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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03 NewsletterMarch2023TownofDanby,NewYork DDaannbbyyyy TTooTTTTwwnn NNeewwss Youarelikelyawarethatthereisagrowing shortageofvolunteerfirefighters.Servingasa volunteerfirefighter,whichincludesconstant training,isamajorcommitment.To acknowledgeandsupportthesevolunteers,the staterecentlypassedalawthatallowslocal countiesandtownstopasslawsthatwillprovide adiscountofupto10%onpropertytaxesfor volunteers.BothTompkinsCountyandtheTown ofDanbyareproposinglocallawsthatwould provideadiscountof10%,themaximum allowable,forvolunteerfirefighterswhohave servedforatleast2years.Theentirelocallaw thatincludesotherconditionsisavailableonthe townwebsite. 1 HHoouussiinngg RReehhaabbiillliittaattiioonn PPrrooggrraamm KKiicckkss--OOfffffffffff !! Applicationsarenowbeingacceptedfora$500,000CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantfrom NewYorkStatethatwasawardedtoTownofDanby.ThegrantwillbeusedtoestablishaHousing RehabilitationProgramtorenovatesubstandard,single-family,owner-occupiedproperties locatedintheTown.Inordertobeeligible,propertiesmustmeettheNYSdefinitionof substandardandoccupantsmustbelow-to-moderateinincome,asperthetablebelow. Participantsmustagreetoremainintheirhomesfortenyearsorrepayaportionofthefunds. HouseholdSize (NumberofPersons) Maximum 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Income $56,150 $64,150 $72,150 $80,150 $86,600 $93,000 $99,400 $105,800 Rehabilitationworkmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,Electric,Plumbing,Heating, Insulation,Painting,Windows,Doors,Roofing,Masonry,Flooring,StructuralRepairs, andInteriorandExteriorCarpentry. TheTownhashiredThomaDevelopmentConsultantsofCortlandtoassistin administeringtheprogram.Formoreinformationortorequestanapplication,please contactThomaDevelopmentConsultants@(607)753-1433,MondaythroughFriday, between8:30A.Mand4:00P.M. March2023TownofDanby,NewYork FFrroomm tthhee TTooTTTTwwnn SSuuppeerrvviissoorr JJooeell GGaaggnnoonn Iusuallyplanonspringarrivinginearnestaround April10.Bythenthegroundhasusuallythawed, budsarestartingtopushonearly-leafingplants likehoneysuckle,andaplantingwindowopensfor plantingandtransplantingbare-rootmaterial.We aren’tthereyet,butitiscomingsoon.Witha mostlymildwintersofar,Ihopewedonotsee eitherextremecoldorheatatthetailend.Bothare hardontheplantsthatinhabitourarea. FirefighterTaxExemptionPassed ThevotewasunanimousbytheTownBoardto passalocallawtoimplementStateenabling legislation.Firefighterswithatleast2yearsof servicearenoweligiblefora10%reductionofthe taxablevalueoftheirprimaryresidence.Thereare aslewoflimitationsthatmakethisoflimitedvalue. Thefirefighterhastoliveinthedistrictserved,has toowntheresidence,andthisexemptionis insteadofthe$200taxcredittheywould otherwisebeeligiblefor.Itwasseenasasmall stepinthedirectionofrewardingourvolunteers forthemajorcommitmenttheymaketoaidand protectusall. LocalElectionsThisYear Itmightseemearlytobethinkingaboutit,but thankstotheStateLegislaturemovingtheprimary electionfromSeptembertoJune,theperiodfor gatheringsignaturestogetontheballotisthe monthofMarch.Thosewishingtobeintherunning fortheNovemberelectionthusneedtodeclare theirintentionandgathersignaturesnow.Except forthe2TownBoardmemberselectedin