HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02 Danby Town Newsletter February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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a owr) News
Meeting Date Changes Pancake Breakfast with the
The Town Board and Planning Board Dar)by Fire company
meeting dates have changed. The Winter may be cold, but the pancakes are hot!
Town Board will meet on the first and Drive-thru or stop in for a plate of pancakes, French
third Tuesday of the month. The toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, and homefries all
Planning Board will meet on the third for $12. Join us Sunday, February 15 th 8arn-11arn!
Wednesday of the month. Please note Cash, card, check, Venmo, and Apple Pay are
that there are new Zoom links and accepted.
passcodes for these meetings. The We'll be doing this on the third Sunday of the
updated information can be found on month from October 2025 through March 2026 at
page 9, as well as on the Town's the Danby Volunteer Fire Company, 1780 Danby
website (danby.ny.gov) on the Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850. Proceeds to benefit the
"Calendar" tab. Danby Volunteer Fire Company. Fundraising
Public Hearing targets include improvements to our equipment for
managing breathing problems and to our rope
A public hearing regarding the Zoning rescue equipment. What better way to relax after
Amendments local law will be held at Valentine's Day!
the Town Board meeting on February
3rd at 6pm. A copy of the local law is SUNDAY, FEB. 15, 8AM-11AM
available in the Clerk's office, as well
as on our website. Please contact the
Town Planner, Greg Hutnik, for more
information.
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Notes from the Town Supervisor Joel Gagnon
The new year is definitely off to a running start. membership that is open to anyone who wants
Here are some of the items that you might find to join the group. Anyone can become a voting
interesting: member; They can come and go as suits their
Town Receives $700,000 Community interest and availability, so long as they
Development Block Grant regularly attend two of three consecutive
meetings. The meetings will all be publicly
We were recently told that we were awarded noticed and a record kept, making it easy to be
another grant from the Office of Community informed about what is being explored by the
Renewal for housing rehabilitation. This is our group. The meetings can be attended via
fourth CDBG award and the third for single videoconference, with the link appearing with
family housing. Each time we have gotten one the calendar on the town's website. Mark
of these we have identified more households in Pruce is the chair. To participate, just show up!
need than there are funds to assist. There is a
waiting list left over from the last round and Engineering Firm Selected to Work with
Town Planner Greg Hutnik is happy to add Water District
others to it (Planner@danby.ny.gov or 607- The West Danby Water District Advisory
592-0417). It takes several months to go from Committee recently completed a review of the
award to implementation. We need to hire a engineering firms that responded to a request
program administrator and doing so is a for proposals to assess system condition and
competitive process. It takes a while, so plenty identify recommended upgrades. The firm
of time to get into the queue. chosen is Hunt Engineers. The Town Board
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure authorized execution of an agreement with
Working Group Created Hunt that will identify in greater detail the scope
of the work to be undertaken. That agreement
Compact development, whether in our existing is being finalized as I write this and will enable
hamlets or in clustered housing elsewhere in the work to be done this spring. The hope is to
the town, is essential to the future of affordable have a list of options for which funding could
housing in Danby as elsewhere in the county be sought in this year's grant cycle. Tight but,
(and country, for that matter). We have an hopefully, doable.
opportunity to add sewers in Central Danby
and in West Danby to help with that, provided Finger Lakes Land Trust to Expand
we can figure out a way to do it that makes Lindsey-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve
economic sense. A sewer committee was With funding from a DEC Water Quality
created last fall to look at the preliminary Improvement Program Grant, the FLLT is
engineering report created by Hunt Engineers poised to acquire a 76-acre property that will
to critically examine whether the expand the preserve to the southeast. The
recommendations are the best path forward. area to be added is east of the railroad tracks
The mandate for that group has now been and north of Walding Lane. It abuts the state
broadened by resolution of the Town Board to forest on the east boundary. A condition of the
create a working group to explore and develop acquisition is the municipality not object. The
both legal framework and practical Town Board considered whether to object or
implementation measures. The enabling support and unanimously opted to actively
resolution also provides for a floating additional support acquisition.
