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Town Board Minutes
1 May 12, 1997
TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting 6 : 00 P.M. May 12 , 1997
PRESENT :
Supervisor Mary Oltz
Councilpersons : Edward Inman , Rosa Lee Johnson, Joseph Schwartz, Howard Steiner
Others Present :
Carol W . Sczepanski Town Clerk
Code Enforcement Officer - Susan Beepers
County Representative - Frank Proto
Highway Superintendent - William Hall
Members of the Public :
Robert Roe , John Sammis, Josefina Griffin, Joel Gagnon, Mary Lou Hardesty, Roy Casterline
Supervisor Mary Oltz called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 P . M . and led all present in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American Flag .
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA :
1 ) Susan Beeners asked that a resolution for Approval of Application for NYSCA Resource
Survey be added to the Agenda. No Board member objected .
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Members of the Public :
Josephina Griffin - Community Council Representative - reported that there is confusion regarding
the Danby Community Center project and wants to make sure that everybody understands that the
Danby Community Council is not working on Danby day care center. It is working on a Danby
community center that will house a day care center. The day care center will be only a small part of
the community center.
John Sammis - 106 Fieldstone Circle - he said that he understands there are some problems at
Fieldstone Circle and is here to see if they are resolved tonight .
COMMUNICATIONS :
1 ) Notice from Budget & Finance - RE : Time Warner Franchise
2) Purchase Offer from Scott Engelhart for the Bald Hill Highway Barns property
3 ) Letter from Budget and Personnel Committee of the Tompkins County Board of
Representatives regarding possible discontinuance of the county portion of sales tax on
clothing and footwear.
County Representative Report :
Representative Frank Proto reported the following :
1 ) County Budget - the County has started their budget process for fiscal year 1998 and the
forms have been revised .
2) Board of Health Committee - they will begin Subdivision Review for Article 18
3) Farm and Agriculture Protection Board -are working on recommendations to present to the
County Board on how to maintain agriculture and agriculture business in Tompkins County.
Also options for small growers and financing available in agri -business .
4) Solid Waste Fee - there is no procedure for grievance or waiver of the solid waste fee for
vacant homes and apartments as it is now part of the tax bill . There is no procedure for
grievance of the fee .
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Town Board Minutes
2 May 12, 1997
5 ) Hillview Road Landfill Committee - A different style of monitoring the landfill on Hillview
Road and on a less frequent basis has been proposed by the County . The committee would
like the decision delayed until they have more information from the Department of Public
Works on what is being proposed .
6) West Danby Methodist Church Driveway - NYS agreed to deepen the ditches to divert the
water to protect the driveway .
7) Sales Tax - if you shop outside the City of Ithaca more of the tax dollar comes back to the
Towns .
8) Comfort Road Bridge - the Industrial Access Project that the Town supported for the repairs
to Comfort Road Bridge has been approved but no money has been received . The County
is going to proceed with work on the bridge this summer .
Supervisor Oltz asked Representative Proto for an update on the possible discontinuance of sales tax
on clothing and footwear. Tompkins County Budget and Personnel Committee has asked for written
comments form the municipality on this important issue .
Representative Proto said that he has a problem with discontinuing the sales tax for clothing and
footwear. The loss in the sales tax revenue to the County may result in a raise in property taxes or
trimming back programs .
Joel Gagnon - reported that the Hillview Road Landfill Advisory Committee is concerned with a
proposal for the monitoring wells at the landfill . The County proposes what is allowed by the State
of New York which is one monitoring per year with monitoring points shifting quarters . The
committee is proposing to the County that they continue quarterly monitoring reducing the amount
of testing that is being done .
COMMUNICATIONS :
1 ) A letter from Time Warner regarding adjustment to 1997 Tax Roll for Franchise Fee levied
on Tax Roll to Town of Danby .
2) A Purchase offer for Old Town Barns from Scott Engelhart
3 ) A letter from Tompkins County Planning Committee regarding Sales Tax
REPORTS :
Highway Department - April 1997 - Received
Code Enforcement Office - April 1997. - Received
Dog Control - SPCA - March 1997 Received
Planning Board :
Kenneth Horst, Chair of the Planning Board reported that the Planning Board has been very busy
and had four (4) meetings during the month of April . A working session was held with Becky
Bilderback of Better Housing for Tompkins County and Barbara Blanchard of Tompkins County
Board of Representatives The proposed Danby Community Center has also required extra meetings
of the Planning Board and is still an issue for consideration.
