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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12December2022TownofDanby,NewYork DanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNewsDanbyTownNews PublicHearing December6at6pm LocalLawforBuildingCodeAdministration BoardandCommitteeOpenings Thefollowingboardsandcommitteeshave openingsasofJanuary.Ifyouareinterestedin serving,fillouttheapplicationonthetown website(danby.ny.gov)byDecember2nd.Or requestanapplicationfro mtheTownClerkatthe TownHall. WestDanbyWaterDistrictAdvisory Committee(1position-5yearterm) PlanningBoard (1position-7yearterm) BoardofZoningAppeals (1position-5year term) ConservationAdvisoryCouncil (4positions-2 yearterms) DanbyRecreationPartnership Representative (1position-3yearterm) TompkinsCountyYouthServicesBoard Representative (1position-3yearterm) DanbyYouthCommission (atleast1position) PancakeBreakfast TheDanbyVolunteerFireCompanywillbe havingadrive-thrupancakebreakfastfor$10a plateonDec.11thfrom8amto11am. Weareraisingfundsforthepurchaseofnew portableextricationtools.Helpusgetthejawsof life! CheckourFacebookpage (fb.com/DanbyVolunteerFireCompany)or website(danbyfiredept.org)forfurtherdetails. 1 December2022TownofDanby,NewYork FromtheTownSupervisorFromtheTownSupervisor JoelGagnonJoelGagnon ItWasMostlyAboutthebudget Approvingabudgetforthenextyearisoneofthe mostimportantfunctionsoftheTownBoard, alongwithmonitoringitsimplementationand assuringthatexpendituresaremadeconsistent withtheplan.Thatprocesscertainlygotitsduethis year;theBoardspentallorameaningfulpartof8 meetingsonit,finallyapprovingtheresulton November9.Theamounttoberaisedfromtaxes (calledthelevy)increasedbyjustunder7%.We gottothatnumberbyusing$46,000ofour savings(theunexpendedfundbalance).Ihave comeroundtoacceptingthatusingsomeofour savingscanbedonewithoutexcessivelydepleting thekitty.Ididvotenobutsupporttheadopted budget. Appointments TheTownBoardfilledvacanciesonthe ConservationAdvisoryCouncil(ReneeOwens) andonthePlanningBoard(JacobColbert).We interviewedtwoapplicantsfortheTownBoard vacancybuttooknoaction.Becausesomeissues havearisen,wewillclarifyourproceduresfor appointmentstoelectedpositionsbefore proceeding.Thereremainopenpositionson severalboardsandcommitteesforcurrent memberswhosetermsexpireattheendofthe year.(Completelistisonthepreviouspage.)Ifany currentmemberwhosetermisexpiringwishesto bereappointed,theymustfilloutanapplication. Applicationsareavailableonthetownwebsiteor atthetownhallandaredueDecember2nd. LocalLawforBuildingCodeAdministration Alongwithmanymostlysmallermunicipalities, DanbystartedadministratingtheNYState BuildingCodein1984.Beforethattime,adopting thatcodewasoptionalanditwasmostlylarger municipalitiesthatdidso.Moreover,theycould adoptwhatevercodetheywantedto,resultingina patchworkofcodesthatwashardtodealwithby anyonewantingtobuildsomething.Thestate mandatedthatstartinginJanuaryof1984there wouldbeonestandardstatewidewithwhichall mustcomply.Municipalitiesweregiventhechoice toeitherpasslocallawstoaccommodatelocal enforcementorbefacedwiththoseneeding permitshavingtogettheminAlbany.Mostplaces optedtoenablelocaladministration(usincluded). Fast-forwardtothepresent.Thestatepasseda newversionofthelawthatsetforthwhatis neededtobeenactedatthelocallevelto administerthecodeandindoingsoessentially negatedthepreviously-adoptedlocallaws.We needtoadoptanewlawtoenablelocal administrationofthestatecodes.Sinceeverybody isinthesameboat,thestatehassupplieda templateforalocallaw.SteveCortright,ourCode Official,hasdonethebulkoftheworkfillinginthe blanksandtheTownAttorneyisdoingthefine- tuning.Thereisapublichearingontheresult scheduledfortheDecember6TownBoard meeting. CDBGBlockGrantAwardedtoDanby Ican’tresistmentioningthisbecauseitissuchabig dealandsoneeded.DavidWestsharesinhis Planner’sNotesthefullinformationonthis $500,000grant.CreditDavidforgettingthisfor us! Theholidaysarefastuponus.Ihopetheycanbea timeofhealingandrenewalforallofus. 