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Tompkins County Board of Health amends Elm Tree Inn penalty, approves enforcement actions for six food establishments
Summary
At its March meeting the Tompkins County Board of Health amended an enforcement penalty for Elm Tree Inn (contingent on closure) and voted to approve penalties for ITCA beer company, The Lotus, John Joseph (operating without a permit), Rita’s Mexican Grill and Scoop #3. All actions were accepted unanimously.
The Tompkins County Board of Health on March [date not specified] amended an enforcement resolution for Elm Tree Inn and approved a slate of enforcement actions against six food‑service operators.
Environmental Health Director Skip Parr reported that Elm Tree Inn told staff it plans to close when its liquor license expires in April and asked for extensions on related permits until June. The board amended the penalty resolution so that the $200 penalty would be waived if the business closes in April; the amended resolution also adjusted the penalty due date to remain applicable if the business remains open. The board voted unanimously to approve the amendment.
The board then considered several other routine enforcement resolutions. Environmental Health staff described a $200 penalty for a temperature‑holding violation at ITCA beer company and recommended accepting the resolution as written; the board approved it by unanimous vote.
A repeat violation at The Lotus — failing to use an approved food‑probe thermometer — was presented next; staff described it as a repeat violation and recommended the standard penalty, which the board accepted.
Staff reported that John Joseph had been operating without a permit and also had a water‑monitoring/reporting violation. The penalty was presented as a breakdown of $500 for operating without a permit plus $200 for the reporting noncompliance. Staff noted the operator now holds a permit; the board accepted the resolution as written.
Rita’s Mexican Grill was presented for a repeat hot‑holding violation; Environmental Health recommended a $200 penalty and the board voted to accept the resolution unanimously.
Finally, Scoop #3 was presented for adulterated/spoiled‑food repeat violations; staff recommended carrying over the enforcement and modifying the penalty due date; the board approved the staff recommendation.
All enforcement motions recorded at the meeting were accepted without recorded opposition. Several board members and staff emphasized that penalties for repeat violations are intended to encourage corrective action and protect public health.
The board recessed into executive session after completing the public agenda.