The present status of the community center project proposal is that the Planning Board put some
restrictions on the special permit relative to asking the building committee to meet those conditions
before consideration for approval of a special permit. There probably has been some
misunderstanding and he thinks the Planning Board did a very wise thing at their last meeting by not
making a decision in order to give the proposal all consideration possible . There is no disagreement
as to the need of a community center and the members of the Planning Board are interested in what
the public has to say .
Discussion:
Councilperson Steiner asked if their decision to adjourn discussion was based on the proposed
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Town Board Minutes
3 May 12, 1997
location or is that what the Planning Board is striving to make the decision on .
Kenneth Horst said that this was a request for a special permit relative to the Mosher location .
Involved in that decision is the question of is the proper site .
Councilperson Steiner said that it was his understanding that there were three (3) items the Planning
Board wanted addressed . Upon satisfactory resolution of those items was all that was holding up
the issuance of the special permit .
Chairperson Horst said Mr. Steiner was correct and that they will have to return to the Planning
Board for a site plan approval but that was all that was holding up the site plan approval .
Susan Beeners said that Community Council had met the three conditions that were required . A
second public hearing is scheduled to a change in the acreage and the site plan. She said that her
draft resolution includes approval for granting a special permit, general site plan approval and final
site plan approval . It is the Planning Board ' s decision to approve or disapprove .
Environmental Management Council (EMC)
Robert Roe reported that the next EMC meeting will be held on April 14 , 1997 and will be focused
on the Lake Water Cooling issue . He said he had read the Executive Summary of the report . The
report refers to the impact on the temperature of the lake . He has been unable to determine in the
report how the point of impact effects the southern end of Cayuga Lake . He is very suspicious of
the project and the one degree shift in the temperature is for the entire 42 miles of Cayuga Lake not
the point of impact.
Highway Department Report :
Highway Superintendent William. Hall submitted the April 1997 Highway Report -- the Highway
Department plowed snow, cindered roads as needed, cleaned ditches , trimmed trees, patched pot
holes, installed culverts , and repaired equipment and serviced equipment to be used this spring .
Agreement to Spend Town Highway Funds :
Supervisor Oltz presented the Board with an. Agreement to Spend Town Highway Funds for general
maintenance and repairs .
Highway Superintendent William Hall explained to the Board that the agreement is for general
repair, CHIPS , the bridge fund in the 1997 Town Highway Budget for contractual and labor in the
form is required by the State of New York and Tompkins County.
The Town Board signed the Agreement to Spend Town. Highway Funds - Pursuant to the provisions
of Section 284 of the Highway Law.
Roy Casterline reported that the driveway to the West Danby Fire Department a narrow gravel drive .
The building is used as a public building for fire department activities, pancake breakfasts and a
polling place for voting as well as access for the Fire Department. When it rains vehicles are a mess
when they use the drive and the Town should think about doing something to the drive .
Highway Superintendent William Hall said that the West Danby Fire Department driveway was one
of the repair projects that the Highway Department did not get accomplished last year due to the
flood damage repairs . The telephone poles have been moved and the drive is ready to have a new
gravel surface this year.
OLD BUSINESS :
FIELDSTONE CIRCLE
RESOLUTION NO. 38 OF 1997 - Approved
EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION, DOCUMENTATION, AND
CONVEYANCE OF ROADS AND ASSOCIATED PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS -
FIELDSTONE CIRCLE SUBDIVISION
By Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Supervisor Oltz
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Town Board Minutes
4 May 12 , 1997
WHEREAS, the developers of " Fieldstone Circle Subdivision" have requested that the Town of
Danby Town Board extend the deadline for completion, documentation, and conveyance of the roads
and associated public improvements in said subdivision from June 1 , 1997 to the approximate date
of July 31 , 1997 ; and
WHEREAS , the developers are in the process of obtaining a Highway Work Permit from the New
York State Department of Transportation for the construction and completion of work in the interest
of said Department; now, therefore , it is
RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board hereby approves an extension of the deadline
for completion, documentation, and conveyance of the roads and associated public improvements
in "Fieldstone Circle Subdivision" until September 1 , 1997 , conditional upon the Letter of Credit
Number 51326 issued to the Town of Danby' s benefit by Snyder County Trust Company, in the
amount of $62 ,769 ,00 , being extended to November 1 , 1997 to reflect the extended deadline of
September 1 , 1997 for said completion, documentation, and conveyance ; and it is further
RESOLVED, that a Certificate of Occupancy for the dwelling on Town of Danby Tax Parcel No .
