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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 07 July Newsletter July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 1 Danby Town News Public Hearing Monday, July 7, 2025 ay 6pm Possible Submission of one or more Community Development Block Grant (CDGBG) applications for the funding year 2025. More information is on the town website – danby.ny.gov Danby Library News And don't forget the free puzzles. Why not take a few on your summer cottage t? Gardening season is in full swing. We have tons of gardening books and projects to get you started. Danby Fire District Board of Commissioners After additional consideration and analysis, the Board of Fire Commissioners determined that the purchase of a new Tanker was not currently justified. Future consideration will be given to other options for replacement of the tanker, when and if the need arises. July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 2 Notes from the Town Supervisor Joel Gagnon June saw roses and peonies the nicest they have been in years, and cool weather allowed for a nice long show by both. Every year is different, and it is endlessly fascinating to see how uniqueness finds expression! Coddington Valley Trail is Born The State Public Service Commission gave the okay for NYSEG to sell an easement to the towns of Ithaca, Dryden, Danby, and Caroline for a “rail trail” that will extend the South Hill Recreation Way through the 4 towns all the way to the Tioga County line. Terms of the sale were long-since agreed to and we are free to move on to developing the trail. One early move will be to form a Friends of the Coddington Valley Trail group. The name of the trail is not finalized, but Coddington Valley Trail seems to be getting traction. Bill Goodman, former Town of Ithaca Supervisor, is spearheading that effort. Its purpose will be to support and enhance the intermunicipal development process – much like the Friends of Stewart Park has done for the city. Bill can be reached at: billg@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us. Some sections of the nascent trail are already useable and volunteers are enthused about getting out there with loppers and saws to improve upon that later this summer. Bill wants to convene the group for a first meeting in July, so to get in on the ground floor the time is now. It is truly exciting to see this finally happening after more than 15 years of effort. Town Hall Going Fossil Free We will soon be discontinuing the use of natural gas in the Danby Town Hall. Thanks to a Clean Energy Communities grant, the furnaces will be replaced with electric heat pumps. The Mitsubishi hyper heat units will be mated to the existing ductwork for heat distribution. Mitsubishi revolutionized heat pump technology; their heat pumps maintain their full rated efficiency down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and are 80% efficient even at minus 13. There will be backup electric resistance heat for those very rare exceptionally cold days. The installer is Simply Installs, a company headquartered in Shortsville, NY (north of Canandaigua). Jim Holahan, former Town Board member and our Energy Advisor, worked with the provider to select equipment with a proven track record of reliability and durability. Other quotes were sought – Simply Installs offered the best deal. A $15,600 air source heat pump incentive by the State lowers the $64,696.00 cost to $49,096, which is within range of our CEC grant. Jennings Pond Mary Ann Kozak As the Jennings Pond Swim program director, I recently attended a seminar on Water Quality training by the State DEC. The seminar explained what to look for to determine if HABs or Hazardous Blue Green Algal Blooms occur. So I will be on the lookout for these if they occur in the swim area and the public will be notified. As the Swim Program opens, I take water samples at Jennings Pond weekly which are tested for E coli bacteria. You will be happy to know that Jennings Pond has a great track record with sampling having low bacteria counts, mainly because the Pond is at the headwaters of Buttermilk Falls. Jennings Pond has naturally occurring algae which is safe, but which we try to keep out of the swim area. Our lifeguard(s) and our team will do our best to make Jennings Pond pleasant for the swim season which is expected to begin July 2nd. The town website (danby.ny.gov) will have up-to-date information about when the pond is open for swimming. July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 3 Notes from the Highway Keith shipman The Danby Highway Department is happy to announce that we acquired a substantial amount of creek gravel over a two day period from the NYS Parks Department. Many residents may not be aware of why some of the highway departments assist at times in cleaning out some of the large swimming holes within the county. The answer is that we obtain thousands of tons of aggregate that washes into these swimming holes. When such large cleanout projects occur, there is a lot of planning that goes into the process. This planning includes plans for safety for the residents, safety for our crews, and making sure we are environmentally safe. The good news for our township is that all of the aggregate that we brought in, when processed, will be utilized in repairing our roads. We are still working on our totals for this cleanout, but it looks like so far we have brought in approximately 2,500 tons of aggregate which will save the town an estimated $25,000 in further purchases. We are recycling more than ever before using enormous stock piles of millings and creek gravel. All of the other aggregate