from local sales and use taxes, under the New York State tax law. ...

11-07-2012	Legislature Requests Continued Sales Tax Authorization
	In the first of a series of procedural actions that will be necessary, the Legislature, by a vote of 12-1 (with Legislator Frank Proto voting no and Legislators Carol Chock, Kathy Luz Herrera ...

11-07-2012	Legislature Authorizes Energy-Saving Public Safety Building Improvements Through Low-Interest Stimulus Financing
	The Legislature took the necessary steps to make needed energy-saving improvements to the County’s Public Safety Building, funded through low-interest energy conservation bonds allocated as part of ...

11-05-2012	Executive Order for Displaced Voters
	Governor Cuomo is signing an Executive Order which provides for a voter who is a resident in the federally-declared disaster counties of Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester and of New York City ...

11-02-2012	New Solar Panels Going Up on County Buildings
	New solar panels currently being installed on seven County buildings will significantly lower County energy costs, while increasing the use of renewable energy in Tompkins County. The firm Solar ...

11-02-2012	Tourism Partner Awards Recognize Three Local Events
	Tourism is a powerful economic tool in upstate New York. All too often, the impact that conferences and meetings have on the local economy is overlooked. So are the individuals who invest their own ...

11-01-2012	Absentee Ballot Deadlines Extended
	Because of the disruptions statewide from the hurricane, the New York State Board of Elections has changed some absentee deadlines for the November 6 General Election as follows: Extension of ...

11-01-2012	County Environmental Advisory Boards Seek New Members
	Residents of Tompkins County are invited to apply for membership on the Water Resources Council (WRC). There are vacancies for representatives of the general public (at-large seats), municipal ...

10-30-2012	Legislature Adopts 2013 Budget Amendments
	In a brief special session, the Tompkins County Legislature formally adopted amendments to the County Administrator’s 2013 Tentative Budget and 2013-2017 Capital and 2013-2017 Capital Program, as ...

10-29-2012	Hurricane Sandy Update – Preparedness Advised
	County and City emergency managers continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Sandy, as it approaches up the east coast, and continue to advise residents to take precautions to protect themselves ...

10-29-2012	Curbside Recycling Pick-up Delay due to Inclement Weather
	Due to inclement weather, curbside recycling collection for Tuesday, October 30th has been postponed. Recycling collection scheduled for the 30th will now occur one day late, on Wednesday, October ...

10-29-2012	Airport Flight Status Information
	Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport provides the following information regarding weather-related flight status: US Airways flights are all canceled today and tomorrow and will resume around mid-day ...

10-29-2012	Youth Services Meetings Status
	The following Youth Services meetings are cancelled: October 29th - Tompkins County Youth Services Board Meeting from 5-6:30pm October 30th - Municipal Youth Services Meeting for Municipalities ...

10-29-2012	Hurricane Sandy Update – Winds to Pick Up This Evening
	With Hurricane Sandy getting closer, winds here are increasing and forecast to strengthen further between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m., with strong, sustained winds expected to last for several hours, the peak ...

10-29-2012	Sandy Storm Update – Calm Now, Winds Could Strengthen Over the Next Few Hours
	Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the Southern New Jersey coast earlier this evening and is no longer classified as a hurricane, currently having merged with another weather system and decreased speed ...

10-28-2012	Residents Urged to Prepare for Approaching Hurricane Sandy
	As Hurricane Sandy advances up the East Coast, Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca continue to advise residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from effects of the approaching ...

10-26-2012	Legislators Recommend 2013 Budget Amendments
	The County’s 2013 budget process moved forward tonight, as Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee recommended that the Legislature amend County Administrator Joe Mareane’s 2013 Tentative ...

10-26-2012	Department of Emergency Response Monitoring Hurricane Sandy
	The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Sandy, with an eye toward preparation for potential local impacts from this storm. As of the ...

10-23-2012	Legislators Begin to Consider 2013 Budget Amendments
	Seven weeks after receiving a recommended 2013 County Budget from County Administrator Joe Mareane, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee began to propose recommended changes to the ...

10-19-2012	Council of Governments Seeks Public Comment on Time Warner Cable Service in Tompkins County: Meeting November 1.
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) is asking County residents to comment on their experience with cable television service provided by Time Warner Cable to assist municipalities ...

10-17-2012	Tourism Board Seeks Three Representatives
	The Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board (STPB) is recruiting three new at-large members to begin service in January 2013. Tompkins County residents are invited to submit an application ...

10-16-2012	Legislature Authorizes County to Acquire Right of Way for Ludlowville Stormwater Control Project
	By unanimous vote, the Legislature authorized acquisition of right of way to support improvements to address recurring flooding problems in the Hamlet of Ludlowville in the Town of Lansing. . ...

10-16-2012	West Seneca Road Funding Agreement Approved
	The Legislature authorized a construction funding agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) for reimbursement of construction and inspection costs for the West Seneca Road ...

10-16-2012	Budget Hearing Scheduled for November 13
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, set Tuesday, November 13 as the date for the public hearing on the 2013 Tentative Budget and capital plan for the next five years. (Legislators Carol Chock, Kathy ...

10-15-2012	South Danby Road Closing
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing South Danby Road, between Rt. 96B and Hill Road, in the Town of Danby, on Tuesday, October 16th, from 7:00 a.m., until approximately 3:00 p.m., ...

10-15-2012	TCAT and Library Among the Topics, as Legislators End Initial Phase of 2013 Budget Review
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee wrapped up the presentation phase of their 2013 County budget review tonight, looking over eight more proposed spending plans from County ...

10-12-2012	County and City to Dedicate Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi October 17
	Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca will dedicate a MV-1 wheelchair-accessible taxi on October 17, at Noon, on the Ithaca Commons. Martha Robertson, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, and ...

10-11-2012	EMC to Present Two New Unique Natural Areas Tuesday, October 16
	The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council invites the public to a special presentation Tuesday, October 16 about two new proposed Unique Natural Areas (UNAs). The session will begin at ...

10-11-2012	Last Days to Register for the November Election
	October 12 is the last day for a new voter to postmark a registration and be eligible to vote in the November 6 General Election. This is also the last day to submit a party change for 2013. New ...

10-10-2012	Agencies Much of the Focus, as County Budget Review Continues
	At their next-to-last review session before beginning to consider potential changes to County Administrator Joe Mareane’s recommended 2013 budget, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee ...

10-09-2012	Be Part of the Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Plan
	A series of public workshops this week will seek the public’s ideas for the Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Plan. Planners from across the region are looking for public reactions to both long-term and ...

10-09-2012	Turnout Light at Legislature’s Annual Community Budget Forum
	The Legislature tonight held its annual Community Budget Forum, inviting citizens to learn about and comment on the County’s tentative 2013 budget currently under review by the Legislature. Only ...

10-05-2012	Community Budget Forum October 9 at Old County Courthouse
	The Tompkins County Legislature will hold its annual Community Budget Forum on Tuesday, October 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This year’s forum will be held at the Supreme Courtroom, located on the ...

10-05-2012	Health Department Seeks Community Input
	The Tompkins County Health Department is conducting a strategic planning process to set its goals for the next five years. Part of that process is gathering input from the community, and in ...

10-04-2012	New York State Community Revitalization Grant Awarded for Pine Tree Road Project
	Grant secured through the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Community Revitalization Program will support road and bridge repairs as part of pedestrian trail expansion. The ...

10-04-2012	Legislators Continue to Examine 2013 Recommended Budget
	Legislators focused on seven more department and agency budgets tonight, as the County’s Expanded Budget Committee continued to review County Administrator Joe Mareane’s recommended 2013 ...

10-02-2012	Legislature Closes Out Redistricting Process
	The Legislature brought to a close the more than year-long process of reapportioning County legislative districts based on the 2010 Census, by taking formal action expressing appreciation to and ...

10-02-2012	Legislature Approves Support for Old Courthouse Renovation Project
	The Legislature, by a pair of unanimous votes of amended the County’s Capital Program to include renovation of the Old County Courthouse to accommodate relocation of the County Legislature chambers ...

10-02-2012	Legislature Endorses Grant Application to Extend County Broadband Service
	The Legislature threw its unanimous support behind the grant application of Clarity Connect, Inc. under the “Connect NY” Broadband Grant program, to expand broadband Internet service to unserved ...

09-27-2012	Civil War Commission Film Series Begins September 30 With the Film "Glory"
	The Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission launches its Civil War film series this Sunday, September 30, with the showing of the acclaimed feature film “Glory.” The screening will ...

09-26-2012	Needs Assessment of Tompkins County Residents Over Age 60
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging has completed a needs assessment survey of residents over the age of 60 to identify current trends, needs and resources. The needs assessment is a rich source ...

09-26-2012	Safe Medication Disposal Day This Saturday, September 29
	A reminder that the county’s next Safe Medication Disposal Day is coming up this Saturday, September 29. This collection event gives residents the chance to safely dispose of expired or no longer ...

09-24-2012	County Budget Review Continues
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee reviewed the proposed budgets of six more County departments, as their review of County Administrator Joe Mareane’s recommended 2013 budget entered ...

09-20-2012	County Environmental Advisory Boards Seek New Members
	Residents of Tompkins County are invited to apply for membership on advisory boards that provide input to the Tompkins County Legislature on environmental matters. The Water Resources Council (WRC) ...

09-19-2012	Flu Vaccinations Available at Tompkins County Health Department
	Are you considering whether or not to get a flu shot this year? Here’s an easy answer: Everyone, Every Year (Everyone over the age of 6 months). This is the recommendation of the Centers for ...

09-18-2012	Interested in developing affordable housing in Tompkins County? Housing Fund Notice of Funding Availability
	The Housing Fund - Funding Round 6: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is now open for the Community Housing Affordability Program and Community Housing Trust Program. The Housing Fund, which ...

09-18-2012	County Participation in Regional Interoperable Communication Alliance Approved
	The Legislature, without dissent (Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera was excused) authorized the County, through the Department of Emergency Response, to partner with seven other counties in the region ...

09-18-2012	Legislature Authorizes Development Corporation Bonding for Kendal Refinance
	The Legislature by a 12-2 vote (Legislators Brian Robison and Jim Dennis voted no: Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera was excused) authorized the Tompkins County Development Corporation to issue up to $10 ...

09-18-2012	Legislature Urges State Ban on Synthetic Drugs
	The Legislature is urging New York State to ban the manufacture, distribution, sale, and possession of dangerous unregulated synthetic drugs. The vote was 11-3, with Legislators Dooley Kiefer, Will ...

09-17-2012	New “Med Return” Program Provides Safe, Year-Round Disposal for Medications
	The Tompkins County Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal today launched its new “Med Return” program. Medication drop boxes will be located at secure locations around the county to provide citizens ...

09-17-2012	Second Night of 2013 Budget Review
	Six more County departments presented their proposed budgets tonight, as Legislators acting an Expanded Budget Committee, conducted their second review session of County Administrator Joe Mareane’s ...

09-13-2012	Civil War Lecture September 17 Spotlights Local Heroes
	A lecture Monday, September 17 will provide an opportunity to learn about the men from Tompkins County who fought in the Civil War as part of one of New York’s most renowned regiments. The ...

