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Home My WebLink About2010-01-11 Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes January 11 , 2010 Present: Supervisor: Ric Dietrich Councilpersons: Leslie Connors,Dan Klein, Kathy Halton, Dylan Race Others Present: Pamela Goddard Town Clerk Susan Beeners Code Enforcement Officer Roy Casterline West Danby Water District Superintendent Carl Seamon Highway Supervisor Laura Shawley Bookkeeper Frank Proto County Legislature Members of the Public: Joel Gagnon,Ted Crane,Robert Roe,Ronda Roaring, Garry Huddle,Elizabeth Owens Roe Call to Order Supervisor Dietrich called the meeting to order at 6:35pm Reports: County Representative Report: Frank Proto reported that he is once again Chairperson of the TCAT committee. Route changes on TCAT and the TCard system should provide better service and access to public transportation for Danby residents. Two additional bus routes are available to Danby residents as of January 17, 2010. As a member of the Census committee Proto asked for assistance,through the Danby Area News and other publicity, in encouraging everyone to participate in the 2010 Census. Complete enumeration affects municipal grants and State's level of legislative representation. Proto reported that other Towns will be reviewing Danby's Stormwater Legislative Program through the Water Resources Council. Proto also reported that the County is interested in discussing possible swapping of one or more County roads for Town roads. Similar swaps have been done in Lansing,Ulysses, and Dryden. Such a change could be mutually beneficial for both Town and County. Proto finished his presentation saying that the Broadband access project is still proceeding. The County is looking at ways to leverage Federal money through the Jobs Stimulus Bill. Highway Report: The Highway Depai lucent has been kept busy during the past few weeks with snow removal, de-icing, and maintaining trucks. The new pickup truck has arrived and is a big help. A lengthy discussion regarding the Highway Department's position on the potential impact of heavy, industrial truck traffic on Danby roads. Members of the Highway Department have attended various meetings and training which gives them some understanding of this issue. They assume that the level of truck traffic expected from intensive activity(as observed in other places in conjunction with Gas Drilling operations)will destroy local roads. There is an effort to unite municipalities regarding local laws,road evaluation, etc., so that they can respond more effectively to future problems. Page 1 of 5 Through training and presentations,the Highway Department has learned about a company that uses a low impact radar system for road infrastructure evaluation.There was some discussion of using such a system to establish a baseline evaluation of Danby's roads and a better understanding of which roads are best suited for heavy truck use. The testing company would work for the Municipality at the Gas Companies'expense. The Town Board expressed interest in having the road evaluation company making a presentation to them. Planning and Zoning: The fee structure, as amended in 2009,has resulted in higher income for the Town through building permits. The Planning Board is assisting White Hawk Ecovillage with an application to the Housing Trust Fund(through Cornell,the County, and the City of Ithaca), in an effort to help stimulate affordable development going there. Recreation Partnership: It was recommended that Supervisor Dietrich continue as Danby's representative to the Recreation Partnership and that Dylan Race serve as an alternate to that Board. It was further recommended that Asher Hockett continue with the Youth Services. Danby Community Council: The Annual Meeting of the DCC will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010. DEMPC (Danby Emergency Management Planning Committee): The importance of continuity of service, in the event of high absenteeism due to illness or in the event of natural disaster,was stressed. Recommendations from the DEMPC have been drafted for best practices in such events. Supervisor Dietrich encouraged all Town Board members to make use of 100-and 700-level on-line training courses offered in Emergency Management. On March 30,there will be a meeting by the Department of Emergency Response on Emergency Preparedness for Public Officials. Gas Drilling Task Force: A presentation on a"Listening Project"was given to the GDTF. Some members of the group will attend training sessions,held in Van Etten, in community listening. Plans are underway for similar training to be offered to volunteers in Danby. It is anticipated that information gathered through Listening sessions will shed light on community understanding and concerns about Gas Drilling and other topics. Members of the GDTF are joining an advocacy trip to Albany on January 25. Due to this trip,the Jan. 25 meeting was rescheduled for January 27. February meetings will be held 2/10/2010 and 2/25/2010. Organizational Resolutions: January 11,2010 Resolution No. 12 of 2010-AUTHORIZATION FOR PURCHASE OF TOOLS,EQUIPMENT,ETC. Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the of Danby Highway Superintendent to purchase tools,equipment(other than motorized equipment), small implements,tires and tubes, etc. in the amount not to exceed$2,500 at any given time without prior approval of the Town Board. Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In favor: Connors,Halton,Klein,Race,Dietrich Resolution No. 13 of 2010-WATER COMMISSION RESTRUCTURING Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the restructuring of the operating personnel of the West Danby Water District,to appoint Carl Seamon as Water Plant Operator, Gene Beavers as Assistant Plant Operator, and Tod Sukontarak as Second Assistant Plant Operator, effective January 1,2010. Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton Klein,Race,Dietrich Page 2 of 5 Resolution No. 14 of 2010 -HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS REIMBURSEMENT Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby be authorized to sign an agreement that monies collected for repairs and improvements of Town Highways in the amount of$111,200 (State Aid DA3501) be expended upon 71.98 miles of Town of Danby highways. Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein,Race, Dietrich Resolution No. 15 of 2010 -TOWN BOARD MEETINGS Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby regular monthly board meetings be scheduled at 7:00pm on the first and second Monday of each month for the year 2010. Moved by Klein, Second by Halton. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton, Klein,Race,Dietrich Resolution No. 16 of 2010 -APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY SUPERVISOR Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby appoints Daniel Klein as Danby Deputy Supervisor. Moved by Dietrich, Second by Race. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton, Race,Dietrich Abstained: Klein Resolution No. 17 of 2010 -APPOINTMENT OF TOWN WEBMASTER Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby reappoints Ted Crane as the Danby Webmaster. Moved by Klein, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton, Klein,Race, Dietrich Resolution No. 18 of 2010 -ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COURT CLERK APPOINTMENT Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby acknowledges the Town Justice's reappointment of James Herson as Danby Court Clerk. Moved by Dietrich, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton, Klein,Race,Dietrich Resolution No. 19 of 2010 -HEALTH INSURANCE FOR TOWN CLERK AND SUPERVISOR Resolved That the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes its bookkeeper, Laura Shawley,to reimburse the Town Clerk and Town Supervisor for health insurance coverage, in amounts not to exceed$1,333 per month for the Town Clerk and$600 per month for the Town Supervisor. Moved by Connors, Second by Klein. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race Abstained: Dietrich Resolution No. 20 of 2010 -WATER COMMISSION SALARIES Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby amends its 2010 Salary Rate Sheet (passed January 4, 2010)as follows: Water Plant Operator$8,271.31 and adding a position of Second Water Operator Assistant with the salary of$3,000. Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race,Dietrich Page 3 of 5 Other Business: A packet of draft Stormwater Management Local Laws was distributed to members of the Town Board. These are basically the same Erosion and Sediment Laws related to industrial or residential activities drafted at the end of 2009.An overview of these Laws was presented by Code Enforcement Officer, Sue Beeners. Resolution No. 21 of 2010 - STORMWATER LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM-REAFFIRMATION OF LEAD AGENCY AND SETTING OF PUBLIC HEARING DATE Whereas,the Town Board of the Town of Danby is considering adoption of the following Local Laws,which laws comprise the Town's"Stormwater Legislative Program": 1. Town of Danby Local Law Number 1 of 2010-Town of Danby Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Local Law; 2. Town of Danby Local Law Number 2 of 2010-Stormwater Amendments to Town of Danby Zoning Ordinance; and 3. Town of Danby Local Law Number 3 of 2010-Stormwater Amendments to Subdivision and Land Division Regulations; Now,Therefore, it is Resolved,that such consideration of adoption is being treated as a Type 1 action (SEQRA 617.4(b)(2)),with the Town Board of the Town of Danby acting as lead agency, and with the Town of Danby Planning Board,the Tompkins County Department of Planning, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation acting as involved agencies which have been notified of this action; and it is Further Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby schedules public hearings to consider adoption of the aforesaid Local Laws as follows: 1. Town of Danby Local Law Number 1 of 2010-Town of Danby Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Local Law- Public Hearing; 2. Town of Danby Local Law Number 2 of 2010-Stormwater Amendments to Town of Danby Zoning Ordinance-Public Hearing; and 3. Town of Danby Local Law Number 3 of 2010-Stormwater Amendments to Subdivision and Land Division Regulations of the Town of Danby-Public Hearing with such public hearings to begin at 6:45pm on February 8, 2010. Moved by Dietrich, Second by Klein. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton, Klein,Race,Dietrich A general discussion ensued regarding the need to continue exploring appointments to the Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and set direction for the next year via on-going lists of Town work items. Resolution No. 22 of 2010 - SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING Resolved,That the Town Board of the Town of Danby will hold a special business meeting at 7:00pm on January 18,2010 and also a joint meeting with the Planning Board during its regular meeting at 7:00pm on January 21, 2010. Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Page 4 of 5 Warrants: General Fund 2009,vouchers#586-599 for$4,939.55 Moved by Connors, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton,Klein,Race,Dietrich Highway Fund 2009 vouchers#152-159 for$15,071.48 Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton,Klein,Race, Dietrich Water District 2009 voucher#121 for$291.25 Moved by Connors, Second by Dietrich.The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton,Klein,Race,Dietrich General Fund 2010,vouchers#1-29 for$101,221.11 Moved by Connors, Second by Klein. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton,Klein,Race,Dietrich Highway Fund 2010, voucher#1 for$1,686.98 Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors,Halton,Klein,Race,Dietrich Supervisor's Report: Moved by Klein, Second by Connors In Favor: Connors,Klein,Race Abstained: Halton,Dietrich Adjournment A motion to adjourn the Meeting was made at 9:05pm. Pamela S Goddard,Town Clerk Page 5 of 5