2 December2022TownofDanby,NewYork NotesFromThePlanningOfNotesFromThePlanningOf fifiNotesFromThePlanningOfNotesFromThePlanningOfNotesFromThePlanningOfNotesFromThePlanningOfcece DavidWestDavidWest CentralDanbyHamletUpdate ThispastJanuarythetownapprovednew zoningforCentralDanby’shamletcoreto encouragecommercialdevelopmentandmore residentialdevelopment.Thishasalreadyledto discussionsaboutthepossibilityofaDanby Market/Caféonanewlotthatwouldbecreated fromtheadjacentpropertiesof1839and1849 DanbyRoad.Thiswouldbeamostwelcome andexcitingadditiontothecommunityand couldbeananchorfornewdevelopmentinthe heartoftheTown.Theownerof1839and1849is keentofindbuyerswhosevisionwouldbe compatiblewiththeMarketandDanby’sneeds foramixofhousingoptions.Theexisting buildingsarecurrentlyrentals(2at1839and3at 1849)butcouldberepurposedforavarietyof businessesorrenovatedandexpandedto accommodateadditionalhousing.Someofthe ideasthathavebeenfloatedinclude:a3-season eventspacethatincludesthehistoricbarnat 1849;officesforbusinesseslikemassage therapists;artstudios;abrewery;restaurant; clusteredcottages.Thereisalsotheowner- occupiedoption.Someonecouldliveinoneunit andhaveastorefrontorbusinessinanotherand buildingswith4orfewerresidentialunitscanbe purchasedwithastandardhomemortgageand qualifyforfirsttimebuyersubsidiesforincome qualifiedpurchasersiftheywillbethebuyer's primaryresidence.Themainstructuresonboth propertiesarepartofDanby’shistoricbuilt environment,withthefarmhouseat1849dating to1840-1860. Recently,thetownreceivedagranttopayfor assistanceinpreparinggrantproposalsthat providesupportforwalkablehamlets.Ifyouare interestedininvestinginthefutureofDanby's hamletsonpropertyyoucurrentlyownorwould liketopurchasefeelfreetocontactmewithyour questionsorideas.Therearemany opportunitieshereandI'meagertoconnectgo getterswitheachotheraswebuildacoalitionto bringbacksomeoftheamenitiesthatweonce hadinDanby. Grants TheTownwassuccessfulinourpursuitofa $10,000grantfromTompkinsCountytofund 2023grantwriting.Wewillbehostingseveral communitygatheringsinthespringtoshare whatispossibleandhearideasfromthe communityaboutwhatweshouldbeprioritizing inthefundingthatisavailable. In2022theTownreceiveda$5,000grantfrom TompkinsCountyforgrantwritingassistance. Thatefforthassuccessfullybroughtin $500,000tostartaprogramthatwillprovide renovationassistanceto11-13low-income homeownersintheTownoverthenext2years. TheTownwillbereleasinganRFPinDecember foraconsultanttomanageallaspectsofthat program(fullyfundedbythestategrant)and we’relookingforwardtoseeingtheimpactson propertiesthatcanreallyusethehelp addressinghealth,safety,andenergyefficiency projects. PlanningBoard ThePlanningBoardhadarelativelylightagendainNovember,approvingthesubdivisionof36Valley ViewRd.I’mlookingforwardtoworkingwithnewPlanningBoardmember,JacobHulbert,recently appointedbytheTownBoardtocompleteElanaMaragni’stermthroughDec.2024.Theboardwas pleasedtoappointJacobwhohasexperienceinandconnectionstothefarmingcommunity . 