Novemberof2021,alloftheelectedofficesin Danbyaresubjecttoelectionthisyear.That includesTownSupervisor,Highway Superintendent,TownClerk,twoTownBoard members,andbothjudges.Ifyouareinterestedin runningforanyofthesepositions,contactyour party’sleadershiportheBoardofElectionsfor moreinformation. WhateverHappenedtoTaxAbatements forConservationEasementProperties? IthasbeenoverayearsincetheStateLegislature passedenablinglegislationgrantingDanbythe abilitytoenactalocallawtoprovidepropertytax relieftoownersofpropertyprotectedby conservationeasements.Whyhaven’tweacted? Thegrantofauthorityincludesthepossibilityof theSchoolDistrictandtheCountyoptinginto participate.Havingthemdosowouldgreatly increasethebenefittoparticipatingproperty owners.Inanefforttoenhanceourchanceof gettingbuy-in,thetaxabatementcommittee agreedthatweshouldapproachtheIthacaCity SchoolDistrictBOEearlyintheprocessofcrafting theimplementinglegislationsotheycouldbe activelyengagedinitsscopeandcontent.That hasproventobeaslowprocess,madethemoreso byschoolboardelectionsandtheneedtobring newmembersuptospeedintheirduties(notto mentiondealingwithseveralcontroversialissues alongtheway).Wearestillsomemonthsaway fromresolvingwhetherinvolvingtheschoolboard inthecraftingofourlawwillproveworthwhilefor themandforthetown.Thecommitteedecided lastmonthtoadvancetheprojectatthetownlevel byproposingabatementforpermanent conservationeasements,sinceweknowthat doingthatislikelytobetheleastcontroversialand willnotaffectnegotiationsaboutthescopeof temporaryeasements.Itisnotwhatweultimately hopetoadvance,butitisastart. 2 March2023TownofDanby,NewYork Hiigghhwwaayy NNeewwss KKeeKKKKiitthh SShhiippmmaann WestJerseyHillculvertupdate.Thelonganticipatedandmuchneededreplacementculvertisinplace andWestJerseyRoadisnowopentomosttraffic(excludingheavytruckandschoolbustraffic).The costofthereplacementwascoveredbystateCHIPSfundsasmentionedinmeetingsandanearlier editionofthisnewsletter.Inthenearfuture,thelargerocksalongtheedgeswillbereplacedbyguard rails.TheDecemberissueoftheNewsincludedpicturesoftheculvertbeforetheworkwasdoneand belowarepicturesoftheculvertnow. TheTownBoardauthorizedthepurchaseofanewloaderfortheHighwayDepartment.Thecostofa newloaderhasbeenincludedinthebudgetforseveralyearsbecauseithasbeenmorecosteffectiveto selltheoldoneandpurchaseanewone(withawarranty)ratherthanriskadditionalcoststomaintain theoldone.Asitturnsout,thisyearwewillgetmoreforatrade-inontheoldloaderthantheinitial purchasecostofthatloader.Andthenewonecomeswitha1-yearwarranty. Wehadasecondold,lightweightpick-uptruckthatactuallycouldnotbeusedforanyactualworkon theroads.Arecentaccidentresultedindamagethattotaledthattruck.Byshoppingscrapyardswithin an80-mileradius,thedamagedtruckwassoldfor$3500.Andwealsoreceivedaninsurancepayment forthattruck.Becausewehadrecentlypurchasedaheavy-dutytruckthatreplacedanoldworktruck, wenegotiatedthepurchaseofasecondheavy-dutytruckforthesameprice.Thenetcosttoreplacethe oldlight-weighttruckwithanewheavy-dutytruckwas$16,000.TheTownBoardapprovedthe purchaseofthenewtruckusingfundsfromthefundbalance. 