HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-20 Town Board Meeting Minutes1 | P a g e
Town of Danby
Town Board Meeting Minutes
Held Monday, February 20, 2025
Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor
Leslie Connors
Katharine Hunter
Patricia Woodworth
Paul Hansen
Town Stafi: Laura Shawley, Bookkeeper
Mariah Dillon, Town Clerk
Greg Hutnik, Town Planner
Steve Cortright, Code Offfcer
Keith Shipman , Highway Superintendent
Other Attendees: Dan Klein , County Legislator Tyler Stein
Ted Crane Zach Larkin s
Ronda Roaring Jim Holahan
Captain Charles Tilton Joeva Barrow
Garry Huddle Erin Caruth
Theresa Klinger Mark Pruce
Heather Cofiee
Town Board Meeting Called to Order 6:05 PM
Public Hearing
Public Hearing on Local Law #1 of 2025 – Cold War Veterans Tax Exemption
Public Hearing Opened at 6:05
No one spoke for, or against, the Local Law.
Public Hearing C losed at 6:0 6
Additions/Deletions to the Agenda
Report on Meeting with Board of Elections in West Danby. ~Moved to Reports.
Request from the Community Science Institute (CSI) to do Volunteer Training at the Town Hall
on April 12 th. ~Moved to Business.
Privilege of the Floor
Garry Huddle – Requests that town Board vacancies be put in the Town newsletter.
Discussion ensued. It was agreed that the Town Newsletter and website should list open positions.
Ronda Roaring – Thanks Hutnik for the room video screen and camera modiffcations. Thanks Gagnon for
the Supervisors report. Expresses support of the EV Charger. “In January, I drove to Albany and back all on
the same day. It was seven hours of driving, and I noticed right away that there were no EV chargers
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anywhere along the route that I took, until you got to Gilderland, a little suburb of Albany. And so, then I
looked at the Google Map, and to get an EV charger you'd have to get ofi at Sydney and go into the little
village of Sydney or go to Oneonta or something like that. And I really feel that it's good for us to put up an EV
charger along 96 B - so you have my support.”
Ted Crane – “I agree entirely with what Ronda just said about EV chargers, but I'll put a nuance in there. I
believe that anything that you put in should be free to the public for use. The actual cost to the town of the
electricity isn't zero, but it is insigniffcant compared to the value that you would grant to the people who are
using it, even if they're not town people. I took a quick look at the proposal that you have for installing the EV
charger, I am lfabbergasted by the price, as was the case with the initial EV charger. The town is spending an
awful lot of money on something that could be done, shall we say, for much, much less. And I encourage you
to consider doing it on your own. Highway Department can dig a ditch. You'd need to hire an electrician, I
assume. But the actual price of a charger need not be much, and if it happens to fail, you just buy another,
because it's still a 10th the price of what you're paying. I'm picking a n umber. It could be 100 for all I know.
I'd like to recognize Paul Hans en for his contribution as a town board member for an unfortunately short time,
personally, his commonsense contributions have been a breath of fresh air that I've enjoyed listening to , so
thank you very much, Paul. And ffnally, on the agenda, it states that there are only two applicants for the town
board position. However, looking at the number of windows that are open here, I suspect there are more than
that. Rather than comment on the two that I see there, I would request the to wn board reopen public comment
after the interviews of applicants, so that we can give our impression of what we heard. After all, in this
undertaking of the appointing of a town board member, you are, in fact, taking as your role that which is
normally reserved to voters, who elect a town board member, and I think you should be hearing what people
have to say about the interviews.”
Za chary Larkins – “I just wanted to say I'm so excited for the highway department, if you all approve h is
getting that gravel screener, I know Keith has been getting so much material in, and that will help him greatly
reduce cost. And also, a couple days ago, I sat down and read the whole sewer study. And ffnally, did a deep
dive into all the difierent processing. And, even if there's a small chance of it going through actually. I was
wrong, I had thought it was kind of dry. And once you get deep into it, it is a fascinating read, just learning the
difierent ways of processing elfiuent.”
Correspondence - None
Announcements - None
Reports and Presentations
County Legislature Rep Dan Klein Regrets he was not at the West Danby meeting about the polling place.
