Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-10 I 0 6 1 Town Board Minutes May 10 , 1999 TOWN OF DANBY TOWN BOARD MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 7 : 00 p . m. Regular Meeting PRESENT : Supervisor Kenneth Horst Councilpersons : Joel Gagnon, Edward Inman, Howard Steiner, Naomi Strichartz Others Present : Carol W . Sczepanski - Town Clerk Susan Beepers - Code Enforcement Officer William Hall - Highway Superintendent County Representative Frank Proto Members of the Public : Robert Roe, John Henderson, Elizabeth Owens-Roe , Bridgid and Thom Cooper, Lauren Bishop, Eileen B . Wright, Dorothy and Willard Daetsch, Esther Dotson, Faith Chase Supervisor Kenneth Horst called the meeting to order at 7 : 00 p . m . and led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag . ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 1 ) Contracting for mowing cemeteries and Town Hall properties 2) Approval for Devon String Quartet Concert at Town Hall PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Supervisor Horst reported that the Town of Danby will be presented an award by Historic Ithaca for the Danby Survey. The Town Clerk reported the following : 1 ) Goodwin Historical Display -- Mr. Thorpe has contacted the Town regarding the Goodwin Historical Display that was be placed on display in the Town Hall . The Town Hall does not have space to display the collection and there is no storage space . His request was to display the entire collection and he was disappointed and has asked a family member pick up the collection soon. 2) The American Legion may be able to provide the Town with a MIAPOW flag and staff. 3 ) Records Retention and Restoration -- I have asked a supplier for State Archives materials has been contacted to evaluate our vault space and requested an estimate for the restoration of two record books that are in poor shape . . County Representative Report: Representative Frank Proto reported on the following : 1 ) Bus Shelter -- will be erected before the end of the May . 2) Water Quality Steering Committee --are reviewing projects that are being submitted to the State . Danby needs a representative for the Water Quality Steering Committee and a representative to the technical committee . 3 ) Property Assessment -- Tompkins County Assessor, Steve Whicher has notified the Towns of a change of policy for assessment status for apportionments of properties . Effective July 1 , 1999 exemptions and benefits applied to the seller will not be transferred to the new owner. The new regulation does not apply to the . STAR exemption. 4) Mortgage Tax --is down from March 1998 to March of 1999 25 %. Danby Mortgage Tax was down 27% . 5 ) 911 Surcharge - $ 1 . 00 may be added to phone bills to help pay for a new system . 6) Libraries -- Committee will meet on May 24 or 26 at 9 : 30 here with the Danby Reading Room Steering Committee . Town of Danby reading room brochure has been well circulated . 7) Community Service Revitalization Grants . The County has approved a grant proposal from the Danby Fire Department. 1061 2 Town Board Minutes May 10, 1999 Environmental Management Report : Robert Roe reported on the April 14, 1999 meeting of the EMC -- A public meeting will be held on May 24 , 1999 on the Water Quality Strategy Plan and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Committee on May 26 at 7 : 00 at NYSEG. The SEQR Review Committee has met with County Planning Department to go over the background and status of the Portland Point Project in Lansing . Cornell Plans for the radiation dump site are now available from Tompkins County Planning Department . New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is in the process of changing the boundaries for UNA ' s and one-fifth of Danby is State Forest Land . Community Council Report : Councilperson Strichartz reported that Community Council has accredited five (5 ) Danby youth as lifeguards and some of them may be hired for Jennings Pond swim program . The pond coordinator will be interviewing lifeguards within the next week. The Devon String Quartet will be performing at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 15 , 1999 and a second concert has been set for June 20 , 1990 with Pint and Dale performing . Highway Department Report Councilperson Steiner thanked both Bill Hall and Sue Howe for the amount of work that has been put into providing the Board with all the documentation that was requested . The information gives detail of work to be done on roads , cost for projects , funds and reports for work performed . Highway Superintendent William Hall reported that the crews have been working on the grading, ditching, and replacement of culverts in April . Major repairs on Steam Mill Road , Valley View Road, Yaple Road are planned for this year. VanBuskirk Gulf Road from Rte . 