3 Short-termRentalsinDanby AsiteplanreviewbythePlanningBoardforatouristhomeonBeardsleyLanebroughttotheforetheless- than-idealstatusofourregulationsforshorttermrentals.Now,allrentalsofentiredwellingunitsinDanby, nomatterthelengthoftherental,areunregulated.Ifadwellingunitisoccupiedbytheownerandonlypartof itisrented,itisregulatedasatouristhome,subjecttositeplanreview.Thatdoesn’tmakealotofsense.The TownBoarddiscussedthesituationattheFebruary7meetingandconcludedthatsurveyingourresidentson thebroadrangeofissuessurroundingshort-termrentalswouldbeagoodstartingplaceforrevisitingour regulations.Technicallyrentalsofnon-dwellingunitslikeoutbuildings,cabins,tentsarenotallowed.Should theybeallowed,andifso,underwhatconditionsandwhere?PlannerDavidWestwaschargedwithcreating asurvey.Wewilldistributethesurveyandspreadthenewsaboutiteverywaywecan. March2023TownofDanby,NewYork TTooTTTTmmppkkiinnss CCoouunnttyy LLeeggiissllaattuurree NNeewwss DDaann KKlleeiinn AMonthintheLife OnethingIloveaboutmyjobasaCounty LegislatoristhevarietyofthingsthatImust learnaboutinordertomakeeducated decisions.Imajoredinagricultureincollege, andsodon’thaveprevioustrainingineconomic development,publicsafety,historic preservation,assessment,homelessness,the arts,andmuchmore.Andyet,that’sexactly whatImustweigh-inonaregularbasis.Hereisa veryquicksnapshotofsomeoftheissuesonour plateinjustthelastmonth. Legislatorsheardalot–mostlyfromresidents oftheFallCreekneighborhood–aboutthefate ofthe“RedHouse”.Thisisabeautifulhouse fromthe1870’sthattheCountyowns.Itis currentlyunoccupiedandhassomeserious structuralissues.Itsitsinthecornerofaparking lot,andweheardplentyabouttheevilsof surfaceparkingforCountyemployees.“They shouldjustwalkafewblockstowork,”one commentersaid.“Itwouldbegoodforthem.” Likemostbusinessesandservices,the TompkinsCountyjailisshort-staffed.Itmustbe staffed24hoursaday,everyday.Whenthe numberofcorrectionsofficersdroppedtoolow, wedeclaredanemergencyandauthorizedsign- onbonusesandhigherpayfornewofficerswho committo3yearsofemployment. Anotherjailissueisthatthebuildingis35years old,inbadshape,andisdesignedtoold standardsthatdon’tmaximizesafetyand efficiency.Weestablishedataskforcethatwill meetfor3to6monthsandwillconsistof communitymembers,staff,andlegislators.This taskforcewilltrytomakearecommendation aboutwhattodowiththebuilding. Wordspreadviasocialmediathataplanehad crashedintoCayugaLake.Ourairportstaff investigatedandconcludedthatthestorywas false. Wepassedapartialpropertytaxexemption forvolunteerfirefightersandambulance drivers.NYStaterecentlypassedalawthat allowedustodothis. TheCityofIthacarecentlycleanedupdebris frompartofthehomelessencampment.They hauledout47tonsofdebris,andareaskingthe Countytoreimbursethemforpartorallofthe $4,500indumpingfees. IthacaAreaEconomicDevelopmentisanot- for-profitorganizationthatdoeseconomic developmentworkhere.TheCountycontracts withthemforthisservice.Wearecurrently negotiatinganew,5-yearcontractwiththem.In it,wemustaddressquestionsincluding,“What isthedefinitionofeconomicdevelopment?” Severalofthemainlocalperformingarts organizationsaresayingtheyareinsevere economichardship.Thehoteltaxrevenue, wherealmostallofthelocalgovernmentarts fundingcomesfrom,hadarecordyearin2022. Shouldweusesomeofthatsurplustoassist theselocalartsorganizations? Asalways,feelfreetosendmecommentsor questions. 4 March2023TownofDanby,NewYork MMoorree PPaannccaakkeess!!!!MMaarrcchh 1199tthh 88--1111 AAMM The DanbyVolunteerFireCompanywillbehavingadrive-thrupancakebreakfastfor$10onMarch19th from8amto11am.