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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12 NewsletterDecember2023TownofDanby,NewYork DanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNews 1 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. 2 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