HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-08-CAC-minutesTown of Danby Conservation Advisory Council (CAC)
Notes from In-person Meeting in Town Hall, and Via Videoconferencing
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
Council Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Katharine Hunter, Don Schaufler, Jonathan Zisk
Council Members Absent: Margaret Corbit, Anne Klingensmith, Brittany Lagaly, Renee Owens
Others Present: Kristin McCarthy (staff), Ronda Roaring (Danby resident, via Zoom)
Meeting was called to order at 7:20pm. Due to lack of a quorum, official business could not be
conducted.
Deletions or Additions to Agenda: None. There was no formal agenda distributed, but attendees
were familiar with the discussion topics.
Privilege of the Floor: Roaring expressed concern about the lack of attendance from members,
stating that it was disrespectful to those who did attend, including the staff person taking minutes.
Approval of Minutes: Previous meeting minutes could not be approved due to lack of a quorum.
Reports and Updates
1. Status of Conservation Easement Tax Abatement: The group confirmed that this matter
is on hold until after the election.
2. Status of Timber Harvesting Law: Schaufler updated the group on the timber harvesting
law, which aims to safeguard local roads from potential damage caused by logging
operations. The draft, reviewed by Steve Cortright, code enforcement officer, and Jack
Shawley, deputy highway superintendent, is nearly complete after years of development
involving input from DEC officials, local residents, and various stakeholders. In response to
Kristin's query, the group provided additional background on the initiative's history and
revisions. To finalize the law, the next steps include ensuring the inclusion of provisions for
timely intervention, permit requirements, and clear guidelines for sustainable logging
practices. Once completed, the draft will then be reviewed by the town attorney to ensure
legal compliance and presented to the town board for consideration, including a public
hearing.
3. Updates on Ongoing Easements:
a. Altman -- Zisk provided an update on the Altman easement, discussing the proposed
zones for the property. Altman has expressed a desire to incorporate Indigenous land
use practices, specifically referencing traditional maple sugaring and the potential for
an educational facility. The group discussed the complexities of easement agreements,
particularly regarding the balance between restrictive and permissive uses. A key
concern raised was the difficulty of enforcingrestrictions on future property owners. Zisk
and Schaufler have plans to do a walkthrough of the Altman property, and others are
invited to join as well. Participants shared anecdotes about easement monitoring,
invasive species, and boundary disputes.
b. Gladstone – Zisk provided an update on the Gladstone easement, noting that the
owner's intentions to create a wildlife habitat may not align with the town’s ability to
ensure implementation. The group is working to balance protecting natural features
while accommodating Gladstone's vision. Next steps include integrating photographs
and a zonal map into the documentation and finalizing the wording for her review before
sharing with the broader group.
c. Kartman – Gagnon reported that the Danby Town Board approved the Kartman
easement the previous evening. The finalized document will be signed, notarized, and
mailed to the recipient for countersignature. The group briefly discussed the town
board's review process for such documents.
d. Sherman – It was reported that the Sherman easement should be ready to move
forward.
Next, the group provided context for Kristin, the new staff member taking minutes, about
key topics in Danby's conservation easement program development. They explained past
discussions on easement length, with debates between shorter terms to encourage participation
versus long-term conservation goals. Regarding tax implications, while state law provided relief for
easements with the town, it excluded pre-existing easements, and the town is exploring legislative
amendments to address this.
Status of Easement Monitoring: It was relayed that Brittany would submit a baseline report for the
prospective Sherman easement. Members discussed technical difficulties with uploading
monitoring reports and converting paper documents to digital formats. The group touched on
monitoring frequency, noting the goal of annual checks while acknowledging challenges of
traditional methods, and discussed using drones and satellite imagery for hard-to-reach areas. The
conversation then shifted to land ownership in Danby, including a case of inherited land being sold
due to tax burdens. The group debated the definition of "rural character," considering wildlife
preservation, development, and aesthetics, concluding that perspectives vary widely on this topic.
Status of Checklist to Trigger CAC Involvement in Town Planning of Land Use: Zisk provided an
update on the ongoing development of a checklist to determine when the CAC should be involved
in town planning decisions. His report touched on the importance of establishing clear criteria for
CAC involvement, balancing environmental protection with development needs, and considering
the expertise of town staff and officials. The group plans to further discuss the checklist, including
specific examples of triggering events and the role of the CAC in the planning process.
Executive Session -- None.
Wrap -up -- The gathering concluded with a few remarks on the upcoming year and the role of the
chair. The importance of goal setting was mentioned, though CAC's priorities are often driven by
specific issues. Before parting ways for the evening, the group also touched on invasive species
management, zoning regulations, logging operations, and the challenges of balancing conservation
goals with practical needs.
The gathering ended at 9:04pm.
Submitted by Kristin McCarthy, Secretary