34/96 to Tupper Road needs a complete rebuild . German Cross Road needs approximately 135 feet repaired and the remaining portion leveled and double surfaced . Senior Citizen ' s Report : Esther Dotson reported that the Senior Citizens held their monthly luncheon meeting on May 6 , 1999 and the June meeting will be held on Thursday , June 3 , 1999 at 6 : 30 P . M . Zoning Report : A written report from the Code Enforcement Officer has been received. Susan Beeners reported that the spring rush is in progress and her department is very busy with a number of permit applications . She is working with Comi telecommunications on the proposed local law. She is also working with contractors on the final touches to the Town Hall renovation/addition project . Dog Control Report : The Town Clerk reported that the S . P . C . A . is now in the process of following up on the recent enumeration and will be ticketing dog owners who have not licensed their dogs . Planning Board Report : Robert Roe reported that the Planning Board met on April 28 , 1999 and the meeting was a public information session to review the residents survey results and an update on the progress of the comprehensive plan. A resolution was adopted by the Planning Board authorizing the secretary to send the summary of the survey to the Danby Area News for publication in its entirety. There is a plan by the Department of Environmental Conservation to integrate and manage the State Forest Lands in Region 7R. On behalf of the Planning Board Arch Dotson, Esther Dotson and Bob Roe attended an information session in Syracuse with the DEC . The DEC plans to have the plan developed by May of 2000 and in place by August of 2000 . Fire District Disaster Planning Meeting Report : Supervisor Horst reported that he attended the Fire District Disaster Planning Meeting with the Danby Fire District. They are working on a disaster preparedness plan for the Town of Danby and how to deal with disasters . Water Resources Council Report : Councilperson Strichartz will place an add in the Danby Area News to solicit persons interested in 4 i 1062 3 Town Board Minutes May 10, 1999 serving on the Water Resources Council for the Town. Flood Mitigation Committee Report : Robert Roe reported that the Flood Mitigation Committee is soliciting applications for flood mitigation projects funding in Tompkins County. The deadline for submission is 4 : 00 p ; . m . on May 14 , 1999 . The Danby Flood Mitigation Committee will be required to do a presentation for the County Flood Mitigation Committee on the Towns application for funding . Pond Committee Report : Councilperson Strichartz reported that members of the Pond Committee met on April 30th with the Pond Coordinator, Claudia Mittunen and set a cleanup date of Saturday, June 12 , 1999 between 11 : 00 a. m . and 1 : 00 p . m . with a rain date for Sunday, June 13th . Interviews for lifeguards will be on Sunday, June 13 . Tompkins County Community Service workers have been contacted to help with the Pond cleanup . Recreation Partnership Report : Councilperson Gagnon reported that the Recreation Partnership Study Group has concentrated on cost of programs that are being used by the partnership and who is participating . There is a move for an interim solution to continue the partnership for another year while other issues are resolved. There is the question whether the program can continue for another year without an increase in funding support and what range towns would be willing to support as a condition for continuing participation in the partnership under the same terms . Open House for Town Hall Facility Committee Councilperson Strichartz reported that the Open House Committee for the Town Hall Facility met and have a suggested date of Saturday, June 26, 1999 from 4 ; 00 to 6 : 00 p . m . A ground breaking ceremony is planned for the Bandstand . Several suggestions of activities have been made for the open house , i . e . , ice cream social and refreshments . The Highway Department will deliver fill and level off the south lot of the Town Hall property and a consultant will be contacted for spraying the weeds . OLD BUSINESS : Ames Brown- 1840 Danby Road - For the record asked that a member of the Board make a motion to appeal that odious censure that was passed last month . He was not very happy with the way a censure proceeding was initiated . The issue at hand was apparently discussed by all of the Board members, possibly excepting one, and we should censure the Board for cooking an issue in advance without properly waiting until the Board meeting to do all the discussion . The Board is all a part of it for having engaged in that discussion . He said he feels that the censure it was an extreme that was unnecessary and asked that a member of council entertain a motion for appeal . No appeal was made by the Board . MIAPOW Flag -- The Town Clerk has contacted the American Legion Post No . 