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Home My WebLink About2024-12-16 Town Board MinutesTown of Danby Town Board Meeting Minutes Ali Held Monday, December 16, 2024 DAN hl Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor Leslie Connors Katharine Hunter Patricia Woodworth Paul Hansen Town Staff: Laura Shawley, Bookkeeper Mariah Dillon, Town Clerk Steve Cortright, Code Officer Greg Hutnik, Town Planner Other Attendees: Ted Crane Zach Larkins Ronda Roaring Jim Holahan Captain Charles Tilton Vera Schilling Public Hearin A public hearing to provide feedback on the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant program. Public Hearing Opened at 6:07 PM For Vera Schilling Anonymous (Several) Against Other Ted Crane Ronda Roaring" Supervisor Gagnon noted that there were a number of emails and phone conversations conveyed by Hutnik that were attached to the agenda. 'Crane had a question about the availability of identifying information of grant recipients and the money they received or spent. Privacy concerns were discussed. Planner Hutnik will investigate whether this information can/should be shared. "Roaring: I called Thoma and had a long talk with the person there. And it seemed to me that people are misspeaking in that the person who just spoke said that she was glad to have the grant, but she didn't receive the grant. Thoma received the grant. She was a recipient. It's an important issue, because she has this money that was used on her house that put her into what's similar to a second mortgage on her property. So if she should, for whatever reason, sell her house tomorrow, she has to pay the money back to Thoma, and so it's not a grant. It's not a grant to her, until she has lived with this whole thing for years, and it actually has a negative effect on anyone who was participating in this program. It has a negative effect on their credit rating, so that if she tried to buy a car and take out a loan to buy a car, then she wouldn't be able to do that because her credit rating has been negatively affected by this money that's attached to her mortgage. So, I think that, of course, it's the responsibility of the participant to really check all these things out and make 1 1 P a g e sure that they understand what they're engaging in financially. I think that it's been misrepresented by implying that it's the homeowner that's receiving the grant when it's not, and that that was just my big complaint about that. I'm glad that all these people were able to participate in this and that they were able to get repairs on their houses. We certainly need more of that. I think it's become so expensive to just keep up an older house that I think there are a lot of people who are in trouble. But anyway, I just want people to understand that it's not a grant to the homeowner. Supervisor Gannon responded to Roaring's comment: I believe that that's incorrect. It is a grant to the homeowner after a certain number of years. Given, there is indeed a mortgage associated if the property is sold within five years. Thoma administered the grant, they didn't receive it. It was not a grant to Thoma. Public Hearing Closed at 6:23 PM Meetiniz Called to Order 6:24 Additions/Deletions to the Agenda - None Privilege of the Floor Ronda Roaring: I'm really opposed to this contract with Cooperative Extension. There is absolutely nothing in the contract that indicates what kind of enrichment they are going to be providing to the children of Danby. I think it's an outrageous amount of money. I've said before, the parents' ought to be involved in this and that the contract is nothing but a contract to hire a person, and we have no idea what they're going to be doing. It sounds more to me like they're going to be enriching themselves through various programs they'll attend. Anyway, I'm opposed to it. Steve Cortright Responding to questions from Gagnon regarding ARPA Funds status update: Hurd Energy will do the electrical work for the WDWD Office Building. Cortright will get any invoices to the Town before the end of the year. Correspondence ~ None Announcements Connors mentioned some confusion about an article in the Tompkins Weekly paper about the Rhize Up Community Farm. Hutnik elaborated on the concerns about the article and will include a statement about it in his monthly writeup in the Danby Town News. Hutnik announced a CDBG Grant of $695,000 for additional Housing rehabilitation. Reports and Presentations - None 2 1 P a g e Meeting Minutes Resolution 271 of 2024 To Accept the December 2, 2024, Town Board Meeting Minutes Moved by Hunter Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Abstain Resolution 271 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Warrant Abstract 24 of 2024 Resolution 272 of 2024 To Approve Budget Transfers Between Accounts FROM A1420.400 Attorney, Contr. A1420.400 Attorney, Contr. A9060.800 Health Insurance A1410.113 Project Assistant TO A1620.410 Information Tech. A1620.420 Website A9070.800 Drug Testing A1410.100 Dept. Town Clerk Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 272 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 NINVAre-180M $928.00 $100.00 $107.00 $600.00 Resolution 273 of 2024 To Accept General Fund Vouchers 459 - 496 $35,618.25 Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 273 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 3 Resolution 274 of 2024 To Accept Highway Fund Vouchers 226 - 234 for $224,630.80 Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 274 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Resolution 275 of 2024 To Accept WD Water District Fund Vouchers 35 - 37 for $453.74 Moved by Connors Seconded by Woodworth Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 275 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Business ARPA Closeout Decisions ARPA FUNDS RECONCILIATION 12/16/2024 TOTAL AWARD $343,520.00 PROJECTS: Participation in Broad Band Study $4,000.00 REPORTED Upgrade of Town's Information Technology Services 18,146.87 REPORTED Building for Water Administration 14,599.80 SPENT Cloud Permit Software 6,500.00 SPENT Additional Charges 3,500.00 COMMITTED Roller for Highway 150,592.00 SPENT Security System for Highway 11,200.00 INSTALLED Drainage Project at Highway 7,208.00 BOARD APPROVAL - ORDER PLACED BOARD APPROVAL -ORDER Highway - Loader Forks 5,500.00 TOMORROW Highway -West Jersey Hill Culvert 17,292.00 PROJECT COMPLETE Codification - General Code 16,000.00 COMMITTED 4 1 P a g e TOTAL REPORTED, COMMITTED, SPENT OTHER PROJECTS Solar Array Purchase Bldg for Water Admin - Additional Exp. DEDICATED BUILDING RESERVE TOTAL OTHER PROJECTS TOTAL ARPA FUNDS $254,538.67 $73,100.00 WAITING FOR APPROVAL OF CONTRACT BYSUNVESTMENT $5,000.00 WAITING FOR EXPENSES AND CONTRACT $14,881.33 AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER FOR TOWN