The sales tax revenue for the county has been down, and the ffnal for the year came in, and we had a very
good December, but unfortunately, it was not enough to put us into positive territory for the towns. So, the
town portion of the sales tax revenue from 2024 is down 1.1% from the previous year. There's a formula, who
gets what and the county squeaked by with a half a percent increase from the year before, but that's still below
what we budgeted. So, no matter how you slice it up, it was not a good sales tax revenue year. I also wanted to
report that the county passed a resolution sending a request to New York State to allow us to increase the
number of seats on the Industrial Development Agency from seven to nine. The Industrial Development
Agency is the body that reviews business proposals and decides, among other things, whether to grant partial
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tax exemptions. And so, we've requested New York State allow us to increase from seven to nine (members). It
requires New York state approval of that, and if they do, we have not decided what those two extra seats
would be. There's been several discussions of what they might represent, and one of the points of view that's
been put forward is that they could be a representative from the rural towns to give some input into the
Industrial Development Agency. So just keep an eye on that as it develops. See if we do get approval, and then
we go ahead and increase it, and then see what categories we end up choosing for that extra seat, and to see if
Danby, wants to participate in some way, in making decisions by the Industrial Development Agency. And
then I also wanted to congratulate Paul (Hansen) and thank you for your service.”
Highway Superintendent Keith Shipman ”We've been very busy, but Highway is doing good. We're
keeping track of the roads and making sure that they're safe out there. And, you know, we're bringing in a lot
of material right now for future paving, so we're busy hauling, and spring ’s right around the corner, and we'll
be making good roads here real shortly. That's the focus I had when I came into this - I said I was going to
make roads better and making them safer, making them last much longer, and that's the game plan.” He
mentioned the rock salt shortage and expressed concerns about Cargil closing and is looking for a new source
for rock salt.
Report on Meeting with Board of Elections in West Danby
Supervisor Gagnon reported that there was a good turnout for the meeting.
“The Board of Election ofiered the possibility of West Danby voters voting either in Danby or in Newffeld.
Neither prospect was very attractive to those in attendance. The suggestion came up , because a good chunk of
the people who are in the ffre department in West Danby are actually from the town of Newffeld and the
polling place in Newffeld is sort of toward the north end of the town, that instead of the super site being in
Newffeld, why not have the super site be located in West Danby, so that Newffeld voters in the south end of
the town could vote in West Danby. The Board of Election seemed receptive to considering that.” Gagnon
went on to say “It will be at least until March before we ffnd out what they decide to do. … A lot of people
mentioned that there are more options than there used to be, which is one of the reasons that there's not as
much in -person voting. People can vote early. They can vote by mail and it's easier than it used to be, and
several people spoke eloquently of how voting in person is meaningful to them in a way that dropping
something in the mail is not.”
Town Supervisor's Report
Meeting Minutes
Resolution 77 of 2025 To Accept the January 22, 202 5 , Town Board Meeting Minutes
Moved by Connors Seconded by Hunter
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 77 of 2025 passed on February 20 , 2025
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Resolution 78 of 2025 To Accept the February 3, 2025, Town Board Meeting Minutes
Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 78 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Budget Transfer
FROM TO AMOUNT
A1910.400 Unallocated Insurance A9010.800 NYS Retirement $8.00
DA5140.400 Misc. Expense DA9010.800 NYS Retirement $22.00
Resolution 79 of 2025 to Approve Transfer of budgeted Funds Between Accounts
Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 79 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Warrant Abstract
Resolution 80 of 2025 to Approve General Fund Vouchers 41 -78 for $34,821.71
Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 80 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Resolution 81 of 2025 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers 16 - 24 for $37,747.80
Moved by Connors Seconded by Hansen
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 81 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
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Resolution 82 of 2025 to Approve Water Fund Vouchers 44 - 48 for $575.86
Moved by Connors Seconded by Hunter
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 82 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Resolution 83 of 2025 to Approve Fire District Voucher 68 for $600,000.00
Moved by Connors Seconded by Hansen
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 83 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Business
Interviews of Applicants to Fill Upcoming Board Vacancy
Tyler Stein introduced himself and spoke of his reasons for wanting to join the Town Board:
“I'm interested in this position in part because I am worried about the direction that the political soul
of our nation is going, and I just want to make sure that the values that I hold are represented in my
community. And I ffgured the best way to do tha t would be for me to apply for this position.”
Zachary Larkins introduced himself and spoke of wanting to join the Danby Town Board.
“I've lived in Danby since mid 2023 , so a little over a year and a half, I also started attending [Town
Board] meetings then and then Planning Board meetings, and occasionally BZA [meeting].”
He explained that he is currently the town maintenance person and has worked in trades for almost
25 years. He remarked that he has built a house in Danby and is trying to start a cofiee business and
“we're trying to open space that would allow community function, art, music meetings ”.
“I would like to see [Danby] continue on a good path .” He mentioned the beneffts of a skate park,
EV chargers and the possibility of installing a sewer system, as his reasons for wanting to join the
Town Board.
