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Residents urge Ulysses to stay in Tompkins County recreation partnership; board hears access concerns
Summary
Multiple residents addressed the board urging continued membership in the county recreation partnership, citing rising participation and program value; the board and staff clarified current discounting status and committed to share application materials and participation data ahead of budget decisions.
Three residents spoke during privilege of the floor on June 23 urging the town to continue its membership in the Tompkins County recreation partnership, which they said provides programs that would be costly or unavailable if the town left the arrangement.
Rob Montana, a resident and former journalist, asked the board to maintain the partnership and highlighted participation statistics included in his remarks: registration increases and unique participant counts from the town over recent years. "Given the increased participation numbers, the less than $7,000 cost is a small price to pay," Montana said, urging the board to promote the 30‑year partnership.
Chris Kale and Roxan also spoke in support, saying the partnership offers reduced access to programs—particularly for residents outside the Trumansburg school district—and that ending participation could disproportionately affect children and households who use partnership programs for recreation and, in some cases, child care.
During the discussion the Supervisor clarified an important factual point: the Cass Park rink and pool discount that residents expected is not currently available for 2026 unless residents live in the City or Town of Ithaca; the board asked staff to publish the applicants’ written answers and upcoming schedules and to circulate MRB documents and public‑hearing materials ahead of the next meeting. The board did not take a vote on membership; several members said budget season and further evaluation would follow before any decision.
Residents asked the board to make a municipal request to county recreation staff or Tompkins County officials for formal review input; staff confirmed they had contacted county partners and would continue outreach to secure discretionary comments as part of the comprehensive‑plan review.