(Pancakes,FrenchToast,Sausage,ScrambledEggs,HomeFries) Wearecontinuingtoraisefundsforthepurchaseofnewportableextricationtools. HelpusgettheJawsofLife! PleasecheckourFacebookpage(fb.com/DanbyVolunteerFireCompany)orourwebsite (danbyfiredept.org)formoreinformation. DDaannbbyy YYooYYYYuutthh CCoommmmiissssiioonn DanbyYouthGrantDeadline-March15 Fourtimesayear,theDanbyYouthCommission(DYC)awards$100grantstoDanbyyouth(21&under) fortheirextracurricularactivities.(Atotalof10scholarshipsareavailableeachyear.)Thenextdeadline isMarch15.YoucanaccessanapplicationatthetopoftheDYCwebsite: https://danby.ny.gov/ova_dep/danby-youth-commission/ TheDanbyYouthCommission(DYC)isstilllookingforaresidentofWestDanbytojointhem.TheDYCis responsibleforcoordinatingprogrammingthatmeetstherecreationalanddevelopmentalneedsof youthintheTownofDanby.ItisimportantthattheDYCisrepresentativeofourlocalcommunity.We wouldlikearesidentofWestDanbytoroundoutourteam.Youcanfindoutmoreinformationaboutthe purposeandgoalsoftheDYContheTownofDanbywebsite.Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningan enthusiasticteamandhavetimeformonthlymeetings,pleasereachouttotheDYCChairpersonJamie Sorrentino(jsorrentino@danby.ny.gov)aboutformallyapplying. DDaannbbyy SSeenniioorrss ThenextDanbySeniorsluncheonisonThursday,March2atnoonattheDanbyChurch.Pleasebringa adishtoshareandtableservice. Pleasecomeandvisitwitholdandnewfriends. 5 March2023TownofDanby,NewYork CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn AAddvviissoorryyrrr CCoouunncciill ((CCAACC))MMaarrggaarreett CCoorrbbiitt TheDanbyConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)metFebruary14.Herearethehighlights: DuringPrivilegeoftheFloor,RondaRoaringsharedthatadisasterpreparednessworkshopwillbe heldattheDanbyFireStationat6pmonMarch7. Duringtheregularmeeting,MargaretCorbitsharedthatthe2022AnnualReportis nearly readyfor approval.WelearnedthattherearetwopotentialnewmembersfortheCouncilandlookforwardto theircompletingtheapplicationprocess. JoelGagnonandJonathanZisksharedtheongoingworkoftheTaxAbatementCommitteewho,at theirlastmeeting,decidedtorecommendpursuingt axreliefforpermanenteasements-asafirststep inprovidingreliefforConservationEasementdonors. JoelGagnoninformedusthatDavidWesthaspreparedthedraftTimberHarvestLawforreviewbythe NYSDEC.ThedraftisalsotobereviewedbytheTownAttorney. KatherineHunterandJonathanZiskareworkingonayearlylettertosendouttopropertyownersof townofDanbyconservationeasement-protectedproperties,remindingownersthatCouncilmembers willbeconductingtheirannualeasementmonitoring. ThefinalhalfhourofthemeetingwasspentplanningaprocessforagroupefforttorefinetheCAC mission. WWeesstt DDaannbbyy WWaatteerr DDiissttrriicctt TTooTTTTdd SSuukkoonnttaarraakk TheWestDanbyWaterDistrictAdvisoryCommitteehasanewmemberpending.PeterMcDonaldhas offeredtoserveonthecommitteeandhassubmittedhisapplicationandattendedmeetings.Hisonly remainingrequirementforformalserviceistomeetwiththeTownBoardatoneoftheirmeetings. WelcomePeterandthankyouforvolunteering. ThereasonthereisanopeningisbecauseCarlSeamonsteppeddownasofFebruary1,2023.Carlhas beeninvolvedintheWaterDistrictfordecadesservingasoperator,superintendentandcommittee membersohasamoreintimateknowledgeofthesystemthananyone.Hehasbeenamentorandrole modeltomeashehasanadmirableabilitytocalmlyproblemsolveinverystressfulsituations.There