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Committee Created to Follow up with possibility that it could be located somewhere
Comptroller's Office Auditors else entirely. Zach is checking those
As mentioned in last month's DTN, the auditors possibilities out.
who conducted a follow-up audit of the town in Accessibility Improvements
2025 issued a report that faulted the town for Last year the Town Board decided to pursue
not implementing any of the 14 items in our two projects to improve accessibility to the
action plan. That plan was the product of the town hall and the other side of 96B. The State
first audit, conducted in 2021 and 2022. The DOT agreed to put in a crosswalk, provided
follow-up audit did not give the town any credit that we install the approaches to their
for measures we took to implement that action specifications. We now have a set of
plan and alleged violations of policy. The Town engineered plans for those approaches that we
Board created a committee to respond to the can seek bids to execute. The same
auditors consisting of the town's bookkeeper, engineering firm that drafted those plans is
Laura Shawley, Town Board member Leslie contracted to work with our facilities committee
Connors, and me as Town Supervisor. We to develop engineered plans to redo the
have met and roughed out a response and will parking lot entrance to the town hall. We have
meet again to build a case before requesting to a sketch of what we want, which would locate
meet with the auditors. While we will not claim the access ramp adjacent to the main building
that we have completed everything that we set so that it terminates at the parking site where
out to do (more changes are in process), we the defunct charging station is located. The
will contest the mischaracterization of our work charging station will move across the parking
and press them for clarity as to what we should lot (hopefully this spring) and in its place will be
have done differently when we thought we a van-accessible handicapped parking spot.
were responsive. There are other details to work out, which is
Skate Park Update the next stage. It would make sense to
Zach Larkins and Mark Pruce, now both undertake all the accessibility projects at the
members of the Town Board, reported on their same time, including relocating the charging
efforts to create a skate park. The initial idea of station. We shall see if it works out that way.
a covered skate park using a former equipment Town to be Fiscal Sponsor for Danby Food
shed as the enclosure has proven to be and Drink Concert Series Grant Application
unreasonably expensive to implement. This The Community Arts Partnership has a grant
disappointing conclusion was reached when program to help support performance art. To
the engineering specifications for upgrading apply, private enterprises need a sponsoring
the existing structure would cost more to organization — either a not-for-profit or a
implement than it would to build from scratch. municipal sponsor. Kartik Sribarra asked the
We will instead take the building down and Town Board if the board would be willing to
salvage what we can for reuse. Once this sponsor his application for grant support for his
decision was made, the location of the skate summer concert series. We did. Should the
park, which the Town Board still supports application be successful, the town, as the
strongly, was up for reconsideration. It could be fiscal sponsor, would be the actual recipient of
elsewhere on the Bald Hill Road property, in the grant and be responsible for administering
which case an overall site plan is needed to it. In a simple case like this one that would
choose the best location for it. There is also the mean little more than a pass through of the
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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funds to Kartik, something the Board was rescheduled to the February 3 TB meeting.
willing to do for a modest administrative fee to Since we rescheduled, it gave the Board time
cover our expense in doing so. to take another look at what we wanted to
Zoning Changes Public Hearing change. We added a couple more things. See
the Planner's report for more on the whole
We had this scheduled for January 19, not package.
noticing that it was a national holiday. That
date was cancelled and the hearing has been That's all for this month!
Notes from the Planner's Desk Greg Hutnik
Proposed Zoning Code Amendments to the industries up to 3,000 sq ft, restaurants, and
Hamlet Zoning Districts religious institutions), (3) relocating all the
As noted in the Supervisor's report, a public Building Form requirements for new buildings
hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 to the Design Guidelines, and (4) exempting
at 6:00 PM at the Danby Town Hall to hear the re-use of existing buildings from meeting
comments on the proposed zoning code vehicle parking standards that require parking
amendments that have been drafted and to be located to the side or rear of the building.
