HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-14 Town Board MinutesTown of Danby Town Board
Regular First Monthly Board Meeting
Monday 14 June, 2021 at 7:00 PM
via Zoom Video Conferencing
https://zoom.us/j/98085159868?pwd=cDJmU2xVeGw2KzN3T1dldnJZRTFIQT09
Roll Call :
Meeting Minutes
Town Board
County Legislator
Town Justices
Town Planner
Town Code Enforcement Officer
Town Bookkeeper
Recording Secretary
Joel Gagnon, Supervisor
Leslie Connors
Jim Holahan
Sarah Schnabel
Matt Ulinski (late arrival)
Dan Klein
Garry Huddle
David West
Steve Cortright
Laura Shawley
Janice R. Adelman, Town Clerk
1. Call to Order at 19:02 by Town Supervisor Gagnon
2. Public Hearing Wimsatt Conservation Easement (250 Marsh Road)
2.1. No Comments; hearing closed.
3. Additions/Deletions to Agenda
3.1. Consider scheduling public hearing for appeal to subdivision moratorium —Van de
Bogart
3.2. Building use policy
4. Privilege of the Floor
4.1. Dan Klein reported that prior Town Supervisor Ken Horst died. It reminded him to ask
the Town Board to take photos of the elected officials to display at Town Hall, not only
for historical purposes, but for continuity and the importance of local government. He
also noted that the current Town Board in its current iteration will only exist for
another 6 months.
4.2. Supervisor Gagnon reported that former Danby Elementary School principal and one -
term Danby Town Supervisor Don Burdick passed away on April 5, 2021.
4.3. Ronda Roaring read the following email
From: Ronda Roaring
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2021 07:13 PM
To: lconnors@townofdanbyny.org, jholahan@townofdanbyny.org,
sschnabel@townofdanbyny.org, mulinski@townofdanbyny.org
Cc: planner@townofdanbyny.org, supervisor@townofdanbyny.org,
"Ted Crane", "Patricia Woodworth", "Katherine Hunter",
code@townofdanbyny.org, townclerk@townofdanbyny.org
Subject: FW: the history of the quarry
Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
All:
Below is a history of the quarry I sent David soon after he
became planner. The issue is much more complex than outlined
below with Steve Maybee of the TC Health Dept. meeting with
Suozzo. Both agreed that the site was a toxic waste dump. At the
time, there were no laws outlawing target shooting in state
forests. After my complaint to the regional forester 2003, the
DEC passed a regulation making it illegal to target shoot in all
state forests.
I have been dealing with the DEC on the matter of the quarry
since the 1990s. You need to understand that the northwest
corner of Brad Rauch's property is just across the road from the
quarry with Travor Rd. being nothing but a one -lane dirt logging
road at that point. Rauch has basically bought land next to a
known toxic waste dump. If Rauch's land and water have not
already been contaminated by the decades of degradation of the
lead in the soil, it will be at some time in the future. The
Town, in my opinion, would be crazy to issue Rauch a building
permit and would open itself to a future multi -million dollar
lawsuit that could bankrupt the town. The only other alternative
I can envision is that the Town require Rauch to test the soil
and the water on his property prior to being issued a building
permit to show that they are uncontaminated (at this point in
time) and to then require him to sign a document holding the
Town harmless for any future contamination. This document should
be attached to the deed and should apply to all future owners of
the property. The Town must protect itself from being viewed as
responsible (in whole or in part) for contamination in which it
played no part.
From: Ronda Roaring <rondaroaring@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2021 10:08 AM
To: planner@townofdanbyny.org
Cc: supervisor@townofdanbyny.org
Subject: the history of the quarry
David:
With Brad Rausch claiming that he's going to be building within
feet of the quarry, I think it appropriate for me to go into the
history of the quarry at this time.
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
In 1977 when I moved to South Danby Rd., there were very few
people who lived in South Danby. No one used the DSF and there
was a contingent of "Trumpers" in the Town who believed that the
state got a free ride (paid no taxes) on 7,000 acres of land it
managed in Danby. There were no trails, but there were some old
logging trails. I began walking the forest and have probably
covered just about every inch either by hiking, skiing, or
snowshoeing. I know what the forest was like back then, and I
know what we have lost and what we have gained.
