HomeMy WebLinkAboutTownBoard_Minutes_20151019Danby Town Board
Minutes of Budget Review and Regular Meeting
October 19, 2015
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Rebecca Brenner, Leslie Connors, Jim Holahan, Jack Miller
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Code Officer Paul Hansen
CAC Chair Joel Gagnon
Fire Commissioners Wayne A. Westmiller,Joe Freeman, Ed Kokkelenberg, Deanna Bowles,
Public Ted Crane, Garry Huddle
A Budget Review Meeting opened at 5:38pm
Town Board Q&A with Fire Commissioners
The Town Board and Danby Fire Commissioners held an extensive discussion regarding budget
considerations for 2016. Dietrich opened the discussion with an acknowledgement that planning for the
2016 budget, in relation to the State Tax Levy Limit mandate, has been a challenge. This is particularly
true in relation to maintaining an adequate fleet of Highway vehicles and equipment. Dietrich noted that a
budget discussion between the Fire District Commissioners and Town Board is unusual, and offered this
time as a, “bridge building endeavor.”
Commissioner Westmiller described a need for the Fire District to catch up with replacing old fire and
rescue vehicles. For example, the FD needs to replace a 40-year-old tanker truck. The FD has put off
replacing equipment as a way to stay under the tax cap. The need to purchase a new tanker has resulted in
a substantial increase in the 2016 budget. The Commissioners have devised a five year plan in order to
pay off the tanker purchase as quickly as possible and reduce interest payments. The Fire Commissioners
described the new tanker and its capacity. The Commissioners are applying for a grant to help with the
cost of the tanker.
Dietrich opened a discussion regarding ways in which the Highway Department may be able to share
services with the Fire District and reduce costs for Danby taxpayers. He asked whether there was
anything the Highway Department could do to help install dry hydrants? There was a discussion
regarding complexity of finding good sites for dry hydrants. Commissioner Kokkelenberg welcomed
Town help with installations, etc. as a cost saving measure for Danby residents.
Dietrich and Shawley opened a discussion regarding the option for the shared service of truck
mechanic. Shawley stated that the new Highway Department mechanic has extensive experience with fire
trucks and related vehicles. His services would be available to the FD, on an “as needed” basis.
Commissioner Kokkelenberg noted that the best thing that the Highway Department can do to help
the Fire District and Fire Departments, and to reduce response time to fires and emergencies, is to
improve maintenance to Bald Hill and Station Roads. These roads are the primary connector between the
Danby and West Danby Fire Departments. The better the condition of these roads, the more quickly they
can respond to fires.
There was a discussion regarding constraints on Fire Districts related to financing mechanisms such
as leasing vehicles rather than outright purchase. Commissioner Freeman informed the TB that FDs are
required to have full title to the vehicles, and so a lease arrangement is not possible for them. They must
buy or bond out their equipment. There was a preliminary discussion as to whether the Town could lease
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on behalf of the FD, and therefore reduce finance charges on such purchases. This topic may be further
considered in the future.
The Commissioners estimate that future vehicle equipment replacement will be paid for through a
well managed reserve fund. However, they stated that fully predicting future budgets for the Fire District
was not possible at this time given the age and condition of rescue vehicles. Their goal is to maintain a
stable tax rate.
Town Board Budget Review
Shawley noted small changes to the Community Council budget line. There was a general addition of
$600 with a transfer between lines of $2,000 for Youth Employment. There were no other changes to the
Preliminary Budget for 2016.
Brenner made a suggestion that a budget line related to local sustainability efforts be added with a
nominal amount of Town funds. While she did not have a specific plan at this time, she thought that such
funds could be used for such efforts as creating a better bus stop to encourage use of public transportation,
creating bike lanes on the roads, improving walking trails, etc. There was philosophical support for this
idea. Dietrich suggested that this be added when there is a particular project to fund.
Shawley noted that such a line can be added at any time. This was done, for example, for restoration
of cemetery headstones. Shawley suggested that an emergency reserve for storm water management
might also be useful. She suggested that further research be done regarding both special line items.
Set Budget Hearing
The Town Board set a public hearing for the 2016 budget on Monday, November 9 at 7pm.
The Danby Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:08pm
Citizens Climate Lobby
Joel Gagnon introduced Nancy Jacobson, a professor at Ithaca College and spokesperson for the
Citizen Climate Lobby. The purpose of this group is to lobby for the use of Carbon Fee and Dividend
regulations as a measure of control of carbon emissions. Jacobson made an extensive presentation on
Carbon Fee and Dividend and answered several questions. Information about this plan is available at
[citizensclimatelobby.org]. A resolution of support for this initiative was passed by the Conservation
Advisory Council at its September meeting.