discussed at the last few Town Board
meetings. The complete draft local law with the Planning Board and Board of Zoning
amendments is available to access from the Appeals
front page of the town's website It has a been a quiet few months for both
(danby.ny.gov). The amendments only impact development review boards — no applications
the Hamlet Neighborhood and Hamlet Center have been submitted for review recently. This
zoning districts. They include (1) eliminating will surely change eventually. Planning Board
the maximum front setback of 20 feet, (2) now meets on the third Wednesday of every
allowing additional land uses on properties that month, and the BZA still meets on the fourth
front onto Danby Road (specifically, retail, Tuesday of every month.
personal services, repair shops, and cottage
Notes from the Town Clerk Blake Savoy
Hello Danby! Property Taxes
To give a nice, neat introduction, my name is Property tax season is still underway in the
Blake and I'm your new town clerk. You may clerk's office! We've moved into the 1% penalty
have seen me if you came in person to pay period, so please make sure that you verify the
your property taxes, either at the window or amount on the bill before mailing or bringing it!
behind the desk. I've been working in the We're open Monday through Friday, 11 am-
clerk's office for about a year and a half, but 4pm and have a 24hr drop box located just
there are many new things about being the outside of Town Hall. Any questions? Give us a
Town Clerk to me. I'm currently writing this call at 607-277-4788 (menu option 2), email us
from the NY Association of Town's Newly at clerkoffice(c_danby.ny.gov, or check out our
Elected Officials Training—learning something website: https://danby.ny.gov/ova sev/prop-
new every day! Now, onto the routine stuff. tax/.
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Tompkins County Legislature News Irene Weiser
Hello Caroline and Danby Neighbors! I've just received my committee assignments; I
For those who don't know me, I'm Irene will be chairing the Planning, Energy, and
Weiser, your new county legislator (replacing Environment Committee, and serving on the
Dan Klein). You can learn more about me at Budget Capital and Personnel; Public Safety;
my campaign website (vote ireneweiser.com). I and Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
will be sending monthly updates about what's committees. These assignments are a strong
been happening at the County legislature. fit with my experience and the issues I care
Here's my first installment. most deeply about.
At our first Legislature meeting on January 6, FYI - the County Legislature building is located
after electing Chair Shawna Black and Vice at 121 E. Court Street, and we meet the first
Chair Deborah Dawson, we took up a and third Tues of each month, starting at
resolution supporting local nurses in their effort 5:30pm. You can watch Legislature meetings
to unionize. The chamber was filled with anytime on the County's YouTube
nurses and community members, and their channel https://bit.ly/tc-leg-video. And you can
testimony was heartfelt and powerful. Nurses sign up for summaries of a variety of meetings
are organizing to improve working conditions— here https://bit.ly/tc-leg-updates. Meanwhile,
conditions that directly affect patient care. I you can always reach me
was proud that the Legislature's very first at iweiser tompkins-co.orq.
action of the year was to unanimously stand I look forward to working with/for all of you.
with them. I am hopeful that their efforts to Please don't hesitate to reach out to let me
unionize will succeed. know your thoughts!
From the Town Historian Mary Ann Barr
Phillis Wheatley. I never heard of her until the One woman we do know was Lement Duplex
USPO announced the new stamp issued this (AKA Dupliss), wife of Prince Duplex. Prince
past month in her honor. She was born c. 1753 came from Connecticut. "Lement Duplex was
in Africa, brought to America as a slave and most likely — almost certainly — the first free
died, a free person, in 1784. Importantly, she African American woman to settle on land that
was the first African American to publish a became part of Tompkins County, though she
book. Phillis' story got me to thinking about the arrived in 1811[,] six years before the county
earliest African Americans in Danby. I did was created," (article by Carol Kammen, Ithaca
some digging and this is what I found. Journal Feb. 5, 2016.) There is a headstone for
The 1820 Danby census list shows 6 slaves Lement in the Danby Rural Cemetery.
and 6 free Black people. However, the number Aside from the Duplexes, little is known about
of slaves in Danby is somewhat nebulous since early Black people in Danby, or elsewhere for
at one point the number was 8-10. And there that matter. Some brief stories get handed
is no indication whether they were free Black down in families, but their personal stories
people or slaves. Elsie Brooks, lived in Danby constitute an unfortunate hole in our history.
in 1811 . She was emancipated in 1827. One Perhaps more writings like Phillis Wheatley's
slave went by the name of Black Ann. will be found and we can learn more.