At the spot where (lower) Bald Hill Rd. meets Michigan Hollow
there is what the French call a "cul". (As in Cut du Galibier,
if you're into the Tour de France.) From a geological
perspective, a cul is the meeting of two mountain ranges. In the
US we call it a "pass," you pass from one mountain range to
another. At this spot, there in Danby is a huge pile of yellow
sand. I thought someone had dumped it there. In the 1980s two
things happened, 1) the DEC put in one of its brochures that
there was good deer hunting in a place called the Danby State
Forest and 2) people started to find the DSF. Not only did they
hunt in huge numbers (hundreds of hunter on the first day of
deer season), drunk and without licenses, but they dumped trash
everywhere. The locals also found it and dumped more trash.
Up to that time, I had had some dealings with the DEC and knew a
lot of the players in both the Division of Law Enforcement and
the Division of Lands and Forests. I began to insist that the
DEC police the area, especially during hunting season. I also
went out and confronted those doing illegal things and took
photos. It was a rough time. I have had my livingroom window
shot out, been threatened with gang rape, and had a shotgun put
against my cheek and the trigger pulled. They don't play nice.
Trash began to pile up at the quarry and at the sand pile. I was
meeting often with Norm Jensen, the forest ranger at the time,
to discuss the trash, when he told me that the sand is a natural
accumulation due to the glaciers. I don't know of any other
inland sand accumulation of this kind in the Finger Lakes. It
isn't a drumlin as far as I can tell. (So we have something
unique in Danby.) He was trying to deal with the trash and I was
taking down illegal deer stands. (I've probably taken down at
least 20.)
The hunters began using the quarry as a target shooting range it
the mid- to late-1980s. They would bring in large pieces of
plywood, tack a target on it, lean the plywood up again the hill
and fire away. Or they would shoot at bottles and cans. Then it
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
was TVs and other appliances. The stuff can really accumulate
quickly when its being shot into little pieces. Much of the lead
shot was (and still is) in the hillside, but there is quite a
bit in the floor of the quarry. I repeatedly asked Sue and Ric
to insist that the DEC clean up the area and block entrance to
the site. But they steadfastly refuses to get involved. (That
could be a good thing and a bad thing if someone ever builds
near the quarry.) Norm Jensen was overwhelmed by all the trash
and finally got a fellow named Tom Suozzo to come down from the
toxic waste office in Kirkville. He and I and John Clancy walked
the area, and they declared it a toxic waste site. (Danby's one
and only.) I asked SB and Ric to insist that the soil and lead
be removed. (Keep in mind that the DEC did require that the
Lansing Rod and Gun Club remove its contaminated soil, and the
Ithaca Gun site also had its soil removed.) But, again, they
wouldn't get involved. So Suozzo and Clancy decided to bring in
a bulldozer and bury everything. They then planted trees on top
of the lead and trash, and walked away. The trees quickly died,
as the soil (what there is of it) of the quarry is rather dry.
The hunters came back and trashed the place all over again.
By this time, Norm Jensen retired. Joan Oldroyd was hired as
the new forest ranger. I continued to complain about the trash
and the target shooting. I could hear the guns going off and
would drive over and take photos of the people shooting. It's a
violation of a DEC regulation to target shoot anywhere in any
state forest. I sent the photos to Joan, but she didn't want to
cite these people because she said the regulation wasn't posted
at the cite. The DEC brought in the granite rocks and put up a
sign. The hunters shot up the sign and continued to trash the
area. Another sign when up. They shot it up and painted the
rocks.
Joan asked me why so many hunters came to the DSF. The pressure
to hunt in the DSF is far greater than any other forest in her
territory. I told her it was because the DEC advertises it as a
good place to hunt. The hunters continued to trash all the sites
where they camp and they were camping all over. And I continued
to complain about the trash and the fact that the hunters didn't
have permits to camp. (Keep in mind that this is the short
version of the story.)
So, about three years ago, I photographed a guy target shooting
at the quarry. Again, and despite the fact that there is a law
that says that ignorance of the law is no excuse, Joan refused
to cite the guy because there was no sign. This time I through a
real fit. Since then, the DEC has done the following: 1) Posted
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
a sign, yet again, at the quarry. 2) Instructed Joan to
designate by number where hunters may camp in the DSF. (There
are currently at least 14 sites.) 3) Requires anyone who camps
in the DSF to have a permit. 4) Designated a fellow named Tim
Day as the go -to trash person for trash in Region 7. He and I
have been working on a number of sites throughout the region and
still have a lot of work to do. But we are making headway.
