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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-14 595 1 Town Board Minutes December 14, 1998 TOWN OF DANBY TOWN BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 1998 7 : 00 P.M. PRESENT : Councilpersons : Edward Inman, Howard Steiner, Naomi Strichartz ABSENT : Supervisor Kenneth Horst (Excused) Others Present: Carol Sczepanski - Town Clerk Susan Beeners - Code Enforcement Officer Karl Heck - HUD Representative from Tompkins County Planning Rodney Gerhing - TCAT Representative Members of the Public : Pat Woodworth, Dan Klein, Esther Dotson, Elizabeth Owens-Roe, Robert Roe, Mary and Roy Casterline, Mary Oltz, Linda Howe, Sue Howe , Ames Brown, Diana VandeBogart, Janet Steiner, Margaret Shepard The meeting was called to order at 7 : 00 p .m. by Deputy Supervisor Edward Inman and led all present to the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag . ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 1 ) Playground Committee Report 2) Formation of Pond Committee 3 ) Comi Telecommunications Agreement 4) Danby Area News Committee - discussion 5 ) Letter to Rolf Pendell 6) Letter to West Danby Water Commissioners Karl Heck a Representative from Tompkins County Planning gave the Board an overview of the requirements for application for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant 1999 (HUD) round of funding. The program has not changed from last years program and the deadline to apply is February 3 , 1999 . He requested that the Town set two (2) public hearings so that an application can be submitted for the Town of Danby. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Councilperson Steiner reported that he would like to thank Carol Sczepanski for obtaining and organizing the services of Tompkins County Community Service personnel to finish the painting, hanging of the drapes and other minor repairs to the Town Hall . It is good to walk into the room and finally see it finished. Town Clerk Carol Sczepanski reported that the Community Service donated a total of 243 manpower hours for workers and supervisors to finish the project. Community Service workers will be used for clearing of snow from our sidewalks this winter whenever possible. The clerk will send a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Town Board to Tompkins County Community Service . Members of the Public : Elizabeth Owens-Roe - 1820 Danby Road expressed a thank you to Town Clerk Carol Sczepanski, Mary Oltz, Esther Dotson and Nancy Weitzel for their support in helping put the newsletter out this year. The Building Committee has helped a great deal this year and we are looking forward to next year. There will be an information session in January at the Fire Hall and to improve the basis by which the public understands how the Danby Area News Guidelines are used . � _ _. a 9 6 2 Town Board Minutes December 14, 1998 Ames Brown - 1840 Danby Road is pleased to see a new flag on the front of the Town Hall and asked the Town Clerk to check the flag each morning . He is unhappy with the location of area rezoned in Local Law No . 5 . TCAT Representative Report Rodney Gerhing the General Manager of TCAT addressed the Board and public with updated information on TCAT services and based on the foundation study in Tompkins County. The service has been expanded in areas where more demand to Ithaca College, Cornell University and downtown Ithaca. There will be additional routes along Coddington Road from Caroline Depot Road to Ithaca and in the area of East King Road . They are trying to arrange a schedule that meets the needs for riders to the downtown area and who do not want to wait all day to return home . COMMUNICATIONS : 1 ) Letter of resignation from Linda Howe effective January 31 , 1998 . REPORTS : Zoning - Code Enforcement Office Report November 1998 received . Dog Control Report - October 1998 - received. EMC -Robert Roe reported that the EMC is no recess for most of December. In January they will meet to reconstitute and review an operating system . Senior Citizen ' s Report • Esther Dotson reported that the Senior Citizen' s had a very successful holiday dinner on December 3 , 1998 at the Common Ground that was attended by forty-nine (49) seniors . The entertainment was provided by Alice Dietrick from the Town of Caroline . Planning Board Report Robert Roe reported that at the last Planning Board Meeting on December 7 , . 