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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12 NewsletterDecember2023TownofDanby,NewYork
DanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNews
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WestDanbyFDEvent
Sunday,12/3/23 ( notSaturday,12/2)
CookiesandCoCoeventwithSanta4pm-6pm
Location:WestDanbyFD,
47SylvanLninWestDanby
Opportunitiestobeinvolved
Allvacantpositionsorexpiringterms
requireanapplication.
Applications aredueDec4,2023,
Applicationformsareavailableonthetown
website(danby.ny.gov)orattheTown
Clerk'sofficeattheTownHall.Theboard
willreviewapplicationsonDec5and
interviewswillfollowuntilpostionsare
filled.
BoardofZoningAppeals,
ConservationAdvisoryCouncil,
DanbyYouthCommission,
EnvironmentalManagement,
Historian
PlanningBoard
WestDanbyWaterDistrict
Pancakebreakfastsagain
ThecoldweatherishereandDanby
VolunteerFireCompanywillbesellingwarm
Pancakebreakfast!Drive-thruorstopinfora
plateofPancakes,FrenchToast,Sausage,
ScrambledEggs,andHomefriesallfor$12.
JoinusSunday,December3rd,8am-11amfor
breakfastandsupportourJawsofLife
fundraiser!CashandCardpaymentsare
accepted.
Futuredates:January14th,February11th,
March10th,andApril14th.
December2023TownofDanby,NewYork
NotesfromtheTownBoardNotesfromtheTownBoard
Electionnotes
Havingacontestedelectionwasalotofworkforallinvolved.Buta
benefitistobringtotheforesomeoftheissueswearedealingwith.Weappreciatethetimeandissues
thatcandidatesandvotersofDanbyshared.Thankyou.
BudgetPassed
Therewerebutfewmodificationstothetentativebudgettogettothefinalbudget,passedon
November8.TheDanbyYouthCommissiongot$200forneededadminstativeexpensesandthe
DanbyCommunityParkAssociationgot$850moretoaddresstheirincreasedcostsforequipmentand
mowing.TheBoardalsoagreedattheNovember20meetingtocontinueasalivingwageemployerand
judgedthattheimpactofgoingfrom$16.60in2023to$18.45/hourin2024couldbeabsorbedwithout
majormodificationofthebudgetsinceweonlyhave3part-timeemployeeswhowerebudgetedto
receivelessthan$18.45in2024.Thebottomlineisthatthe2024budgethasataxlevyincreaseof3%
(justunderthetaxcap).Thetaxratewilldecreasemodestly.
ProgressonNoise
Asmentionedinthelastissueofthisnewsletter,theTownBoardgotbackfromtheAttorneyforthe
Townadraftnoiselawthatwasratherdifferentthanwhathehadbeengiventoreview,despitebeing
toldthatwewantedthesimplestlawpossible.Wesharedthatdraftwiththepublicwhenwereceivedit
–intheinterestoftransparency–anditdrewalotoffire.SeveralcommentatorsatbothNovember
meetingsvoicedtheirobjectionstovariousprovisions.Ihopewemadeclearthatthisproposalisnot
whatweexpectedfromtheattorneyandwasnotanythingwewouldproposeforadoption.After
considerablediscussionaboutwhatournextstepsshouldbe,theBoarddecidedtoauthorizeWarren
Crosstomeetwiththeattorneytoproducealegallytightversionconsistentwithourclearly-expressed
content.(WarrenCrossextensivelyresearchednoiselawsandmademajorcontributionsincrafting
theversionsenttotheattorney.)Furtheractionawaitstheoutcomeofthatconsultation.
