Wednesday's Sewer Committee meeting highlighted the unresolved questions the public and committee members face in the months ahead. It also illustrated the fear of the unknown that is concerning the public and stymieing the committee. In the face of this Bud Shattuck, Councilman and Deputy Town Supervisor, showed determination that outstanding questions be answered openly and soon, so that decisions can be made and the public informed.

This group is a working committee, so it is understandable that there are unknowns in this stage of their deliberations. The purpose of the committee is to identify the issues, gather information and make decisions. They are well into the process, but not yet at a stage where the path is clear.

Should there be a traffic light on the exit from the school campus at Ludlowville Rd. and 34B? That was a question the Lansing School Board considered at their regular Monday night meeting on August 23. Concerns for safety have arisen because of the new traffic pattern proposed as part of the Phase II capital improvement project.

Board member Glen Swanson did some research on what it would take to get a light installed. He noted that a lot of attention was being paid to the traffic pattern on the campus, but not as much given to how traffic enters and exits. He visited the Sheriff's office to get statistics on accidents at the intersection. In the last year there were 26 accidents, with eight people hurt. There were no deaths.

At a special meeting in the Lansing High School library the school board and representatives from the architectural firm King & King held a workshop to clarify concerns the board has about the upcoming capital improvement project. Kirk Narburgh, a partner in the firm, led a team of five who answered questions the board posed.

The board had been given a list at their last regular meeting that grouped items that should be constructed together, either because it is a logical cause and effect, or because grouping them maximizes state aid. For example, moving school offices to the main entrance is a priority for security and flow control reasons. But moving the High School office also means moving the music rooms, because the office would go where they are currently located.

The Town of Lansing has been working on a sewer district plan for about eight years. Town officials view the project as an environmental imperative as well as a vital part of town planning to preserve farm land in the North of town while encouraging development in the South.

With a growing population and ongoing development septic systems built over bedrock threaten Cayuga Lake water. The town predicts that the lake will become the major source of drinking water in the future, so it must be protected. At the same time a sewer system would encourage development within the proposed district. By keeping North Lansing out of the district the Town would also protect farmers from possible high fees that could partly be determined by lot size.