Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04 NewsletterApril2023TownofDanby,NewYork
DanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNews
PublicHearingsPublicHearings
April4at6pm
First-LocalLawtoamendthetownzoningto
covercannabisretailoperations.
Second-Locallawtocreatedrainagedistrict
Moreinformationabouttheseproposedlaws
areprovidedbytheTownPlanneronp.3.The
completeproposalsareavailableonthetown
website-danby.ny.gov.
PublicInputSession
April19at6pm
Thisisnotanofficialpublichearing.itisaspecial
sessiontoreviewallsectionsofaproposalfrom
WarrenCrossforanewdraftlawregardingnoise
concerns.
Seep2formoreinformation.
MorePancakesMorePancakes April16th8-11amAApril16th8-11amApril16th8-11am
TheDanbyVolunteerFireCompanywillbe
havingadrive-thrupancakebreakfastfor$10on
April16thfrom8amto11am.
Wea
HelpusgettheJawsofLife!
PleasecheckourFacebookpage
(fb.com/DanbyVolunteerFireCompany)orour
website(danbyfiredept.org)formore
information.
1
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
FFrroomm tthhee TTooTTTTwwnn SSuuppeerrvviissoorr JJooeell GGaaggnnoonn
Afterafewmonthsofrelativequiet,Iamconfident
thatseveraloftheitemsinthisissueoftheTown
Newswillbeofinteresttomany.Iamreporting
onlywhatisnotcoveredelsewhere.Pleasedon’t
complaininacoupleofmonthsthatyoudidn’t
knowwhatwascomingup.Thepurposeofthis
newsletteristoletyouknow!
NoiseIssueRevisited
LastFall,WarrenCrossvolunteeredtoreviewhow
noiseconcernshavebeenhandledbyothertowns.
Basedonhisextensiveresearchoflocallawsand
contactswithlawenforcementofficials,he
presentedapossiblelocallawtotheTownBoard.
Similarlawsreducenoisecomplaints.Acopyof
thatproposalisavailableonthetownwebsite
(danby.ny.gov)orfromthetownclerk’soffice.
TheTownBoardwouldlikeinputfromtown
residentsonallsectionsoftheproposal.Therewill
bepublicinputsessionatthebeginningofthe
townboardmeetingonApril19 that6pm.Input
canbesentbymailoremailtothetownboard
(townboard@danby.ny.gov)atanytimeuptothat
date.
GoalSetting
In2021,theTownBoard,withinputfromstaff,put
togetherawishlistofcapitalprojects.While
planningforcapitalprojectsisimportant,itiseven
moreimportantthatsuchplanningbewithina
contextofbroadergoals.Manyofthosegoalsare
expressedintheComprehensivePlan,sothat
documentiscentraltoouroverallplanning.
Strategiesforimplementationchangewith
changingcircumstances,sotheyneedtobe
revisitedregularly.TheComprehensivePlanitself
needstoberevisitedsoon–itisalready12years
sincethelastmajorupdate.
Focusingongoals,whichtheTownBoardis
addressing,raisesquestionsabouthowandwhen
(andoftenwhere).Forexample,acommunity
centerhaslongbeenlistedasagoal.Theland
purchasedforwhatisnowcalledDotsonParkwas
acquiredspecificallytositeacommunitycenter.
Theareasetapartforitturnedouttocontain
significantwetlandareas.Isthelandstilluseable
foracommunitycenter?Ifnot,thenwhereelse
mightonebelocatedandwhatdoweneedtodo
toadvanceidentifyingandsecuringasite?What
shouldbeincludedwithinacommunitycenter?
(Muchthoughtandeffortwasalreadyinvestedin
askingthatquestionatthetimeofthepark’s
creation,butchangingneedsanddesiresmight
changethemix.)Whataboutseniorhousingand
childcare?Couldtheybepartofit?“Itdepends”is
afairresponse.Thechoiceswemakeinadvancing
ourgoalsbothopenandforecloseoptions.We
needtoprioritizedecisionstomakeanyprogress
atall,whichiswhytheBoardistakingthisup.