Jacobson made the case that the Carbon Fee and Dividend, “addresses consumer costs with a monthly
dividend, making about two-thirds of households wealthier than otherwise, and the border adjustment
removes any incentive for businesses to relocate operations to countries more permissive on emissions.”
She characterized this approach as one which should appeal to all sides of the political spectrum.
Jacobson asked the TB to consider passing a resolution in support of this initiative.
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Approve Minutes
Connors noted a typo in the minutes of the September 8 minutes, related to the possible cost of a new
Gradall. This typo was corrected.
RESOLUTION NO. 85 OF 2015 - APPROVE MINUTES
Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby approves the corrected minutes of September 8, 2015.
Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich
RESOLUTION NO. 86 OF 2015 - APPROVE MINUTES
Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby approves the minutes of September 14 and 21, 2015.
Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich
Highway Resolution - Highway Purchase of Gradall
Shawley presented a resolution on behalf of the Highway Department. Discussion of purchase of
Gradall. Connors clarified that all of the 2015 CHIPS money will be used for this purchase. Shawley
confirmed this use of the funds. The old Gradall will be retained for emergency use.
RESOLUTION NO. 87 OF 2015 - HIGHWAY PURCHASE OF GRADALL
Whereas, the Town of Danby has in its equipment inventory a 1994 Gradall. This Gradall is an essential piece of
equipment used for ditching, road maintenance, and emergency snow plowing, and
Whereas, the Gradall is twenty one years old and is costing the Town a large amount for maintenance costs, and
Whereas, the Danby Highway Superintendent has explored all sources of Gradall representatives and has
determined that Vantage Equipment is the regional sales representative for Gradall in this region of New York State
and that the pricing is given in accordance to NYS contract pricing.
Therefore now be it
Resolved, that the Town of Danby Town Board authorizes the Highway Superintendent to purchase a new Gradall
from Vantage Equipment, LLC, with a 50’ Tiger Rotary Mower attachment for the sum of $371,371.20. The funding for
this purchase is as follows:
2015 CHIPS Reimbursement $174,652.33
Highway Equipment Reserve 176,000.00
Highway Fund Balance 20,718.87
Total $371,371.20
Moved by Brenner, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich
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Resolution - Carbon Fee and Dividend
The Board decided to take action on the proposed resolution in support of Carbon Fee and Dividend.
RESOLUTION NO. 88 OF 2015 - IN SUPPORT OF CARBON FEE AND DIVIDEND
Whereas, climate disruption due to global warming -- including destabilized weather patterns, extreme weather
events, rising sea levels, and other serious impacts -- threatens both the built environment and the ecosystems we
depend on to sustain human existence, and
Whereas, global warming is driven by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and a prompt and major shift away
from fossil carbon fuels is a necessary cornerstone to any meaningful response, and
Whereas, a steadily increasing fee or tax on fossil fuels at the point of their entry into the economy (well, mine, or
point of importation) would be administratively fairly simple and make effective use of free market mechanisms to
promote the transition to greater energy conservation and renewable sources of energy, and
Whereas, a return or rebate of all of the revenue generated by the fee to households would mitigate the impact of
rising energy prices for all households and generate many new clean energy jobs, while potentially improving the
overall economy;
Therefore now be it
Resolved, that the Town of Danby Town Board endorses carbon fee and dividend and urges our representatives in
the United States Congress to enact it into law.
Moved by Brenner, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich
Planning Board Special Meeting
Dietrich reminded the Board that the Planning Board has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday,
October 22 for the sole purpose of discussing the proposed changes to Gunderman Road PDZ #10.
Gagnon confirmed, as a member of the Planning Board, that attorney Krogh will be present to advise the
Board regarding action.
Short Reports/Correspondence
Supervisor Dietrich provided a brief update on ongoing CSEA union negotiations.
There was a brief update on information related to the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan. County
Representative Dan Klein will make a presentation at the November 16 TB meeting. The NYS Deferred
Compensation Plan is available to any person receiving a paycheck from the Town.
There was a reminder that the second Aquifer Protection/Water Resources presentation will be held
October 27. There was a discussion regarding additional ways to publicize this meeting. Connors
requested that publicity for the presentation should take precedence over other activities and be the sole
listing on one side of the sign in front of the fire station.
Work has begun on the Highway Barn roof repair.
Paul Hansen requested that a presentation on the Residential Energy Score Program be on the
November 9 agenda. He briefly described the proposed “RESP” rating procedure. Hansen additionally
gave an update on the broadband build-out by Clarity Connect. Poles are installed on Durfee Hill Road,
Hillview Road, and a third location. Additional coverage will come from poles in Newfield and
Brooktondale.
Jack Miller reported on activities of the Conservation Advisory Council. High priority topics include
land management and drafting a letter to be sent to large land owners regarding easements.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 pm. !!
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______________________________________
Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk
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