2 . - 1 -52 . 5 , also known as 106 Fieldstone Circle , will not be issued until the following conditions have
been met :
(A) A Highway Work Permit has been issued by the New York State Department
of Transportation and a true copy of same is received by the Code Enforcement Officer;
(B) The Code Enforcement Officer and Town Supervisor, along with the Town
Highway Superintendent and Town Attorney, are satisfied with the schedule and
specification of work for completion of roads and associated public improvements in
Fieldstone Circle Subdivision as arranged by the developer in consultation with such Town
officials and with the New York State Department of Transportation ; and
O All applicable building code requirements have been met; and it is further
RESOLVED , that up to and no more than two new building permits for a total of two new dwellings
in Fieldstone Circle Subdivision may be issued once the following conditions are met :
(A) A Highway Work Permit has been issued by the New York State Department
of Transportation and a true copy of same is received by the Code Enforcement Officer ;
(B) The Code Enforcement Officer and Town Supervisor, along with the Town
Highway Superintendent and Town Attorney, are satisfied with the schedule and
specification of work for completion of roads and associated public improvements in
Fieldstone Circle Subdivision as arranged by the developer in consultation with such Town
officials and with the New York State Department of Transportation ;
O All applicable building code requirements have been met ; and
(D) A true copy of the fully-executed contract for the construction of the dwelling
for which a permit is being sought is delivered to the Code Enforcement Officer; and it is
further
RESOLVED , that no Certificates of Occupancy shall be issued for the dwellings constructed under
said two new building permits until the roads and associated public improvements in Fieldstone
Circle Subdivision are completed and are accepted by the Town. Board (except as said issuance might
be modified upon further application by the developer to the Town Board) , and that said building
permits shall contain a notation to that effect ; and it is further
RESOLVED , that the adoption of these resolutions does not waive any of the usual requirements
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imposed upon the developer as preconditions a pcfo� completion ofsthearoadsuand
improvements, including, without limitation, requirements
associated public improvements in Fieldstone Circle Subdivision in accordance with the Town of
Danby Highway Specifications and other applicable regulations, satisfactory delivery of title to same,
satisfaction of all requirements of the New York State Department of Transportation, and formal
acceptance of the roads after such completion, by resolution of this Town Board ; and it is further
RESOLVED , that the Town Board authorizes the Code Enforcement Officer to issue a Certificate
of Occupancy for the garage being built under Building Permit # 1670 at the existing residence at
Town Board Minutes
5 May 12, 1997
124 Fieldstone Circle , Robert and Karen Walters , owners, if and when all pertinent building code
requirements have been met .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
ANGELHEART DESIGNS INC. - Public Hearing Date Set
The Town. Board set a public hearing date for Wednesday, June 4 , 1997 at 6 : 00 P .M. , 1830 Danby
Road, Ithaca, New York to consider a local law entitled "A LOCAL LAW AMENDING THE
TOWN OF DANBY ZONING ORDINANCE RELATED TO BOUNDARIES AND PERMITTED
USES OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE 10 AND ADJOINING LANDS " .
Copy Machine Purchase
Supervisor Oltz reported that it is necessary for the Town to lease or purchase a copy machine .
Town Clerk Carol Sczepanski reported that she has received several quotes from area suppliers for
purchase and/or lease and submitted the quotes to the Board for review. She recommended that the
Board consider leasing a Sharp Model 2030 from Duplicating Products, Inc . and a maintenance
contract without drum replacement for the first year of the contract . Customers of Duplicating
Products, Inc . are very satisfied with their maintenance service .
Supervisor Oltz said that the Town will rent a copy machine until the Board has decided on a
supplier and a lease agreement.
Dog Enumeration
The Town Clerk submitted to the Supervisor a proposed contract from the SPCA to conduct a dog
enumeration in the Town of Danby . Supervisor Oltz is not satisfied with the contract and will
contact the Director of the SPCA to clarify items in the contract .