221 regarding the purchase of a MIAPOW flag . There is a possibility that they may be able to donate a flag and staff Motion to Approve Purchase of MIAPOW Flag Staff: A motion was made by Councilperson Inman and Seconded by Councilperson Steiner to approve the purchase of a MIAPOW flag and flag holder suitable for mounting on the Town Hall building to be installed by Memorial Day 1999 . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously I ; 1 1 , l ' 1 . 1 .n 11 It !I ti � i� E: � ; , � a: • 1063 4 Town Board Minutes May 10 , 1999 Town Hall Heating System RESOLUTION NO. 38 OF 1999 FURTHER ACTIONS RELATED TO TOWN HALL HEATING SYSTEM By Councilperson Strichartz : Seconded by Councilperson Inman WHEREAS , the Town code Enforcement Officer following consultation with the Town Hall Building committee has reported that there appear to be design and physical deficiencies in the Town Hall heating system, which apparent deficiencies have been noted several times to Chris Warner, the project architect, and Airtech Heating and Air Conditioning Systems , Inc . , the heating contractor, with no satisfactory response received ; now therefore , it is RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to retain a qualified heating system consultant to review the heating system and to prepare recommendations and a cost estimate for correction of deficiencies with such consultant fees to be paid from the funds received from the $ 15 ,000 . 00 Member Grant and it is further RESOLVED , that the Town Attorney is authorized to file a claim against the Airteh Heating and Air Conditioning Systems , Inc . And against any related agencies or agents, for all compensation related to the estimated cost of correcting said deficiencies . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Councilperson Inman reported that he has contacted a heating specialist to evaluate the Town Hall heating system . HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INSURANCE RESOLUTION NO . 39 OF 1999 APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL INSURANCE FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT By Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Councilperson Strichartz WHEREAS , the Town of Danby Highway Department occasionally borrows, leases or loans highway equipment, and WHEREAS, Rental ./leased equipment is to be covered in the lessee ' s insurance coverage , and the Highway Department has requested additional insurance coverage for rental/leased equipment in the amount of $ 100 ,000 at an approximate increase in the cost for this additional insurance of $ 500 . 00 , now be it RESOLVED, that the Town board of the Town of Danby approves an increase of $ 100 ,000 . 00 in insurance coverage for the Highway Department to cover rental/leased equipment, and be it further RESOLVED, that the cost of this premium is not to exceed $ 500 . 00 and is to be paid from Account No . A1910 . 400 . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Y 1064 5 Town Board Minutes May 10 , 1999 Authorization for Letter of Intent for Tupper Avenue and Town Line Road RESOLUTION NO . 40 OF 1999 AUTHORIZATION FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SEND A LETTER OF INTENT TO THE TOWN OF NEWFIELD REGARDING A ROAD EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE TOWN OF NEWFIELD AND THE TOWN OF DANBY By Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Councilperson Inman WHEREAS, the Town of Danby and the Town of Newfield are in the process the exchange of a section of the Town of Danby Tupper Avenue for a Town of Newfield section of Town Line Road , and WHEREAS, the Town of Danby Highway Department has requested the Town Board to approve a road exchange between the Town of Danby and the Town of Newfield of a the Town of Danby section of Tupper Road from VanBuskirk Gulf Road to the top of the hill for the Town of Newfield section of Town Line Road north of West Jersey Hill Road to the Blakesley Hill Road intersection north to the Town of Danby line for a distance of approximately 3 / 10 miles , now be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the Town Supervisor to send a letter of intent with the Town of Newfield Supervisor agreeing to an exchange of 3 / 10 miles of a section of Tupper Road from VanBuskirk Gulf Road to the top of the hill for a section of Town Line Road north of West Jersey Hill road to the Blakesley Hill Road intersection north to the Town of Danby line for a distance of approximately 3 / 10 miles . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously i . Motion to Transmit Comi Telecommunications Draft Local Law to the Planning Board for Review A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by councilperson Inman to transmit the Draft Comi Telecommunications Local Law dated April 9 , 1999 and received by the Code Enforcement Officer on April 9 , 1999 to the Planning Board for review and comment . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Motion for Recess : A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson at 9 : 10 to enter into a ten ( 10) minute recess . • Carried Unanimously The Board meeting reconvened at 9 : 25 p . m . Placement of Piano in the Town Hall The Town of Danby has received an offer from Naomi and Bob Strichartz to loan a piano to the Danby Community Council . Community Council has asked that the Town Board approve of placing the piano in the Town Hall until there is a community center . i r ; I ,� LI !. 9 � . i , 6 ,1d � , n, Li IL ,� i1 ! 41141 be �ka� s 1) 1 llao.. I 1065 6 Town Board Minutes May 10, 1999 Loan of Piano to Town of Danby for Future Community Center A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by councilperson Gagnon that the Town Board allow Danby Community Council to move the piano into the Town Hall on a trial basis after the floor has been repaired with no liability under any circumstances to the Town of Danby for damage or loss until there is a community center. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Nay Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried NEW BUSINESS Transfer of Funds for External Audit A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Gagnon to authorize the Town Supervisor of the Town of Danby to transfer funds in the amount $4 ,000 . 00 from A1990 . 400 (Contingent account) to A1220 . 400 to provide funds for the external audit . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Town Bookkeeper Supervisor Horst reported that he has received a request from the Board to address the issue of the Town bookkeeper There was a resignation in January and a new bookkeeper was hired . Eight persons applied for that position and the best qualified was appointed . The resigning bookkeeper offered to help with the transition as the accounting program was new last year and very complex . Closing out the previous year and annual reporting is a lengthy complicated process . The funds to pay for this service was from the Town Supervisors contractual funds and it has not been over expended . We could not have and do not have two bookkeepers . Mowing - Cemeteries and Town Hall Supervisor Horst reported that he has contacted the person who does the mowing of our cemeteries and Town Hall property and he has requested a $ . 50 (fifty cents) per hour raise in pay. Motion to Authorize Supervisor to Sign Contract for Mowing A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Inman to authorize the Town Supervisor to enter into a contract with Shawn Henderson for mowing the Town Hall property and Town of Danby cemeteries for an annual cost not to exceed the budgeted amount of $2 ,200 . 00 . A roll call on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Motion to Extend Meeting A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Supervisor Horst to extend the meeting to 10 : 00 P . M . 1066 7 Town Board Minutes May 10, 1999 Carried Unanimously Musical Concert By Pint and Dale Approval Councilperson Strichartz reported that the Danby Community Council would like permission to reserve the use of the Town Hall Facility for a musical concert on June 20 , 1999 . The name of the group is "Pint and Dale" . Motion to Approve Use of Town Hall Meeting Room for Concert "Pint and Dale" . A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Inman that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approve the use of the Town Hall Meeting Room for the Danby Community Council on June 20, 1999 for a musical concert by "Pint and Dale" . A roll call on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye . Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Approval of Town Supervisor' s April 1999 Report A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by Councilperson Inman to approve the Supervisor' s April 1999 Report with the understanding that a significant portion of the monies that are currently in the checking account in cash will be transferred to Certificates of Deposit during the month of May 1999 for the June report. A roll call on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Carried Approval of Town Clerk' s April 1999 Report A motion was made by Councilperson Inman and seconded by Councilperson Strichartz to approve the Town Clerk ' s April 1999 Report as submitted . A roll call on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously Approval of Warrants : Approval of General Fund Warrant No . 5 of 1999 }, A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and seconded by councilperson Inman to approve the : General Fund Warrant No . 5 of 1999 voucher numbers 196 - 236 in the amount of $ 8 , 983 . 86 . }: A roll call on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously 106 8 Town Board Minutes May 10, 1999 Highway Department Warrant No . 5 of 1999 A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Inman to approve the Highway Department Warrant No . 5 of 1999 voucher numbers 75 - 87 in the amount of $ 8 , 503 . 87 . A roll call on the motion resulted as follows : Gagnon Aye Inman Aye Steiner Aye Strichartz Aye Horst Aye Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 10 : 00 p . m . / I t � / ds.4A) Carol W . Sczep/ ; i, Town Clerk