In a struggle with the town that’s lasted more than five years, Joe and Marcia Novek of 8183 Bluffview Drive again confronted the Manlius Town Board June 10 about their neighbor’s lack of adhering to codes requirements. The Noveks reside in a townhouse that was hit with a major mudslide in 2002, creating an 80-foot drop in the backyard of the four-unit condominium that rests above Limestone Creek.
Joe Novek said that in March, the codes enforcement officer cited the property with a violation for a stairway that requires attention. Tessier recommended the stairway be removed and gave Maureen and Robert Daly of 8181 Bluffview Drive a 30-day notice. He then extended the notice another 30 days on May 6. The Dalys have not yet met code standards.
“All we want is to make the Dalys do what any property owner would do — fix the codes,” Novek said.
Another issue pertaining to the Bluffs involves an ongoing drainage project that was the result of a 2007 engineering study conducted by Barton & Loguidice. The study, which is almost complete, stemmed from an informal petition submitted by area residents in 2005 who were concerned about several recurring drainage problems within the Bluffs. The same people are concerned the project is far from finished due to a recent structural failure — the complete collapse of a basement wall.
Bluffview resident Mary Carlucci said the second townhouse, where the collapse occurred, has had an issue with standing water for years.
“[We] don’t want a reputation that the Bluffs are not sound,” she said.
In addition, the study did not include building No. 1 where the Noveks reside, a location that’s downgrade of the water flow from the rest of the development. Novek, who also signed the petition along with his wife, insists the board excluded their building on purpose.
“The purview of the study is a focus on surface water,” said Ken Knutson of Barton & Loguidice at a 2007 town board meeting. If the water goes underground, it’s beyond the scope of their study, he said.
Supervisor Mark Tetley said the work recommended in that study, which includes installing a drainage pipe, cleaning out a culvert and working on storm drains, will be finished this season. Tetley added that he would speak with the town engineer regarding residents’ standing concerns.
The total estimated project cost is just under $43,000.
In other news:
This summer, the East Area YMCA located at the Fayetteville Towne Center plans to hold the first of what it hopes will become an annual teen musical event. But first, the Manlius Town Board must approve two permits: one for a fireworks display; the other for public assembly. Planning and Development Director David Tessier recommends approval for both but town board members delayed a vote until the next scheduled meeting on June 24.
The proposed event, to be held from 5 to 9 p.m.Saturday July 11 will include refreshments and live music, as well as shuttles to transport attendees to and from the planned fireworks show at the Y’s camp off Sweet Road. Tessier and board members have no issues with the event itself, which will go on as planned with or without fireworks so long as a permit is granted. However, the board requests more details about the fireworks display before approving the permits.
Security, traffic and parking and the fireworks location (which is in proximity to some homes and wooded areas) were among the top concerns board members questioned. The board will approve the two permits contingent on the resolution of these issues.
Manlius fire renovations
Councilors John Loeffler and Sandy Schepp held a brief discussion with board members on the Manlius Fire Department’s proposed renovations for fire stations 1 and 2. The town representatives attended a village board meeting a few weeks back designed to bring together members from both the towns of Manlius and Pompey. Various options on construction and cost were presented but ultimately, Schepp said they requested a study be done to answer a list of detailed questions, such as logistics, traffic flow, response times, apparatus etc., prior to making any decisions. But, she added, the village is moving too fast to have a study complete by the time a referendum is held, which, at this point, may be set in September. If the village agreed with the town, the referendum would have to be pushed back further.
In addition, Loeffler spoke on behalf of town residents who would be directly affected by tax increases in both Fayetteville and Manlius if both projects were approved. The board decided to discuss issues with the steering committee as well as provide a written letter to the village, highlighting key concerns.