InformationTechnologyandCyberSecurity
BoardmemberKatharineHunterisexploringthe
town’soptionstomeetourITneedsandprotect
thetownfromattacksthatcouldcompromiseour
informationandfunctioning.Thisischallenging.
TheBoardislookingtomeetourneeds,since
avoidingproblemsiswayeasierthandealingwith
themoncetheymanifest.Potentialprovidershave
beenandarestillbeingconsultedandevaluated.
Itisalreadyapparentthatwhateverweendupwith
willcostmorethanthelimitedprotectioncurrently
inplace.
2
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
NotesfromthePlanner'sDeskNotesfromthePlanner'sDesk DavidWestDavidWest
WCDBGHomeownerRehabilitationGrant –
TheTown’sHomeRehabilitationprogramisrunning.This2yearprogramisbeingmanagedbyThoma
DevelopmentConsultants@(607)753-1433.Ifyouareinterestedinapplying,pleasereachouttothem
soonasfundingislimited.Toqualify,homeownersmusthavelow-to-moderateincomeandthe
propertymustbeinneedofsignificantrepairs.Theaveragehomeintheprogramwillreceiveabout
$25,000inwork,includingthingslikeroofing,insulation,windowanddoorrepairorreplacement,as
wellaselectric,plumbing,andheatingwork.
CannabisBusinessLocalLaw -
TheTownisconsideringanamendmenttothezoninglawtoaddsomerestrictionsforCannabis
Businessesthatincludesaleoron-siteconsumption.Theproposedrulesaddarequirementthat
consumptionsitesuseairfiltrationequipmentsothatsmellsaren’tanissuebeyondthepropertyline
andsomebasicrulesaboutsignageontopoftheTown’sCommercialDesignGuidelines.TheTown
BoardwillhaveapublichearingonthelawattheirApril4meetingandmayconsideradoptionthat
night.
Storm-waterDistrict#1 -
ThesubdivisionactionthatcreatedtheBeardsleyLanedevelopmentcamewitharequirementthat
certainstorm-waterinfrastructurebebuilttoprotecttheenvironmentfromthenegativeimpactsof
addingasignificantamountofnewimpervioussurfaceincludingtheroads,driveways,androofsofthe
newneighborhood.Itwasalwaystheplanthatthedeveloperwouldsetupadistricttocover
maintenancecostsdowntheroad,oncethelastlotwasdeveloped,toavoidputtingaburdenonthe
restoftheTown.Unfortunately,thatinfrastructurewasnotproperlycaredfor,thelastlothasnotbeen
developed,andthedeveloperstoppedpayingtaxesontheparcelssetasideforstorm-waterponds.
ThisledtoforeclosurebyTompkinsCounty,whoturnedthelotsovertotheTown.TheTownisnow
settingupaSpecialDistrictthatincludesallofthehomesandlotsbenefitingfromthatoriginal
subdivisiontoensurethatthoseresidentscanpayfortheupkeepoftheinfrastructurethatallowedtheir
neighborhood.Thisisalongoverdueprocessbutwehopetoclearthebureaucratichurdlesthisyearso
thattheinfrastructurecanbeproperlymaintainedtoprotecttheenvironmentandproperty.
FEMAFloodMaps -
FEMAhasreleaseddraftfloodmapsthatwilladjustexistingfloodhazardareasinWestDanbyalong
theCayugaInlet,MichiganHollow,andDanbyCreek,andwilladdnewfloodhazardareasalong
ButtermilkCreek,impactinghomesinCentralDanby.Whenfinalized,themapswillresultina
requirementthathomesinthefloodplanepurchaseFloodInsuranceiftheyaresubjecttoafederally
insuredmortgage.TheTownisapartoftheNationalFloodInsuranceprogramandassuchwillneedto
updateourFloodDamageProtectionlawinordertoensurethatfloodinsuranceremainsavailableto
residents.