1998 the Planning Board and Town Board received were presented with a presentation of the final report based on the Danby Residents Survey by Rolf Pendalls class that was distributed through the Danby Area News . The residents survey is part of information gathering for revising the Town of Danby Comprehensive Plan. A copy of the final report is on file in the Clerk' s office and maps may be viewed in the Code Enforcement Office . Playground Committee Report Dan Klein reported that an independent group of residents have developed a Danby Playground Committee of Danby residents to build a playground in Danby at the Danby School site . To date the committee is working on obtaining a site design. The Ithaca City School District has been contacted by the committee for regarding the use of the school property. They would like information from the community and plan to solicit donations of funds and volunteer hours for the project. The playground committee asked for the endorsement of the Town Board for the playground project . The project includes a play structure for children. They have received the endorsement of Community Council for the project. Community Council Pat Woodworth, treasurer of Community Council reported that the Holiday Special on December 12, 1998 at the Danby Fire Department was a success and was attended by 22 children and 18 adults . A fun day will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 1998 for youth of all ages and will include crafts at the Fire Hall and ice skating at Cass Park. A dance has been planned for middle school and teen age children with a DJ is planned for Wednesday, December 30 , 1998 from 7-9 p . m . at the Danby Town Hall . They have requested to use the meeting room at the Town Hall . The annual meeting of Community Council will be held on Thursday, January 14, 1998 . Discussion followed the request for a dance to be held in the meeting room. Deputy Supervisor Inman will contact the Town Attorney regarding the use of the building . Councilperson Steiner said that in the event that the dance is a permitted use of the building that the 3 597 3 Town Board Minutes December 14, 1998 Board should identify the procedure for securing the use of the building for any interested parties and that the procedure be followed with the Town Clerk as coordinator. Esther Dotson reported that there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by Community Council on Thursday, December 31 , 1998 at the Danby Fire Department. Danby Reading Room Susan Howe reported that participation in the Saturday Danby Reading Room program for pre- schoolers and young children has increased . OLD BUSINESS : Comi Telecommunication Agreement Deputy Supervisor Inman reported to the Board that he contacted Comi Telecommunication regarding the Board ' s recommendations for changes in the draft agreement regarding the drafting of telecommunication legislation for the town. . Richard Comi of Comi Telecommunication was agreeable to the suggested changes and will send the Town a revised agreement for signature . Motion to Authorize Supervisor to Sign Comi Telecommunication Agreement A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon and seconded by Councilperson Strichartz to authorize Supervisor Horst to sign the Comi Telecommunication Agreement as recommended and revised on December 14, 1998 . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Abstained Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Deputy Supervisor Inman reported to the Board that Comi Telecommunications will prepare a draft Local Law for Telecommunication Towers within 10 days of receiving the signed and executed agreement. NEW BUSINESS : RESOLUTION NO. 66 OF 1998 YEAR END MEETING OF THE BOARD SET By Councilperson Strichartz : Seconded by Councilperson Inman RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby set the date of Monday, December 23 , 1998 at 7 : 00 p . m . for the year end meeting of the Board to complete 1998 business . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION ON 67 OF 1998 SET DATES FOR SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (HUD) PUBLIC HEARINGS By Councilperson Steiner: Seconded by Councilperson Gagnon RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Danby set public hearing dates for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Programs (HUD) for Wednesday, January 6, 1998 at 7 : 00 p.m . and Monday, January 11 , 1998 at 7 : 00 p .m . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : t 9 8 4 Town Board Minutes December 14 , 1998 Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO. 68 OF 1998 AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN AGREEMENT FOR THE TOMPKINS COUNTY DRUG AND ALCOHOL CONSORTIUM By Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Councilperson Inman RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorize Supervisor Horst to renew the agreement with the Tompkins County Drug and Alcohol Consortium . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO 69 OF 1998 REQUEST TO COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE TO APPROVE FUNDS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE AQUIFER STUDY FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY By Councilperson Gagnon : Seconded by Councilperson Inman WHEREAS , the Water Resource Committee budget proposed for completion of a countywide aquifer study was deleted from the county budtet, and WHEREAS, the Town of Danby does not have public water, the information supplied by the study would supply answers to questions needed by the Town to help determine locations for or against future development, now be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby ask our County Representative, Frank Proto to fund this work by contributing 60% or $27 ,000 . 