wasthetimeheandIweresearchingforaleakandfounditinthebasementofahousethatrequiredus towearwaderstostop.Temporarilystoppingtheleakrequiredusingreducersandclampsandaplug thathehadinhistruck.Itdidn'tseemtobotherhimthatthewaterwasjustaboutatthetopsofour waders.Carlhasalwaysbeenwillingtohelpwithwaterdistrictproblemsevenafterhewasnolonger anoperator.Ihopehewillstillbeopentodiscussingwaterdistrictissues.CarlSeamonwillbemissed. ThankyouforyourservicetotheWaterDistrictaswellasyourfriendshipCarl. 6 March2023TownofDanby,NewYork YYooYYYYuutthh PPrrooggrraammss HHeeiiddii DDooggggeetttt ((hhdd228899@@ccoorrnneellll..eedduu InMarch,Danbywillhaveseveralyouth programscontinuingfrompreviousmonths. Youtharefreetojointheseongoingprograms. We’llhaveotherprogramsstartingsoon, includingatleastonethroughPrimitivePursuits. We’llpublishthefullscheduleoncewehave finalizedthedatesforPrimitivePursuits.Check forupdatesandregistrationat https://ccetompkins.org/4-h-youth/rural- youth-services/rys-program-sites/town-of- danbyoremailHeidiDoggettat hd289@cornell.eduwithquestions. ActLikeYouMeanIt(4-5grade) VariouslocationsinDanby,2:00-5:30 Monday3/6,3/13,performancetheweekendof 3/17 Canyouseeyourselfonstage?Ormaybe backstage,workingonset,props,costumes,or producing?Duringthisprogram,youthwill choosefromaselectionofshortplays.The programeducatorwillbedirectingwithinput fromyouthparticipants.Youthwillhavethe opportunitytoworkshopactingskills,improv, andmore . Dungeons&Dragons/MagictheGathering (6-8grade) BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30 Wednesday3/1,3/8,3/15,3/22,3/29,4/5 Thisisacontinuationofourincrediblypopular FallD&D/Magicprogram.Bothnewandold participantsarewelcome.Ifyouryouthwas registeredintheFall,theywillneedtoregister againinordertocontinue.Wehaveagroupof MagicplayersandseveralD&Dcampaigns, withopportunitiesforyouthtoruntheirown campaignsorone-shotsoncetheyhavethe knowledgetoleadandtheskilltohelptheir partyworkasateam. Art&Soul(6-8grade) BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30 Thursday3/2,3/9,3/16,3/23,3/30,4/6 Joinusforavarietyofartsandcraftsprojects. We’vegotshrinkart,Sculpey/polymerclay, resin,beads,andmore.Possibleprojects includeembeddingLEDsinresintomakelight- upgems,bookbinding,andclaycharmsmade tolookliketinyfood.Bringyourownideas! Registerforwinter2023winterprogramsat: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Danby_winter23_250 7 Makingminiature foodwithpolymer clay.(Art&Soul program) Playingoutsidethe townhall.(ActLike YouMeanItprogram.) March2023TownofDanby,NewYork DDaannbbyy CCoommmmuunniittyy GGrroouuppss DanbyCommunityLibrary Contact:CindyParlett library@danby.ny.gov OpenTue1-3pm, Thur&Sat10am-12pm DanbyFoodPantry DanbyFederatedChurch Contact:JoanBarber Open:3rdThur4-6pm DanbyFoodScrapsPickup everySat9am–noon behindTownHall DanbyCommunityParks Association(DCPA) Website:dotsonpark.org dotsonpark@gmail.com DanbyRuralCemetery Contact:SharonBoda DanbySeniors Contact:JudyCuyle gnatcat87@yahoo,com Luncheons:1stThuratnoon DanbyCommunityCounci l President:PamelaGoddard Website:danbycc.org Meeting:1stThur7pm DanbyTosspots (Open AlcoholicsAnonymous Meeting) Wed7pmvirtual WestDanbyCommunity Association(WDCA) Contact:PatCurran pc21@cornell.edu DDaannbbyy LLiibbrraarryyrrr NNeewwss TCPLPicturebookshavearrivedandareavailable alongwiththerestofourchildren'sbooks. Wehaveanareaspecificallyforchildrenincluding asmalltable;toys(uponrequest); boardbooks;lifttheflapbooks; Also,withalltimefavorites: LittleBlueTruckseriesbyAlicShertle, PetetheCatseriesbyJamesDean, ArthurseriesbyMarcBrown, LittleCrittersbyMercerMayer, TheBerenstainBears, HenryandMudge, NatetheGreat, Dr.Suess, ISpy, justtonameafew! 