Barrow asked the candidates for speciffc examples of what they might do to move the town forward in a
positive direction.
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Crane remarked: “I think they both answered all the questions I could have about them. What I'm thinking
here is that you are choosing someone who's going to be a participant in governance. I hear one candidate
who's clearly interested in the minutia of governance, is asking questions , wants to learn how it works, wants
to be open to difiering points of view, which has some people in this town feel it would be a good thing. And
you have another candidate who has some pretty good ideas and wants to see his i deas happen. Of the two, I
look for good governance, rather than someone who comes in with an agenda. And I certainly hope that you
would feel the same way as I do, and that you certainly would not make the decision - a nd I'm sorry I'm
always putting my foot in my mouth, but I think it's important to say anyway … not make a decision, as you
did when you appointed Paul. I believe what was said was, well, he's going to be elected anyway in
November, so we might as well give him some more time on the board. I r eally didn't like hearing that.”
Roaring “I would ask both people if they've read the comprehensive plan and know what it is and what it
does. And it seems to me that I'm looking at two people who haven't read the comprehensive plan and don't
really understand how the town is run. And I think my personal feeling is that a lot of times the best way for
somebody who's new to governing in the Town of Danby is for them to start ofi being on the planning board
so they really get some sort of an idea of how things work that aren't the minutia . But I do agree with Ted and
what he said, but my question would be for these people: Have you ever read the comprehensive plan ? Do
you understand what the comprehensive plan is and what it does and how it sort of dictates what goes on in
this town?
Both candidates responded that they have not yet read the Town ’s comprehensive plan.
Discussion ensued regarding when the board would appoint a replacement for Hansen .
RCAP Agreement for GIS Support – West Danby Water District
The Town Board reviewed the service agreement the WDWD would like to enter into with RCAP:
RCAP SOLUTIONS, INC.
COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DIVISION
FEE-FOR-SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and between RCAP SOLUTIONS, INC.,
Community and Environmental Resources Division (hereinafter “Provider”) and the Town of Danby
West Danby Water District (hereinafter “Purchaser”).
WHEREAS, Provider is a division of RCAP Solutions, Inc., a non -profft community development
corporation servicing rural communities throughout the Northeast United States, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, Purchaser wishes to engage Provider for the provision of certain services which
Provider has expertise in and desires to deliver.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, the
Parties agree as follows:
1. Services To Be Provided and Paid For. The Provider agrees to provide the services listed
below and at the cost associated with said services, and Purchaser agrees to pay for said
services at the cost listed below .
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GIS FFS - 1 Year ArcGIS Online Subscription, Hosting, and Support Contract
Itemized List Cost
1 ESRI "Mobile Worker" license (valid appx. from 2/10/25 – 2/9/26) $400
1 year in RCAP Multi -Tenant ArcGIS Online data hosting & 3 hours
support / training $400
Total: $800
2. Billing and Payments. Provider will send billing statement to Purchaser indicating the fees and
costs associated with the services provided. Purchaser agrees to pay in full the amount shown on
the billing statement within thirty (30) days after the statement is sent. It is agreed by the Parties
that billing statements may be mailed or emailed by Provider to Purchaser.
3. Purchaser shall make payments to:
RCAP Solutions, Inc.
Attn: Accounts Receivable
191 May St.
Worcester, MA 01602
Purchaser agrees that Provider may suspend or terminate services all together if payments are not
received within thirty (30) days of billing as described above.
5. The Parties agree that this Agreement shall remain in efiect until the services contracted for are
completed and Purchaser has paid Provider in full for said services.
6. General.
a. This Agreement may not be changed unless mutually agreed upon in writing, signed by both
parties.
b. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter herein.
c. This Agreement and the performance of services hereunder will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without
regard to its conlfict of law provisions. The Parties further agree that any claims or legal
actions arising out of this Agreement, including the services performed under this
Agreement or the failure to pay for said services, shall be commenced and maintained in the
appropriate court located in Massachusetts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties, each representing that it has the legal authority to bind itself
to this Agreement, have executed this Agreement as an instrument under seal as of the date
indicated below.
RCAP SOLUTIONS, INC.
Community and Environmental Resources Division
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Resolution 8 4 of 2025 To Authorize Scott Went to Enter into a RCAP Contract for GIS Support for
the West Danby Water District
Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Woodworth
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 8 4 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Cold War Veterans Tax Exemption Local Law
TOWN OF DANBY, TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK
LOCAL LAW No. 1 of 2025
TO EXTEND COLD WAR VETERANS EXEMPTIONS
Be it enacted by the Town of Danby as follows:
SECTION 1: LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND EFFECT: This Local Law shall be known as Loca l Law
Number 1 of 2025. It is the intent of this Local Law to extend Cold War Veterans real property tax
exemptions, as authorized by New York State, beyond the original 10 years allowed by Town of
Danby Local Law # 1 of 2013 for such additional period as New York State may allow .