3 December2022TownofDanby,NewYork BoardofZoningAppeals TheBZAwillbeextremelypackedinNovemberwith3applicationsbeforethem:alotsizevarianceat54 E.Millertopreservethemaximumfarmablelandwhileallowingthesaleofthefarmhouse;asetback varianceforagarageat60HornbrookRd.;andrequestsforvariancesthatwouldallow4lotson4acres at360E.MillerRd.whereonly1houseper10acresisallowed. HighwaySuperintendentNewsHighwaySuperintendentNews KeithShipmanKeithShipman -GERMANCROSSROAD- Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytoletthepublicknowthatwewereabletopaveanotherroadthis yearwiththeassistanceoftheTompkinsCountyHighwayDepartment.TheTownofDanby’ssectionof GermanCrossRoadwasdeterioratingandwasonourlistofroadstopaveinthenearfuture.Howeverit wouldnothavebeencompletedthisyear.Thissummer,oneoftheCountyHighwayDepartment’s projectswastoraisetheintersectionofCoddingtonRoadandGermanCrossRoad.PartofGerman CrossRoadatthatintersectionisintheTownofDanby.ThecountyworkonourportionofGerman CrossRoadwouldnotcostDanbyanything.Inaddition,thecountyofferedtorepavetherestofGerman CrossRoadwhilethepavingtruckwason-site,providedthatDanbypayforthematerials,Wemoved quicklytoassuretheroadwasinfactreadyforpaving,cuttingafewtreelimbsandcleaningsome ditches,Wewereluckytofindtheroaddidnotneedanymajorrepairsbeforeitcouldbepaved.Thiswas agreatopportunityforthetowntotakeadvantageofmanpowerandmachineryfromanotheragency whileitwason-site. -BRUCEHILLROAD-BruceHillRoad(seasonalportiononly)willbeclosedDecember1stthruApril1st. -WESTJERSEYHILLROAD-AbidfromJBExcavationwasacceptedbytheTownofDanbyon November18thforinstallationofthehugepipesonWestJerseyHillRoad.Theinstallationcostwillbe paidforusingstateCHIPS(ConsolidatedHighwayImprovementProgram)funds.Weareoptimistic that,weatherpermitting,wecanbegintheprojectthisyear.Wewillpostroad-closuresignsontheroad assoonaswefindoutwhenthecontractorcanstart. 4 Currentstatus Hugepipes!! 3pipes Eachoneis: 70feetlong 14.5feetwide 9.5feettall December2022TownofDanby,NewYork ConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)ConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)MargaretCorbitMargaretCorbit TheDanbyConservationAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)metvirtuallyonTuesday,November8at7pm.We begantheregularmeetingwithadiscussionaboutrecruitingnewmembers.Wearehappytowelcome ReneeOwens,whohadjoinedusattheOctobermeeting,isnewtothecommunity,andishighly qualifiedtojointheCAC.TheTownBoardapprovedherapplicationatthemeetingonNovember16. TheyalsoappointedMargaretCorbitasinterimchairoftheCAC.JonathanZiskisjoiningCorbitasco- chair.Nextwetalkedaboutfourpendingeasements,includingoneindevelopmentonComfortRd.The finaldraftoftheTimberHarvestLawisreadytobesenttotheTownBoardforconsideration.Wealso determinedthatwewillbeholdingin-personmeetingsfortheCouncilbeginninginDecember. IfyouareinterestedinjoiningtheCAC,pleasefillouttheTownofDanbyBoardsandCommittees Applicationat https://danby.ny.gov/docs/appt-application/.Youmustsubmitthisapplicationby December2nd. OurnextmeetingisonDecember13at7pmintheTownHall.Communitymembersarewelcometo attendinpersonorbyzoom. WestDanbyWaterDistrictWestDanbyWaterDistrict TodSukontarakTodSukontarak WaterDistrictoperationshavemostlybeen transferredtoScottWendtinthelastyearonce heassumedtheroleofleadoperatorinJanuary. Wenowhaveacandidatefortheassistant positionaswell.Wehaveyettoschedule trainingandthentherequiredsupervisedwork periodbeforethatpersoncanstartofficiallybut thatchangeisinprogress. InthelastyearwiththeassistanceofRCAP Solutionswehavedonemuchworktoimprove thefunctioningoftheDistrict.CandaceBalmer iscontinuingworktohelpuscreatea comprehensiveStandardOperating Proceduresthatwillbeusedasastep-by-step guideforrunningthewatersystem,atraining manualfornewoperatorsandareference sourceforrelevanthealthcodes.Withthe expertiseofSethLoht,wealsolocatedand mappedmostoftheappurtenancesinthe District.ThemappeddatawillbeusedwithGIS softwaretohelplocatevalves,curbboxesand distributionlines,etc,inthefuture.These projects,whencomplete,shouldallowthe Districttomoreseamlesslyoperateas personnelchangesoccurinthefutureaswellas assistinworkwithcurrentoperators.RCAP SolutionsisanacronymforRuralCommunity AssistancePartnershipandhasprovidedtheir servicetotheWestDanbyWaterDistrict throughUSDAfunds.Idonotknowthespecifics ofthefundingbuttheirworkforourwater districthasbeeninvaluable.ThankyouCandace BalmerandSethLohtfromRCAP.TheWater Districtappreciatesyourgoodcheer,diligence, andhardwork. 