HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-12 CAC MinutesTown of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 1 of 4
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council (CAC)
Minutes of Video Conference (Zoom) Meeting on
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Danby, New York
Council Members present: Margaret Corbit (Acting Chair), Joel Gagnon, Mary
Woodsen, Jonathan Zisk, Katharine Hunter
Council Members absent: Clare Fewtrell (chair), Brittany Lagaly, Don Schaufler
Others present: Elizabeth Keokosky (secretary), Ronda Roaring (Danby resident),
Zoom Meeting was officially called to order at 7:20.
Privilege of the Floor (PoF): None
Deletions or Additions to Agenda: None
Approval Minutes MOTION for both May 10, 2022 and June 14,, 2022 minutes
Woodsen moved to approve both
Hunter seconded
Unanimous approval.
(actually approved at end of meeting)
REPORTS AND UPDATES from Agenda
1. Update and follow through on Proposed Solar Panel Farm and
possible Bird Survey – Joel Gagnon
Gagnon reported that Norbut Solar Project site plan was approved by
planning board. All hurdles have been jumped on Danby municipal side.
Not sure when they will begin work – probably this fall.
2. Updates on Passed and Proposed Easements: Ravencache (Lagaly),
Woodsen (Zisk), Sherman/Lassoie (Lagaly and Hunter), any
others?
Gagnon reported that Ravencache easement was approved by town
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 2 of 4
board, but Gagnon still has to meet with Tyler, Brittany’s husband,
whose name is on deed, to complete and register with the county.
It was suggested CAC make a map to show all Danby easements.
No progress with Woodsen easement – Zisk had medical issues
No progress with Sherman/Lassoie easement – see above. Hunter
noted that this property was adjacent to Ted Crane’s, which could be
used with him to encourage an easement on his property.
Hoffman easement needed language to accommodate cabins, and a
previously written section on cabins was taken from Melchen easement
to adapt and incorporate in theirs .
3. Status of annual easement monitoring and placing easement signs
– Jonathan Zisk, Katharine Hunter
Eric Palmer still needs annual monitoring from last year, 2021. 2022
monitoring of easements needs to thought of. People worried about
ticks and heat – thinking cooler weather might be a better choice since it
allows complete coverup. Hunter volunteered to knock on Palmer’s
door, and make a connection to find a good time to do monitoring
4. Status of Timber Harvesting law – Don Schaufler & Jonathan Zisk
Schaufler not present, but may be meeting with Laura Shawley now,
Zisk reported.
5. Status of local implementation of varying easement time lines and
tax abatements subcommittee – Joel Gagnon
Gagnon reported that the committee was still waiting on David West,
Danby planner, and Ithaca school board, to come to a final conclustion of
their deliberations. Also, since a recent school board election, there
were now new board members that would have to learn the issues.
6. Beginning a re-visioning of Danby conservation easement message
and how to strategize outreach; GIS map, enabling legislation – Joel
Gagnon, Jonathan Zisk, Margaret Corbit
GIS maps: Corbit explained that she had planned on working with David
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 3 of 4
West to learn GIS to show mapping, but had been kept instead in NYC
helping out with sick family members. She had been unable to
accomplish this goal, although she was enthusiastic to begin work on it.
Discussion of a better public message: PoF:Keokosky reminded group
that Zisk had also mentioned a more inspirational way of describing
Danby conservation easements, similar to that of the Finger Lakes Land
Trust, that could encourage a better (more environmentally
preservationist) spirit in donors. Zisk redefined this goal as a mission
statement. Gagnon suggested it could come from the enabling
legislation for CAC. Pof:Roaring looked up and read the mission
statement for the FLLT: “To conserve forever the lands and waters of
the Finger Lakes region, ensuring scenic vistas, clean water, local foods,
and wild places for everyone.” Pof:Keokosky suggested creating a
mission statement from Danby’s comphrehensive plan – such as “To
preserve the rural quality of Danby”. Corbit said that, listening to these
examples, she realized the words didn ’t need to be defined, in fact as
Gagnon said, ambiguity can be a good thing. It allows everyone to
define it for themselves
Discussion followed about writing a CAC website/page with aspects like
“mission statement” “vision”,” about us” and how to accomplish this
within the structure of the Danby website. Corbit wondered if we
should go on Facebook but group decided it was best to concentrate
energies on one place. One design suggestion: don’t give so much space
to listing members.
Corbit urged members to check out other websites for mission
statement ideas.
7. Continued lessons with Zoho – Margaret Corbit
Corbit describeds how to delete a file: Right click on item and at bottom
of list that appears is “move to trash” Continue working on getting a
common understanding, which is visually difficult since Zoho is
accessed through a browser and looks different in each.
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 4 of 4
There was no Executive session
Next Meeting via Zoom is on August 9, 2022 at 7p.m.
Adjournment at 8:06 pm
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Submitted by Elizabeth Keokosky (Secretary)