09-11-2012	County Budget Review Begins
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee tonight began review of County Administrator Joe Mareane’s recommended 2013 County Budget, hearing their first seven presentations from County ...

09-10-2012	Republican Primary September 13
	Republican voters in the Towns of Caroline, Danby, Dryden and Groton will have a Primary Election on September 13, 2012. This is to pick their candidate for State Senator, 51st District. Polls ...

09-07-2012	Reuse in Schools: Tompkins County Schools Reduce CO2 Emissions By 17 Tons
	Schools in Tompkins County now have an even greater ability to reduce the waste they produce. The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division completed a grant project, in partnership with Finger ...

09-05-2012	Tompkins County Health Department Closed on Friday Afternoon – September 7
	The Tompkins County Health Department will be closed on Friday, September 7 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. for staff development. All Department staff will participate. The Department’s answering service ...

09-04-2012	Legislators Adopt 14-District Redistricting Plan
	The Legislature, after more than two hours of careful deliberation, accepted the recommendation of the County’s Independent Redistricting Committee and adopted a new Local Law that realigns the ...

09-04-2012	Administrator Releases 2013 Recommended Budget
	Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane has delivered to the County Legislature a 2013 Recommended County Budget that increases total spending by just four-tenths of one percent, sustains current ...

08-31-2012	Solid Waste Division Labor Day Closings and Curbside Recycling Pick-up Schedule
	Both the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division (TCSWMD) Office and the The Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center will be closed Monday, September 3th in observation of the Labor ...

08-31-2012	Community Coalition for Healthy Youth Awarded $200,000 Federal Grant to Prevent Youth Substance Use in Tompkins and Schuyler Counties
	The Tompkins County Youth Services Department’s Community Coalition for Healthy Youth (CCHY) has been awarded $200,000 from the federal Office of National Drug Control Policy to prevent youth ...

08-23-2012	SAVE THE DATE - Next Safe Medication Disposal Day Saturday, September 29
	Mark your calendar! The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal has set the date for its next Safe Medication Disposal Day. This collection event, which gives residents the chance to safely dispose ...

08-21-2012	Funding Increased for Human Services Annex Renovation
	The Legislature amended the Capital Program to increase the renovation budget for the Human Services Annex building by $75,000 (to $1,375,000) to support certain architectural design features and ...

08-21-2012	Legislature Delays Action on Measure to Urge State Ban Dangerous Synthetic Drugs
	Citing a “significant and immediate public health threat and danger to public safety,” the Legislature considered, but delayed action on a measure to urge the State to immediately pass legislation ...

08-21-2012	Legislature Takes Comment on Proposed Redistricting Plan
	Legislators heard public comment on the proposal to redraw the boundaries of County legislative districts, based on the 2010 Census. The public hearing focused on a proposed Local Law that would ...

08-16-2012	New Tompkins County Prescription Drug Discount Card Coming to Mailboxes Soon
	Tompkins County residents should be watching their mailboxes for their new Tompkins County Prescription Drug Discount Card, a card that provides significant savings on brand-name and generic ...

08-09-2012	Community Celebrations Grants – Applications Due September 6
	Tompkins County and its Strategic Tourism Planning Board announce the Fall 2012 round for Community Celebrations Grants. Do you host an event that celebrates local heritage and culture in ways ...

08-07-2012	Contracts Awarded for Airport Projects
	The Legislature, by unanimous votes, awarded contracts for two construction projects at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. (Legislators Kathy Luz Herrera and Pam Mackesey were excused.) Bids were ...

08-07-2012	Records Storage Agreement Approved
	Legislators approved a ten-year lease agreement for underground records storage space at the Seneca Army Depot, at a cost of $720 per month ($8,640 per year). The vote was unanimous, with ...

08-07-2012	Public Hearing Scheduled on Proposed Redistricting Law
	The Legislature scheduled a public hearing on the proposed Local Law that would reconfigure County legislative districts, based on the 2010 Census. The vote was 11-2, with Legislators Carol Chock ...

07-25-2012	County Seeks Waterburg Bridge Public Input
	The Tompkins County Highway Division plans to replace a 77-year old bridge in the hamlet of Waterburg in 2013. The one-lane bridge over Taughannock Creek is on Waterburg Road in the Town of Ulysses ...

07-25-2012	Sheriff Lansing Announces “Yellow Dot” Program
	Sheriff Kenneth Lansing has announced his participation in the Yellow Dot Program. This program is a cooperative effort of the New York State Sheriff’s Association, county Sheriff’s Offices, local ...

07-20-2012	County Achieves Lowest-Ever Interest Rate in Recent Bond Sale
	Finance Director David Squires reports that the County achieved a historical low interest rate on its recent bond sale. Roosevelt & Cross purchased the County's $3.150,000 in bonds at an average ...

07-19-2012	Lyme Disease on the Increase in Tompkins County
	Lyme Disease is on the rise in Tompkins County. The number of cases has steadily increased in the past few years the Tompkins County Health Department reports. Karen Bishop, Community Health Nurse ...

07-17-2012	Tourism Capital Grant Awarded for Emerald Necklace Enhancement Project
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, awarded a $15,000 Tourism Capital Grant to a project, sponsored by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, to enhance access to a portion of the Emerald Necklace greenway. ...

07-17-2012	Bids Awarded for Human Services Annex Renovation
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, awarded construction contracts for the renovation of the Human Services Annex, located in the 200 block of Ithaca’s West Martin Luther King, Jr./State Street, new ...

07-17-2012	Legislature Approves Aquatic Invasive Species Law
	The Legislature, after more than an hour of discussion, approved a new Local Law to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, such as Hydrilla, in Tompkins County. The final approval vote was ...

07-16-2012	Citizens Urged to be Cautions, with High Danger of Wildfires
	Governor Andrew Cuomo today urged all across the state to use extra caution, as dry weather conditions have created a heightened danger of wildfires across Upstate New York. The State is also ...

07-13-2012	Third Annual Project Sticker Shock to be held in Trumansburg
	On July 19-22, the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth of Tompkins County once again will partner with local teens to sponsor “Project Sticker Shock” in Trumansburg and Jacksonville to coincide ...

07-13-2012	Request for Proposals Released for Development of New “Climate Showcase” Neighborhood
	Tompkins County has released a Request for Proposals to develop a new neighborhood on 26 acres of County property in the Town of Ithaca. The Request for Proposals seeks a developer who would build a ...

07-03-2012	Legislature Supports Nuclear Power Plan Emergency Planning Zone Expansion
	Based on a resolution filed by Legislator Dooley Kiefer, the Legislature went on record favoring changes in federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations that would expand NRC emergency planning ...

07-03-2012	Legislature Authorizes Request for Proposals to Develop Biggs Land
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present (Legislator Peter Stein was excused) authorized the County to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for private developers to lease or purchase 26 ...

07-03-2012	Legislature Approves TC3 Budget, Master Plan
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, adopted the 2012-2013 operating budget for Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). No one spoke at a public hearing preceding the vote. The $37.5 million ...

06-25-2012	Southern Tier Regional Coalition Receives $1 Million for Cleaner, Greener Communities Regional Sustainability Planning
	A coalition representing Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Tioga, Broome, Chenango, and Delaware counties has received $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ...

06-21-2012	Legislature Chair Urges Rejection of “Limited” Fracking Proposal
	Legislature Chair Martha Robertson was among those speaking out yesterday at an Albany session, urging Governor Cuomo to reject a proposal to allow “limited” hydrofracking in parts of five Southern ...

06-21-2012	Tourism Board Invites Input on Strategic Tourism Plan
	Organizations or individuals interested in participating in the development of tourism in Ithaca and Tompkins County are invited to submit comments on a draft of the County’s 2012-2020 Strategic ...

06-20-2012	Legislators Repeat Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Restore Balance in Political Campaigns
	The Legislature passed two more resolutions calling upon the United States to amend the Constitution in response to Supreme Court decisions, including the Citizens United decision, which rolled back ...

06-20-2012	Legislature Authorizes Fund Application to Implement Pine Tree Road Project
	The Legislature, after considerable discussion, authorized the County to seek funding to support the Pine Tree Road Bike and Pedestrian Paths Project under New York State’s Multi-Modal aid program. ...

06-20-2012	County Redistricting Process Moves Forward
	Tompkins County is one step closer to reapportioning County legislative districts, as the Legislature, after well over an hour of thoughtful discussion accepted the concept of a 14-member ...

06-20-2012	Heat Wave -- Health Department Advises How to Stay Safe
	Tompkins County is under a heat advisory with temperatures expected today and tomorrow in the mid – 90’s. The combination of heat and humidity will create heat indices near or just above 100 degrees. ...

06-18-2012	Hydrilla Eradication Treatments Resume in Cayuga Inlet
	The second of a series of herbicide treatments is tentatively scheduled for the Cayuga Inlet on June 26-27, 2012. The herbicide being used in the treatment is Endothal, also known as Aquathol K. ...

06-18-2012	Commission Recommends Adjusted 14-District Redistricting Plan
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission, charged with recommending a plan to reapportion County legislative districts, tonight approved a slightly revised redistricting plan to recommend to ...

06-13-2012	Project Care Volunteers Needed
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging needs volunteers to assist homebound senior citizens through the Project Care Program. Volunteers typically visit an individual once a week for about 1-2 ...

06-12-2012	Ithaca’s Climate Showcase Communities Break Ground
	Two of Ithaca’s Climate Showcase Communities will break ground in late June: the TREE neighborhood at EcoVillage at Ithaca and the Aurora Pocket Neighborhood (APN) project in downtown Ithaca. TREE ...

06-08-2012	County Unveils Strategies for Future Conservation and Development
	The Tompkins County Planning Department is hosting a series of public meetings the week of June 18th to present the Conservation Strategy and the Development Focus Areas Strategy. Together, the two ...

06-07-2012	Broadband Forum in Enfield June 11
	The County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband will hold another in its series of Community Engagement Forums regarding community needs and opportunities related to high-speed Internet ...

06-06-2012	2013 Budget Guidelines Adopted for County Departments and Agencies
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present, established fiscal targets for departments and agencies as part of the 2013 budget process. (Legislators Peter Stein and Nathan Shinagawa were ...

06-06-2012	Legislature Examines, Delays Action on Redistricting Report
	The Legislature took a long and careful look at the issue of reapportioning County legislative districts, but delayed action on whether to accept the report of the County’s Independent Redistricting ...

06-05-2012	UPDATE: Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Workshop June 12 in Ithaca
	The location and time are now confirmed for the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council public forum June 12 in Ithaca. The forum will take place at the Ithaca Holiday Inn, 222 S. ...

06-05-2012	Legislature Supports Constitutional Amendment to Abolish Corporate Personhood
	In what is expected to be the first of three resolutions on the topic to be considered by the Legislature, the Legislature after discussion, by a vote of 11-2, called for an amendment to the United ...

06-05-2012	Legislature Supports Constitutional Amendment to Abolish Corporate Personhood
	In what is expected to be the first of three resolutions on the topic to be considered by the Legislature, the Legislature after discussion, by a vote of 11-2, called for an amendment to the United ...

