HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-10 Town Board SPECIAL Meeting Minutes1 | P a g e
Town of Danby
Special Town Board Meeting Minutes
Held Monday, November 10, 2025, 11:30 AM
Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor
Leslie Connors
Katharine Hunter
Patricia Woodworth
Absent: Tyler Stein
Town Staff: Mariah Dillon, Town Clerk
Greg Hutnik, Town Planner
Steve Cortright, Code Officer
Other Attendees: Zach Larkins
David Moore
Call to Order 11:33
Business
Property at 1840 Danby Rd
Supervisor Gagnon notified the participants that Raphael Akrofi (the owner ) of 1840
has taken step s to secure a contract to take down the building at 1840.
Gagnon: “It appears that Raphael was under the impression, based on a conversation
that I had with Bintu , that, he could go ahead and ha ve the house removed, because he
had a contract, and he signed the contract, and he mailed the check, evidently, to the
company. Which is in the mail. But our (the Town’s) offer, as I reminded Bintu, was an
as-is offer with the house still there. So, complicates things a little bit if he goes ahead
and removes it, because then there's no possibility of his chasing money to remove it if
we want to do that. Well, he hasn't gotten the building permit yet to demolish it.”
Woodworth asked Hutnick about the possibility of applying for a grant to take down
the building. Hutnick confirmed that applying for the grant might actually complicate
the issues by limiting the scope of use . Further, if the Town takes on the demolition
(making it a Public Works project) then the Town will be required to pay prevailing
wage, which would add $5,000 to the lowest quote.
Connors expressed concern about reimbursing a resident for tearing down a building
that the owner was ordered to demolish. Gagnon said he felt it was reasonable to pay
approximately $30,000 for the demolition and the $28,000 for the property. David
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Moore said that the owner was going to make money on this deal. Gagnon agreed and
said that was what the Town voted on and agreed to.
It was decided to take the Grant application off the table.
Resolution 2 70 of 2025 To Not Pursue, Under Whatever Circumstances Might Present, the
Opportunity of Having that House (1840 Danby Rd) be Removed Using a CDBG Grant.
Moved by Gagon Seconded by Hunter
Vote:
Connors Yes
Hunter Yes
Stein Absent
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 2 70 of 2025 passed on November 10 , 2025
Proposed Resolution to Purchasing 1840 Danby Rd for $28,000 Plus Pay the Cost to Demolish
the House for $27,500, Plus $1,500 for Air Monitoring
Moved by Woodworth Seconded by (none)
Discussion ensued regarding the exact vs the range of costs of demolition and air monitoring.
Hunter expressed a desire to see the actual costs for demolition and air monitoring before
paying the owner.
Connors proposed offering $29,000 for demolition, a nd $28,000 for the purchase of the property.
Proposed Resolution to Offer $29,000 for demolition, and $28,000 for the purchase of the
Property
Moved by Connors Seconded by Woodworth
Hunter: “I’m nervous About it.”
Gagnon: “The leverage we have is … if he doesn't proceed with demolition, we could proceed
with demolition. And then it becomes a lien on the property. But, if we turn around and buy the
property, we're not going to get $34,000 more for it than, what we pay for it. He’ll still want
$28 ,000 for it, if we take the house out , a nd we agreed to pay for it , as is.”
Discussion ensued about the possibility of someone else buying the property.
Hunter asked about the well and septic.
Cortright: “We don’t know anything about the well or septic.” Cortright recommended that a
new well and septic be installed if something was to be built there. Cortright also suggested that
if the Town combined the lot with Town Hall there might be a possibility to use the Town Hall
water (but probably have a new septic. He also suggested that the Town word the purchase
offer so that would cover the highest cost of air monitoring and have a clause contingent on
receipts of the air monitoring.
Motion(s) rescinded.
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Resolution 2 71 of 2025 (Amended) To Purchasing 1840 Danby Rd for $28,000 Plus the Cost of
Demolition and Removal of the House , “Not to Exceed” a Total Cost of $58,0 0 0 Contingent
on Demolishing and Air Monitoring Receipts.
Moved by Woodworth Seconded by Gagnon
Hunter expressed discomfort with the purchase amounts.
Vote:
Connors No
Hunter Yes
Stein Absent
Woodworth Yes
Gagnon Yes
Resolution 2 71 of 2025 passed on November 10, 2025
Hunter expressed concerned that the owner will back out of the deal.
Gagnon assured Hunter that if the owner backs out the Town can demolish the house and put a
lien on the property. “It’s a limited time offer.”
Connors: “If he doesn’t respond or says “no”, to the offer from the Town by the end of the
week, then the Town will pursue the demolition .”
It was agreed that the town would give the owner two days to respond, and if there is no
response, then the town will pursue the demolition order.
Cortright: “Giving him until the end of the week to accept the offer – or the town will proceed
with a demolition contract and air monitoring contract .”
Gagnon further explained that Bintu told him (Gagnon) that she made a verbal agreement with
Gagnon to help with negotiations on demolishing the house, hiring an appraiser and
purchasing the property. There was general consensus that Bintu was not hired by the Town.
Gagnon said he would invite Bintu to a meeting to make a case to the board to pay her bill.
It was agreed that the boar d would continue this discussion at the next meeting.
Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda
Invite Bintu to make a case.
Adjourn 12:33 PM
Mariah Dillon, Danby Town Clerk