THE FLX TED PODCAST - GENEVA TOWN SUPERVISOR MARK VENUTI

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In this episode, we discussed:

• The Town Board passing a resolution opposing Seneca Meadows' plan to stay open beyond the 2025 deadline set by the town of Seneca Falls in its Local Law 3.
• The town awarded three contracts for work on its multi-town water project to increase capacity.
• The town has joined the NYClass program, which allows communities to pool their funds to get a higher rate of return.
• There was no comment at a public hearing on the awarding of federal Community Development Block Grants to CCMI and Real Eats.
• The Supervisor explained why it's necessary to pass a tax cap override, even though the town doesn't charge a local tax.
• He attributed the progress the town has made in the past year to a good Town Board and engaged residents.

Our theme music is "Sugar Zone" by Silent Partner. You can find their music and other copyright-free music here.

 

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TOWN OF GENEVA UPDATES ZONING CODE FOR MEDICAL FACILITIES

Creative Commons 3 - CC BY-SA 3.0 Attribution: Alpha Stock Images - http://alphastockimages.com/ Original Author: Nick Youngson, http://www.nyphotographic.com/

At its December meeting, the Geneva Town Board voted to update the town's zoning code to account for the number of new medical facilities that have been built in the past few years. 

Geneva Town Supervisor Mark Venuti says it started when the Finger Lakes Surgery Center came to the town seeking permission to expand its facility on County Road 6. Although the plan was later abandoned, Venuti says the town noticed medical offices weren't directly addressed in the code.

 

In recent years, several medical office buildings have been built or expanded on both sides of Routes 5 & 20, near the intersection with Pre-Emption Road.

You can hear my full Flx Ted Podcast with Mark Venuti below. 

TOWN OF GENEVA CONTROLLING RUNOFF INTO SENECA LAKE

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One of the biggest issues affecting water quality in Seneca Lake is stormwater runoff.

Water running into the lake contains nutrients thought to be partly responsible for harmful algal blooms. The town of Geneva is working on two projects to control that runoff. 

One is on property off Armstrong Road, including the former Cobtree vacation rental property. Two property owners have agreed to allow the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District to install retention basins, which will reduce flooding on properties to the east and on State Route 14 during high rain events. The total cost is about $20,000. The District is applying for funding from the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association and the Finger Lakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance. The town's share will be $5,000, which is available in the town's Stormwater Control Fund. It would be installed in 2023.

The other is on Carter Road, near the Northside Fire Station. Geneva Town Supervisor Mark Venuti says that project might include a park with a demonstration area highlighting the town's runoff control efforts.

 

The design is expected to cost approximately $90,000, and the town’s share would be $15,000, which could come from both the town’s Parks & Recreation Fund and the Stormwater Control Fund. It would be a 2024 project if the grant application is successful.

 

You can listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Mark Venuti below. 

 

TOWN, CITY OF GENEVA CONSIDER WAYS TO KEEP ITEMS OUT OF THE WASTE STREAM

Photo:  Dhscommtech at English Wikipedia

A group put together by the town and city of Geneva has issued its report on ways of reducing the amount of trash that goes into the waste stream.

With the 2028 deadline for closure of the county landfill approaching, the town's Sustainability Committee and the city's Green Committee formed the Materials Management and Waste Working Group. 

Geneva Town Supervisor Mark Venuti says one of the working group's ideas is to open a reuse center, similar to one the group visited in Tompkins County.

Other recommendations in the report include:

1. Expanding food waste reduction and diversion 

2. Expanding retail outlets for secondhand items 

3. Upgrading and transforming transfer stations 

4. Expanding engagement with schools, health care facilities, and other institutions 

5. Updating requirements for hauling and assisting with training 

6. Advocating for more aggressive state and local policies 

7. Exploring new waste disposal/transformation technologies

You can read the working group's full report here.

The town is working with Design Connect, a student-led initiative at Cornell University which provides planning services to communities and non-profit agencies.

You can listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Mark Venuti below.

THE FLX TED PODCAST - GENEVA SUPERVISOR MARK VENUTI

Photo: EV charging station, © Copyright Bill Kasman and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• An updated local law on short-term vacation rentals.
• Rezoning of medical facilities
• The town has reached a settlement with Charter over cable franchise fees due the town.
• The town is purchasing a new street sweeper.
• The town's Materials Management and Waste Reduction Working Group has released a report on keeping items out of the waste stream.
• The town purchased an electric vehicle for the Code Enforcement Officer and is working on getting charging stations at the Town Hall that would be open to the public.
• The town is working on a plan for future development. The city's wastewater treatment plant, which the town uses, is near its capacity for handling solid waste. It is working on increasing capacity, but in the meantime, there are portable treatment facilities that could be used for new development.
• The town is working on projects to slow down storm water runoff into Seneca Lake from properties on Armstrong and Carter Roads. The Carter Road site might include a demonstration park, highlighting the town's environmental efforts.
  

 

Our theme music is "Sugar Zone" by Silent Partner. You can find their music and other copyright-free music here.

You can subscribe to my podcasts on Google Podcasts, Anchor and Spotify.