00 necessary to finish the "Acquifer Study", of Tompkins County. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO. 70 OF 1998 RESOLUTION OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO ROBERT B. AND LINDA HOWE 1 By Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Councilperson Gagnon RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby thank Robert B . and Linda Howe for their donation of a picnic table for the Town of Danby . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO . 71 OF 1998 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NEW AMERICAN FLAG AND FLAG POLE FOR THE TOWN HALL By Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Councilperson Inman 999 5 Town Board Minutes December 14, 1998 RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby thanks the American Legion Post #221 for the donation of a new American flag and the new flag pole for the Town of Danby. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO. 72 OF 1998 ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO JUDY VANDERMARK By Councilperson Strichartz : Seconded by Councilperson Inman RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town Board of the Town of Danby commends Judy VanDermark for her dedicated work as President of Danby Community Council . She has helped promote programs that benefit the whole community. It is people like Judy who make Danby a better place to live . Thank you Judy. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO. 73 OF 1998 ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO ELIZABETH OWENS-ROE FOR DANBY AREA NEWS RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby commends Elizabeth Owens-Roe for her dedicated work as editor of the Danby Area News and for the completion of the Danby Area News Guidelines for issuance of the Danby Area News, and be it further RESOLVED, that this improvement in the Danby Area News has benefited the entire community. Thank you Elizabeth Owens-Roe . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE REPORT County Representative Frank reported on the following : 1 ) West Danby Fire Department - disaster planning in progress for supplies and housing for emergencies as part of a County wide planning project. 2) Consideration of program funding for the Recreation Partnership for Youth Consortium and services will be extended to 1999 . 3 ) Local Law dealing with accessability by youth to tobacco will be amended by a waiver. 4) Elimination of the Tompkins County portion of Sales Tax revenue for clothing will be decided 5 ) Hospital Bonds - The bonds and Capital Loan have been paid off early. Motion to Extend Meeting A motion was made at 9 : 10 p .m. by Councilperson Gagnon and seconded by Councilperson Inman to extend the meeting to 9 : 45 p . m . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : 1000 6 Town Board Minutes December 14, 1998 Gagnon Aye Steiner Nay Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried New Business Continued : Highway Superintendent' s Request for Transfer of Funds The Highway Department Superintendent has requested the transfer of funds in the amount of $ 3 ,000 from DA5112 . 200 to DA5110 . 400 . The request was deferred to December 23 , 1998 Year end meeting. Pond Committee Report Councilperson Strichartz reported that the Town Supervisor asked her to look for options in regard to the Jennings Pond Program . She submitted the following names to be considered for the Pond Committee : Kathy Lind, Ted Jones, Sue Beeners, Judy VanDermark, Faith Chase, Ric Dietrich, Kathy Toung, Naomi Strichartz. Amy Cusimano will also participate as a consultant. Councilperson Strichartz reported that she would like to be Chairperson of the Committee and would be willing to work with anybody who is willing to participate in this program to make sure that there is a successful swimming program at the pond this summer. Motion to Approve the Pond Committee A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Gagnon to create a Jennings Pond Program Committee with the following members : Kathy Lind, Ted Jones, Sue Beeners, Judy VanDermark, Faith Chase, Ric Dietrich, Kathy Toung and Naomi Strichartz as Chairperson of the committee, Amy Cusimano as a consultant, and Councilperson Steiner as the person searching for a Pond Coordinator. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously West Danby Fire District Communication Councilperson Steiner reported on a communication issued to the West Danby Water District with a copy to the Town Board regarding the rental of fire hydrants . The Board of Fire Commissioners is requesting that each hydrant have a full flow test done with a representative of the Board of Fire Commissioners present. The Board will authorize payment in the amount of $ 100 per hydrant for the rental of the hydrants after the testing has been completed . The Town Board of the Town of Danby by Resolution No . 