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Home My WebLink About2023-08-01 Town Board MinutesREC E I V E D N O T A P P R O V E D Meeting Minutes Roll Call: Town Board Joel Gagnon, Super visor Leslie Connors Katharine Hunter Patricia Woodworth Vacant seat Code Enforcement Off icer Steve Cortright (videoconference) Town Bookkeeper Laura Shawley (videoconference) Recording Secretary Janice Adelman, Town Clerk (videoconference) Transcript and audio recording are available online. 1.Town Board Meeting Called to Order a by Supervisor Gagnon t 18:03 2.Additions/Deletions to Agenda 3.Privilege of the Floor 3.1.Ted Crane, resident. Spoke to agenda item 9.2 on urging the governor to veto the changing from odd to even numbered years for local elections. Also spoke to the interviewing/appointment process for the board vacancy. 3.2.Garry Huddle, Town Justice & town resident. Asked when is a good time to ask about budget line items. Felt that there are several items that we keep taxing the taxpayers but not use the allotted funds and asked why we can’t set it aside to be used in the general fund. 3.3.Theresa Klinger, Town Justice & town resident. Asked where to find the resolution urging the governor to veto the local election year change. 3.4.Heather Crosby, resident. Spoke to the ability to view the materials linked to the agenda as a matter of public record that are available on the town website. 4.Correspondence 4.1.None. 5.Announcements 5.1.Reminder that we will have a send-off for David West and Welcome to the new planner, Greg Hutnik on August 16 at 5pm. Mary Ann Barr 2021 T he Town of Danby 1830 Danby Road Ithaca, NY 14850 danby.ny.gov Town Board Regular Meeting Tuesday 1 August 2023 at 6:00PM REC E I V E D N O T A P P R O V E D Town of Danby, New York 1 August 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes 6.Reports & Presentations 6.1.Town Clerk 6.2.Code Enforcement Officer 6.3.Update on Town Planner Transition 6.3.1. David West’s last day was Friday 28 July; Greg Hutnik’s first day is Monday 21 August 7.Meeting Minutes 7.1.6 December 2022 7.2.21 December 2022 7.3.7 March 2023 already approved on6/26/2023 7.4.19 April 2023 7.5.24 April 2023 Regular Meeting Continued 7.6.2 May 2023 7.7.17 May 2023 7.8.6 June 2023 7.9.21 June 2023 7.10.5 July 2023 7.11.19 July 2023 Resolution 178 of 2023 To Åccept May 17 Minutes Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Woodworth Vote: Councilperson Aye Nay Connors X Hunter X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 178 of 2023 passed on 1 August 2023 8.Warrants Abstract 16 of 2023 8.1.Resolution 180 of 2023 To Approve the General Fund Vouchers 244–250 for $22,958.09 Page 2 of 6 REC E I V E D N O T A P P R O V E D Town of Danby, New York 1 August 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Woodworth Vote: Councilperson Aye Nay Connors X Hunter X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 180 of 2023 passed on 1 August 2023 8.2.Resolution 179 of 2023 To Approve the Highway Fund Vouchers 156–160 for $7,969.60 Moved By: Connors Seconded By: Woodworth Vote: Councilperson Aye Nay Connors X Hunter X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 179 of 2023 passed on 1 August 2023 9.Business 9.1.Appointment to Fill Vacancy on Town Board Resolution 181 of 2023 To Appoint Paul Hansen to f ill the Board Vacancy Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors Resolved, that the Town Board hereby appoints Paul Hansen to fulfill the remainder of the Board Member term (12/31/2023) left vacant from Steve Weissburg’s departure. Vote: Councilperson Aye Nay Page 3 of 6 REC E I V E D N O T A P P R O V E D Town of Danby, New York 1 August 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes Connors X Hunter X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 181 of 2023 passed on 1 August 2023 9.2.Consider Resolution Urging Governor Hochul to Veto Changing From Odd to Even Numbered Years for Local Elections Resolution 182 of 2023 To Send The Recommendation that Governor Hochul Veto Rather than Sign the Proposal into Law. Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors WHEREAS, towns, counties, and cities in Upstate New York have long held local elections for legislative and administrative offices in odd-numbered years under the dictates of New York State law; and WHEREAS, holding these town and county elections in odd-numbered years has benefited local elected officials, candidates for local office, and the constituents they ser ve, as they provide the opportunity for local candidates to convey their message to the voters in an election environment uncluttered by the more prominent, better-funded messaging from candidates for state or federal office; and WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature in June 2023 adopted Senate Bill S3505B and Assembly Bill A4282B, bills that would transition local elections for most town and county legislative and administrative offices to even-numbered years, beginning in 2025; and WHEREAS, this adopted legislation will soon be presented to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, for her signature or veto; and WHEREAS, on June 20, 2023, the Tompkins County Legislature adopted by Resolution Number 2023-147, a Resolution that urged Governor Hochul to veto this pending legislation; and WHEREAS, the Town of Danby Town Board agrees with the rationale of the Tompkins County Legislature, as provided in its Resolution, that to move local Page 4 of 6 REC E I V E D N O T A P P R O V E D Town of Danby, New York 1 August 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes elections to even-numbered years would increase the workload of local boards of elections in even-numbered years and require significantly larger paper ballots, which could impede the ability of voting machines to process said ballots, overwhelm the duties of poll workers, and slow the voting process at polling locations; and WHEREAS, most importantly, as the Tompkins County Legislature stated, “These bills could significantly obscure the campaigns of candidates for local county and town offices, whose issues and positions would be eclipsed by higher-profile state and federal races”; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Danby Town Board opposes the enactment of S3505B and A4282B and urges Governor Hochul to veto these bills; and be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Lea Webb, New York State Assembly members Carl Heastie and Anna Kelles. Vote: Councilperson Aye Nay Connors X Hunter X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 182 of 2023 passed on 1 August 2023 9.3.Progress Updates on Noise and Short-term Rentals 9.3.1.Gagnon was recently made aware of an upcoming two-day family-friendly music festival including art and camping at 153 South Danby Road (Willseyville), called The BBQ VII [note: this website was subsequently made private by the organizers]. The Board discussed surprise and trepidation that this was happening without the organizers inquiring and obtaining proper permitting and approval. 9.4.Status Report on Wastewater Options Study 9.5.Budget Status and Overview of the Process for Budget 2024 9.5.1.Laura Shawley will be distributing budget packets to department heads 9.5.2.One main area of concern is lack of enforcement for violations, suggesting Page 5 of 6 REC E I V E D N O T A P P R O V E D Town of Danby, New York 1 August 2023 Town Board Meeting Minutes the need to hire additional staff to address this effectively. 9.5.3.Additional areas are communications with the website and the newsletter. Will put a solicitation of interest in joining the website committee in the Town Newsletter. 9.5.4.Gagnon suggested setting a cap on the levy increase that the Board is willing to tolerate. 9.5.5.Woodworth suggested scheduling additional budget meetings beginning in September. 9.6. More on the Wish List and Use of ARPA Funds 10.Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda 10.1.Spending ARPA Funds 10.2.Noise and Short Term Rental 10.3.Wish List 11.Adjourned at 20:03 Recorded by Janice R. Adelman Town Clerk Page 6 of 6