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
FairHousingMonth -
AprilisNationalFairHousingMonth,celebratingthepassageandprotectionsoftheFairHousingActto
eliminatehousingdiscriminationandcreateequalopportunityineverycommunity.Thereareaseriesof
trainingsavailablefromthestateforrealestateprofessionalsandhomebuyersthatanyonecanaccess
here:https://dos.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-celebrates-fair-housing-month.Thelawprohibits
discriminationinthesale,rental,andfinancingofhousingbasedonrace,color,religion,nationalorigin,
sex,familialstatus,ordisability,anditrequiresFederal,State,andlocalgovernmentstoproactively
dismantlethediscriminatorystructuresthatheldbackpeopleofcolorandotherunderserved
populationsfromequitableaccesstotheneighborhoodsoftheirchoice.TheTownhasdesignatedthe
TownPlannerastheFairHousingOfficer.Youcanreachhimat planner@danby.ny.govor607-592-0417
withquestionsaboutFairHousingprotectionsortofileacomplaintofdiscrimination.Ifyoudon’tfeel
comfortablereachingouttotheTowntherearealsoresourcesavailablefromtheTompkinsCounty
HumanRightsCommissioner’sOffice,LawNY,andCNYFairHousing.
TompkinsCountyLegislatureNewsTompkinsCountyLegislatureNews DanKleinDanKlein
Recently,aresidentwrotetomeabouthowtheCountyLegislaturetapsintotheknowledgeofthe
peoplewholivehere(thanksJR).Itmademethinkthatitwouldbegoodtowriteaboutadvisoryboards
thismonth.
TheCountyhasover40advisoryboards.Someareveryspecific(e.g.theAirServicesBoard),some
requirespecificskills(e.g.CommunityMentalHealthServicesBoard)andsomearegeneral(e.g.
WorkforceDiversityandInclusionCommittee).
Advisoryboardscanbereallyinteresting,dynamicgroups.Ortruthfully,theycanbealittleboring.
Butboringdoesn’tnecessarilymeantheyarenotimportant.Joininggroupsandattendingmeetings
requiresalotofpatience,andisnotforeveryone.Someboardsfunctionmostlyaswaystoexchange
information.Someboardswilllaylowforawhileandthensomethinginterestingandimportantcomes
up.(TheEthicsAdvisoryBoardisagoodexampleofthat).)
Veryoccasionally,wecreateanewadvisoryboard.IbelievethelastonetobecreatedwastheClimate
andSustainableEnergyAdvisoryBoard,approximately4yearsago.Recentlywehaveeliminateda
few,suchasthePersonalEmergencyResponseServiceAdvisoryBoard,whichhelpedwithaCounty
programthatprovidesmedicalalertdevices.
ThereisacurrentopeningforaDanbyresidentontheTompkinsCountyOfficefortheAgingAdvisory
Committee.ThereisalsoanopeningforaDanbyresidentontheHillviewRoadLandfillCitizens
AdvisoryCommittee,forsomeonewholivesnearthatretiredlandfillinWestDanby.Contactmeabout
theseopeningsorifyouwanttoknowaboutanyotherCountyadvisoryboardopportunities.More
informationcanalsobefoundbysearchingfor“TompkinsCountyadvisoryboards”.
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
ConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)ConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)MargaretCorbitMargaretCorbit
TheDanbyConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)metMarch14(viaZoombecauseofbadweather).
Herearethehighlights:
WeapprovedtheannualreportandsentitontotheTownBoard.
Weconfirmedthatwearestilllookingfornewmembers.MembersmustbeDanbyresidentsand
interestedinconservingthenaturalenvironmentofourTown.Theirinterestcanrangefrom
orienteeringtooutreach.Weareespeciallyinterestedinrecruitingfolkstohikethefieldsandwoodsfor
theannualeasementmonitoringprogram.
TheTaxAbatementCommitteewillmeetnextweektodecidehowtomoveforwardontaxrelief for
conservationeasements.Thisisafirststepinprovidingreliefforconservationeasementdonors.
ThedraftTimberHarvestLawisnowinthehandsofthePlanner,whoisseekingfeedbackfromtheDEC
andTownAttorney(asrequestedbytheTownBoard)beforetheTownBoardtakesitupfor
consideration.
Thefinalhalfhourofthemeetingwasspentusinganonlinewhiteboardwith
postitstobeginthegroupefforttorefinetheCACmission.Therewereveryvaluablediscussions.
OurnextmeetingisonApril11at7pmintheTownHall.Communitymembersarewelcometoattendin
hybridfashionorinpersonandalinkforZoomwillbepostedontheCalendar.