that we use is purchased from the quarries in the area. I would like to give a special thanks to the NYS Parks Department at Lower Treman, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, other surrounding municipalities that allowed us to stage the material, and all of the personnel that make these events happen. Most importantly, I hope all of you enjoy those swimming holes on hot days this summer! Notes from the Planner's Desk Greg Hutnik Planner Chat Please join me at the Danby Food and Drink on July 2 from 4:30-6:00 PM for my monthly Planner Chat. Consider this informal office hours where I will be available for general Q&A to discuss anything related to the work of the Danby Planning Department, including but certainly not limited to development cases, zoning and land use matters, grants (current and prospective), hamlet sewer project, and much, much more. Please, no softball questions – come test your Town Planner. Danby is a Fair Housing Community The Town of Danby is committed to providing Fair Housing within constitutional limitations to all Town residents. The Federal Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status. If any individual or family feels that they have been discriminated against in obtaining suitable housing of their choice or if anyone requires additional information regarding Fair Housing, they can contact Greg Hutnik, Fair Housing Officer, at planner@danby.ny.gov or 607-592-0417, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m until 4 p.m. (continued on next page) July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 4 Hamlet Sewer Project The Town Board voted on June 2 to enter a contract with HUNT Engineers to assist Danby in creating two sewer districts, one in the Central Danby hamlet and the other in West Danby hamlet. This is part of the larger Hamlet Sewer Project, for which the Town was recently awarded $4.58 million to fund up to 75% of the construction cost of each sewer system. Included in HUNT’s services to the Town will be to apply for additional funding to help further bring down the cost to construct the systems. As part of the process to set up the legal and technical framework of the sewer districts, called a “Map, Plan, and Report”, we will be hosting community meetings to gather input from residents in the potential sewer districts. The dates of these meetings are yet to be determined, but they are likely to be held in the fall. Planning Board On June 17, the Planning Board approved a site plan for a single dwelling unit at 130 Jersey Hill Road. The Board also began review of a proposed minor subdivision of the 104-acre property at 64 Valley View Road. The proposal is to parcel off a vacant 7-acre portion of the property that is bounded by Route 34/96 and Brown Road. The Planning Board determined that the subdivision will not have an environmental impact and scheduled a public hearing for the July 15 at 7:00 PM on the proposal. Next the Planning Board reviewed a Land Annexation (e.g. lot line adjustment) proposal from two adjacent property owners. The owner of 1562 Coddington Road intends to sell 1.25 acres to the neighbor at 741 E Miller Road. Typically this type of review is reviewed administratively by the Zoning Officer; however, the proposal requires a variance due to the seller’s lot being less than the 10-acre lot area minimum of the Rural 1 Zone District, and thus per the Subdivision Regulations, required the Planning Board to first classify the type of subdivision. The Planning Board classified the proposal as a Land Annexation and remanded it to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) for a variance review. The BZA will consider the variance request at their June 24 meeting. Lastly, the Planning Board began review of a proposed minor subdivision of the 3.8-acre property at 365 Troy Road. The zoning of Low Density Residential requires a minimum lot area of 2 acres. Since one of the lots will be less than 2 acres, the owner has also applied for a variance, which will be reviewed by the BZA on June 24. No public hearing has been set for the variance or the subdivision request, as the review process will likely take a few months to work through. . Notes from the Town Clerk Mariah Dillon Greetings Danby! It’s summer projects time! Building a shed, deck or tree house? Do you need a building permit? Building permits ensure that your project gets built safely and legally, adheres with state building codes and local zoning laws, helps maintain property values, and helps with disclosures during selling. Per Town of Danby Town Law #1 of 2023, building permits are required for any work “including but not limited to: the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid fuel burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit.” The town also requires permits for solar or wind electricity-generating installations. (continued next page) July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 5 It’s a fairly simple process to get a building permit, although some research is required. There is a building permit application form online at Danby.ny.gov. Hold on! There are some exceptions to the building permit requirements! The following do not require a building permit from the Town: • Tools or storage sheds with less than 144 sq ft • Playground equipment • Swimming pools with a water depth of less than 24” • Retaining walls (unless supporting Class I, II or IIIA liquids) • Window awnings • Portable electrical, plumbing and HVAC equipment When in doubt – call the Town of Danby Code Officer at (607) 277-0799 What’s the difference between a Certificate of Compliance and a Certificate of Occupancy? A Certificate