Unfortunately, the roughly three decades of target shooting at
the quarry and the fact that the lead and trash has been buried
(either on the surface of the quarry or in the hillside) means
that the lead is now degrading and probably leaching into the
aquifer. I have talked to both Jim Backner and Mike Hanlon, who
live on Peter Rd., about testing their water for lead. If you
Google DEGRADATION OF LEAD PELLETS you will find all kinds of
recent articles about this topic. This is no joke. The lead in
the quarry is a serious health hazard. Brad Rausch was stupid to
have bought that land and the Town of Danby would be dumber yet
to allow him to build so close to a known toxic waste site.
Having thought about this matter a lot since Rausch publicly
announced his intention to build, I feel that there is a good
chance that, were he given a permit to build, the Town could be
held vicariously liable for lead contamination in his water.
Keep in mind that SB an Ric never asked the DEC to remove the
soil and never got involved with stopping the repeated dumping
of lead at that site. In addition, I would point out that Joel
was on both the TB and PB during all of this. And my
communications with SB and Ric are documented in emails that I
still have.
We can't stop the lead contamination of the quarry, but we can
stop Danby residents from target shooting on their property. it
is going on all over the Town.
I am hereby asking the Town of Danby to 1) put an end to the
lead contamination of Danby soils and 2) to institute a no -build
zone around all boundaries of the DSF to protect this resource
that is critical to the rural character of the Town.
0 ao"
4.4. Ted Crane supported Klein's suggestion to take photos and volunteered to be the
photographer. Regarding tonight's meeting, Crane asked how the TextMyGov
proposal fits in with the messaging through County Swift system?
—The answer to this question will be given during the discussion of this item.
5. Correspondence —none
6. Announcements —none
Page 5 of 17
Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
7. Reports & Presentations
7.1. Town Planner
7.1.1. First BZA meeting of the year held in May in which they granted/approved:
7.1.1.1. a variance for small expansion of a residential solar array at 458 Comfort
Road.
7.1.2. Planning Board also met and gave final approval on
7.1.1.2. 250 Marsh Rd subdivision
7.1.1.3. Site plan for 1725 Danby Rd (the small car sales lot)
7.1.2. Planning Group continued weekly meetings rotating between the Hamlet
Working Group and the Conservation Working Group
7.1.2.1. The groups have been working through drafts of new zone requirements,
including what the zones are and debating and discussing the rules within
those zones.
7.1.2.2. West noted that the end of June is approaching and would like to know
how best to bring draft proposals to the Board when there is disagreement
within the members of the working groups and these groups are unlikely to
reach consensus. Will discuss this more in the specific Zoning update meeting
on Monday 6/21.
7.1.3. Grant season is starting with CFAs and other applications we might want to
consider.
7.2. Supervisor Gagnon announced that both houses of the New York State Legislature
have passed what they are calling the Danby Bill; this gives the Town of Danby the
authority to pass a local law that would enact the abatement of property taxes in
exchange for a commitment to a conservation easement. Gagnon noted that we are
looking forward to developing our local law in the coming months.
7.3. At this point, the Town Board allowed Ray Van de Bogart to speak under the auspices
of Privilege of the Floor regarding the letter he submitted to the Board outlining his
request for a subdivision moratorium exemption. Van de Bogart offered to answer any
questions while expressing his frustration and disappointment about the lack of timely
information and guidance he received on the steps needed to file the proper
paperwork. He thanked the Board for the time at this meeting.
7.4. Code Enforcement Officer, including information on Heisey Rd. house
7.4.1. House at 2687 Danby Road (corner of Danby Rd & Heisey Rd)
7.4.2. The house is currently abandoned and owned by M&T bank; Cortright had a
conversation with an M&T representative on March 23 about the house—M&T
is looking to get rid of the property.
7.4.3. M&T would like to know the Town's wishes for the property; they presented 2
options to Cortright:
7.4.3.1. Demolish the house and transfer ownership of the land to the Town
7.4.3.2. Transfer the property as is (including the abandoned house, two old
motorboats, a carport, and one other shed) to the Town.