06-04-2012	Tompkins Officials Among More Than 250 Across the State Urging Governor to Require More Study Before Hydrofracking Moratorium is Lifted
	More than 280 municipal leaders from across New York State—including more than 50 from Tompkins County—have signed a non-partisan letter to Governor Cuomo, urging the Governor to maintain the ...

06-01-2012	Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Workshop Scheduled June 12 in Ithaca
	The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council has scheduled a public forum in Ithaca on Tuesday, June 12, as part of its series of Consolidated Funding Application workshops—time and ...

05-31-2012	Department Thanks Community for Support of Foster Care Event
	Tompkins County’s Department of Social Services is thanking the community for its support of a recent community event commemorating National Foster Care Month. President Barack Obama declared May ...

05-31-2012	Shaffer Road Closing
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing Shaffer Road, between house numbers 535 and 548, in the Town of Newfield, on Monday, June 4th, from 6:00 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m., for a ...

05-31-2012	Poll Site Inspectors and Managers Needed
	The Tompkins County Board of Elections is currently looking for Poll Site Inspectors and Managers. This is a great opportunity for folks interested in participating in the political process. ...

05-18-2012	Committee Surveying Residents on High-Speed Broadband Needs
	As it seeks to determine how high-speed Internet access can be achieved for all county residents, the County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband over the next few weeks is surveying ...

05-18-2012	Comments Requested on Residential Neighborhood Proposal
	Through the end of May, Tompkins County is seeking developer and public comment on a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) that would lead to development of a 70-unit residential neighborhood adjacent to ...

05-17-2012	Annual Report for Tompkins County Stormwater Permit Available for Review
	The annual report for Tompkins County’s stormwater permit is now available for review. Members of the public are invited to ask questions and provide comments on the annual report at the May 21st ...

05-17-2012	Southern Tier Regional Council Announces Consolidated Funding Application Workshops
	The Southern Tier Regional Council has announced the launch of Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) workshops for the second round of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s initiative to stimulate job creation ...

05-15-2012	Legislature Approves Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonding for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Projects
	The Legislature authorized the Tompkins County Development Corporation to issue up to $2.4 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to refinance a number of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) ...

05-15-2012	Local Law Adopted Opting Out of State Real Property Tax Law Solar-Wind Exemption
	Following a public hearing, the Legislature adopted a new Local Law Opting Out of Section 487 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law, which allows for an exemption of any increase in value due ...

05-15-2012	Dr. Susan Romanczuk-Smelcer Appointed Mental Health Commissioner
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, confirmed the appointment of Susan D. Romanczuk-Smelcer, PhD., as County Commissioner of Mental Health Services. (Legislator Nathan Shinagawa was excused.) Dr. ...

05-11-2012	Absentee and Sample Ballots Available for June 26 Primary
	Voters enrolled in the Democratic and Republican parties will have a Primary for Federal offices on Tuesday, June 26. Democrats will be choosing a candidate for Representative in Congress for the ...

05-11-2012	Public Invited for Update and Input on Pine Tree Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Project
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will discuss updated conceptual designs for pedestrian and bicycle paths along Pine Tree Road in the Town of Ithaca at a public information meeting 7:00 P.M. on ...

05-11-2012	Committee Recommends Acceptance of Redistricting Report
	The Legislature’s Government Operations Committee today moved ahead the process toward reapportioning County legislative districts, as it recommended the Legislature accept the Independent ...

05-07-2012	Broadband Forum in Newfield May 9
	The County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband will hold its sixth Community Engagement Forum regarding community needs and opportunities related to high-speed internet service on Wednesday, ...

05-07-2012	Adult Family Type Homes: An Alternative for Adult Residential Care
	As part of developing residential alternatives for adults in this community, the Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS) is looking to expand the number of adult care facilities known as ...

05-07-2012	Gas Pipelines: What Municipalities Need to Know – Forum May 17
	Twenty interstate natural gas pipeline systems now crisscross the Northeast from West Virginia to Maine. As shale drilling operations expand in the coming years, thousands of miles of new pipeline ...

05-04-2012	Legislature Adopts Maintenance-of-Effort Financial Goal for 2013. Will Consider Recommended Budget That Can Be Supported by 3.5% Levy Increase
	As a starting point toward preparing a 2013 County budget, the Legislature has established a financial goal that directs the County Administrator to establish departmental and agency spending targets ...

05-01-2012	Safe Medication Disposal: Record Participation!
	The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal reports that its fifth event, on April 28, eclipsed previous records. Most notably, the previous attendance record of 509 people was smashed, with ...

05-01-2012	Legislature Supports Increase in State Minimum Wage
	Following a thoughtful discussion, the Legislature, by a vote of 10-5, supported an increase in the New York State Minimum Wage—at a minimum from the current $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour, and to ...

05-01-2012	Jeffrey Smith Named County Highway Director
	County Administrator Joe Mareane announced the appointment of Jeffrey Smith of Malone, NY, as Tompkins County Highway Director, following a national search. Recommended by a broad-based search ...

04-27-2012	Spring Cleaning—Safe Medication Disposal Day This Saturday!
	Even with a return to more winter-like weather this week, it's spring cleaning time—and that means Safe Medication Disposal Day in Tompkins County will be held no matter what kind of weather we're ...

04-27-2012	Tompkins Recognizes its Dedicated Emergency Dispatch Professionals
	A house fire in Dryden, a car accident in Danby, and a police stand-off in Ithaca--all at the same time. The proper delivery of vital, life-saving information in a matter of minutes for all of these ...

04-26-2012	Council Urges State to Address Revenue Issues Related to Shale Gas Production
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) by unanimous vote today urged the Governor and State Legislature to develop a blend of revenue streams and taxation of natural gas extraction, and ...

04-25-2012	Comment Sought, Draft RFP Released - Climate Showcase Communities Project
	Tompkins County has released for comment the Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the United States Environmental Protection Agency Climate Showcase Communities project in Tompkins County entitled ...

04-25-2012	Drug Trends Forum April 26. Underage Drinking Letters Sent to Parents of Seniors Countywide
	Bath Salts. They are the latest synthetic drug to sweep New York state leaving horror stories and the bodies of dead teenagers behind. These are not the bath salts you buy at a retail chain for ...

04-24-2012	Renewable Energy Potential in Tompkins County - Presentation April 30
	The Tompkins County Planning Department is hosting a presentation by four Cornell graduate students from the fields of management, engineering and planning who will be discussing the structure and ...

04-24-2012	Roadside Cleanup, Adopt-A-Highway Assists with Enhancement of County Highways
	Now that spring has arrived, it is even more noticeable to see roadside litter that has accumulated over the winter months. How is it that someone can hold a cup or bottle in their position when it ...

04-18-2012	Public Workshop April 24 on Cleaner Greener Southern Tier
	Tompkins County, in partnership with Southern Tier Central and Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Boards, is kicking off the Cleaner Greener Southern Tier – a new NYSERDA-funded ...

04-18-2012	Broadband Forum in Ulysses April 19
	The County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband hosts the latest in its series of Community Engagement Forums Thursday, April 19 in the Town of Ulysses, as the committee asks residents to ...

04-17-2012	County Reaches Agreement with Hauler Concerning Recyclables Dumping
	County Attorney Jonathan Wood reported that the County has reached an agreement with Feher Rubbish Removal, Inc., following a finding that the firm had mixed recycling and solid waste in pick-up ...

04-17-2012	Legislature Honors Corporal Christopher Bordoni
	Expressing the grief of the people of Tompkins County regarding the death of United States Marine Corporal Christopher David Bordoni, who died on April 3, 2012 from injuries sustained in the service ...

04-17-2012	Legislature Approves Funding to Offset State Aid Cuts to Youth Programs
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present (Legislators Nathan Shinagawa and Leslyn McBean-Clairborne were excused) approved the allocation of up to $67,500 in contingency funding to fill ...

04-10-2012	State Authorizes Closure of County Certified Home Health Agency
	Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane today announced that the New York State Department of Health has approved a closure plan for the County’s Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), operated by ...

04-09-2012	Community Meeting on Hydrilla April 12
	The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council, the Hydrilla Task Force, Cornell Plantations, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County will cosponsor a community meeting on Hydrilla ...

04-03-2012	Hearing Conducted on Community Development Needs
	The Legislature asked for public comment regarding county needs and priorities and possible community development projects to be considered for support as part of the 2012 New York State Department ...

04-03-2012	Foundation Grant to Support County Broadband Outreach
	The Legislature, without dissent, accepted a nearly $10,000 grant from the Park Foundation to support a two-pronged effort by the Tompkins County Broadband Committee to engage the community and ...

04-02-2012	Highway Division Road and Bridge Announcements
	KRAFT ROAD CLOSING: The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing Kraft Road, 300’ east of Jacksonville Road, in the Town of Ulysses, from Monday, April 9th, at 7:00 a.m. until approximately ...

03-30-2012	Forum on Underage Drinking April 4
	Why do teens drink? How much do they drink? Why is it a problem? And what can be done to keep them safe? The Community Coalition for Healthy Youth of Tompkins County will sponsor a town hall ...

03-30-2012	Lansing Village Elections and Republican Presidential Primary April 24
	There will be a Village Election in Lansing on April 24 to elect two trustees. This is also the same date as the Republican Presidential Primary, so voters should be aware that their poll site may be ...

03-29-2012	State Legislators Recognized for Securing Funds to Fight Hydrilla
	Tompkins County officials today recognized Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and State Senators Thomas O’Mara, James Seward, and Michael Nozzolio for their efforts in securing essential State funding to ...

03-27-2012	Legislature Supports Resolution Urging Counties to Unite in Support of Meaningful Mandate Relief
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (Legislator Kathy Luz Hererra was excused), backed a resolution calling on all counties to unite to bring about real and meaningful mandate relief in New York ...

03-27-2012	Legislature Approves Relocation to Old County Courthouse
	After many months of study through its Capital Plan Review Committee, the Legislature, meeting in special session, tonight approved relocation of County Legislature Chambers and offices to the second ...

03-23-2012	County Broadband Forums Continue March 28 in Caroline
	On Wednesday, March 28, the County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband will conduct another in its series of Community Engagement Forums, as it asks residents to assist in its work to ...

03-20-2012	William Sanders Honored as Distinguished Youth
	Dryden High School student William Sanders, of Freeville, has been honored as Tompkins County’s latest Distinguished Youth. Nominated by Rachel Dickinson, Will was recognized for his long-time ...

03-20-2012	Legislature Accepts Funds for Community-Based Care Transitions Program
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present, formally accepted more than $71,000 in federal funding, through the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ...

03-20-2012	Legislature Fails to Support Request to Permit Rifle Hunting
	Responding to a proposal from local hunter, the Legislature considered, but declined to support making a request to the State Legislature to enact legislation to allow rifle hunting for Big Game ...

03-19-2012	SAVE THE DATE - Next Safe Medication Disposal Day Saturday, April 28
	Mark your calendar! The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal has set the date for its next Safe Medication Disposal Day. This collection event, which gives residents the chance to safely dispose ...

03-19-2012	Government Operations Committee Receives Redistricting Report
	As the first step toward consideration by the full County Legislature, the Legislature’s Government Operations Committee today formally received the final report from the Tompkins County Independent ...