of Occupancy is required for any structure that is occupied – such as a dwelling; and a Certificate of Compliance is for everything else that has been issued a permit to build or install and has been inspected and found to be in compliance. I understand that many Danby residents may feel these laws are restrictive. I’m grateful to live in a town that prioritizes the safety of our residents. Here if you need us! Conservation Advisory Council Margaret Corbit The Danby Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) met on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 pm. Here are the highlights of the meeting. After working through the first agenda items, Anne Klingensmith gave us an update on the Community Science Institute’s creek monitoring work in Danby. Danby volunteers have begun monitoring and collecting samples from three Danby creeks: Michigan, Sulfur Springs, and Willseyville. We then reviewed progress on developing conservation easements at four locations, including one in Deputron Hollow. The Gladstone easement has progressed to legal review. Don Schaufler and his committee are working out details of the Timber Harvest Law with the Town Lawyer. After talking at length about the need to recruit monitors for existing and future easements, we decided to draft a handout that will be available in Town Hall as well as online. It will introduce a reader to the straightforward nuts and bolts of annual monitoring and provide contact information. Please note that monitors do not necessarily have to be CAC members and will not be expected to attend meetings, etc. The rest of the meeting was focused on prioritizing properties as we reach out to landowners. There are many qualities to consider such as proximity to other protected areas, size, landscape features, potential for protecting important wild plants and animals… the list goes on. And each of the members has their own interests. All of them are important to consider. Greg Hutnik is helping us by generating maps that provide as much information as possible. Our next meeting is on July 8 at 7 pm. Community members are welcome to attend. July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 6 Shoe Drive for Honor Flights Cindy Ceracche A shoe drive to benefit the Twin Tiers Honor Flight organization will be held in Danby during the month of August 2025. Would you ever think that your gently worn, used or unwanted new shoes could help raise money for a good cause? Well, they can and here’s how: With this fundraiser, there is NOTHING to buy or sell. We want you to look in your closet for pairs of gently worn, used or new shoes. Maybe they don't fit or are out of style. Bring them to 338 Gunderman Road, Spencer, NY 14883 (Actually in Danby) There is a container at the end of my driveway to deposit the shoes. The container will be there the whole month of August 2025. Ask your family, friends and neighbors if they have any shoes. We collect shoes, sneakers, crocs, flip flops, boots, dress shoes and even bedroom slippers. They can be men’s, women’s or kid’s sizes. It’s hard to believe that 600 million pairs of shoes will go into landfills across the U. S. annually. The majority of these shoes can still be worn. The shoes we collect are picked up by our partner, Funds2orgs where they are weighed and they send us a check based on the weight of the shoes. The shoes are then sent to third world countries where they help others start micro-enterprises that will create sustainable incomes for their families. 100% of the money is used for the Veterans HONOR FLIGHT trips. Over the past 6 years we have raised over $25,000 collecting unwanted shoes/footwear. Twin Tiers Honor Flight is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity and registered with the Charities Bureau of New York State and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Twin Tiers Honor Flight hub started in 2014. We have taken over 600 veterans to see their memorials. We have funded 6 flights and 15 overnight bus trips. Our only source of funds are donations. There is no cost for the Veterans. If you are a veteran, you can apply at the website. If you would like to be a guardian or volunteer, you can also apply at twintiershonorflight.org Thank you for your support! Coordinator for the Shoe Drive: Cindy Ceracche 607-339-9269 REMINDER If you would like to access the Danby Town News ONLY on the town website or if you know someone who is not getting the Danby Town News (particularly new residents) but would like to, please send that information to: townnews@danby.ny.gov Thank you, Thank you, Thank you A big thank you to the many residents who help create the Danby Town News including those who tireless work to tape the edges and stick on labels. July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 7 Recreation Partnership Kate Shanks-Booth Celebrating 30 Years of the Tompkins County Recreation Partnership 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Tompkins County Recreation Partnership, a unique, long-standing collaboration that has broadened access to quality youth programs across the county. The partnership began when Ithaca City noted that many program participants lived outside the city, placing the full financial burden on city taxpayers. In response, the city invited neighboring towns to contribute. Danby and Enfield were among the first to join, recognizing the value to their residents. As participation data improved, a tiered fee system was introduced, prompting more municipalities to join. Eventually, this led to a formal inter-municipal agreement with shared governance and funding based on participation. Today, eleven municipal partners work