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
7.4.4. Cortright has been in touch with the house inspector who said that it was not
possible to view the inside of the house as the floors were not safe to walk on.
Cortright viewed the property in person to take pictures and send to the Board.
7.4.5. The bottom line is that the house likely cannot be saved. M&T Bank is willing to
clear the land (remove the house) and gift the 1/3 acre land it sits on to the
Town.
7.4.6. M&T will attend the next Board meeting to present options.
7.5. Town Clerk's Report
7.6. Dan Klein, County Legislator
7.6.1. American Rescue Plan (ARP; the latest federal coronavirus stimulus package) has
counties set to receive $10 million this year and $10 million next year. The funds
will be distributed after an entity applies. Tompkins County just received their
first payout.
7.6.2. A number of municipalities around New York State are taking the opportunity to
talk with their residents for input on how the money should be spent. Tompkins
County is undertaking such an endeavor with an open-ended survey using the
categories listed in the ARP. Though the County wants to hear what people say,
it is not a guarantee that the County can fund everything suggested.
7.6.3. The County Legislature overrode the tax cap at their last meeting. This is done
every year preemptively. If they don't end up spending over the tax cap, it is
rescinded by the end of year.
7.6.4. County Forest policy that Klein has worked on for a number of years was finally
voted upon and passed 11-3. The county owns 550 acres of forested land,
mostly in Newfield, as well as a section in Caroline. With the passed proposal,
the County will not log any of the forest land.
7.6.5. The county -wide broadband study funded last fall began collecting data in April.
One thing that came to light since the Broadband Committee meetings started is
that the data collected from the study will be proprietary and not released to
the towns who supported the study or the public. This announcement to the
committee prompted a negative reaction in which many people said that the
information should be public. A special meeting was held where it was
determined that any town that feels like this is not what they signed up for, they
can ask for their money back. If this is something that the town desires, please
do it soon as the study is to be completed by August. Klein noted that by the end
of this week there may be new information that could shift perceptions. Right
now, the County is very optimistic that the study will reach its goals, but it is
possible that next month Klein will have a whole different story to share.
8. Consent Agenda
Councilperson Schnabel noted that we should pull the General Fund warrant if there is an
invoice that will put the Town over -budget.
8.1. Approval of Minutes
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
8.1.1. 19 April 2021 - Zoning Update
8.1.2. 17 May 2021 - Zoning Update
8.1.3. 19 May 2021 - Board Meeting
8.2. Warrants
8.2.1. Gen Fa' Fund nie 10 Veuchers161 193 fee 526n-2o 19
8.2.2. Highway Fund No 10 Vouchers 120-138 for $24,669.65
Resolution 95 of 2021 To Approve Consent Agenda Minus the General Fund
Moved By: Schnabel Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 95 approved
8.3. General Fund No 10 Vouchers 161-193 for $26,428.19
8.3.1. Resolution 96 of 2021 To Transfer $100 from Line A9040.800 Workers Comp
to Line A1410.400 Town Clerk Contractual
Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Schnabel
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 96 approved
8.3.2. Question about the invoice to keep WLB Code software since Steve hasn't
been able to use it. Will the training be included in the software price? No,
training and mileage is not included.
Resolution 97 of 2021 To Approve General Fund No 10 Vouchers 161-193 for
$26,428.19
Moved By: Schnabel Seconded By: Connors
Page 8 of 17
Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 97 approved
9. Old Business
9.1. Authorize Supervisor to sign Wimsatt Conservation Easement
Resolution 98 of 2021 To Authorize Supervisor Gagnon to Sign the Wimsatt
Conservation Easement
Moved By: Ulinski Seconded By: Holahan
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 98 approved
9.1.1. Jeff Wimsatt thanked the Board for the efforts noting that his parents would be
thrilled that the land is going into conservation easement. His sister couldn't be
at the meeting, but they are both glad that the land is going to be preserved.
9.2. Update on Beardsley Road Stormwater Management District
9.2.1. Planner West scheduled a meeting for Thursday 6/16 at 7PM via Zoom for
individuals within the proposed district boundary; West went door-to-door
with invites to make sure everyone was aware of the meeting. In going door-
to-door, West spoke with some people who were aware something was
happening and also heard concerns such as why residents would have to pay
for the service.