03-16-2012	Community-Based Care Transition Program for High Risk Medicare Patients
	Tompkins County is one of 23 new sites announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) partnering to improve the quality of care available to high-risk Medicare beneficiaries. The Tompkins ...

03-14-2012	Taxes and Drilling: Revenue Potential for Municipal Governments? Presentation March 22
	How much in property tax will be coming to local governments from gas drilling and when? Will drilling lower or raise my taxes? What is the process of taxing this resource? What’s a severance tax and ...

03-14-2012	Tompkins County Saves 28,000 Pounds of Paper Annually As Inaugural Partner of Catalog Choice for Communities Program
	Marking the one year anniversary of its municipal partnership program Catalog Choice for Communities, Catalog Choice—the nation’s leading mail preference service dedicated to eliminating unwanted ...

03-13-2012	County Temporary Assistance and Food Stamps Employment Plan Ready for Review
	A plan outlining how Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS) operates programs to provide employment services for Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp recipients is available for public ...

03-09-2012	Airport Offers Travel Advice for Student Spring Break Period
	Airport Manager Bob Nicholas has issued special travel advice for passengers departing Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport during the student Spring Break period over the next two weeks. Passengers ...

03-09-2012	Broadband Forum in Groton March 14
	The County Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband hosts another in its series of Community Engagement Forums Wednesday, March 14 in Groton, as the committee asks residents to assist in its ...

03-06-2012	Chair Martha Robertson Expresses Deep Appreciation to Search Volunteers
	Tompkins County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson has voiced the Legislature's deep appreciation to those who devoted many hours over the past days to search for a missing Lansing woman. ...

03-06-2012	Legislature Authorizes Application for Shared Services Grant
	The Legislature, without dissent, approved a resolution supporting the County’s application for an approximately $100,000 New York State Department of State Local Government Efficiency Grant, on ...

03-06-2012	Engineering Services Agreement Approved to Implement Road Preservation Law
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote authorized the County to enter into an agreement with LaBella Associates, P.C. to provide engineering and related services required to implement the County’s Road ...

03-06-2012	Emergency Responders Thanked for Dedication in Recent Search
	The Legislature recognized emergency responders and community volunteers for their dedicated efforts during recent days in the search for 82-year-old Johanna Kirkwood, who wandered from her Lansing ...

03-02-2012	Lecture March 5 Examines Role of Women During the Civil War
	The latest in the series of lectures sponsored by the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission will look at the role of northern women during the Civil War. Author and professor Lori ...

03-01-2012	Second Broadband Outreach Forum March 5 in Danby
	The Legislature’s Special Committee on Broadband will hold the second in a series of Community Engagement Forums on broadband Monday, March 5 in Danby. The session will take place at the Danby Town ...

02-29-2012	State Officials Warn of Potential Tax Refund Scam, Caution New Yorkers to be Vigilant
	The County Office for the Aging reports State officials have been tipped off concerning potential fraud risks to New York residents during this tax season and are taking steps to alert citizens to be ...

02-29-2012	Absentee and Sample Ballots Available
	The Villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden, Groton and Trumansburg will hold elections on Tuesday, March 20. Only registered voters living within these villages’ boundaries are eligible to vote. Sample ...

02-24-2012	Tompkins County Work Group Urges State to Address Taxation Issues Related to Gas Drilling
	Following many months of research, a working group associated with the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) is urging New York State to refrain from issuing drilling permits until it can ...

02-23-2012	Citizens Invited to Lansing Forum to Discuss Broadband Access
	At the first in a series of community outreach sessions next Tuesday in Lansing, residents will be asked to assist the County as it seeks to determine how high-speed internet access can be achieved ...

02-22-2012	Assessment Exemption Deadline Coming Up March 1
	The Tompkins County Department of Assessment reminds property owners that March 1 is the deadline to file for Real Property Tax Exemptions. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, the ...

02-21-2012	TC3 President Delivers Annual “State of the College” Message
	In his annual “State of the College” message, Tompkins Cortland Community College president Dr. Carl Haynes told the Legislature that, despite the need to make difficult adjustments as a Community ...

02-21-2012	Legislature Strongly Opposes Proposed Elimination of Federal Public Transportation Funding
	The Legislature, without dissent, registered strong opposition to provisions of proposed federal legislation that would eliminate dedicated federal fuels taxes for public transit. The vote was ...

02-21-2012	Legislature Urges State to Consolidate State and Federal Primary Dates
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, called upon the Governor and State Legislature to change State election law to permit the federal and New York primary to be held on the same day. (Legislators ...

02-17-2012	Members Sought for Assessment Hearing Panels
	The Tompkins County Legislature is looking for interested qualified applicants to serve on the 2012 Temporary Hearing Panels of the County Board of Assessment Review. Panel Members hear and evaluate ...

02-16-2012	Capital Plan Committee Recommends Design for New Legislature Space
	After studying numerous proposed concept plans for new Legislature space at three meetings held over the past month, the Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee Wednesday achieved a design ...

02-16-2012	Redistricting Commission to Recommend Adjusted 14-District Plan
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission tonight voted to recommend an adjusted 14-district plan to reapportion County legislative districts. The specific plan to be recommended in the ...

02-15-2012	Tourism Partner Award Recognizes Ithaca College and Turkey Shoot Lacrosse Tournament
	Two local groups were recognized by the Tompkins County Legislature, Feb. 7, for their efforts growing the local economy through tourism. The Turkey Shoot Lacrosse Tournament and Ithaca College both ...

02-13-2012	Tompkins County Tourism Grant Applications Due February 29th
	Does your organization have a project with strong potential to draw visitors from outside Tompkins County? Would more tourists come to your Tompkins County event or venue with an enhanced, targeted ...

02-10-2012	Legislature Chair Reacts to Governor’s Comments on Hydrofracking
	Tompkins County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson today issued a statement regarding Governor Cuomo’s recently reported comments concerning the State’s process and timetable for making a decision on ...

02-10-2012	Commission Takes Further Comment on Redistricting Proposal
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission put its recommended plan for reapportioning County legislative districts before the public again Thursday, at the second of two public hearings, held ...

02-08-2012	Local Coalition Urges Prompt and Aggressive State Action to Eradicate Hydrilla
	The local coalition formed to fight the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla is urging aggressive State action to eradicate the infestation, and to fully fund the effort, beginning in the 2012-13 State ...

02-08-2012	Reflecting on the Year Ahead, Chair Robertson Announces Committee and Chair’s Appointments
	Legislature Chair Martha Robertson at the February 7 meeting announced her appointments and the Legislature committee structure for 2012, appointments she noted maintain much consistency with 2011 ...

02-07-2012	Legislature Establishes Management Salaries, Salaries for County Clerk and Sheriff
	The Legislature, by a vote of 12-2 (Legislators David McKenna and Frank Proto opposed and Legislator Carol Chock excused) authorized salary and benefit adjustments for County management employees ...

02-07-2012	Shinagawa Elected Legislature Vice Chair
	Legislator Nathan Shinagawa (D-District 4/City of Ithaca) will serve as Vice Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature for 2012. With Legislators Frank Proto, Kathy Luz Hererra, Pam Mackesey, and ...

02-06-2012	Interested in developing affordable housing in Tompkins County?
	The Housing Fund - Funding Round 5: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is now open for the Community Housing Affordability Program and Community Housing Trust Program. The Housing Fund, which ...

02-06-2012	IDA Provides Information on Proposed Amendment to AES Cayuga Agreement
	The Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) tonight sponsored a session to provide information and respond to questions about the proposed amendment to the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes ...

02-03-2012	County Environmental Advisory Boards Seek New Members
	Residents of Tompkins County are invited to apply for membership on advisory boards that provide input to the Tompkins County Legislature on environmental matters. The Water Resources Council ...

02-01-2012	County Officials Voice Concerns to Albany Leaders
	County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson, Legislator Will Burbank, and County Administrator Joe Mareane spent the day at the State Capitol in Albany today, urging legislative leaders to act on key ...

01-31-2012	Comments Heard on County Redistricting Proposal
	At the first of two public hearings, the County’s Independent Redistricting Commission put forth its recommended plan for reapportioning County legislative districts. About ten people attended ...

01-30-2012	Commission Invites Comment on Proposed Redistricting Plan
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission next Tuesday will hold the first of two public hearings on its proposed plan for reapportioning County legislative districts. The meeting will ...

01-25-2012	County Gas Drilling Concerns Taken to Albany
	Tompkins County Legislature concerns about hydrofracking were actively communicated to State lawmakers yesterday, as hundreds of people from across the state rallied at the State Capitol to urge a ...

01-23-2012	Council of Governments Releases Study of Potential Hydrofracking Impact
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) has released a study of the potential impact of hydrofracking on the region: “Tompkins County Community Impact Assessment – High Volume Hydraulic ...

01-20-2012	Tompkins County Tourism Program to Hold Grant Workshop
	Organizations or individuals interested in learning more about funding opportunities available through the Tompkins County Tourism Program are invited to attend a grant workshop on Tuesday, January ...

01-17-2012	Committee Issues Recommendations to Achieve Universal Broadband Service
	After more than a year of research and deliberation, the Tompkins County Broadband Committee presented its recommendations to the County Legislature regarding how to best extend broadband Internet ...

01-17-2012	Robertson Reelected Legislature Chair, Vice Chair Not Yet Decided
	The Legislature overcame repeated deadlock at its last meeting two weeks ago, and reelected Martha Robertson (D – District 13, Dryden) to her third year as Legislature Chair in 2012. The Chair’s ...

01-13-2012	Redistricting Commission Identifies Favored Option
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission Thursday decided on a favored, 14-district plan to reapportion County legislative districts. The Commission supported a slightly modified version ...

01-12-2012	Capital Plan Committee Eyes Design for New Legislature Space
	The County’s Capital Plan Review Committee today reviewed proposed concept plans for Legislature space on the second floor of the Old County Courthouse. HOLT Architects and County Facilities ...

01-09-2012	Opportunity to Serve on the County Planning Advisory Board
	The Tompkins County Planning Advisory Board (PAB) currently has a vacancy for an at-large representative. With representatives from a diverse array of stakeholder interests, the PAB is uniquely ...

01-03-2012	Labor Agreement with Corrections Union Ratified
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (with Legislator Carol Chock excused), ratified a three-year bargaining agreement with the County’s Corrections Union, retroactive to 2010 and continuing through ...

01-03-2012	Chair’s Election Deadlocked. Leadership Decision Delayed for Two Weeks
	Despite nine ballots, members of the Tompkins County Legislature have failed to yet elect a Chair of the Legislature for the 2012 term. The position of Chair is filled each year by a majority vote ...

12-23-2011	Workshop January 10 on Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Plan
	Organizations or individuals interested in participating in the development of the Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Plan for 2012–2020 are invited to attend a community workshop on Tuesday January ...

12-20-2011	Legislature Authorizes Increased Bond Authority for Human Services Annex Improvements
	The Legislature, by a vote of 12-3, increased bonding authority for improvements to the new Human Services Annex building. (Legislators Pam Mackesey, Frank Proto, and Kathy Luz Herrera voted no.) ...