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Danby Youth Commission Patty VanDeBogart
Tompkins County Youth Community Cafe shape countywide priorities and funding
(With Pizza!) decisions.
Danby Town Hall
This isn't just a meeting for the sake of
February 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
meeting. The conversation will directly inform
The Danby Youth Commission invites you to
join us for a Community Cafe focused on the how resources are allocated and how youth
services are supported across the county.
needs of youth in Danby—and on what the
county should prioritize in the next round of Bring your family, connect with neighbors,
funding for the Tompkins County Youth and be part of a meaningful discussion about
Services Department. our youth and their futures. Pizza will be
This Community Cafe is a guided, small-
provided, and your voice truly matters.
group conversation where we'll come together RSVP appreciated, but not required, to
to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives. pvandebogartstc@gmail.com. Let us know
We're looking to lift up youth and community how many people to expect so we have
voices, identify what's working well and where enough pizza for everyone. We look forward to
challenges exist, and gather insights that help seeing you there!
Danby Youth Programs Lorin Clougherty
Rural Youth Services provides free fun. Sledding or skiing are possible if there is
programming to Danby residents in 4th- snow as well!
8th grade. To sign up,
Lunch and snacks are provided.
visit https://bit.ly/danbvrvs
Dress for the weather! All youth in
More programs coming in March!
attendance will need to bring their outdoor
Questions? Contact Program Manager Jorin snow gear, including snow pants, gloves,
Clougherty at jc3842(a-_)cornell.edu boots, hats, and coats.
Special Event- RYS Winter Olympics Ongoing Youth Programs
Wednesday, February 18th, 9am-4pm
(4th-8th grade) Dungeons & Dragons / Magic the Gathering
(6-81h grade)
The Winter Olympics are back! Join friends Wednesdays, 3:30— 6:OOpm
from around the county for a day of winter fun
and friendly competition. The RYS Winter Join this afterschool club to play TTRPGs
Olympics will be a day spent with exciting and board games. Join a campaign or start
outdoor and indoor sports and games, with your own! New players are always welcome —
emphasis on team building, cooperation, and no experience required!
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Danby Seniors Pat Phelps
The next meeting of the Danby Seniors will be dishes. Also, bring your own table service.
Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Danby Coffee and lemonade will be provided.
Community Church at 12:OOpm. Please bring a Entertainment following this meeting will be
generous dish to share and a serving spoon. Jilissa Vellake, vocalist. She will begin her
Please put your name on all your serving performance at about 1:15pm in the Sanctuary.
From the West Danby Fire Department
West Danby Fire Department: Winter Safety & We would also like to recognize our 2026
Community News Officers:
As winter weather settles in, the West Danby Chief: Robert McCray 11 st Assistant
Fire Department would like to share a few Chief: Ken VanEtten 12nd Assistant
seasonal safety reminders with the community. Chief: Scott Wendt 13rd Assistant
Chief: Samantha VanEtten I Lieutenant / EMS
With increased use of heating equipment, Director: Shawn Wendt
please remember to check that smoke and Staff Officers include John
carbon monoxide alarms are working properly, VanEtten (President), Howard VanEtten (Vice
keep space heaters at least three feet from President), Laura Barton (Secretary), Shawn
anything that can burn, and have chimneys Wendt (Treasurer), and Marrell
and heating systems inspected as needed. Cortright (Deputy Secretary/Treasurer).
These simple steps can help prevent winter-
related emergencies. The department is always looking for new
volunteers. Anyone interested in firefighting,
Winter conditions can also make emergency EMS, or support roles can
access more difficult. We ask residents to help email wdchief(c)_danbyfi red istrict.orq, message
by keeping driveways and walkways clear of us on Facebook, or attend a meeting on
snow and ice and ensuring house numbers are the second Monday of each month at 7 PM at
visible from the road. the fire station.
Thank you for your continued support, and we
wish everyone a safe and warm winter season.