9.2.2. The development on Beardsley Road necessitated setting up a tax to pay for the
infrastructure it requires. After Thursday's meeting, the next step for the Town
will be to adopt the engineering report. Then, the Town will need to make a
formal notice to people that the Town wants to set up a district.
9.2.2.1. The residents do have the ability to contest paying for the district.
There is a process whereby if a large enough percentage of the residents
Page 9 of 17
Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
vote against creating a district, the town would need to decide how to move
forward.
9.2.3. The engineer's report indicated that the initial year payment would be a little
over $400, thereafter payments would be half this amount.
9.2.3.1. The first year includes the expense of the engineer's report, setting up
the system, and some of the back maintenance.
9.2.3.2. The amount proposed is what is left after exhausting the escrow
account.
9.2.4. Based on prior discussions, it made the most sense to give the same fee
to each lot, regardless of size or location.
9.3. Resuming in -person meetings and handling remote participation
9.3.1. We have all equipment in hand for moving to a hybrid -meeting platform. The
expectation is that the Governor's COVID restrictions will be lifted by July when
the latest extension suspending the open meetings law expires.
9.3.1.1. This raises the question around public access to the building without
appointments.
9.3.1.2. The Town Court is poised to resume business as usual with the court
door remaining open during Court hours; this is currently contrary to
Town Board policy with respect to building use.
9.3.3. Councilperson Ulinksi noted that he is OK with going back to in -person Board
meetings with the suggestion that the Town not only follow NY State guidelines,
but also err on the conservative side by requiring masks during meetings. Ulinski
also wanted to hear from staff regarding how they feel about fully opening up
and what that would look like in terms of hours and which protocols to keep in
place. He added a caveat that this is not quite a return to normal, rather it is a
new set of rules for us to move forward. Approaching it from this perspective
will allow us to address the current status of the pandemic spread and to go
back to something more restrictive more quickly if we needed to.
9.3.4. Councilperson Schnabel asked to read through the Town's Rules of Order to see
if anything needs to be addressed for moving between fully remote to fully in -
person and hybrid modes of operation.
9.3.4.1. This was added to next week's agenda.
9.3.5. Councilperson Ulinski asked how we get these action items accomplished,
insofar as implementing and enforcing a new set of rules and procedures to take
us out of the lockdown with provisions to return to lockdown if needed?
9.3.5.1. The staff need to be comfortable with the rules
9.3.5.2. The rules need to address users of the building, whether they are board
members, planning board members, or library volunteers and patrons.
9.3.5.3. The rules need to be agreed upon and available for others to review to
know what is expected of them when they enter the building.
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
9.3.5.4. Code Enforcement Officer Steve Cortright will review and update the
current process of going into lockdown to develop a new SOP.
9.3.5.5. Ulinsksi offered that a monthly check -in at Board meetings will help
keep things moving forward and to re -assess and overrule existing rules
as needed.
9.3.6. Supervisor Gagnon noted that there are two main issues to confront: (1) How do
we handle meetings? (2) How to handle building access, particularly in light of
the Court resuming regular unrestricted business?
9.3.6.1. Town Justice Huddle noted that they currently only require people to
wear masks to enter. Lawyers and defendants have been coming into
court for the past few weeks. All Town and Village courts have an
upcoming State meeting which will provide insight on the mask rules and
other restriction changes.