ZoningTweaks
Ourzoninglawisnotaonce-and-donedocument.TownPlannerGregHutnick,hispredecessorDavid
West,BoardmemberLeslieConnors,I,andothershavenoticederrors,omissions,anddiscrepancies
thatcouldstandaddressing.PlannerHutnickwaschargedwithcompilingalist,andthatlistwas
reviewedattheNovember21 stmeetingoftheTownBoard.Thereisasectionofquickandeasychanges,
anotherofreasonable-to-dowithoutextensivepublicinputpriortobeingbroughttotheBoardfor
consideration,andathirdofotherpossiblechangesforwhichwewouldwantmorepublicparticipation
thatmightbestbemadepartofrevisitingtheComprehensivePlannextyear.Gregisgoingtoworkup
theeasiestchangesandbringthosetotheBoardforconsiderationinJanuary.
TownBoardMeetingdays
ThetownboarddecidedtoreturntoitsscheduleofmeetingonthefirstandthirdMondayofeach
month.Themeetingswillstillbeginat6:00pm.Thenewschedulewillbeginwiththesecondmeetingin
January2024.
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December2023TownofDanby,NewYork
TompkinsCountyLegislatureNewsTompkinsCountyLegislatureNews DanKleinDanKlein
EarlyInterventionisthelargestprogramrunbytheTompkinsCountyWholeHealthDepartment.
Thisisafederally-mandatedprogramthatoperatesonthecommon-senseandscientifically-proven
ideathattheearlieryouidentifyandtreatchildrenwithdevelopmentaldelays,themorechanceyou
haveofsendingthatchildonthepathtosuccess.
Aparentbeginstonoticesomethingseemsoffwiththeirbaby.Thishastobeoneoftheworstfeelings
intheworld.TheEarlyInterventionprogrampullstogetherateamofspecialiststohelpfigureoutwhat
isgoingonandthenbegintherapiestoimprovethesituation.Theresultscanbedramaticand
miraculous.
Thefundingforthisprogramiscomplicated,andinvolveslocal,state,federal,andinsurancedollars.
Tenyearsago,NYStatetookoverakeypieceofthebillingpieceofthisprogram,andtheresultshave
beendisastrous.Therehasbeenasteadysheddingofthenumberofproviderswhoarewillingtowork
withtheprogram.Thenumberofspeechtherapists,physicaltherapists,andotherprovidershas
droppedoffsomuchthatthewaitingtimesforthisprogramhavebecomeverylong.Thelongwaittimes
workagainsttheideathatearlierisbetterwhenitcomestohavingabigimpactonthedevelopmentof
youngchildren.
Iampleasedtoreportthatwehavecomeupwithasolutionthatwehopewillhelpthissituation.
TompkinsCountywillbehiring5serviceprovidersdirectly,ratherthanhavingNYScontractwiththem.
Thiswillgivetheproviderssteadyincomeandbenefits.Theywillstillbepaidevenifthefamilydoesnot
showupfortheirappointment.Undertheoldsystem,providerswerenotpaidformileage,sotheywere
lessmotivatedtodriveouttothedistantareasofDanby.Employingthemdirectlywilleliminatethat
barrieraswell.
Foreverydollaroflocaltaxmoneywespendonthisprogram,weexpecttogetanextra$1.50in
outsidemoney.Thatseemslikeagoodinvestment.
Thisisa3-yearexperimenttoseeifitworksaswellaswehopeitwill.Weexpectthatthiswill
positivelyaffectthelivesofhundredsofTompkinsCountyyoungpeople,andhundredsmoreoftheir
familymembers.
forfor fifiredepartmentsredepartmentsSchedulesSchedules
TheWestDanbyFireDepartmentandtheDanbyVolunteerFireCompanyhavebusiness
meetingsonthe2 ndMondayofeachmonthat7:00pmandtrainingontheother
Mondaysat7:00pm
December2023TownofDanby,NewYork
ConservationAdvisoryCommitteeConservationAdvisoryCommittee MargaretCorbitMargaretCorbit
TheDanbyConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)metOctober24andNovember14at7pm.