SECTION 2: EXTENSION OF COLD WAR VETERANS REALPROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS:
The real property tax exemption of Real Property Tax Law § 458 -b, as extended by Act of the State
Legislature (Bill Nos. S 5722 -A and A 8135) and signed into law by the Governor (2017 N.Y. Laws
290, 2017 N.Y. Ch. 290, § 1, effective September 12, 2017), sh all be approved in the Town of Danby
and the exemption shall be continued as to qualified applicants or beneficiaries without regard to
the original 10 -year limitations period, and for so long thereafter as such exemption is: (i) authorized
and approved by New York State; and (ii) approved and granted by the Town of Danby; but (iii) in
all cases subject to the proper qualification of any applicant or beneficiary.
SECTION 3: SEVERABILITY: If any portion of this Local Law, or the application thereof to any
person, entity, or circumstance, shall be determined by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall be confined in its operatio n to the invalid
part hereof, or in its application to such person, entity, or circumstance as is directly involved in the
controversy in which such determination shall have been rendered, and the remainder of this Local
Law shall not be impaired thereby and such determination shall not be deemed or construed to apply
to other persons, entities, or circumstances.
SECTION 4: EFFECTIVE DATE: This Local Law shall take effect immediately.
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Resolution 85 of 2025 To Approve the Cold War Veterans Tax Exemption Local Law
Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Hansen
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 8 5 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Clean Energy Communities Grant (Town Hall) Update
Jim Holahan explained: “First a little background for those who don't know about our Clean
Energy Communities grant. Clean Energy Communities is a program sponsored by NYSERDA.
We've gotten grants from them in the past. We did get a grant to get a free energy audit on the
building, and it was basically geared towards electriffcation for the building and any other easy
measures they found to improve our energy efffciency in the building. They came back with a
report, and it contains recommendations for or how to go about doing the electriff cation for the
building using air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps. The ground source heat pumps
were not viable. So, we have this opportunity to use our $60,000 grant, which we achieve by doing
difierent sustainability levels within our community. We had two difierent companies come out, and
I've not yet gotten quotes back for the heat pumps. Hopefully, the quotes will come in for less than
the whole $60,000 , and we'll be able to use some of that extra money towards EV chargers or
something else.
Discussion ensued on EV Chargers’ costs, quotes and possibly applying for NYSEG and/or DEC.
funding.
Resolution 8 6 of 2025 To Move Forward with Seeking Energy Grants for EV Chargers
Moved by Woodworth Seconded by Hansen
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 8 6 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Purchase Authorization for Gravel Screening Equipment
Shipman explained what he will use the screening equipment for, how it will benefft the
town, the condition of the equipment that he has looked at and took several questions from
the Board.
Resolution 8 7 of 2025 To Authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase Gravel Screening
Equipment from the Town of Ithaca - not to exceed $23.000.
L Shawley explained that the money would come from the Highway Fund balance.
Moved by Woodworth Seconded by Hansen
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Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 8 7 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Authorization for Highway Truck Repair Exceeding $4000
Resolution 8 8 of 2025 To Authorize Highway Truck Repair Exceeding $4000
Moved by Woodworth Seconded by Gagnon
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 8 8 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Resolution 8 9 of 2025 To Extend the Meeting 15 Minute s
Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Woodworth
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 8 9 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Request from the CSI to conduct Training at the Town Hall on April 12
Resolution 90 of 2025 To Approve the Request from the Community Science Institute to
Conduct Volunteer Training at the Town Hall on Saturday, April 12 , 2025
Discussion ensued regarding liability insurance requirements for users of the Town Hall . It
was agreed that since the Town an agreement with CSI and that providing this training of
volunteers is pursuant to their agreement with the town, that it's a reasonable extension of
that and we can allow them to use the building . L Shawley agreed to check with our liability
insurance company to see if our coverage would cover education for afffliates of the town
using the town hall. The Board agreed to revisit the Town Hall Room Use Policy insurance
requirement.
Moved by Woodworth Seconded by Gagnon
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hansen Yes
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Hunter Yes
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 90 of 2025 passed on February 20, 2025
Discussion ensued regarding sexual harassment training and the workplace violence
training. Dillon will send out an email to invite stafi to the sexual harassment training and
the workplace violence training on February 26, 2025.
Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda
Adjourn 8:2 6 PM