Resolution 99 of 2021 To Amend Current Building Use Rules Enabling the Town Court to
Operate as Indicated by the Office of Court Administration with the Exception That
Masks are Required To Enter the The Town Court at Town Hall as well as for Anyone
Who Goes Beyond the Court Perimeter
Moved By: Ulinski Seconded By: Gagnon
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 99 approved
10. New Business
10.1. SEAR Review of Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Hamlet Septic Grant &
Authorization of Supervisor to Sign related contracts
Resolution 100 of 2021 To Complete SEAR Type II Review
Moved By: Ulinski Seconded By: Gagnon
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT
TYPE II RESOLUTION REGARDING
TOWN OF DANBY HAMLET CENTER SEWER DEVELOPMENT STUDY
EPG #105522
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
WHEREAS, the Town of Danby (hereinafter the "Town") proposes to conduct a
Project Titled Danby Hamlet Center Sewer Development Study under New York State
Environmental Facilities Corporation Engineering Planning Grant #105522; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act
("SEQRA"), the Town is required to assess impacts to the environment in compliance with
SEQRA regulations included in 6 NYCRR Part 617 (Title 6 of the New York Code of Rules and
Regulations); and
WHEREAS, the Town is the appropriate agency to be the lead agency to undertake
the project review under SEQRA; and
WHEREAS, 6 NYCRR §617.5 under SEQRA provides that certain actions identified in
subdivision (c) of that section are Type II actions and not subject to environmental review
under SEQRA and that such activities an action in accordance with 6 NYCRR Section
617.5(c)(24) which constitutes the information collection including basic data collection and
research, water quality and pollution studies, engineering studies, which constitutes and is
therefore not subject to review under 6 NYCRR Part 617; and
WHEREAS, the proposed improvements consist solely of conducting a Project Titled
Danby Hamlet Center Sewer Development Study under New York State Environmental
Facilities Corporation Engineering Planning Grant #105522.
NOW, THEREFORE, BASED ON SUCH REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Town of Danby Board that:
1. The Town of Danby Board is the lead agency for the SEQRA review of the
proposed project.
2. The proposed project is a Type II action which is not subject to review under
SEQRA, and it will not result in a significant adverse impact on the
environment.
3. The Town of Danby Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to sign and file, or
have filed, on behalf of the Town of Danby all documents necessary to
comply with SEQRA.
4. This resolution is effective immediately.
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 100 approved
Resolution 101 of 2021 To Authorize Supervisor Gagnon to Sign Related Contracts with
EFC and Hunt Engineering to Complete the Project
Moved By: Schnabel Seconded By: Holahan
Discussion:
—Councilperson Holahan asked if there are any other possible plans as far as next
steps where the Town would put up money to cover their part of it and some of the
potential grant money could cover other parts.
Planner West answered affirmatively. The fact that we already won this planning
grant to an initial study puts the town in a very good position to get future
grants if we identify a project that would be useful for the town we are eligible
for State money towards doing an actual design for something to eventually
build.
—Councilperson Schnabel asked if a timeline for a study existed.
If the grant is longer than this year, the County funds we have must be used this
year. The EFC grant is more than a year.
AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO EXECUTE GRANT AGREEMENT
TOWN OF DANBY HAMLET CENTER SEWER DEVELOPMENT STUDY
EPG #105522
WHEREAS, the Town of Danby (hereinafter the "Town") desires to accept the Danby
Hamlet Center Sewer Development Study ("Project"), New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), in conjunction with the New York State Environmental
Facilities Corporation (EFC) Engineering Planning Grant #105522; and
WHEREAS, the Town proposes to conduct a Project under NYS DEC/EFC Engineering
Planning Grant #105522; and
WHEREAS, the Town intends to work with Hunt Engineering, Architects, Land
Surveyors & Landscape Architect D.P.C., Contact Timothy Steed, 100 Hunt Center,
Horseheads, NY 14845; and
WHEREAS, the primary purpose of this grant will be for study of Danby Hamlet
Center Sewer Development Study to include evaluation of efficient way to provide safe and
reliable sewerage systems to protect the community and waterways through the
development of a Preliminary Engineering Report, with the Town of Danby employees
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
providing in -kind services to aide in offsetting the local match required for the Planning
Grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BASED ON SUCH REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Town of Danby Board that the Town Supervisor, Joel Gagnon, is
authorized to execute the Grant Agreement with the NYS Environmental Facilities
Corporation and any and all other contracts, documents and instruments necessary to bring
about the Project and to fulfill the Town of Danby obligations under the Engineering
Planning Grant Agreement.