12-20-2011	Legislature Recommends Statewide Ban on High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing
	After approving three resolutions related to the issue of gas drilling two weeks ago, the Tompkins County Legislature has now called for a statewide ban in high-volume hydraulic fracturing in New ...

12-16-2011	Redistricting Commission Refines Focus to 14-District Plan
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission, charged with preparing a recommended plan for reapportionment of County legislative districts, narrowed its review process further at its tenth ...

12-14-2011	Capital Committee Recommends Increased Bond Authority for Human Services Annex Improvements
	The Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee, meeting in special session Tuesday, recommended that bonding authority be increased for improvements to the new Human Services Annex building on West ...

12-08-2011	Capital Plan Committee Examines Human Services Annex Improvements
	The Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee today continued to examine plans to improve the new Human Services Annex building (formerly occupied by Carpet Bazaar) into space to be initially ...

12-08-2011	Tompkins Projects Receive Significant Funding in State Economic Development Awards
	Awards announced today by Governor Andrew Cuomo through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative provide significant support for projects initiated by Tompkins County to help spur ...

12-06-2011	Lane Calls for Open Leadership Selection Process, Asks to be Considered for Chair
	Looking ahead to next month’s annual election of leadership for the County Legislature, Legislator Mike Lane, in a statement to the Legislature, urged that “a more publicly transparent selection ...

12-06-2011	Legislature Affirms Official Positions on Gas Drilling
	The Tompkins County Legislature, through three coordinated resolutions adopted without dissent, took an official stand on issues related to gas drilling though horizontal drilling and high-volume ...

12-06-2011	Proposed State Health Regulation Could Disrupt Home Health Agency Sale
	Legislature Chair Martha Robertson and County Administrator Joe Mareane told legislators they are deeply concerned about a proposed “emergency” State Department of Health regulation intended to ...

12-01-2011	Tompkins County Council of Governments Takes Comment on Proposed DEC Gas Drilling Rules
	Area residents had the opportunity to officially weigh in on New York State’s proposed gas drilling rules, at an Ithaca hearing tonight sponsored by the Tompkins County Council of Governments ...

11-23-2011	Restoring Wetlands Near Cayuga Inlet: Presentation December 1
	A program to be held December 1 will present results of research showing how Cayuga Inlet wetlands lost over the past two centuries might be restored. The Tompkins County Environmental Management ...

11-23-2011	Redistricting Commission Issues Interim Report
	Nearly five months after it began its work, the County’s Independent Redistricting Commission has filed an interim report with the County Legislature, summarizing its activities to date. The ...

11-22-2011	Memorial Open House Honoring Bob De Luca December 5
	On Monday, December 5, the Tompkins County Community Mental Health Services Board and Tompkins County Mental Health Services will host a Memorial Open House in honor of long-time Mental Health ...

11-15-2011	Legislature Backs Legislation to Implement Phased State Takeover of Medicaid Costs
	The Legislature, without dissent, urged passage of proposed State legislation that would implement a multi-year State takeover of the local share of Medicaid over the next eight years. It was noted ...

11-15-2011	Legislature Urges Involvement, Support for County Health Departments Related to Gas Drilling
	Maintaining that county health departments are responsible for ensuring the safety of local drinking water supplies and protecting public health, including the responsibility under pending ...

11-15-2011	Legislature Adopts 2012 County Budget
	After two-and-a-half months of budget deliberations, the final action took less than ten minutes, as the Tompkins County Legislature tonight adopted the County’s 2012 budget and its capital program ...

11-09-2011	Legislature Hears Positive Comments on Recommended Budget
	The session was short, the comments appreciative, as the Tompkins County Legislature tonight took comment on the recommended amended County Budget for 2012. Tonight’s formal budget hearing lasted ...

11-07-2011	Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System on November 9
	The first-ever nationwide test of the federal Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be conducted this Wednesday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The nationwide test of the national alert and ...

11-07-2011	Public Hearing on Proposed 2012 Budget November 9
	The County Legislature invites county residents to comment on the County’s proposed 2012 budget at a public budget hearing to be held Wednesday, November 9. The hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. at ...

11-04-2011	Newest Citizens Welcomed in Naturalization Ceremony
	Young and old alike, 45 applicants were admitted as the newest citizens of the United States of America by the Honorable Robert C. Mulvey, Justice of Supreme Court, in the main courtroom of the ...

11-04-2011	Redistricting Commission Narrows Its Active Options
	At its eighth meeting, held Tuesday, November 1, Tompkins County’s Independent Redistricting Commission, charged with developing a plan to reapportion Tompkins County legislative districts, reduced ...

11-03-2011	Vacant City Land Reestablished as Vegetated Stream Corridor Along Fall Creek
	The Tompkins County Planning Department is working closely with the City of Ithaca to enhance the stream corridor on the City’s vacant parcel on Fall Creek. The parcel sits on the northern bank of ...

11-01-2011	Five-Year Employment Contract with While Collar Employees Approved
	The Legislature, by a vote of 14-1 (Legislator Frank Proto voted no) ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement between the County and Civil Service Employees Association Local 855 (While ...

11-01-2011	Legislature Adopts 2012 Budget Amendments
	The Tompkins County Legislature, by a vote of 12-3, formally adopted amendments to the 2012 tentative budget, as recommended by its Expanded Budget Committee. (Legislators Dooley Kiefer, Carol Chock, ...

11-01-2011	Legislature Approves Minutes Policy
	After over a year of deliberation and study, the Legislature approved an updated policy governing minutes of meetings of the Legislature and its committees. The final vote was 12-3, with Legislators ...

10-28-2011	Extended Hours for Information and Absentee Voting
	If you have moved within the county in the last few months, you may need to go to a different poll site for the General Election on November 8th. You must vote based on your residence as of Election ...

10-28-2011	Airport Sustainable Master Plan Receives National “Airports Going Green” Award
	Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport is being recognized with a prestigious national award for its Sustainable Master Plan. The Plan has been chosen as a recipient of the 2011 “Airports Going Green” ...

10-27-2011	Opportunities to Serve on the Tompkins County Board of Health
	The Tompkins County Board of Health (BOH) anticipates two vacancies beginning January 1, 2012. One is a consumer (non-physician) seat. A consumer may be someone who has received ...

10-26-2011	Recommended Amended Budget Would Increase Levy Just Under 4%
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee moved ahead in the 2012 County Budget process tonight, recommending for consideration by the Legislature an amended tentative 2012 County budget ...

10-25-2011	Latest Actions Reduce Recommended Budget
	Recommendations made tonight by Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee would reduce the County Administrator’s recommended 2012 County Budget by more than half-a-million dollars, and the ...

10-21-2011	Redistricting Commission Continues Review, Reduces Active Options
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission, charged with recommending a plan for reapportioning County legislative districts based on the 2010 Census, continued its work this week. Members ...

10-18-2011	Legislature Urges State Delay on Gas Drilling Regulations
	The Legislature is calling upon New York State to withdraw new draft regulations on gas drilling through high volume slickwater hydraulic fracturing until the Environmental Impact Statement on such ...

10-18-2011	Legislature Calls for Open Process for Africana Center Realignment
	By a vote of 13-2, the Legislature urged Cornell University Administrators to engage in an open, inclusive process in implementing plans to restructure the University’s Africana Studies and Research ...

10-18-2011	Legislature Approves Sale of Home Health Agency
	The Legislature, by a vote of 11-4, approved sale of the County’s Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) to the firm HCR, based in Rochester, NY, directing the County to enter into a sales agreement, ...

10-17-2011	Tompkins County Mourns the Death of Mental Health Commissioner Bob De Luca
	Tompkins County Mental Health Commissioner Robert De Luca, who has led the County’s Mental Health Department for the past decade, died this weekend, after bravely battled significant health ...

10-17-2011	Legislators Begin to Consider 2012 Budget Amendments
	Six weeks after receiving a recommended 2012 County Budget from County Administrator Joe Mareane, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee began the process of proposing recommended changes ...

10-14-2011	Portions of the Cayuga Inlet are Re-opened to Boat Traffic
	The Cayuga Inlet will be partially re-opened to normal activities this afternoon upon the successful application of the Herbicide Aquathol K (active ingredient Endothall) in the Cayuga Inlet on ...

10-14-2011	Airport Disaster Drill Saturday, October 15
	Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport will conduct a Federal Aviation Administration required disaster drill Saturday morning, October 15. Please see the announcement below from David Crawford, Airport ...

10-14-2011	Capital Committee Learns More About Center of Government Options
	The Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee on Thursday continued to examine potential Center of Government alternatives, as architects presented elements of their preliminary report regarding ...

10-12-2011	HCR Recommended to Take Over County Home Health Agency
	In the latest step of a process that has taken more than a year, the Legislature’s Health and Services Committee today recommended the firm HCR, based in Rochester, NY, to purchase the operating ...

10-11-2011	Sample and Absentee Ballots Available
	Sample Ballots for the November 8 General Election can be viewed at www.votetompkins.com. Absentee ballots are also now available. The absentee application can be printed off the web site, or you can ...

10-11-2011	Four Department Budgets Presented in 2012 Budget Review
	Tompkins County Legislators, acting as an Expanded Budget Committee, wrapped up the presentation phase of their review of the tentative 2012 County, as they heard from four more County ...

10-07-2011	Latest Safe Medication Disposal Day Collects Over 800 Pounds of Medications
	Last week’s Safe Medication Disposal Day took in more than 800 pounds of unwanted household pharmaceuticals, from 409 participants. The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal reports 834 pounds of ...

10-07-2011	County Celebrates Opening of New and Improved Recycling Center
	With the snip of a ribbon displaying examples of the many things that can now be recycled, representatives of Tompkins County and its private partners ReCommunity and Casella Waste Services today ...

10-06-2011	Tompkins County Budget Review Continues
	Tompkins County Legislators, acting as an Expanded Budget Committee, heard budget presentations from some of the County’s largest departments, as they continued tonight with review of the tentative ...

10-05-2011	Sheriff Lansing Orders Closure of Cayuga Inlet
	In response to today’s declaration by City of Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson of an environmental emergency in the City of Ithaca due to the infestation of the invasive plant species Hydrilla in Cayuga ...

10-04-2011	Legislature Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Legislator and Chair Harris Dates
	Legislature Chair Martha Robertson paid tribute to former legislator and legislative chair Harris B. Dates, who died September 26, after a short illness. Mr. Dates served 29 years on the Tompkins ...

10-04-2011	Budget Hearing Set for November 9
	The Legislature, without dissent, scheduled the formal public hearing on the 2012 County Budget and the 2012-2016 Capital Program for Wednesday, November 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will ...

10-04-2011	Legislature Preserves Tax Cap Override Option
	The Tompkins County Legislature has retained the option of considering an override the State property tax cap, if it so desires, when the time comes to adopt the 2012 Tompkins County Budget. After ...

10-03-2011	Interested in developing affordable housing in Tompkins County?
	The Housing Fund - Funding Round 4: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) now open for the Community Housing Affordability Program and Community Housing Trust Program The Housing Fund, which ...