Herearethehighlights:
DuringthePrivilegeoftheFloor,RondaRoaringinquiredaboutwhethertheCACconsidersthe
connectivityintheprocessofdevelopingeasements.Infact,thisaspectoftheconservationvalueofa
propertyisaddressedfromthebeginningintheBaselineSurvey.Youcanseeagoodvisualizationof
howconnectivitycanbeappliedbylookingattheCounty’sNaturalFeaturesFocusAreasmapat
https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/planning/nri-nffaclick.
MostofthemeetingwastakenupinproductivediscussionoftheConservationEasementmonitoring
process.Severalmemberscamepreparedwithinputandresponsestodraftdocuments.Thesewillbe
includedinpacketsprovidedfordevelopingandtrackingeasements.Wediscussedthechallengesof
monitoringandReneeOwensvolunteeredtocoordinatethesevolunteers.
OtherItemsincludedthefollowing.TheCouncilhasongoingconcernsaboutimplementingtheTax
AbatementProgramandwillbeseekinginputfromtheTownLawyer.TherearethreenewConservation
Easementscurrentlyindevelopment.WealsoagreedonminoradditionstotheupdatedCACweb
page.Attheendofthemeeting,BrittanyLagalyofferedtotakeonsettingupaDanbyCACFacebook
page.Thispagewillfocusonouroutreacheducationefforts.
PleasenotethatifyouareinterestedinjoiningtheCACtheapplicationsaredueDecember4andthe
formisavailableat https://danby.ny.gov/docs/appt-application/.ThisformisusedforallBoardor
Committeeappointments.
OurnextmeetingisonDecember12at7pmintheTownHall.Communitymembersarewelcometo
attendinhybridfashionorinpersonandalinkforZoomwillbepostedontheCalendar.
DanbySeniorsDanbySeniors MargieVanDeMarkMargieVanDeMark
ThenextmeetingoftheDanbySeniorswillbeourholidayluncheonatLaTourelle.Signupswere
requiredbyNov.22nd.
We’llgatheragainonJanuary4 th,February1 st….alwaysthefirstThursdayofthemonthatnoonat
DanbyCommunityChurchforadishtosharelunch.
ThanksgotoLouisePattersonforsettingupforourNovembermeeting.Weenjoyedsoothingharp
musicandsongbyPamelaGoddard.
InJanuarywewillelectofficersforthenewyear.Theproposedslateis:PatPhelps-President;Pat
Sawyer-VP;TheresaKlinger-Secretary;CindyCerrache-Treasurer.LetPatP.knowifyouhaveinterest
inservingaswell.
TammyLopezhascreatedaFacebookpageforDanbySeniors.Checkitoutifyouhaven’talready!
December2023TownofDanby,NewYork
YouthProgramsYouthPrograms HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)
Danby’snextroundofyouthprogramsbeginsin
November!WewillhaveDungeons&
Dragons/Magic:theGatheringcontinuingfrom
OctoberonthroughDecember,buttherestofthe
programslistedarenew.Danbyyouthprogramsare
opentoyouthgrades4-8.Youcanregisterfor
programsat bit.ly/41jUwDO.Feelfreetoemail
programeducatorwithquestionsat
hd289@cornell.eduorcallat(925)240-3572.
PuppetWorkshop:TalkingCakeSlice
Muppet(twodaysaweek,oneforeachage
group)
Grades6-8 BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30
Mondays12/4,12/11,and12/18
Grades4-5 SouthHillElementarySchoolor
DanbyTownHall,TBA2:00-5:30
Thursdays11/30,12/7,and12/14
Workwithfoamtocreateatalkingcakeslice
puppet!Youthwillalsohaveaccesstoa
collectionofotherpuppetstopracticewithas
muchasthey’dlike.This3-weekworkshopis
intendedtogiveyouthtimetofinishtheir
puppetandtoworkonsomepuppetrybasics.
Foranexampleofthispuppet,checkout
https://puppetnerd.com/make-a-cake-puppet-
free-pattern/
ExploretheWoods (grades4-5)
DotsonPark/DanbyTownHall2:30-5:30
Tuesdays11/28,12/5,12/12
Amixofeverything:shelterbuildinginthe
woods,outdoorgames,snackscavenging,and
whenitistoocold/rainytobeoutsidewewill
headinsidetheTownHallforgames,crafts,and
hideandseek.
