Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-25 Town Board Minutes, Special Meeting Board Members Present:Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor Leslie Connors Katharine Hunter Patricia Woodworth Paul Hansen Town Staff:Laura Shawley, Bookkeeper Mariah Dillon, Town Clerk Other Attendees:Ted Crane Jim Holahan 1.Call to Order 2:02 2.Additions to Agenda 2.1.Resolution 127 of 2024 To Add Authorization for Taps Across America Event at Town Hall To the Agenda Discussion ensued regarding the status and appropriateness of adding the Taps Across America Event to the agenda. Connors objected to adding anything at all to the agenda, Moved By Gagnon Seconded by Hansen Roll Call: Connors No Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 127 of 2024 passed on April 25, 2024 3.Privilege of the Floor Ted Crane expressed support for trails in general. Crane asked the board if they would explicitly state whether there are any property owners whose property is crossed by the trail who have objected to it. He mentioned there were instances reported in the past, where a trail goes through literally someone's front yard or backyard, or close enough to the house that it might be within the setback, if there was a setback involved. Crane asked the board to state whether that problem still exists. Jim Holahan mentioned that he lives very close to the trail and has enjoyed the trail being mostly unpopulated, and enjoys the aspect of going back there and having the trail to himself. He looks forward to the trail coming through the area and thinks it's going to be great for the residents in the area to be able to utilize it. Supervisor Gagnon replied to Crane that the right of way (where the trail is located) is owned by Mary Ann Barr 2021   T he Town of Danby  1830 Danby Road   Ithaca, NY 14850  danby.ny.gov Town Board Special Meeting T hursday April 25, 2024 at 2:00PM NYSEG, and does not cross anybody’s property. He went on to say that while some people may claim that they own some property on the trail, extensive research was done and found that only NYSEG owns the land upon which the trail will be located. 4.Business 4.1.Approving Trail Easement and MOU for South Hill Trail Extension Discussion ensued regarding costs for maintaining the trail from Burns to Banks (approximately 1.5 miles). Gagnon mentioned that the initial arrangement was that Danby would be responsible for about one quarter of the costs for maintaining the trail, which comes to about $2,500 per year. The Town of Ithaca will be taking the lead on trail maintenance. L. Shawley said that Danby’s current insurance policy would cover the trail and there should be no increase in cost of insurance. Resolution 128 of 2024 Authorization to Sign an Easement with NYSEG and to Sign an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Towns of Dryden, Ithaca, and Caroline for the potential South Hill Recreation Way Extension Whereas, the Town of Danby wishes to cooperate with the Towns of Caroline, Ithaca, and Dryden to develop an extension of the South Hill Recreation Way from its present terminus at Burns Road out to the Tioga County line; and Whereas, the route of this trail extension follows the former railbed which is now owned by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG); and Whereas, a draft easement with NYSEG has been prepared for this project and has been presented to this Board; and Whereas, an inter-municipal agreement with the Towns of Caroline, Ithaca, and Dryden has been drafted setting forth the responsibilities and liabilities regarding this trail extension project and has been presented to this Board; and Whereas, NYSEG has offered to sell trail easements to the Towns based on a fair market appraisal price of $36,667, with the Town of Danby’s share being $7,998; and Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, it has been determined by the Town Board that acquisition of less than 25 acres of parkland is a Type II action, and the adoption of regulations, policies, procedures and local legislative decisions in connection with any action on the Type II list is also a Type II action, pursuant to 6NYCRR Section 617.5(c)(39) and (33), and thus the acquisition of the easement and approval of the inter-municipal agreement are not subject to further review under SEQRA; and Whereas, a public hearing was held pursuant to General Municipal Law Section 247; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby hereby approves and authorizes the execution of the proposed easement with NYSEG for the potential extension of the South Hill Recreation Way, and it is further Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the payment to NYSEG of $7,998 for the Town of Danby’s portion of such easement upon full execution of the easement, and be it further Resolved, that payment of said funds are to be made available wholly from American Rescue Plan Act money, which are sufficient funds to cover the purchase price and costs of this transaction, and be it further Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby hereby approves and authorizes the execution of the proposed inter-municipal agreement with the Towns of Dryden, Danby, and Caroline regarding future maintenance of and other responsibilities and liabilities regarding the trail, and be it further Resolved, that the Town Supervisor is authorized and requested to take such steps (including the expenditure of funds for easement purchase, recording fees, filing fees, and other real estate fees and expenses), and to execute all such documents (including the easement and inter-municipal agreement) as are deemed necessary to effectuate such easement and the purposes of this resolution. Moved: Gagnon Seconded: Hansen Roll Call: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 128 of 2024 passed on April 25, 2024 4.2.Resolution 129 of 2024 to Approve the Use of the Town Hall Properties for a Memorial Day Taps Across America Service this year and in Succeeding Years. Moved By Woodworth Seconded by Hunter Roll Call: Connors Absent Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 129 of 2024 passed on April 25, 2024 5.Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda 6.Adjourn 2:21