8 March2023TownofDanby,NewYork MMoonntthhllyy MMeeeettiinngg SScchheedduullee AAtt-AA-GGllaannccee Group Day Date Time Call-inbyPhone MeetingID Passcode TownBoard*uesT /73 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 98085159868 754633 WDWD Wed 3/1 5:00pm Inperson-West Danbyfirestation CAC*Tue /143 7:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97215660090 423584 FD Tue 3/14 7:00pm InpersonattheDanbyFireStation DYC Thurs 3/9 7:00pm Online-contactjsorrentino@danby.ny.gov PB*Tue /213 7:00pm 1-646-876-9923 95808175336 245871 TownBoard*Wed /223 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97107232988 535713 BZA*Thurs 3/23 7:00pm TBD FD Tue 3/28 7:00pm Inperson attheDanbyFireStation Seethe Danbycalendar forthefinal,mostup-to-datedetails. (Acronymsintheabovescheduleareidentifiedbelow.) *Thesemeetingsarehybrid(i.e.bothonlineandin-perso nattheTownHall) BBooaarrddss &&CCoommmmiitttteetttteess PlanningBoard(PB) Chair:JodyScriber planningboard@danby.ny.gov Meets:3rdTuesdayat7pm BoardofZoningAppeals(BZA) Chair:EarlHicks bza@danby.ny.gov Meets:4thThursday,asneeded ConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC) Chair:MargaretCorbit cac@danby.ny.gov Meets:2 ndTuesdayat7pm DanbyYouthCommission(DYC) Chair:JamieSorrentino jsorrentino@danby.ny.gov Meets:2ndThursdayat7pm FireDistrict(FD) Secretary:SharonGaden, secretary@danbyfiredistrict.org danby.ny.gov/depts/danby-fire-district DanbyVolunteerFireCompany(DVFC ) Chief:JohnGaden, jgaden@danbyfiredistrict.org danbyfiredept.org WestDanbyFireDepartment(WDFD ) Chief:RobertMcCray rmccray@danbyfiredistrict.org westdanbyfire.com WestDanbyWaterDIstrict(WDWD) Contact:ScottWendt , swendt@danby.ny.gov Meets:1stWednesdayat5pm 9 March2023TownofDanby,NewYork TownOfficialsTownOfficials MainPhone:+1-607-277-4788 TownSupervisor JoelGagnon,x1010 supervisor@danby.ny.gov TownBoard Meets1stTue and3rdWed LeslieConnors HKatharineHunter SteveWeissburg PatWoodworth townboard@danby.ny.gov TownClerk DeputyTownClerk Hours:Mon–Fri 11am–6pm JaniceAdelman CindyKatz clerkoffice@danby.ny.gov x8001 Highway Superintendent DeputyHighway Superintendent Hours:Mon–Thu 6am–4:30pm KeithShipman,x8009 highway@danby.ny.gov JackShawley,x1012 jshawley@danby.ny.gov TownJustices CourtClerk Hours:Mon-Tue 8am-11am GarryHuddle TheresaKlinger DianeGair dgair@nycourts.gov TownPlanner Hours:Mon–Fri byappointment DavidWest,x1007 planner@danby.ny.gov CodeEnforcement Hours:Mon-Fri byappointment SteveCortright,x1006 code@danby.ny.gov Documents/ Historian MaryAnnBarr,x1008 mbarr@danby.ny.gov Bookkeeper LauraShawley,x1011 lshawley@danby.ny.gov 10 Danby, NewYork From: 1830DanbyRoad Ithaca,NY14850 PRSTSTD U.S.PostagePaid PermitNo.428 Ithaca,NY14850 Phone:+1-607-277-4788 https://danby.ny.gov Welcometothe DanbyTownNews! Questions?Emailusat townnews@danby.ny.gov Orshareyourpreferencesat https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/WMCz9T