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Home My WebLink About2025-11-11-CAC-draft-minutesTown of Danby Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) Draft Minutes of In-person Meeting in Town Hall, and Via Videoconferencing Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 Council Members Present: Margaret Corbit, Joel Gagnon, Anne Klingensmith, Jonathan Zisk Council Members Absent/Excused: Dan Schauﬂer, Brittany Stein Others Present: Kristin McCarthy, Leslie Connors (Zoom), Katharine Hunter (Zoom), Ronda Roaring (Zoom) Meeting called to order: 7:07pm Agenda Review: Additions or Deletions: The soil compaction and tax beneﬁts of easements reports were removed from the agenda, and the CAC purpose discussion was postponed until all members could be present. Moreover, an item on membership and reappointments was added to the agenda. Guest Leslie Connors mentioned she would contact Danby resident Matt Wiese as a potential CAC candidate. Privilege of the Floor: There were no requests for privilege of the ﬂoor. Approval of Minutes: The October 2025 minutes were approved with minor edits (motion by Joel Gagnon, second by all members present). Status of Current Easements: Members discussed the ongoing need to monitor existing easements. Jonathan reported that he had called the property owner at Curtiss but had not heard back yet. The group agreed that members should proceed with monitoring even if property owners do not respond immediately, suggesting they provide owners with a speciﬁc time window and offer them the opportunity to participate. Anne inquired about the new owner of the Kartman property, and members suggested contacting Greg Hutnik, town planner, for help with accessing assessment records to obtain this information. Easement Outreach: This item was not discussed. Membership & Recruitment Discussion (added item): The group discussed which members are up for reappointment. Joel initially reported that he thought he, Brittany, Margaret, and Anne were due for reappointment, while Leslie indicated she believed it was Joel, Brittany, Anne, and Don. Members needing reappointment should submit applications to Town Clerk Mariah Dillon by mid-December. The attendees also brieﬂy discussed potential new members, including Matt Wiese (who previously applied to be on the West Danby Water District Advisory Committee) and Chris Tucker, as well as Peter McDonald, who serves as the Town of Danby representative to the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council. Affirming Purpose of CAC Discussion: Postponed to future meeting. Report on Soil Compaction: Removed from agenda. Tax Beneﬁts of Easements: Removed from agenda. Updates on Ongoing Easements Sherman Easement: Parcel descriptions are being sorted out, with Greg having located the legal descriptions. Brittany had previously indicated that Ruth Sherman might want to remove one parcel from the easement. Olsefski Easement: Margaret reported that the property owner did not wish to discuss the easement until after Thanksgiving. She noted difficulties accessing the Soloway baseline report document and requested contact information for technical assistance. Altman Easement: The family is reviewing the easement proposal and will respond to Jonathan. Items for Next Month’s Agenda: The group conﬁrmed that ornithologist Hummingbird will present at the December meeting on his bird banding program at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby. Attendees discussed how habitat protection for birds could be an attractive angle for encouraging property owners to establish conservation easements. Members also shared conservation-related reading, including the book A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds. The conversation touched on topics including ecosystem creation, reforestation versus deforestation, and acid rain. Member Announcements: Joel shared that his Chinese chestnut trees had a mast year, coinciding with a mast year in the native oaks. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm. Submitted by Kristin McCarthy, Secretary.