09-30-2011	Noted Cornell Historian Delivers Next Civil War Lecture Monday, October 3
	Cornell University Professor of History Margaret Washington will present “Lincoln Must be Pushed: Civil War and Agitation before the Emancipation Proclamation,” the next in the series of Civil War ...

09-30-2011	County Clerk Valenti Praises State for Shelving Vision Self Certification
	Tompkins County Clerk Aurora R. Valenti is praising Governor Andrew Cuomo for his action blocking a new State Department of Motor Vehicles regulation that would have permitted motorists renewing ...

09-29-2011	Redistricting Commission Hears City Comments
	At its sixth meeting on September 27, the Tompkins County Independent Redistricting Commission listened to comments from City leaders concerning the reapportionment of County legislative districts. ...

09-29-2011	Legislature Approves Funds to Eradicate Hydrilla
	Meeting in special session, the Legislature approved an emergency appropriation of $26,100 in contingency funds to enable chemical treatment to eradicate the invasive plant species Hydrilla from the ...

09-27-2011	Surprise Honor for Commissioner Bob De Luca at Mental Health Recognition Celebration
	As the Tompkins County Mental Health Services Board tonight held its third annual “Celebration and Recognition of the Community of Care That Serves the People of Tompkins County,” it provided a ...

09-27-2011	Busy Night for 2012 Budget Review
	Tompkins County Legislators, acting as an Expanded Budget Committee, had their busiest night yet of review of the tentative 2012 County budget, hearing presentations from ten County departments and ...

09-26-2011	Much of the Focus on Human Services at Community Budget Forum
	Representatives of several human services organizations urged County Legislators to preserve funding for the county’s most vulnerable, as they consider the County budget for 2012. About 35 ...

09-23-2011	Annual Community Budget Forum September 26
	The Tompkins County Legislature will hold its annual Community Budget Forum Monday, September 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Borg Warner Room of the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green ...

09-21-2011	Comments Heard on Proposed Tax Cap Override Law
	The Legislature Tuesday took public comment on a proposed local law that would authorize the Legislature, if needed, to override the tax levy limit for 2012 under the New York State property tax ...

09-21-2011	Safe Medication Disposal Day Coming Up Saturday, October 1
	It’s almost time for the next Safe Medication Disposal Day in Tompkins County. On Saturday, October 1, residents will once again have a chance to get rid of household medications they no longer ...

09-20-2011	Legislature Authorizes Bonding for Racker Centers Improvements
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, authorized the Tompkins County Development Corporation to issue up to $4 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to support facility improvements at Franziska Racker ...

09-19-2011	Legislators Examine Seven More Program Budgets
	Tompkins County budget review continued tonight, as Legislators, acting as an Expanded Budget Committee, heard presentations from seven more departments and agencies. Legislators are continuing to ...

09-16-2011	Community Mental Health Services Celebration and Recognition September 27
	On Tuesday, September 27 from 5-7 p.m. at the Ithaca Holiday Inn, the Tompkins County Mental Health Services Board will sponsoring its third “Celebration and Recognition of the Community of Care That ...

09-16-2011	Flu Vaccinations Available at Tompkins County Health Department
	Should you get a flu shot this year? Here’s an easy answer: Everyone, Every Year (Everyone over the age of 6 months). This is the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...

09-16-2011	UPDATE: Tompkins County Telephone Service Restored
	Telephone service at Tompkins County offices has now been restored. The County Office of Information Technology Services reports service was restored as of about 1:05 p.m. The outage, related ...

09-14-2011	Community Budget Meetings Coming Up in Danby and Caroline
	Tompkins County will hold two more community meetings to discuss next year’s County budget next week in Danby and Caroline. The meetings will take place on Wednesday, September 21 at the Danby ...

09-13-2011	Special EMC Meeting Wednesday
	The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council (EMC) will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, September 14, regarding hydrilla, the Cayuga Inlet, and related decisions involving ...

09-13-2011	Review of 2012 Budget Continues
	Legislators, acting as an Expanded Budget Committee, tonight heard four program presentations in a second night of review, as it continued to examine County Administrator Joe Mareane’s 2012 tentative ...

09-12-2011	County Legislators Begin 2012 Budget Review
	In their initial review session of County Administrator Joe Mareane’s recommended 2012 County Budget. Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee tonight heard their first seven department ...

09-09-2011	Officials Assessing Damage After This Week’s Storm
	Tompkins County Emergency Response and municipal officials are assessing local damage from this week’s heavy rainstorm. In cooperation with the New York State Office of Emergency Management, ...

09-09-2011	Tompkins County Tourism Program to Hold Grant Workshop
	Organizations or individuals interested in learning more about funding opportunities available through the Tompkins County Tourism Program are invited to attend a grant workshop on Wednesday, ...

09-09-2011	Capital Committee Hears Preliminary Results of Center of Government Study
	The Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee today heard a progress report from HOLT Architects on the Center of Government Study, that examines whether a business case exists for replacing three ...

09-08-2011	Severe Weather Update: September 8 - 6:30 a.m.
	Roads Closed Until Further Notice in Tompkins County County and City Government Delay Opening Until 11:00 a.m. Tompkins County Sheriff Ken Lansing has closed all roads in Tompkins County until ...

09-08-2011	UPDATE: Sheriff Lifts Road Closure Order Effective 9:00 a.m.
	Tompkins County Sheriff Ken Lansing has lifted the road closure order in Tompkins County effective at 9:00 a.m. The closure will be replaced by a Travel Advisory, with drivers urged to exercise ...

09-08-2011	Groton Town Hall Budget Meeting Postponed
	In light of current weather conditions, County Legislator Brian Robison has postponed tonight’s Town Hall meeting to discuss Tompkins County’s 2012 Budget. A new meeting date will be set in the ...

09-07-2011	Emergency Response Monitoring Local Outlook for Heavy Rain
	The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response is closely monitoring weather conditions and the forecast for likely heavy rain over the next day or two. Officials report that the Southern ...

09-07-2011	Heavy Rain Situation – UPDATE
	The Department of Emergency Response reports that the National Weather Service in Binghamton advises that a band of heavy rain is making its way into the Central New York and Finger Lakes region. ...

09-07-2011	Severe Weather Update: September 7 – 10:30 p.m.
	TRAVEL ADVISORY ISSUED Tompkins County officials are advising no unnecessary travel, as heavy rain from a slow-moving tropical weather system continues to fall at rates of 1-2 inches of rain per ...

09-06-2011	Administrator Releases 2012 Recommended Budget
	Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane has delivered to the County Legislature a 2012 Recommended County Budget that maintains needed core services within constrained fiscal targets, responding to ...

09-06-2011	Legislature Schedules Hearing on Proposed Tax Cap Local Law
	The Legislature, by a vote of 10-5, scheduled a public hearing on a proposed local law that would authorize the Legislature, if needed, to override the tax levy limit for 2012. (Legislators Peter ...

09-06-2011	Legislature Adopts Road Preservation Law
	Many months after it was first discussed and following two public hearings and several other opportunities for public input, the Legislature, by unanimous vote, adopted a County Road Preservation ...

09-02-2011	Committee Discusses Proposed Road Preservation Law
	As requested following a public hearing before the Legislature last month, the Legislature’s Facilities and Infrastructure Committee today took another look at the County’s proposed Road Preservation ...

09-01-2011	Join in a Community Conversation About 9/11 and Service Thursday, September 8
	To mark the tenth anniversary of the tragedies of September 11, 2011 and the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, the Tompkins County Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee, in ...

09-01-2011	New Recycling Guidelines – You Can Now Recycle More!
	Taking another step toward making it easier for residents to recycle, Tompkins County is now accepting new types of materials for recycling, right at the curb. Single stream recycling, adopted ...

09-01-2011	New Recycling Guidelines – You Can Now Recycle More!
	Taking another step toward making it easier for residents to recycle, Tompkins County is now accepting new types of materials for recycling, right at the curb. Single stream recycling, adopted ...

08-30-2011	Tompkins County and New York State Launch Pilot Project to Cut Costs and Modernize Filing Process
	Tompkins County and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced today a new pilot project to benefit those who buy real estate in the county. The county and the state ...

08-30-2011	Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Needs Your Input!
	The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council has scheduled five community forums throughout the region—including one September 8th in Ithaca—to gain citizen input as it prepares a ...

08-29-2011	Two More Community Budget Meetings This Week
	Two more Legislator-sponsored community meetings on the 2012 Tompkins County budget are coming up this week. The first will take place on Ithaca’s West Hill on Wednesday, August 31, beginning at ...

08-26-2011	Emergency Response Officials Monitoring Hurricane Irene; Expect Effects Similar to a Severe Summer Storm
	The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response is closely monitoring the approaching hurricane called Irene. Most of the models used by the National Weather Service show the major storm impact ...

08-23-2011	Community Meeting on the 2012 County Budget – Wednesday, August 24
	A reminder that Tompkins County will hold another in its series of community meetings to discuss next year’s County budget on Wednesday, August 24. The meeting will take place at the Cayuga Heights ...

08-23-2011	Redistricting Commission Considers First Steps Toward District Review
	After listening to more municipal input tonight, members of the County’s independent redistricting commission reached informal consensus on where they will begin their work toward preparing a plan to ...

08-19-2011	Tompkins County Launches New Online Employment Application Process
	To enhance customer service, Tompkins County Personnel is implementing a new online application process to provide an easier way to submit job applications. As of Tuesday, August 23, this secure ...

08-19-2011	Civil War Commission to Sponsor Lecture by Acclaimed Author August 25
	Well-known author and artist Stephen Poleskie will tell about the man called “the most shot-at man during the Civil War” during a lecture cosponsored by the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial ...

08-17-2011	Aging Office/Justice Center Location Question Addressed Through Compromise Plan
	Trying to decide among a half-dozen options regarding where to locate the County Office for the Aging (COFA) and the Community Justice Center, the Legislature, after more than an hour of discussion ...

08-17-2011	Legislature Hears Comment, Delays Action on Proposed Road Preservation Law
	The Legislature took public comment on the latest version of a proposed Road Preservation Law, that would regulate high intensity truck traffic to protect county roads from damage, but decided to ...

08-17-2011	Legislature Declines to Increase Budget for Ellis Hollow Road Reconstruction
	The Legislature, by a narrow margin of 7-8, failed to come forth with the approval needed to appropriate $93,000 from the Highway Fund Balance to support higher than anticipated cost for the Ellis ...

08-15-2011	Another Community Meeting on the 2012 County Budget – Thursday, August 18
	A community meeting to discuss next year’s County budget is coming up in the City of Ithaca this Thursday, August 18. The meeting will be held at the Cooperative Extension Building, Room B, at 615 ...

08-11-2011	Recommendation, But No Firm Direction From Capital Committee on Aging Office, Justice Center Locations
	The Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee, in nearly two hours of discussion, tackled the difficult task of reaching consensus on where to locate the County Office for the Aging (COFA), which ...

08-10-2011	Redistricting Commission Listens to Municipal Input
	In the first of two sessions seeking input from municipal leaders, the County’s Redistricting Commission on Tuesday heard from two Town Supervisors concerning how the apportionment of County ...

