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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-07 Danby Town Board Minutes of Budget Hearing and Meeting November 7, 2011 Present: Supervisor: Ric Dietrich Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Kathy Halton, Dan Klein Excused: Dylan Race Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Code Office Sue Beeners Bookkeeper Laura Shawley Public Ted Crane, Jutta Locker, Jessi Locker-Farrell, Ronda Roaring, Town Board Budget Hearing opened at 6:30pm Town Supervisor opened the public hearing. The Town Clerk read the following notice, as pub- lished in the Ithaca Journal on October 29, 2011: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE,that the Town of Danby Town Board has completed the Preliminary Budget for the fiscal year 2012, a copy of which is available for review at the office of the Town Clerk, 1830 Danby Road, during regular office hours Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to Noon at at the Town of Danby web site [town.danby.ny.us]. FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that the following Public Hearing will be held on November 7,2011 at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY: 7:00 p.m. - PUBLIC HEARING to consider approval of the proposed 2012 Budget.All persons will be heard ei- ther in writing or in person.The Town Board will consider voting on the budget during its regular meeting held subsequent to the public hearing. No correspondence had been received regarding the budget.There were no people who wished to speak. The Board Budget Hearing was closed at 6:34pm General Updates Supervisor Dietrich provided updates regarding several topics and events. Dietrich described Danby's participation in a scheduled DEC SGEIS hearing at the State Theatre in Ithaca. Danby has already contributed funds to support this event. The County has issued a"Request for Proposals"related to a road engineering survey of county roads. Highway Assistant, Laura Shawley informed the Board of communication between the High- way Department and contractors regarding LL#4 -Town of Danby Road Protection Law. There has not been any expression of concerns by contractors,to date. A question was raised regarding the cumulative impacts of unrelated construction projects. The answer was given that each project would be considered individually.If multiple,unrelated projects were seen to have an impact on the roads, this might trigger an engineering assessment of the prob- lem. Each project may be responsible for a proportion of the repairs. Solar Power/Alternate Energy There was a discussion about a grant opportunity for solar power. Halton reported communication she had with Liberty Solar regarding a program leasing PV rooftop solar systems at low cost backed Town Board_Minutes_20111107•Monday,November 21,2011 Page 1 of 3 up by a Federal credit program. More information is needed regarding Town Hall and Highway Barn energy use to determine whether this would be cost effective for the Town.The deadline for an appli- cation is December 1,2011. Shawley reported that energy usage information has already been compiled and could be pre- sented at the next TB meeting.Discussion will continue on November 14. Dietrich reported that he has made a preliminary effort to establish an energy awareness commit- tee to inform and advise the Town about various alternative energy systems. The Board expressed support for this effort. The Meeting of the Danby Town Board was opened at 7:02pm. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.No one requested to approach the Board through Privilege of the Floor. RESOLUTION NO.107 OF 2011-APPROVE BUDGET Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby adopts the 2012 Town Budget as presented at the public hearing on November 7,2011. Moved by Klein, Second by Connors. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Dietrich Planning Board Items for Board Review Dietrich opened a discussion about various Planning Board concerns. He expressed a need for clarification regarding the appointment procedure. The opinion was expressed that a better effort should be made to invite relevant Boards to attend appointment interviews for filling vacancies. It was agreed to interview a third candidate for the Planning Board, as she was not able to attend the original interview date. Halton proposed that Gay Garrison be interviewed on December 5 and that the Planning Board be informed so that they may attend if they wish.The Planning Board will be asked for a recommendation. Dietrich expressed concern that there are serious projects which the PB needs to address. There was a discussion about the most efficient and effective way for the TB to give direction to the PB. There was a suggestion that the Board write out specific tasks,with measurable goals, for the PB. The first written task would relate to the review and revision of the Comprehensive Plan. There was a dis- cussion as to an appropriate date for a report evaluating specifics as to what has been done and what still needs to be accomplished related to the 2003 Comprehensive Plan.A Spring deadline was con- sidered. Broadband Tower Proposal Dietrich explained that conditions have come together to run a test project or two,providing broadband service to under-served areas of Danby. These service towers would be telephone pole sized and would target 120 households not currently receiving broadband networks. This would need zoning approval, as the height of the towers exceed standards set in the cell tower ordinance. Funding would come through Clarity Connect. Dietrich asked for Board approval/permission to follow up.There was support for further investi- gation. Dietrich stated that he would make a presentation at the next Planning Board meeting. Town Response to rdSGEIS There was a discussion about the several responses to the NYS DEC SGEIS. Responses are being drafted by the Town Board, Planning Board, and Gas Drilling Task Force. Halton presented two draft letters for TB consideration. These letters will be further refined and presented for approval at the next meeting. Information was given regarding a public letter writing session, scheduled for Friday December 2, sponsored by the GDTF. Town Board_Minutes_20111107•Monday,November 21,2011 Page 2 of 3 Short Reports Dietrich gave a brief update on the process of FEMA review of damage from Tropical Storm Lee. Copies of a Municipal"tool box"document for gas drilling/industrial activity were distributed to the TB. This document was created by Tompkins County Planning and the Tompkins County Council of Governments Gas Drilling Task Force. There was a brief discussion of the usefulness of this document. Copies of this will also be distributed to the Planning Board. Youth Services Dietrich gave a brief update on Youth services for the near future. Discussions are being held be- tween a County representative and the Danby Community Council regarding the DCC role in this programming. Ted Crane gave a brief report of a discussion of this topic at the most recent DCC meeting.He expressed concern that few of the members of the DCC board have a clear idea of that group's role in Youth Services. Dietrich explained how the Town needs assistance with planning, de- signing, and managing an appropriate model for future youth services. This need is based on new re- alities related to budget and social changes. Aquifer Study Beeners gave an update on the status of the extended Danby Aquifer study. Todd Miller has met with the Highway Superintendent.A GPS unit has been acquired for for the Highway Depaitment. This is being used to map culvert data to further fine-tune an understanding of the drainage areas which go into the unconfined aquifer. Perhaps a dozen roads need to be surveyed with GPS. This technology can also help the Highway Department survey road conditions. Beeners anticipated that information should be available at the end of the year.At that time it will be appropriate to reconvene the committee working on the Aquifer Protection Ordinance. Executive Session At 8:12 Dietrich presented a request to enter Executive Session to discuss a possible legal matter. There was a brief clarification of the process. RESOLUTION NO.108 OF 2011-EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby shall enter executive session to discuss communication with the town attorney related to a possible legal matter. Moved by Dietrich, Second by Halton. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Dietrich Close Executive Session Executive Session was closed at 8:50pm. Adjournment The Meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm. Pamela S Goddard,Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20111107•Monday,November 21,2011 Page 3 of 3