WestDanbyWaterDistrictWestDanbyWaterDistrict ScottWendtScottWendt
WestDanbyWaterDistrictwillbereadingmetersthe1stofApril.Thiswillbethefirstuseofnew
softwarethatwillspeeduptheprocessofreadingyourmeter.Thesoftwarewillalsocutoutanyerrors
madeinhandwritingourreadings.
TheAprilmeetinghasbeenrescheduledtoMarch31@5pm.
Moreinformation:
TodSukontarak,long-servingSystemOperator,seekstoretire.Fornow,hehastradedpositionswith
theAssistantOperator,ScottWendt.Afterawide-spreadsolicitationofinterestanddirectcontacts
withpotentialcandidates,onestrongcandidateemerged.
Allnewhiresrequiretrainingandmustserveanapprenticeshipunderacurrentoperator.Thetownhas
alwayspaidforthetraining.TheTownBoardrecentlyapprovedtheadditionofanewtraineeposition
soanapplicantwillreceivesomecompensationduringtheapprenticeshipperiod.TheWater
Committeewillconsiderdetailsforthisposition,andmakearecommendationtotheTownBoard.
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
Fundingforthewaterdistrictisbasedonpropertytaxeswithinthedistrictandwaterusage.Lastyear
thefundingstructurefordistrictrevenuewasmodifiedtoincreasetheamountbasedonusage.
Previously,80%oftherevenuewasfromtaxesand20%wasfromusage.Therestructuringwas
intendedtoreversethosepercentagesso20%wouldbefromtaxesand80%wouldbefromusage.But
theincomeforthispastyearwaslessthanexpected.Determiningwhyandwhattodoaboutthe
shortfallwillbeafocusoftheWaterCommitteemeetingat5P.M.onMarch31.Themeetingisin-person
attheWestDanbyFireHall.Allarewelcometoattend.
TownBoardSurveyTownBoardSurvey
Short-TermRentalsinDanby
TheTownBoardwantstoknowyourthoughtsaboutwhether,how,andtowhatextenttheuseofshort-
rentalsshouldberegulated.TheTownplannerandTownBoardexpecttofinalizeasurveysoonthat
willbesenttoallresidentstogatherinformationaboutyourexperiencesandconcerns.Anon-line
versionwillalsobeavailableonthetownwebsite.TheTownBoardwantsyourinput,sopleasefillout
thesurvey.
DanbyYouthCommissionDanbyYouthCommission
TheDanbyYouthCommission(DYC)isstilllookingforaresidentofWestDanbytojointhem.TheDYCis
responsibleforcoordinatingprogrammingthatmeetstherecreationalanddevelopmentalneedsof
youthintheTownofDanby.ItisimportantthattheDYCisrepresentativeofourlocalcommunity.We
wouldlikearesidentofWestDanbytoroundoutourteam.Youcanfindoutmoreinformationaboutthe
purposeandgoalsoftheDYContheTownofDanbywebsite.Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningan
enthusiasticteamandhavetimeformonthlymeetings,pleasereachouttotheDYCChairpersonJamie
Sorrentino(jsorrentino@danby.ny.gov)aboutformallyapplying.
JenningsPond
SwimminginDanby?NeedLifeguards!
OurbeautifulJenningsPondRecreationalAreaoffersfishing,canoeing,kayaking,hikingtrailsand
scenicviews.JenningsPondisattheheadwatersoftheButtermilkFallswatershedandispartof
ButtermilkStatePark.TheTownofDanbyfundstheJenningsPondSwimprogrameveryJulyand
August.Butweneedlifeguards!NowisthetimetoenrollintheYMCAlifeguardtrainingprogramfor
anygoodswimmerover16.TheJenningsPondSwimProgramwillreimburseprospectivelifeguardsfor
anyexpensesincurredforlifeguardtraining.Formoreinformation,callortextMaryAnnKozakat607-
342-7969.
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
YouthProgramsYouthPrograms HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.eduHeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.eduHeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.eduHeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu
ThismonthDanbyhastwoongoingyouth
programs.Youtharestillfreetoenroll!Wewill
haveseveralmoreprogramsopeningsoon.