08-08-2011	SAVE THE DATE - Next Safe Medication Disposal Day Saturday, October 1
	Mark your calendar! The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal has set the date for its next Safe Medication Disposal Day. This collection event, which gives residents the chance to safely dispose ...

08-04-2011	Another Town Hall Meeting on 2012 County Budget – Wednesday, August 10
	The latest in a series of legislator-sponsored community meetings on next year’s County budget will take place Wednesday evening, August 10 in the Town of Ithaca. The August 10 meeting, sponsored ...

08-02-2011	Public Hearing on Road Preservation Law Scheduled August 16
	The Legislature, without dissent, authorized a public hearing on the County’s proposed Road Preservation Law. The hearing will take place on August 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Legislative ...

08-02-2011	Legislature Accepts Four Criminal Justice Grants
	The Legislature, without dissent, accepted four criminal justice grants. The Sheriff’s Office was awarded two grants under the New York State Byrne JAG Equipment Grant program, $24,243 for jail ...

08-02-2011	Legislature Approves Appropriation of 2010 Rollover Funds
	The Legislature appropriated $142,534 in certified unspent funds (known as “rollover”) for five departments from 2010 to departmental accounts for use in the current year’s budget. Among the ...

07-29-2011	Ellis Hollow Road Westbound Lane Closing - EXTENDED
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will be extending the closure of the westbound lane of Ellis Hollow Road, between Thomas Road and Turkey Hill Road, in the Town of Dryden, until approximately ...

07-28-2011	Dryden Community Meeting on the 2012 County Budget – Monday, August 1
	The second in a series of community meetings to discuss next year’s County budget is coming up Monday evening, August 1 in the Town of Dryden. The meeting, sponsored by County Legislators Martha ...

07-28-2011	Council of Governments Supports Study Assessing Potential Gas Drilling Impact
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG), by unanimous vote of those present, agreed to commission a land use analysis and impact assessment project, examining the effects horizontal gas ...

07-26-2011	Redistricting Commission Hears From County Legislators
	The County’s Independent Redistricting Commission, charged with preparing a plan for reapportioning County legislative districts, listened to comments from seven members of the County Legislature ...

07-22-2011	July 25th Forum - “Drilling and the DEC: Responding to New Guidelines”
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments Task Force on Natural Gas Drilling is among more than 20 community cosponsors of a public forum, to be held Monday, July 25, which will provide information ...

07-22-2011	Recycling and Solid Waste Center Construction Update
	Beginning Monday, July 25th through Friday, July 29th the Drop-off Area at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC) will be temporarily closed due to construction. Users of the Drop-off Area ...

07-22-2011	Niemi Road Daytime Closing
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing Neimi Road, between Hanshaw Road and Sheldon Road, in the Town of Dryden, for road crossing pipe replacements, beginning Monday, July 25, 2011, ...

07-21-2011	Committee Reviews, Fails to Recommend Aging Office/Community Justice Center Proposal
	The Legislature’s Government Operations Committee today took a careful look at a proposal that would relocate the County Office for the Aging to soon-to-be-vacated space at the County Health ...

07-19-2011	Residents Urged to Protect Themselves During Current Heat Wave
	With high temperatures and high humidity forecast for the next several days, local officials are urging residents to take the steps necessary to protect themselves from the danger of heat-related ...

07-19-2011	Legislature Extends Authorization on Military Pay
	The Legislature extended the County’s authorization regarding pay for County employees called up for military duty. (The vote was 12-3, with Legislators Carol Chock, Will Burbank, and Peter Stein ...

07-19-2011	Project Generations Program Recognized as Distinguished Youth
	The Legislature has recognized Project Generations, a student-run organization at Ithaca College, as this month’s Tompkins County Distinguished Youth. Nominated by the County Office for the ...

07-18-2011	Second Annual “Project Sticker Shock” to be Held in Trumansburg
	From July 21st though July 24th the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth of Tompkins County will be partnering with local teens to sponsor “Project Sticker Shock” in Trumansburg and Jacksonville ...

07-14-2011	Capital Committee Examines Alternate Approach for Aging, Community Justice Programs
	The Legislature’s Capital Program Review Committee today reviewed a potential new approach to address space needs for two County human services programs. The proposal would relocate the County’s ...

07-14-2011	Recycling and Solid Waste Center Construction Update
	Beginning Monday, July 18th through Thursday, July 28th traffic patterns at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC) will be changed due to paving work and other construction related activities. ...

07-13-2011	No Change Not an Option, Redistricting Commission Told as it Begins Legislative District Review
	Members of the county’s new Independent Redistricting Commission, charged with preparing a plan for reapportioning County legislative districts, took a first look yesterday at how population ...

07-13-2011	Committee Appointed to Oversee Home Health Agency Divestment Process
	County Administrator Joe Mareane updated the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee concerning next steps toward divestment of the County’s Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), following ...

07-13-2011	Committee Appointed to Oversee Home Health Agency Divestment Process
	County Administrator Joe Mareane updated the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee concerning next steps toward divestment of the County’s Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), following ...

07-08-2011	Town Hall Meeting on 2012 Budget July 13
	Legislator Pat Pryor (District 6) will sponsor a town hall meeting on next year’s County budget Wednesday evening, July 13. The meeting, entitled “Tompkins County Budget, 2012: The Process, the ...

07-08-2011	Learn About the 2010 Tompkins County Youth Development Survey July 18
	What do parents, community members, neighbors or organization leaders need to know about youth in Ithaca and Tompkins County and their participation in at-risk and positive behaviors? The ...

07-08-2011	Fenner Road Daytime Closing - UPDATE
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing Fenner Road, between Lansingville Road and Davis Road, in the Town of Lansing, for road crossing pipe replacements, beginning Monday, July 11, ...

07-07-2011	Tourism Board Seeking Arts and Culture Representative
	The Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board (STPB) has a vacancy representing arts and culture. Tompkins County residents are invited submit an application no later than July 22, ...

07-05-2011	Property Tax Cap, No Mandate Relief? Legislators Want to Learn More
	Now that the long-discussed New York State property tax cap has become reality, County officials are focusing on specifics and working to determine the actual magnitude of the cap and to clarify the ...

07-05-2011	Courts Call for Additional Legislature Space
	Legislature Chair Martha Robertson told Legislators the New York State Court System, which has called for the Legislature to vacate its chambers by the first of the year to make way for a Supreme ...

07-05-2011	Legislature Approves Airport Construction Project
	The Legislature took several actions related to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, including acceptance of a $1.5 million dollar grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, approval of a ...

07-01-2011	Committee Recommends Revised Road Preservation Law
	Months after the proposal was first advanced, the Legislature’s Facilities and Infrastructure Committee is recommending adoption of a county road preservation law, one that incorporates revisions ...

07-01-2011	Lyme Disease on the Increase in Tompkins County
	The number of Lyme Disease cases has steadily increased in Tompkins County since 2006 the Tompkins County Health Department reports. Karen Bishop, Community Health Nurse Supervisor noted that in 2006 ...

06-28-2011	Independent Redistricting Commission Begins Work
	The new independent commission charged with preparing a recommended plan for reapportioning County legislative districts based on the 2010 Census, has officially started its work. The commission ...

06-28-2011	TCAT Invites Community to June 30 Party
	Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) is inviting its passengers and the community to a celebration at which time TCAT will announce a major award from the Washington, D.C.-based American Public ...

06-24-2011	And the Survey Says…
	Overview to the 2010 Tompkins County Youth Development Survey Did you know: ~ 1 in 3 Tompkins County high schoolers are current alcohol users. ~ 1 in 6 are current marijuana users. ~ Tompkins ...

06-23-2011	Cornell Expert Says Hydrofracking Already Affecting New York State
	Reflecting on lessons learned and questions yet to be answered about the hydrofracking and the economy, a Cornell expert today told members of the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) that ...

06-22-2011	Legislature Moves to Divest of Home Health Agency
	Culminating months of discussion and in-depth review, the Legislature has reached the difficult decision of deciding the future of the Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), operated by the Health ...

06-22-2011	Legislature Adopts 2011-2011 TC3 Budget
	Following a public hearing, the Legislature, by unanimous vote, adopted the 2011-2012 operating budget for Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). The $35.9 million budget holds the sponsoring ...

06-22-2011	Legislature Urges Governor to Rescind Secure Communities Agreement
	The Legislature, by a vote of 13-2, urged Governor Cuomo to rescind the Memorandum of Agreement signed last year with the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement ...

06-17-2011	Community Mental Health Board Seeks Nominations for September Recognition Celebration
	On September 27, the Tompkins County Community Mental Health Services Board will hold a celebration to recognize achievements—of individuals, families, programs, and organizations—in the areas of ...

06-15-2011	IDA Turns Down Arrowhead Ventures Tax Abatement Request
	The Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency today, by a 2-4 vote, declined to provide Arrowhead Ventures a requested sales tax exemption and Mortgage Recording Tax abatement related to ...

06-14-2011	Health Committee Recommends County Move Toward Divestiture of Home Health Agency
	When the County Legislature considers the future of the County’s Home Health Agency, that discussion will be based on a recommendation from its Health and Human Services Committee to proceed toward ...

06-13-2011	Committee Recommends Funding to Fill Gap Left By State
	The County Legislature will be asked to allocate more than $200,000 for preventive programs for children and families, to make up a significant shortfall in State support. The Legislature’s budget ...

06-10-2011	Petition Process Underway
	As of June 7, the Petition process for the fall elections is now underway. Designating Petitions are passed for candidates seeking the nomination of an officially recognized party. In New York ...

06-08-2011	Committee Hears Private Perspective on Home Health Agency
	County officials today continued their process of gathering information on potential options, as they consider whether the County should continue to operate its Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), ...

06-07-2011	Legislature Sets 2012 Budget Guidelines
	County departments and agencies are being directed to prepare 2012 budget scenarios showing how they would reduce spending by 7.8% and 11.2%, as a starting point in the 2012 County budget process. ...

06-07-2011	Legislature Appoints Independent Redistricting Commission
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (Legislators Peter Stein and Kathy Luz Herrera were excused), appointed the nine-member independent commission charged with preparing a recommended reapportionment ...

06-07-2011	Personnel Commissioner Anita Fitzpatrick Reappointed
	The Legislature confirmed County Administrator Joe Mareane’s reappointment of Anita Fitzpatrick to a new six-year term as the County’s Personnel Commissioner. The vote was 12-1 (Legislator Leslyn ...

06-06-2011	Legal and Financial Planning For Family Caregivers
	A workshop on "Legal and Financial Planning for Family Caregivers” will be presented on Wednesday, June 15 from Noon - 1:30 PM at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, in ...

06-03-2011	Partners Break Ground for Recycling and Solid Waste Center Upgrade
	The first ceremonial shovels of earth were thrown today, to celebrate the launch of a nearly $2.5 million upgrade to the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center, a project that speakers said ...

05-31-2011	County Work Group Urges State to Address Gas Drilling’s Effects on Real Estate
	Concerned about effects that are already being felt in the local real estate market, a Tompkins County group is urging State officials to address economic considerations related to natural gas ...

05-27-2011	Road Construction Announcements
	CODDINGTON ROAD CLOSING: The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing Coddington Road, between Middaugh Road and Banks Road, in the Town of Caroline, for road crossing pipe replacements, ...

