HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-15 Danby Town Board
Minutes of Public Hearing and Meeting
November 15, 2010
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Leslie Connors,Kathy Halton,Dan Klein,Dylan Race
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Ted Crane,Joel Gagnon, Ronda Roaring, Garry Huddle
The Public Hearing regarding the 2011 Danby Town Budget was called to order at
7:08pm.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE,that the Town of Danby Town Board will hold the following Public Hearing on November
15,2010 at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY:
7:00 p.m. -PUBLIC HEARING to consider approval of the proposed 2011 Budget.A copy of the tentative budget
is available for review at the office of the Town Clerk, 1830 Danby Road,during regular office hours Tuesday-
Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to Noon.All persons will be heard either in writing or in person.A meet-
ing to consider voting on the budget will be held subsequent to the public hearing.
Questions from the Public:
Ted Crane asked what a$1,000 change in the Town budget would mean to taxpayer with a
$100,000 house? Shawley said that$6,000 equals about 1%change in the tax rate.Asked whether this
might equate to $5 per$100,000 assessment, Shawley said that she thought it was much less.
Joel Gagnon asked why there was an increase in the mortgage tax income line. Shawley ex-
plained that,previously,the Town has used a conservative approach by underestimating this amount.
This year a more realistic amount was written into the budget, in order to have a more favorable im-
pact on taxpayers.While $10,000 is not being raised through taxes, Shawley stated that the amount in
the current budget remains a conservative approach.
Halton requested that a list be generated of capital expenditures anticipated for the next four
years. The Board agreed that this would be a useful planning tool for future budgets. Shawley agreed
to get this out of her head and onto paper.A short discussion followed regarding the level of reserves
for replacement of currently aging highway equipment. The pros and cons of leasing to buy vs. bond-
ing for equipment replacement were discussed. Shawley is clarifying the legality of different options
with the State Comptroller's office.
Ronda Roaring made a statement. She thanked the Town Board for keeping Danby, "in the black"
but expressed disappointment that she has not received information about the average number of
hours worked by the Town Clerk,members of the Town Board, and the Justices. She stated that this
did not meet the Democratic platform goal of transparency. She asked for a commitment for when this
information would be provided. The bookkeeper and clerk both assured Roaring that reports on hours
worked are in process, as part of a civil service requirement. Hours will be logged in January 2011.
Roaring also encouraged the Town to explore options for income other than taxes, such as dog
license fees and fines, code enforcement fees and fines, littering fines, and a possible Town surcharge
on speeding tickets. These remarks led to a discussion about how regulations are enforced,whether in
a planned or a reactive way.
Gagnon commended the Board and bookkeeper for moving in the direction of having budget fig-
ures more realistic.
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The Public Hearing regarding the 2011 Danby Town Budget was closed at 7:42pm.
The Town Board opened a meeting at 7:43pm.
Budget Vote:
RESOLUTION NO.129 OF 2010—ACCEPT BUDGET.
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Danby accepts the 2011 budget as written.
Moved by Halton, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Highway Superintendent Referendum:
Klein gave an update on the referendum vote.After the absentee ballots were counted,the vote
was 632 in favor, 636 opposed to the proposed change from elected to appointed Highway Superin-
tendent, a difference of only four votes.
Justice Report:
Justice Huddle reported that three burglars operating in Danby have been caught. Two were in jail
on probation violations at the time of the announcement. Many of the stolen goods from 20-25 rob-
beries have been recovered and those which were sold on eBay are being traced.
Danby's first jury trial in more than 20 years is scheduled for Tuesday,November 16. The case
has been in the Danby court system since February 2010.
End of Year 2010 and 2011 Organizational Meetings:
The Town Board's 2010 End-of-Year meeting is scheduled for December 30 at 7pm. Its 2011 Or-
ganizational meeting is scheduled for January 3 at 7pm.
Salt Shed Ribbon Cutting Event:
Work on the Salt Shed was finished on November 15. The Town Board discussed a time to con-
gratulate the Highway Crew on completion of the Highway Salt Storage Shed. The Board will bring
coffee and treats to the highway crew on Thursday,December 2 at 9am. Shawley was still waiting to
hear from the State Comptroller legal department about what other thanks can be given to the crew.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the Meeting was made at 8:08pm.
Pamela S Goddard,Town Clerk
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