Finger Lakes State Parks Agreement- Jennings Pond
Supervisor Oltz reported that she has not received the agreement from the Finger Lakes State Parks
for Jennings Pond. The Pond Committee has filed for the Health Department Permit for the summer
swimming program .
Town Hall Renovation/Addition Building Project
The Board reviewed more detailed plans for the Town Hall Renovation/Addition Building Project
from. H H G Architects .
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
General Fund Warrant No . 5 of 1997 - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Schwartz to approve
the General Fund Warrant No . 5 of 1997 voucher numbers 132 - 158 in the amount of $ 5 , 786 . 33 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Town Board Minutes
6 May 12, 1997
Highway Fund Warrant No . 5 of 1997 - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to approve
the Highway Fund Warrant No . 5 of 1997 voucher numbers 70- 85 in the amount of $ 7 , 178 . 57 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
West Danby Water District Warrant No. 5 of 1997 - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Supervisor Oltz to approve the
West Danby Water District Warrant No . 5 of 1997 voucher numbers 16- 18 in the amount of $292 . 66 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Town Clerk' s April 1997 Report - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to approve
the Town Clerk' s April 1997 Report as submitted .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Town Supervisor ' s April 1997 Report - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson. Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Schwartz to approve
the Town Supervisor ' s April 1997 Report as submitted .
6
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye Carried Unanimously
Town Board Minutes - April 14 . 1997
Corrections to Town Board Minutes - April 14 , 1997
1 ) Under Discussion - Resolution No . 33 of 1997 (Councilperson Steiner) - delete the word
(support) insert supported ;
2) Under Discussion - resolution No . 33 of 1997 (Councilperson Steiner) - insert Because we
were authorized by the
Approval of the Town Board Minutes of April 14 , 1997
A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Inman to approve the
Town Board Minutes of April 14 , 1997 as corrected .
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Town Board Minutes
7 May 12, 1997
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
The Board Meeting recessed at 8 : 30 P . M . and councilpersons Johnson and Schwartz were excused .
APPLICATION FOR NYSCA HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY
RESOLUTION NO. 39 OF 1997 - APPROVED
APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR NYSCA HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY
By Councilperson Inman : Seconded by Councilperson Steiner
WHEREAS, the Town of Danby is in need of a reconnaissance - level survey of its Historic
Resources, which survey would be an important component of Town comprehensive planning and
economic development work; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Danby Town Board on March 10 , 1997 endorsed the preparation of an
application to the New York State Council on the Arts by Olivia Vent, a Town resident, for funding
for such a survey ; and
WHEREAS, the application as proposed would include the payment of $ 300 . 00 by the Town of
Danby for copy services and production of the historic resource survey report ; now, therefore, it is
RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town board approves the expenditure of $ 300 . 00 for copy
services and production of the historic resource survey report as proposed in said grant application,
to be budgeted in 1998 upon grant approval .
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Inman Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Board Meeting Reconvened
The Town Board Meeting reconvened at 8 : 35 P . M .
Sale of Old Town Barns- Discussion
Town Attorney John Barney arrived at 8 : 35 P . M .
The Town of Danby received a purchase offer from Scott Engelhart for the Old Town Barns
property located at 13 Bald Hill Road . Mr. Engelhart would like to lease the property for a period
of not more than six (6) months while negotiating purchase .
Attorney Barney reported to the Board that sale of the Town property is subject to permissive
referendum . Declaring the property a surplus property is not necessary.
Susan Beeners reported that there is no survey map of the property and it looks like the driveway
encroaches on an adjoining property. There is also a ten ( 10) foot right-of-way access, described in
a deed for an adjoining property, that appears to stop short of the corner of the property. The point
of most concern is there is no access to the adjoining Danby Federated Cemetery.
Councilperson Steiner said that it is unknown at this time if a rezoning of the property would be
successful . The property is zoned as residential and the purchase offer is for a commercial activity.
The Board asked the Town Attorney to draw up a purchase agreement without a lease provision with
contingencies regarding the rezoning .
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Town Board Minutes
8 May 12, 1997
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 10 P . M .
adwAL'
Carol W . Sczep s t , Town Clerk
min- 5 - 12 . 97