5 December2022TownofDanby,NewYork DanbySeniorsDanbySeniors OurDecemberholidaygatheringwillbeonThursday,Dec.15 th atLakewatchInn(12noon)thisyearwith achoiceofbeeftipsorchickenmarsalaalongwithpotato,pasta,vegetable,saladorsoupwithbreads, dessert,coffeeANDamimosabar.Therewillalsobeacashbarforotherbeverages.Costis$20per personandMUSTbepaidinearlyDecember.ContactMargietosignup:margievan@live.comor607- 273-8046.GaymadetheinitialcontactforusatLakewatchInn.Itpromisestobeabeautifulholiday venueandislocatedat1636E.ShoreDr.(Rte.34)whichisonly5minutesNorthofStewartPark.There willbearaffleofsomepoinsettiasandmaybesomegiftcards. GreatNews:WewillhaveentertainmentatourChristmasLuncheon!Bob(Walpole)&Dee(Specker) willplayforusforanhourafterthemeal.BobandDeearefavoritesthroughouttheFingerLakesarea andifyouhaven'theardthem,youareinforapleasantsurprise! JanuaryMeeting-TherewillbenoJanuarySeniorLuncheon.OurnextluncheonwillbeonThursday, February2atnoonattheDanbyChurch. YouthCommissionYouthCommission JamieSorrentinoJamieSorrentino TheDanbyYouthCommission(DYC)isstilllookingforaresidentofWestDanbytojointhem.TheDYCis responsibleforcoordinatingprogrammingthatmeetstherecreationalanddevelopmentalneedsof youthintheTownofDanby.ItisimportantthattheDYCisrepresentativeofourlocalcommunity.We wouldlikearesidentofWestDanbytoroundoutourteam.Youcanfindoutmoreinformationaboutthe purposeandgoalsoftheDYContheTownofDanbywebsite.Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningan enthusiasticteamandhavetimeformonthlymeetings,pleasereachouttotheDYCChairpersonJamie Sorrentino(jsorrentino@danby.ny.gov)aboutformallyapplying.TheDanbyYouthCommissionmeets virtuallyat7pmonthesecondThursdayofeverymonth(exceptJuly).Meetingsareopentothepublic. LinkstothevirtualmeetingandminutesareavailableuponrequesttotheChair. HalloweenTrickorTreatattheFireHallHalloweenTrickorTreatattheFireHall Awonderfultimewashadbyall.AbigthankyoutohostElenaMaragni,theDanbyVolunteerFire Company,theDanbyYouthCommissionandeveryonewhohelpedinanyway-fromdecoratingto passingoutgoodies.  Whatanentrance tothefilehall!! Newuseforthe firetruckgarage December2022TownofDanby,NewYork YouthProgramsYouthPrograms HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu)HeidiDoggett(hd289@cornell.edu) Lookingforsomefunafterschoolactivities? DanbyYouthProgramsareforyouthgrades4- 8.Wehaveseveralprogramsrunningrightnow, andwearealwaystakingsuggestions.Register youryouthat https://ccetompkins.org/4-h- youth/rural-youth-services/rys-program- sites/town-of-danby.Forquestionsemail programeducatorHeidiDoggettat hd289@cornell.eduorcall(925)240-3572. MondayMadness(grades4-5) AssortedLocations2:00pm-5:30pm(endtime mayvarydependingonscheduledactivity) Mondays12/5,12/12,12/19 Samplesportsactivitiesinacombinationof classesrunbylocalinstructorsandexploration onourown.Exactactivityscheduleisflexible andmaychangedependingonyouthinterest andinstructoravailability.Possibilitiesincludea swimdayattheIthacaYMCA,avisitfroma danceinstructor,iceskating,andtripstosome localrecreationfacilities.Aweekendfieldtrip maybeincluded!Weencourageyouthwhosign uptobereadytotryeveryactivity.Thisprogram isaboutfunmovementandtryingnewthings. Therewillnotbecraftingoptionsavailable.Van transportationwillbeavailable.Ifthereare homeschooledyouthwhowouldlikearidefrom DotsonPark,pickupwillbepromptlyat1:30. GiftMakingandCrafts(grades4-5) DanbyTownHall2:20pm-5:30pm Tuesdays12/6,12/13 Doyouneedgiftsforthespecialpeopleinyour life?