HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-03 Town Board Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call:
Town Board Joel Gagnon, Super visor
Leslie Connors
Paul Hansen (absent)
Katharine Hunter
Patricia Woodworth
Town Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Recording Secretary Janice Adelman, Town Clerk (videoconference)
Transcript and audio recording are available online.
1.Call to Order at 18:04
2. Additions/Deletions to Agenda
2.1.Agricultural District 2 - Comment or Not?
3.Privilege of the Floor
3.1.Ronda Roaring
(1) Stated that notaries are not allowed to notarize themselves; when there is
only one notar y in the town hall, the Town Clerk cannot notarize herself for the
Clerk reports. (2) Had asked bookkeeper Laura Shawley about the money
appropriated for the Jennings Pond personnel and would like to know what
happened to that money.
3.1.1.Laura Shawley responded that any money that does not get spent rolls
over into the fund balance at the end of the year.
3.2.Ted Crane
(1) Commented on agenda item Ag District Review #2, urged the board to—as
they did for Ag District #1—identify properties that were once agricultural but
have since become residential (e.g., the property on the shoreline of Jennings
Pond). (2) Noted that overriding the tax cap has become de rigeur in NY State
and asked the Board to carefully consider whether staying under the tax cap is
possible. (3) Announced that the Danby Community Council and the League of
Women Voters is hosting a candidates forum in a week or two. (4) Pointed out
staff officials names misspelled in the Town newsletter.
Mary Ann Barr 2021
T he Town of Danby
1830 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
danby.ny.gov
Town Board Regular Meeting
Tuesday 3 October 2023 at 6:00PM
Town of Danby, New York 20 September 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes
3.3.Garry Huddle
(1) Followed up on what Ronda said about Jennings Pond stating that he did not
want to have it in the budget since it’s no place you would want your kids to
swim. (2) Asked about the $4000 set aside for hiring court security during bench
trials or jury trials that wasn’t needed this year and why it couldn’t be left in the
court account?
3.3.1.Gagnon noted that whatever isn’t used goes into the fund balance and
then is re-appropriated to the accounts.
3.4.Theresa Klinger
(1) Wanted Ronda to know that there is a notar y public in the court that is
available if needed. (2) Asked the Town Board to consider keeping the option of
the meetings being virtual; she appreciates it being virtual.
4.Correspondence
5.Announcements
5.1.Review of Expiring Terms and Open Positions
5.1.1.Board of Zoning Appeals (1 seat); 5-year appointment
5.1.2.Conser vation Advisor y Council (3-4 seats); 2-year appointment
5.1.3.Danby Youth Commission (7 seats ); 2-year appointment
5.1.4.Environmental Management Council (1 seat); 2-year appt
5.1.5.Historian (1 seat); 1-year appointment
5.1.6.Planning Board (1 seat); 7-year appointment
5.1.7.West Danby Water District (1 seat); 5-year appointment
6.Reports & Presentations
6.1.Town Clerk
6.2.Code Enforcement Officer
6.2.1.August 2023
6.2.2.September 2023
7.Meeting Minutes
7.1.6 December 2022
7.2.21 December 2022
7.3.19 April 2023
7.4.24 April 2023 Regular Meeting Continued
7.5.2 May 2023
7.6.6 June 2023
7.7.21 June 2023
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Town of Danby, New York 20 September 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes
7.8.5 July 2023
7.9.1 August 2023
7.10.5 September 2023
The Board did not discuss or accept any of the above listed minutes.
8.Warrant Abstract No 20
8.1.Resolution 200 of 2023 to Approve the General Fund Vouchers 306–320 for
$12,766.54
Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Woodworth
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hansen X
Hunter X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 200 of 2023 passed on 3 October 2023
8.2.Resolution 201 of 2023 to Approve the Highway Fund Vouchers 203–205 for
$3,697.72
Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Woodworth
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hansen X
Hunter X
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Town of Danby, New York 20 September 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 201 of 2023 passed on 3 October 2023
8.3.Resolution 202 of 2023 to approve the Water Fund Vouchers 30 for $70
Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Woodworth
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hansen X
Hunter X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 202 of 2023 passed on 3 October 2023
9.Business
9.1.Resolution 203 of 2023 to Schedule a Public Hearing for the Tax Cap Override
Local Law on Wednesday 18 October at 6pm.
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hansen X
Hunter X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
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Town of Danby, New York 20 September 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes
Resolution 203 of 2023 passed on 3 October 2023
9.2.AOT Annual Meeting Feb 18-21 Early Registration?(ends Oct 31)
9.2.1.Board decided to register Leslie Connorsnow; if not re-elected, someone
else will go in their place.
9.3.Agricultural District 2 - Comment or Not?
9.3.1.The notice that was posted was for landowners; not the town
municipality feedback.
9.3.2.The board, particularly Councilperson Connors, would like to review the
properties in the district. Gagnon will charge Planner Hutnik to assemble
the materials.
9.4. Initial Review of Tentative Budget.
9.4.1.Budget Officer Laura Shawley provided an overview of the submitted
tentative budget noting that:
9.4.1.1.It is under the tax cap by $608
9.4.1.2.It represents a 3.036% increase in the tax levy
9.4.1.3.As is, if this budget is passed, the tax analysis shows that for ever y
$100k of assessed value, the tax bill will decrease by $31.40; for
those in the water district, their tax bill will decrease by $78.20
9.4.2.The tentative budget includes $20,000 for a new website position
9.4.3.Gagnon noted that the water district budget reflects 80% of revenues
from usage, 20% from taxes and approximately doubles the water rate to
$1.16 per hundred gallons
9.4.4.Connors requested a detailed breakdown of the town’s fund balance and
tax assessment changes over the past 10-15 years
9.4.5.Gagnon and Connors discussed potential options for Deputy Supervisor
compensation
9.4.6.Gagnon and Connors discussed using ARPA funds to acquire the solar
equipment located at the highway property for under $100,000
9.4.7.Further discussion included budget allocation for various town
departments; equipment purchases; water district repairs, finances, and
planning; adding support staff for code enforcement; local government
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Town of Danby, New York 20 September 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes
spending and collaboration.
10.Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda—none
11. Meeting Adjourned at 20:01
Recorded by Janice R. Adelman
Town Clerk
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