Pleasecheckourwebpageforup-to-date
offerings.
https://ccetompkins.org/4-h-youth/rural-
youth-services/rys-program-sites/town-of-
danbyoremailHeidiDoggettat
hd289@cornell.eduwithquestions.
IMOPORTANTNOTE:thecurrentroundof
Dungeons&Dragons/Magic:theGatheringat
BoyntonwillendonApril5.Wewillbeginanew
oneonApril19andcontinueuntiltheendofthe
schoolyear.Youthwhoarecurrentlyenrolledin
thisprogramwillneedtoregisteragaininorder
tocontinue.
Dungeons&Dragons/MagictheGathering
(6-8grade)
BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30
Wednesday4/5
Upcomingprogram:Wednesday4/19,4/26,
5/3,5/10,5/17,5/24,5/31,6/7,6/14
Thisisacontinuationofourincrediblypopular
WinterD&D/Magicprogram.Bothnewandold
participantsarewelcome.Ifyouryouthwas
registeredfortheJanuary-midAprilprogram,
theywillneedtoregisteragaintocontinueafter
Springbreak.WehaveagroupofMagicplayers
andseveralD&Dcampaigns,withopportunities
foryouthtoruntheirowncampaignsorone-
shotsoncetheyhavetheknowledgetoleadand
theskilltohelptheirpartyworkasateam.
Art&Soul(6-8grade)
BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30
Thursday3/30,4/6
Joinusforavarietyofartsandcraftsprojects.
We’vegotshrinkart,Sculpey/polymerclay,
resin,beads,andmore.Possibleprojects
includeembeddingLEDsinresintomakelight-
upgems,bookbinding,andclaycharmsmade
tolookliketinyfood.Bringyourownideas!
March23hike
Morecreatingwith
resins(Art&Soul
program)
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
DanbyCommunityGroupsDanbyCommunityGroups
DanbyCommunityLibrary
Contact:CindyParlett
library@danby.ny.gov
OpenTue1-3pm,
Thur&Sat10am-12pm
DanbyFoodPantry
DanbyCommunityChurch
Contact:JoanBarber
Open:3rdThur4-6pm
DanbyFoodScrapsPickup
everySat9am–noon
behindTownHall
DanbyCommunityParks
Association(DCPA)
Website:dotsonpark.org
dotsonpark@gmail.com
DanbyRuralCemetery
Contact:SharonBoda
Sharonboda@gmail.com
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
DanbyLibraryNews
Puzzles,puzzles!
Eachmonthadifferentpuzzleisondisplaytobeassembled.
Wehaveashelfofpuzzles;300and500pieces.
Youmayborrow,keep,orexchange,whicheveryouprefer.
Welikethesmallersizesonlybecausetheyfitonourtable.
MysterybooksfromTCPL
havebeendelivered.
DanbySeniorsDanbySeniors
ThenextDanbySenioursluncheonisonThursday,April6atnoonintheDanbyChurch.
Pleasebringadishtoshareandtableservice.
Comeandvisitwitholdandnewfriends.
April2023TownofDanby,NewYork
MonthlyMeetingScheduleAt-A-GlanceMonthlyMeetingScheduleAt-A-Glance
Group Day Date Time Call-inbyPhone MeetingID Passcode
TownBoard*uesT /44 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 98085159868 754633
WDWD Fri 3/31 5:00pm Inperson-West Danbyfirestation
CAC*Tue /114 7:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97215660090 423584
FD Tue 4/11 7:00pm InpersonattheDanbyFireStation
DYC Thurs 4/13 7:00pm Online-contactjsorrentino@danby.ny.gov
PB*oneN 1-646-876-9923 95808175336 245871
TownBoard*Wed /194 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97107232988 535713
BZA*Thurs 4/25 7:00pm TBD
FD Tue 4/25 7:00pm Inperson attheDanbyFireStation
Seethe Danbycalendar forthefinal,mostup-to-datedetails.
(Acronymsintheabovescheduleareidentifiedbelow.)
*Thesemeetingsarehybrid(i.e.bothonlineandin-personattheTownHall)
Boards&CommitteesBoards&Committees
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
April2023TownofDanby,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
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