24 of 1968 authorized the West Danby Water District to charge a Fire District Annual Charge per hydrant of $ 100 and is a fee that has been paid annually. There is no stipulation in the resolution that states payment will be held until the testing has been completed. This is the first time that a flow test has been requested. Water Plant Operator Roy Casterline reported that the water district does testing of the hydrants annually and that there has never been a request from the Fire District. Councilperson Steiner will contact the Fire District Commissioners regarding withholding of the annual fee for the hydrants . Letter of Appreciation to Dr. Rolf Pendall Councilperson Gagnon submitted a letter of appreciation to Dr. Rolf Pendall for his contribution and his students to the comprehensive planning process and analysis of the Danby Residents Survey . Motion for Supervisor to Sign Letter of Appreciation to Rolf Pendall A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and Seconded by Councilperson Gagnon for the Town 1001 7 Town Board Minutes December 14 , 1998 Supervisor to sign a letter of appreciation to Dr. Rolf Pendall on behalf of the Town Board. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously Expand the Scope of the Danby Area News Committee Councilperson Gagnon proposed that the scope of the Danby Area News Committee that was created be expanded to include developing contracts and agreements with the Town of Danby. He is concerned that the agreements for programs will not be in place the first of the year. ` Deputy Supervisor Inman said that he would prefer to refer this issue to the Supervisor for a report on the status of the agreements with the Town. APPROVAL OF TOWN BOARD MINUTES : Councilperson Gagnon reported that the Board had not approved June 15 , 1998 minutes . Town Board Minutes September 14 and 21 , 1998 Town Board Minutes October 7, Public Hearing Minutes October 12 , 1998 Town Board Minutes November 4 , 1998 Public Hearing Minutes- Budget 1999 November 9, 1998 Public Hearing Minutes - Local Law No . 5 of 1998 November 9, 1998 Town Board Minutes Approval of Town Board Minutes Deferred to December 23, 1998 Approval of the Town Board Minutes was deferred to December 23 , 1998 . Councilperson Gagnon is concerned about the public hearing minutes of November 4 and 9 . The responses from the board are not present in the minutes . He said that they do not give an accurate account of both sides of the issues . Year-end Meeting of the Board Deputy Supervisor Inman asked that all department heads submit outstanding bills at the year-end meeting on December 23 , 1998 so that accounts can be closed funds encumbered to cover all 1998 expenses . Town Supervisor' s November 1998 Report- Deferred to December 23, 1998 A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon to approve the Town Supervisor' s November 1998 Report. Councilperson Steiner stated that he is unhappy that the checking account balance is so high when he feels it should be invested in an account to generate interest. The Supervisor ' s report was deferred to December 23 , 1998 . Town Clerk's November 1998 Report - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Gagnon to approve the Town Clerk ' s November 1998 Report as submitted. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Aye Carried Unanimously 1002 8 Town Board Minutes December 14, 1998 APPROVAL OF WARRANTS : Construction Accopp unt - A roved A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon aMill Milligan Contracting .Steiner to approve the Construction Account in the amount of $ ,659 .20 for B A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Carried Unanimously Inman Aye West Danb Water District Warrant No. 12 of 1998 - A1 1 roved A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and Seconded her numbers 44 48 in the amount of the West Danby Water District Warrant No . 12 of $7 ,469 . 23 . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Carried Unanimously Inman Aye General Fund Warrant No. 12 of 1998 - A 1 1 roved seconded by A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon dnumbers 457 505 Councilperson I_of $6 , 818r67e the General Fund Warrant No . 12 of 1998 v oucher A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Inman Carried Unanimously an Aye Hi • hwa Fund Warrant No . 12 1998 - A 1 , roved A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon seconded s b00 Councilperson 7 i the amtount of $9 ,91p1r 21 the Highway Fund Warrant No . 12 , 1998 voucher numbers A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Carried Unanimously x Inman Aye ADJOURNMENT : On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 50 P .M . I , I . a i 1 , t, , , I Carol W . Sc dip . ski , Town Clerk min- 12- 14 . 98 I