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 101 approved
10.2. Resolution 102 of 2021 To Appoint Town Planner as Authorized Representative for
Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Hamlet Septic Grant
Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Schnabel
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 102 approved
10.3. Resolution 103 of 2021 To Authorize and Appropriate Local Match Funding for the
Danby Hamlet Center Sewer Development Study
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATION OF LOCAL MATCH
TOWN OF DANBY DANBY HAMLET CENTER SEWER DEVELOPMENT STUDY
EPG #105522
WHEREAS, the Town of Danby (hereinafter the "Town") proposes to conduct an
Danby Hamlet Center Sewer Development Study ("Project") under New York State
Environmental Facilities Corporation Engineering Planning Grant #105522; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Engineering
Planning Grant requires a local match equal to 20 percent of the requested grant amount in
cash and/or in -kind services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BASED ON SUCH REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Town of Danby Board that the Town of Danby authorizes and
appropriates a minimum of 20 percent local match as required by the Engineering Planning
Grant Program for the Planning Grant #105522, Danby Hamlet Center Sewer Development
Study project. The maximum local share appropriated subject to any changes agreed to by
the Town Supervisor, Joel Gagnon, shall not exceed $6,000. The total estimated maximum
project cost is $36,000. The Town Supervisor, Joel Gagnon, may increase this local match
through the use of in -kind services without further approval from the Town of Danby Board.
Vote:
Councilperson Aye No Absent
Connors X
Holahan X
Schnabel X
Ulinski X
Gagnon X
Resolution 103 approved
10.4. Town Hall Digital Upgrades
10.4.1. Ulinsksi commented that these are things we didn't talk about in the existing
budget, and hopes that COVID money may be able to cover some of the
proposed expenses for things that are needed. Beyond that, Ulinski urged
creating a Capital Plan that incorporates many things in the town and how to
move forward with that. The current digital proposals are low-cost things, but
things like roads and community centers and the like could not be done
without bonding. This is a really important issue for the town to be thinking
about it. As Dan Klein mentioned, it might be useful to have a town resident
survey of needs. Thus if we can't use American Rescue Plan funds for these
things, we should still have a way to pay for them.
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
10.4.2. OnlyOffice subscription was purchased. Clerk Adelman will begin adding users,
configuring emails, and providing support materials.
10.4.2.1. Councilperson Ulinski suggested asking all vendors how they
guarantee that our data is protected, that vulnerabilities are being
accounted for, and confirming that they will carry the risk if cyberattacks
happen to compromise our data.
10.4.3. Phone System Upgrade Town -wide
10.4.3.1. We are working to test out the Zoom phone platform. A demo will be
set up shortly. This appears to be the easiest transformation from our
current phone system and is part of the Zoom meeting platform that we
already use. Note that our free Zoom account will cease to exist at the
end of July.
10.4.3.2. Some things to determine are handling emergency calls and the
necessity for land lines in certain situations.
10.4.4. TextMyGov Information Proposal
10.4.4.1. This vendor provides an interactive text -based system for people who
might not have internet access, or just don't do things on the internet.
10.4.4.2. The company creates a local phone number, the town can have
unlimited users to access messages that come through the system,
unlimited departments, unlimited support, and 50k text messages per
year (unused messages roll over to the next year).
10.4.4.3. The annual subscription is $2800; first year implementation fee is
$1000.
10.4.4.4. Concerns from the Board included whether such a software with its
price tag was warranted for Danby residents, particularly if the texting
responses simply sent the user to the website. No action was taken.
10.4.5. Code and Clerk Computer Upgrade
10.4.5.1. With upgraded technology comes the necessity to upgrade both the
Code and Clerk's office computers. For instance, CEO Cortright should
have a smart tablet that he can take to inspections in the field and to use
for Zoom meetings (rather than using his phone to Zoom). The Clerk
needs something to take minutes on in the board room once in -person
meetings start back up.
10.4.5.2. A Surface Pro X retails for $1800; a Surface Go 2 for $730
10.4.5.3. A government -priced Mac laptop runs between $2,200 and $2,740
10.4.5.4. Main feedback from the Board was to get a better understanding of
what we need right now going forward. Because these are things that
weren't actually budgeted for, it makes it somewhat difficult though not
out of the question.
10.4.5.5. Bookkeeper Shawley will look to see where they may be room to take
money and put it toward equipment.
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Town of Danby Town Board Meeting 14 June 2021
10.4.5.6. Bottom line is to make sure that Town Hall employees have the tools
needed to do their jobs.
11. Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda
11.1. update on highway audit
11.2. budget discussion/financial report
11.3. M&T Bank
11.4. Rules of procedure for building re -opening.
11.5. Schedule hearing for Ray VandeBogart
11.6. Update on CleanHeating/Cooling campaign
12. Adjourn at 21:28.
Submitted by Janice R. Adelman
Town Clerk
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