Dungeons&Dragons,Magic:theGathering,
andboardgames (grades6-8)
BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30
11/29,12/6,12/13,12/20
Doyoudreamofepicquests?Whetheryouarea
beginneroranexperiencedplayer,youcanjoin
thisprogramtohoneyourD&D/Magic:the
Gatheringskills,aswellashavingtimetoplay
Gagaballoutsideandtryoutothergames
(maybetryoutanewtabletoproleplaying
game?)Thisprogramrunsallthewaythrough
December,butitwillbebrokenupintomultiple
shortD&Dcampaignswherewerotatetogive
allyouththechangetogetmaximumquality
playingtimeinasmallgroup.Onceacampaign
begins,newplayerswillneedtoformtheirown
campaignorwaituntilthenextonebegins.We
willprovidekitstohelpyouthruntheirownmini
one-shots(shortcampaigns)andexperiment
withgamestolevelupcoreplayingskillslike
creativity,teamwork,improvisation,andothers
asdictatedbyprogramparticipants.
Wow!
Coolpuppet
Greatwork
Exploringthe
Woods
atDotsonPark
December2023TownofDanby,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:PatPhelps
patriciaphelps2.0@gmail,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
DanbyLibraryNewsDanbyLibraryNews CindyParlettCindyParlett
Ourchildren’ssectionnowhasanewtablewithchairsforthelittleonesandourholidaybooksareon
display.Besuretochoosesomeforthewinterbreak.Hereareafewtogetyouintheholidayspirit:
Children's:
AChristmasTal e-GeronimoStilton
Click,Clack,HoHoHo!-DoreenCronin
Thomas’Snowsuit -RobertMunsch
JollyChristmasPostman -JanetAhlberg
TheLittlePolarBear -HansDeBeer
TheWildChristmasReindeer -JanBrett
ChristmasWitch -StevenKellogg
TheLIttleSnowplow -LoraKoehler
AdultFiction:
EscapeClaus e-JohnSandford ShroudsofHolly -KateKingsbury
12CluesofChristman -RhysBowen TheChristmasThief -MaryHIgginsClark
SilentNight -RobertParker MerryChristmas,AlexCross -JamesPatterson
AllThroughtheNight -MaryHigginsClarK
AChristmasVisitor -AnnePerry SleighBells -KateKingsbury
TheChristmasAngel -JaneMaas PromiseMe --RichardPaulEvans
There'sSomethingAboutChristmas -DebbieMacomber
December2023TownofDanby,NewYork
MonthlyMeetingScheduleAt-A-GlanceMonthlyMeetingScheduleAt-A-Glance
Group Day Date Time Call-inbyPhone MeetingID
TownBoard*Tues 12/5 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 98085159868 754633
WDWD Wed 12/6 5:00pm Inperson WestDanbyfire station
CAC*Tue 1212 7:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97215660090 423584
FireDistrict Tue 12/12 7:00pm I npersonattheDanbyFireStation
DYC Thurs 12/14 7:00pm Online-contactjsorrentino@danby.ny.gov
PB*Tue 12/19 7:00pm 1-646-876-9923 95808175336 245871
TownBoard*Wed 12/20 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97107232988 535713
BZA*Thurs 12/28 7:00pm TBD
FD Tue 12/26 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
December2023TownofDanby,NewYork
TownOfficialsTownOfficials
MainPhone:+1-607-277-4788
TownSupervisor JoelGagnon,x1010
supervisor@danby.ny.gov
TownBoard
Meets1stTue
and3rdWed
LeslieConnors
PaulHansen
HKatharineHunter
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-Wed
8am-11am
GarryHuddle
TheresaKlinger
DianeGair
dgair@nycourts.gov
TownPlanner
Hours:Mon–Fri
byappointment
GregHutnik,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
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