05-27-2011	Memorial Day Closings and Curbside Recycling Pick-up Schedule
	The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division (TCSWMD) Office will be closed Monday, May 30 in observation of the Memorial Day holiday and will re-open on Tuesday, May 31. The Tompkins ...

05-27-2011	Two Local Seniors Honored at Annual Luncheon
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging Advisory Committee paid tribute to two local seniors at its 2011 Annual Luncheon May 26th. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to Ardie Bennett for ...

05-23-2011	Budget Committee Urges Greater State Latitude for Local Revenue Requests
	The Legislature’s budget committee today authorized its Chair to recommend to State officials a plan that would establish permanent rate thresholds concerning several State-authorized county revenue ...

05-20-2011	County, Sheriff Urge Motorists to “Wise Up, Slow Down” Through Speeding Enforcement Initiative
	Beginning Monday, May 23rd, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office and several other local law enforcement agencies will begin a coordinated, ongoing effort to address the problem of speeding in the ...

05-19-2011	Committee Hears Comment on Home Health Agency Future
	The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, in a two-hour session today, listened to public comment, as it continued to weigh potential options concerning the future of the Certified Home ...

05-17-2011	Legislature Adopts 2012 Financial Guidelines, But Many Express Reluctance
	Anticipating the likelihood of a State property tax cap, the Legislature followed the recommendation of its budget committee and directed the County Administrator to prepare two budget scenarios for ...

05-17-2011	Financing Approved for Two Capital Projects
	The Legislature approved bonding to cover construction cost of two capital projects, approving issuance of up to $2.5 million in serial bonds and notes to pay for part of the cost of improvements at ...

05-17-2011	Legislature Declines Request for State Legislation Related to D.A. Investigator Position
	A proposal to request home rule authority from the State Legislature to adopt a 20-year retirement plan for the new investigator position in the District Attorney’s Office failed by a vote of 5-7 ...

05-13-2011	Committee Seeks Input on Future of Home Health Agency
	The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee will discuss the future of the County’s Certified Home Health Agency at a special session May 19 and is seeking guidance from the community on ...

05-12-2011	Judge Says County Must Pay for Latest Courthouse Renovation Plan
	The administrative district judge of the New York State Court System today told the Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee that the County must pay for the mandated renovation of County ...

05-11-2011	Linking Business and Education Through “Educator in the Workplace”
	The Tompkins County Workforce Investment Board is seeking business partners and educators to participate in the Summer 2011 “Educator in the Workplace” program. For the second year, the Board, in ...

05-10-2011	Examination of Home Health Care Agency Options Continues
	The information-gathering process continued today, as County officials considered program aspects as they weigh part potential costs and benefits associated with continued operation of the County ...

05-09-2011	Recommended Tax Levy Increase Guideline Reflects Likely Prospect of Property Tax Cap
	Considering the approach to use this year to prepare the 2012 County budget, the Legislature’s budget committee today recommended that the Legislature direct the County Administrator to develop two ...

05-06-2011	Ellis Hollow Road Construction Resumes Monday, May 9 – Westbound Lane Will Be Closed to All Traffic
	Reconstruction of Ellis Hollow Road in the Town of Dryden resumes Monday, May 9. Beginning 6:00 a.m. Monday, the westbound lane of Ellis Hollow Road, between Thomas Road and Turkey Hill Road, ...

05-06-2011	Home Health Care in Tompkins County – Panel Discussion May 10
	The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) operates one of two Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHA) in the County. (Certification means that under New York State and Federal Medicare regulations, ...

05-04-2011	City Urges Residents/Businesses to Prepare for Flooding Conditions
	The City of Ithaca is monitoring weather conditions very closely as Cayuga Lake is nearing the flood stage level, and 1-2 inches of rain is in the forecast for tonight into Wednesday afternoon. The ...

05-03-2011	Legislature Moves Ahead With Center of Government Study
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present (Legislators Brian Robison, Nathan Shinagawa, and Kathy Luz Herrera were excused) appropriated additional funding and awarded HOLT Architects of ...

05-03-2011	Legislature Accepts Two Grants
	The Legislature accepted two grant awards, both by unanimous vote of those present (Legislators Brian Robison, Nathan Shinagawa, and Kathy Luz Herrera were excused). The Legislature accepted a ...

04-29-2011	Tentative Assessment Roll Filed April 29th
	Beginning April 29th, the Tompkins County Department of Assessment will mail letters to property owners whose assessments have changed since the 2011 Preliminary Assessment Change Notices were mailed ...

04-29-2011	Legislator Takes County Concerns to the White House
	Tompkins County government has an opportunity to voice its concerns to the Obama administration at a White House meeting next week. County Legislator Nathan Shinagawa has been invited to attend a ...

04-29-2011	County, City, and Town Join Forces to Combat Climate Change
	The Town of Ithaca, City of Ithaca, and Tompkins County are coordinating their efforts to address the impact of climate change—reducing energy consumption while saving taxpayer dollars; planning for ...

04-29-2011	County, City, and Town Join Forces to Combat Climate Change
	The Town of Ithaca, City of Ithaca, and Tompkins County are coordinating their efforts to address the impact of climate change—reducing energy consumption while saving taxpayer dollars; planning for ...

04-28-2011	Storm Damage Update
	Following a preliminary survey of storm damage, Tompkins County Director of Emergency Response Lee Shurtleff reports that, pending final confirmation from field examination by the National Weather ...

04-27-2011	Two-Front Weather System Creates Strong Potential for Flash Flooding
	The National Weather Service is forecasting the strong potential for flash flooding in our region beginning this evening from two storm systems moving toward our area—the first system expected to ...

04-27-2011	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued
	The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for eastern Tompkins County through 9:45 p.m. Strong winds and heavy rain expected. The earlier issued Tornado Warning for ...

04-25-2011	Administrator Presents Plan for Mid-Year Budget Adjustment
	County Administrator Joe Mareane today presented a plan to the County’s Budget and Capital Committee intended to address cuts in State aid enacted as a part of the 2011-12 State Budget. The ...

04-25-2011	State Officials Advise County Committee on Broadband Initiatives
	Two state experts provided a community briefing today on programs at the state and federal level related to the development of broadband service, invited by the County’s Broadband Committee to assist ...

04-21-2011	Apply to Serve on Independent Redistricting Commission – DEADLINE EXTENDED
	The Tompkins County Legislature is providing more time for county residents to express their interest in serving on the County’s Independent Redistricting Commission, which will prepare a recommended ...

04-21-2011	IDA Approves Amendment to AES Cayuga Agreement
	The Tompkins County Industrial Agency (IDA) has approved amendment of the payment-in-lieu-of taxes (PILOT) agreement for the AES Cayuga power plant in Lansing. The amendment, approved by ...

04-20-2011	Financial Analysis of County Home Health Agency Presented
	The County has received a consultant’s report analyzing the certified home health agency (CHHA) operated by the Health Department. The report, prepared by the firm of Jack Venesky, CPA & Associates, ...

04-20-2011	Legislators Mull Future of Legislative Chambers
	Legislators began to wrestle with the prospect of moving from their current Chambers, most likely to interim space in the Old Courthouse, following the New York State Court System’s request for the ...

04-20-2011	Legislature Accepts Climate Showcase Grant
	The Legislature formally accepted a more than $375,000 Climate Showcase Communities grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The County, in partnership with EcoVillage at Ithaca’s ...

04-19-2011	New York State Limits STAR Exemption Growth
	As part of the New York State budget for 2011-2012, the state has changed the way the STAR exemption has worked since its inception in 1999. If school tax rates increase greater than 2%, eligible ...

04-15-2011	Committee Considers Update on Courthouse Renovations, Recommends Increased Budget for Center of Government Study
	The Legislature’s special Capital Plan Review Committee yesterday received new information from the administrative district judge of the New York State Court System, which could affect the timetable ...

04-15-2011	Davis Road Bridge Closing
	The Tompkins County Highway Division will be closing the Davis Road Bridge, between Champlin Road and Lafayette Road, in the Town of Groton, for bridge painting, beginning at 7:00 a.m., on Monday, ...

04-14-2011	Learn How to Become a SKYWARN Spotter
	Tompkins County’s Department of Emergency Response is sponsoring a National Weather Service SKYWARN Spotter Course. The session will take place on Thursday, April 21, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the ...

04-13-2011	County Dispatch Personnel Recognized for Important Service
	The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) sponsors an annual week-long celebration of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. This event is celebrated each year during ...

04-13-2011	Latest Disposal Day Collects Over 800 Pounds of Unwanted Medications
	The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal reports continued success from its third Safe Medication Disposal Day last Saturday. The collection days provide a simple, safe, and secure way for ...

04-12-2011	Through Major EPA Grant, Tompkins County Recognized as Climate Showcase Community
	Tompkins County, in a unique partnership with EcoVillage at Ithaca’s Center for Sustainability Education, has been awarded a $375,450 federal grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...

04-11-2011	Administrator Projects More Than $5 Million Budget Gap for 2012
	County Administrator Joe Mareane delivered a sobering outlook to the Legislature’s budget committee today concerning the County’s 2012 budget. Mareane said projections for the coming budget year ...

04-08-2011	Members Sought to Serve on Independent Redistricting Commission
	The Tompkins County Legislature is seeking applications from county residents interested in serving on the County’s Independent Redistricting Commission. The commission is charged with preparing a ...

04-08-2011	First Civil War Commemorative Lecture April 11
	On Monday, April 11, the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, in partnership with the Tompkins County Public Library, holds the first in a five-year series of lectures marking the ...

04-08-2011	Watch for Your “R” Decals! Single Stream Recycling Update
	Over the next few weeks the County’s curbside recycling collector will be distributing “R” decals that help identify your un-marked container for recycling. Please make sure to set out your ...

04-05-2011	Legislature Creates Independent Redistricting Commission
	The Legislature set the stage for the process of reapportioning the County’s legislative districts as a result of the 2010 Census. The Legislature, by a vote of 14-1 (Legislator Carol Chock voted ...

04-05-2011	Jay Franklin Confirmed as Assessment Director
	County Administrator Joe Mareane has appointed Jay Franklin, who has served as Interim Director of Assessment for more than a year, to a permanent appointment as Director of Assessment, an ...

04-05-2011	County Moves Ahead in Eying Community Justice Space Options
	The Legislature, by a vote of 13-2 (Legislators Kathy Luz Herrera and Leslyn McBean-Clairborne voted no), directed staff to proceed with investigation of the possibility of relocating the Day ...

04-04-2011	Chair Thanks Community for a Successful Census Count
	Now that 2010 Census results are in, the Chair of the County’s Complete Count Census Committee is thanking the committee and its many community partners for their efforts to help achieve a complete ...

03-30-2011	Tompkins County in Top Ten of Healthiest Counties in New York State
	The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin today released county health rankings for most counties in the United States. Tompkins County ranked fourth in the ten healthiest ...

03-29-2011	County Gathers Further Information Regarding Proposed Road Preservation Law
	At a fact-finding session tonight, the County sought further suggestions from those interested in a proposed road preservation law that would amend the County Code to regulate certain heavy ...

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