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Home My WebLink AboutTownBoard_Minutes_20151214Danby Town Board  Minutes of Regular Meeting  December 14, 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 Public Ted Crane, Ronda Roaring, Garry Huddle Regular Meeting Opened at 7:04pm Privilege of the Floor Ted Crane spoke regarding consideration of proposed changes to PDZ #10 on Gunderman Road. He spoke against any potential expansion of the facility; the existing facility was known for its negative impact on an otherwise residential and rural neighborhood. Warrants ABSTRACT #12 OF 2015: GENERAL FUND #480-529 for a total of $51,041.37 Moved by Brenner, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.  In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich HIGHWAY FUND #272–304 for a total $21,725.33 Moved by Connors, Second by Brenner. The motion passed.  In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT #55-57 for a total of $454.21 Moved by Holahan, Second by Miller. The motion passed.  In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich Approve Minutes RESOLUTION NO. 94 OF 2015 - APPROVE MINUTES Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby approves the minutes of November 9 and 16, 2015. Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.  In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich 2016 Financial Audit Dietrich and Shawley provided information regarding a proposed consultation in advance of an external audit audit, in 2016, of the 2015 financial records. This will likely take place in March or April of 2016. Shawley is in communication with Al Carvil, the retired Comptroller for the Town of Ithaca. Set Year End Meeting There was a brief discussion regarding when to hold the 2015 Year End Financial Review meeting, traditionally held sometime during the last week in December. The meeting will be held on Monday, December 28 at 5:30pm in the Danby Town Hall. 2016 Appointments Clerk Goddard reminded the Board that appointments will need to be made to the Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Conservation Advisory Council and other positions early in 2016. The following terms run out at the end of 2015: Ted Melchen on Planning Board, David Hall on Board of Zoning Appeals, Joel Gagnon, Dan Klein, and Matt Ulinski on Conservation Advisory Council. Notice has been sent to these persons, asking whether they are interested in serving another term. In addition, notice has been posted on the Town of Danby web site and sent to the Email “news distribution” list. There was a brief discussion regarding whether to appoint alternates to the Planning Board for 2016. Hansen informed the Board that Planner Randall is concerned about the PB maintaining a quorum. Town Board_Minutes_20151214 • Monday, December 21, 2015 Page ! of !1 3 Joint Boards Meeting Dietrich raised the idea of a joint meeting of the Town and Planning Boards and Conservation Advisory Council, to take place in early spring 2016, to discuss efforts for the next calendar year. There was general support for this idea. Code Enforcement Report Paul Hansen reported on activities of the Code and Planning office. Hansen reported that the Clarity Connect Broadband installation is nearing completion. All is ready for NYSEG to connect electricity to its pole on Durfee Hill Road. Hansen anticipated that this will done by the end of the year. There was discussion regarding ways to extend information about the service to Danby residents. Members of the Board suggested that a public service announcement be prepared and circulated once the service is fully functional. This could be posted on the Town web site in addition to the Danby Area News. Hansen reported on code violations related to the use of fill on private property. He advised the Board that there are limited measures the Town can take to regulate the use of fill on private property. The Solar Installation RFP is being reviewed by the Town Attorney. Once cleared by the attorney, the RFP will be advertised and distributed to potential installers. There was a discussion of a potential property transfer between Auto Salvage and the Town, near the Highway Department facility. A meeting is being scheduled before the end of the year. The discussion includes land that may become a site for the solar installation. Hansen and Dietrich characterized the land swap as a fair and, on the part of Auto Salvage, generous exchange. The Town would be receiving more land than it would transfer to Petricolla. There may be costs related to a property survey and other legal processes. Hansen presented a preliminary idea for a possible redesign for the Town Hall kitchen area. This project has been pending since the previous Code Officer. There was a discussion regarding how to use/ present the wall facing the front entrance. Ideas included a mural, historical display, or a revolving display of student and/or local art. Hansen and Huddle informed the Board of a potential “windfall” related to a violation related to unregistered cars on Hornbrook Road. The property owner sees a cumulative violation of $250 a month as a cheaper alternative to paying rental for a legitimate scrap metal storage space. There was a brief discussion regarding any potential harm to groundwater from the storage of unregistered vehicles. There was a brief discussion with Garry Huddle regarding whether violation fees should be increased. The fee structure has not changed in over 25 years. Hansen made a brief report regarding a recent BZA hearing and related needed revisions/updates to the zoning ordinance to clarify inconsistencies. The Code Office is reviewing zoning inconsistencies for a first step zoning update in 2016. Hansen and Randall have begun the process of legal review of preliminary proposed clarifications. Short Reports/Correspondence Copies of the Justice’s reports were distributed to the Town Board. Justice Huddle described being busy due to several arraignments. Holahan reported on a meeting of the Communications Committee. Several members of volunteer boards (Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Conservation Advisory Council) not only are not using but have declined being issued a Town of Danby Email address. There was a discussion of the importance of these Boards coming into compliance. Holahan suggested that a letter be sent to members of volunteer boards, reminding them of this requirement. He asked Clerk Goddard to draft a letter to include the protection against intrusive FOIL on their personal computers, importance of maintaining a record of municipal communication, and advising them that technical assistance is available if needed. Goddard presented the Town Clerk’s report. $1,870.60 was distributed in November; $1,432.27 to the Town Supervisor, $371.33 to the NYS DEC for hunting licenses, and $67.00 to Ag & Markets for the Animal Population Control program. 57 dog licenses were issued/renewed, three building permits, one BZA appeal, and nine days of hunting license sales. Correspondence was received from Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton regarding Carbon Fee and Dividend and related legislation, sponsored by Lifton, bills A8372 and S6037. Lifton encouraged the Board to consider passing a resolution in favor or this state legislation. Shawley reported on a TCOG consideration of a proposed $15 per hour minimum wage in Tompkins County. Dietrich added that this is an ongoing discussion, with concerns that a local effort will be counter productive for local businesses. A case is being made that the minimum wage should be statewide.  Town Board_Minutes_20151214 • Monday, December 21, 2015 Page ! of !2 3 ! Enter Executive Session RESOLUTION NO. 95 OF 2015 - ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby enters executive session to discuss matters related to open contract negotiations. Moved by Dietrich, Second by Connors. The motion passed.  In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller, Dietrich Enter Executive Session at 8:15pm Close Executive Session at 8:55pm Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. !!!!!!!! ______________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20151214 • Monday, December 21, 2015 Page ! of !3 3