("Specialpeople"alsomeansyourself!) Choosefromresinandjewelrymaking,clay, shrinkart,fancycocoaandcookiemix,and more.Ifyou'vegotyourownideas,letusknow andwe'llseeifwecanmakeithappen. GiftMakingandCrafts(grades6-8) BoyntonMiddleSchool3:30-5:30pm Thursdays12/1,12/8,12/15 Doyouneedgiftsforthespecialpeopleinyour life?("Specialpeople"alsomeansyourself!) Choosefromresinandjewelrymaking,clay, shrinkart,woodburning,cookieandcocoa mixes,andmore.Ifyou'vegotyourownideas, letusknowandwe'llseeifwecanmakeit happen.  PrimitivePursuits Leaves-Leaves-Leaves!! December2022TownofDanby,NewYork DDanbyCommunityGroupsanbyCommunityGroups DanbyCommunityLibrary DanbyCommunityParks DanbyCommunityCounci l Contact:CindyParlett Association(DCPA)President:PamelaGoddard library@danby.ny.gov Website:dotsonpark.org Website:danbycc.org OpenTue1-3pm,dotsonpark@gmail.com Meeting:1stThur7pm Thur&Sat10am-12pm DanbyF oodPantry DanbySeniors WestDanbyCommunity DanbyFederatedChurch Contact:JudyCuyle Association(WDCA) Contact:JoanBarber gnatcat87@yahoo,com Contact:PatCurran Open:3rdThur4-6pm Luncheons:1stThuratnoon pc21@cornell.edu DanbyF oodScrapsPickup :Sat9am-noon,behindTownHall DanbyTosspots (OpenAlcoholicsAnonymousMeeting)-Wed7pm Currentlyvirtual.JointhruAAIthaca.org DanbyLibraryNewsDanbyLibraryNews Ourholidaydisplaysareupandtimeofffromschoolmakesitnicetocurlupwith booksthatarejustforpleasure.OraniceDVDtopassthetime. Howmanyofyoulikegraphicnovels?WehaveJuvenile,YoungAdultandAdult booksinourcollection. ForanyonewholikestowatchDetectiveHieronymus“Harry”BoschonTV;the showsarebasedonnovelsbyMichaelConnellyandwehaveover10booksinthe series. TransportationforVeteransTransportationforVeterans Atarecenttownboardmeeting,CharlieTilton,aresidentofDanby,describedatransportation programspecificallyforveteransinTompkinsCounty.Formanyyears,theDAVhasprovided transportationforveteranstoVAhealthcarefacilities.Thiscountyprogram,fundedbydonations, coordinateswithGadabouttoprovidefreetransportationforveteranstonotonlythelocalVAclinicbut alsotoanyotherlocationinTompkinsCounty.VeteransneedtocallTomEddy(607-227-4975)firstto verifytheyareveterans.Toschedulearide,veteranscallGadabout2daysinadvance.(Importantnote: Gadaboutisinneedofdrivers.Ifinterested,call607-273-1878.)  December2022TownofDanby,NewYork MonthlyMeetingScheduleAt-A-GlanceMonthlyMeetingScheduleAt-A-Glance Group Day Date Time Call-inbyPhone MeetingID Passcode TownBoard*Mon 12/6 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 98085159868 754633 WDWD Wed 12/7 5:00pm inperson-West Danbyfirestation CAC*Tue 12/13 7:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97215660090 423584 FD Tue 12/13 7:00pm InpersonattheDanbyFireStation YC Thurs 12/8 7:00pm KŶůŝŶĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚũƐŽƌƌĞŶƚŝŶŽΛĚĂŶďLJ͘ŶLJ͘ŐŽǀ PB*Tue 12/20 7:00pm 1-646-876-9923 95808175336 245871 TownBoard*Wed 12/21 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 97107232988 535713 BZA*Tue 12/29 7:00pm TBD FD Tue 12/27 7:00pm InpersonattheDanbyFireStation 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 ndTuesdayat7 YouthCommission(YC) Contact:KatharineHunter, hkhunter@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.com WestDanbyFireDepartment(WDFD ) Chief:ScottWendt , swendt@danbyfiredistrict.org westdanbyfire.com WestDanbyWaterDIstrict(WDWD) Contact:ScottWendt , swendt@danby.ny.gov Meets:1stWednesdayat5pm  December2022TownofDanby,NewYork TownOfficialsTownOfficials MainPhone:+1-607-277-4788 TownSupervisor JoelGagnon,x1010 supervisor@danby.ny.gov TownBoard Meets1stTue and3rdWed LeslieConnors HKatharineHunter SarahSchnabel 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