HALL, ACCESSABILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TOWN HALL, SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TOWN CLERK AND CODE OFFICES $92,981.33 $347,520.00 Discussion ensued regarding use of the building capital reserve fund to commit ARPA funds for projects still needing contracts. Resolution 276 of 2024 To Spend ARPA Money out of the Building Capital Reserve Fund to Finish up the listed ARPA Projects Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 276 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Authorize $60,000 NYSERDA Grant Signing for Town Hall Energy Improvements Holahan went over the recommended energy updates from the building audit report. Specifically, a point of use hot water heater, pipe insulation and WI FI controlled thermostat, and heat pumps. The money will be used toward what's been documented in the report, although some changes could occur as long as they are geared towards energy improvements to the building. Resolution 277 of 2024 To Authorize $60,000 NYSERDA Grant Signing for Town Hall Energy Improvements Moved by Hansen Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes 5 1 P a g e Gagnon Yes Resolution 277 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Resolution to Correct Misidentification of Tax Parcel 11: 1-21 in Resolution Accepting the Curtiss Easement It was recently discovered that the filing for the Curtis easement was not done completely. The body of the easement was filed with the County Clerk, but the associated schedules were not. And, the resolution that the town board passed accepting the easement misidentified the tax parcel. This resolution is to correct those deficiencies. Resolution 278 of 2024 — Corrective Resolution for the Curtiss Conservation Easement Whereas in 2019, the Town Board approved and accepted a Deed of Conservation Easement for a 4.22-acre parcel owned by Joan and Rich Curtiss (Resolution No. 64 of 2019); and Whereas Resolution No. 64 of 2019 misidentifies the tax parcel number of the conservation easement as 11.-1-19, which is the tax parcel number of the property immediately to the south; and Whereas the correct tax parcel number of the Curtiss Conservation Easement is 11.4-21; and Whereas Schedules A, B, and C of the Deed of Conservation Easement were not filed with the Tompkins County Clerk; and Whereas the Town Board wishes to correct these ministerial errors; Now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Danby corrects for the record that the Curtiss Conservation Easement as approved by the Town Board at Resolution 64 of 2019 is for Tax Parcel No. 11.4-21; and Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the filing of this Resolution and Schedules A, B, and C, as approved at Resolution No. 64 of 2019, with the Tompkins County Clerk, and indexing them to Instrument #2019-13847. Moved by Hansen Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 278 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Authorize Signing 2025 Rural Youth Services Contract with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Resolution 279 of 2024 To Authorize Signing 2025 Rural Youth Services Contract with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Moved by Woodworth Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes 6 1 P a g e Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 279 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Resolution in Support of Additional Time for Public Comment on Salt Mine Infiltration Water Disposal Application Resolution 280 of 2024 In support of a Digital Time Frame for Public Comment on Salt Mine Infiltration for the Cayuga Salt Mine WHEREAS, Cargill Incorporated has submitted a permit application (0-9999-00075/00001) to renew and modify its Mined Land Reclamation Permit for the Cayuga Salt Mine, which includes plans to flood the abandoned S3 Zone of the mine beneath Cayuga Lake with wastewater, potentially impacting the environment and the community; WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has declared itself the lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and issued a Negative Declaration despite the application being classified as a Type I action, which typically requires a more thorough environmental review; WHEREAS, significant concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of Cargill's application, including compliance with the Mined Land Reclamation Law, monitoring and treatment of waste materials, the potential for groundwater pollution, the stability of the mine, and the long-term reclamation of the affected areas; WHEREAS, the proposed flooding of the S3 Zone raises serious questions about the safety and environmental integrity of Cayuga Lake, particularly in light of prior instability noted in this area and the implications of storing not -fully -saturated brine beneath the lake; WHEREAS, various stakeholders, including environmental groups and local officials, have expressed concerns regarding the potential adverse impacts of Cargill's proposed activities, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive environmental impact statement and public engagement; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Danby formally requests that the DEC: 1. Deny Cargill's permit application or, alternatively, rescind the Negative Declaration and require the preparation of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement to assess all potential environmental risks associated with the proposed activities. 2. Conduct a public hearing to allow for community input and address the substantive concerns raised by residents and stakeholders regarding the application. 3. Ensure that Cargill's Reclamation Plan and accompanying bond are revised to adequately address environmental protection and public safety, and that sufficient measures are implemented to prevent potential pollution and ensure the long-term stability of the mine and surrounding 7 1 P a g e areas. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Comment.CayggaSaltMine2023@dec.ny.gov, DEC Commissioner Dereth Glance (dereth.glance@dec.ny.og_v), OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy (officeofthecommissioner@ogs.ny.gov), and DEC Permit Administrator Jonathan Stercho (jonathan.stercho@dec.ny.gov) to ensure that the voices of the Town of Danby's residents are heard in this critical decision -making process. Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Hansen Yes Hunter Yes Woodworth Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 280 of 2024 passed on December 16, 2024 Decommissioning Bond Agreements for Norbut Solar Farm Discussion regarding who the agreement is between. No action was taken. Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda Interviews, if any, with new applicants for boards and committees Adjourn 7:30 PM 8 1 P a g e