together through the Inter-Municipal Agreement, which allows the Recreation Partnership to hold a contract for services with the Ithaca Youth Bureau to develop inclusive programming and review funding every five years. While Tompkins County doesn’t run programs directly, its financial support helps smaller municipalities afford participation, ensuring access for all youth countywide. This spring’s Expressive Arts Open House at the Youth Bureau showcased the diversity of offerings, reminding us that programming extends well beyond sports to meet a range of youth interests. Last year, more than 360 Danby youth participated in partnership programs. We’re proud of this enduring collaboration and look forward to the next 30 years. Warm Regards, Kate Shanks-Booth Director, Tompkins County Youth Services Soccer Baseball Theater Pottery A few examples July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 8 Danby Community Groups Danby Community Library Contact: Cindy Parlett library@danby.ny.gov Open Tue 1-3pm, Wed 6-8pm Thu & Sat 10am-12pm Danby Food Pantry Danby Community Church Contact: Joan Barber Open: 3rd Thur 4-6 pm Danby Food Scraps Pickup Every Sat 9am – noon behind Town Hall Danby Community And Park (DCAP) Website: dotsonpark.org dotsonpark@gmail.com Thu 12/7 at 7pm Danby Rural Cemetery Contact: Sharon Boda Sharonboda@gmail.com West Danby Community Association (WDCA) Contact: Pat Curran pc21@cornell.edu Danby Seniors Contact: Pat Phelps patriciaphelps2.0@ gmail.com Luncheons: 1st Thur at noon Danby Tosspot (Open Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting) Wed 7pm - virtual FISH (Friends In Service Helping) Stephen Witkowski Drive Change in Your Community with FISH! If you have a valid driver's license and a desire to help others, join FISH's volunteer driver team! We provide free transportation to non- emergency medical appointments for Tompkins County residents, and your time and kindness will make a significant impact! Why Drive with FISH? • Flexible Scheduling: Drive when it suits you. We offer ride opportunities days in advance, and there's no pressure to accept every request. When you drive with FISH, you’re not a taxi, you’re a volunteer! • Use Your Car or Ours: Use your own car and get reimbursed at the IRS mileage rate (currently $0.70/mile), or use an Ithaca Carshare vehicle at no cost. • Make a Difference: Every trip helps a neighbor access essential medical care, providing comfort and a smile! • Volunteer Today! Become a FISH volunteer driver and help build a stronger, healthier community. Even a few hours a month can make a difference. Learn more at fishoftc.com or call 211 or 877- 211-8667 Steve Witkowski Transportation Specialist - Volunteer Focused 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 9 Monthly Meeting Schedule At-A-Glance Group Day Date Time Call-in by Phone Meeting ID Town Board* Mon 7/7 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 882 2697 6101 905098 WDWD Wed 7/2 5:00pm In person West Danby Fire station CAC* Tue 7/8 7:00pm 1-929-205-6099 835 4940 5296 879507 FD Tue 7/8 6:30pm In person Danby Fire Station DYC Thur 7/10 7:00pm Online- kshanks@tompkins-co.org Town Board* Mon 7/21 6:00pm 1-929-205-6099 847 9505 5187 308958 PB* Tue 7/15 7:00pm 1-646-876-9923 893 3897 1114 956288 BZA* Tue 7/22 7:00pm TBD 817 1432 4705 398041 FD Tue 7/22 6:30pm In person at the Danby Fire Station See the Danby calendar for the final, most up-to-date details. (Acronyms in the above schedule are identified below.) *These meetings are hybrid (i.e. both online and in-person at the Town Hall) Boards & Committees Planning Board (PB) Chair: Kelly Maher planningboard@danby.ny.gov Meets: 3rd Tuesday at 7pm Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Chair: Earl Hicks bza@danby.ny.gov Meets: 4th Tuesday, as needed Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) CoChair: Anne Klingensmith Jonathan Zisk cac@danby.ny.gov Meets: 2nd Tuesday at 7pm Danby Youth Commission (DYC) Contact: Kate Shanks-Booth kshanks@tompkins-co.org Meets: 2nd Thursday at 7pm Fire District (FD) Secretary: Sharon Gaden, secretary@danbyfiredistrict.org danby.ny.gov/depts/danby-fire-district Meets: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm Danby Volunteer Fire Company (DVFC) Chief: John Gaden, jgaden@danbyfiredistrict.org danbyfiredept.org West Danby Fire Department (WDFD) Chief: Robert McCray rmccray@danbyfiredistrict.org westdanbyfire.com West Danby Water DIstrict (WDWD) Contact: Scott Wendt, swendt@danby.ny.gov Meets: 1st Wednesday at 5pm July 2025 Town of Danby, New York 10 Town Officials Town Supervisor Joel Gagnon supervisor@danby.ny.gov Town Board Meets 1st Mon and 3rd Mon Leslie Connors H Katharine Hunter James Tyler Stein Pat Woodworth townboard@danby.ny.gov Town Clerk Deputy Town Clerk Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–4pm Mariah Dillon Cindy Katz clerkoffice@danby.ny.gov Highway Superintendent Deputy Highway Superintendent Hours: Mon–Thu 6am–4:30pm Keith Shipman highway@danby.ny.gov Jack Shawley jshawley@danby.ny.gov Town Justices Court Clerk Hours: Mon-Wed 8am-11am Garry Huddle Theresa Klinger Diane Gair dgair@nycourts.gov Town Planner Hours: Mon–Fri by appointment Greg Hutnik planner@danby.ny.gov Code Enforcement Hours: Mon-Fri by appointment Steve Cortright code@danby.ny.gov Documents/ Historian Mary Ann Barr mbarr@danby.ny.gov Bookkeeper Laura Shawley lshawley@danby.ny.gov Danby, New York From: 1830 Danby Road Ithaca, NY 14850 PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No.428 Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: 607-277-4788 https://danby.ny.gov Welcome to the Danby Town News! Questions? Email us at townnews@danby.ny.gov