Danby Fire District Notice of Regular Meetings
Please take notice that the Danby Fire District of the Town of Danby, Tompkins County, New
York, will hold its regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6.30
P.M. Meetings will be held at the Danby Fire Station, 1780 Danby Road, Town of Danby. All
meetings of the Danby Fire District are open to the public.
This notice is being given in accordance with the provisions of Section 104 of the Public Officers
Law of the State of New York.
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Danby Community Groups
Danby Community Library Danby Community And Danby Seniors
Contact: Cindy Parlett Park (DCAP) Contact: Pat Phelps
library(a_danby.ny.gov Website: dotsonpark.org patriciaphelps2.0@
Open Tue 1-3pm, dotsonpark(cDgmail.com gmail.com
Thu & Sat 10am-12pm Thu 12/7 at 7pm Luncheons: 1 st Thur at noon
Danby Food Pantry Danby Rural Cemetery Danby Tosspot
Danby Community Church Contact: Sharon Boda (Open Alcoholics
Contact: Joan Barber Sharonboda@gmail.com Anonymous Meeting)
Open: 3rd Thur 4-6 pm Wed 7pm - virtual
West Danby Community
Danby Food Scraps Pickup Association (WDCA)
Every Sat 9am — noon Contact: Pat Curran
behind Town Hall pc21 cornell.edu
Danby Library News Cindy Parlett
Meet one of the authors in our library:
James Grant, best known by his pen name Lee Child is a British author who writes thriller novels and
is best known for his Jack Reacher novel series.
Jack Reacher is a former military police Major wandering the U.S. taking odd jobs and becoming
involved in mysteries. Maybe you've seen the movies or the Netflix series and liked them. Here's your
chance to get more of Jack Reacher and his escapades. We have 22 books by Lee Child to choose
from. Plenty to keep you busy!
Interested in getting the Danby
Town News in your inbox?
You're not alone! This newsletter is a THE NEW JACK REACHER THRILLER
critical part of keeping Danby informed
about local government matters, and
getting an email can be more
convenient! Keep your eyes out for a
survey, possibly as early as next
month's issue! 61 HOURS
The newsletter is also available
online at danby.ny.gov/current-town-
newsletter. If you'd like to opt-out from
physical mailings, please email
town news(a)_da n by.ny.gov along with
your address.
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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Monthly Meeting Schedule At-A-Glance
Group Day Date Time Call-in by Phone Meeting ID
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Town Board* Tues 2/3 6:OOpm 1-929-205-6099 864 5365 2513 920558
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WDWD Wed 2/4 5:OOpm In person West Danby Fire station
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CAC* Tue 2/10 7:OOpm 1-929-205-6099 835 4940 5296 879507
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FD Tue 2/10 6:30pm In person Danby Fire Station
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DYC Thur 2/12 7:30pm Online- kshanks@tompkins-co.org
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Town Board* Tues 2/17 6:OOpm 1-929-205-6099 833 9755 8154 114604
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PB* Wed 2/18 7:OOpm 1-646-876-9923 822 5277 6582
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BZA* Tue TBD 7:OOpm TBD 817 1432 4705 398041
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FD Tue 2/24 6:30pm In person at the Danby Fire Station
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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) Fire District (FD)
Chair: Kelly Maher Secretary: Sharon Gaden,
planningboard(a)_danby.ny.gov secretary(c)_danbyfi redistrict.org
Meets: 3rd Wednesday at 7pm danby.ny.gov/depts/danby-fire-district
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Meets: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Chair: Earl Hicks Danby Volunteer Fire Company (DVFC)
bza danby.ny.gov Chief: John Gaden,
Meets: 4th Tuesday, as needed
jgaden .danbyfiredistrict.org
Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) danbyfiredept.org
Co-Chairs: Anne Klingensmith West Danby Fire Department (WDFD)
Jonathan Zisk
cac(a�danby.ny.gov Chief: Robert McCray
Meets: 2nd Tuesday at 7pm rmccray�dan byfi red istrict.org
westdanbyfire.com
Danby Youth Commission (DYC)
Contact: Patty Van de Bogart West Danby Water District (WDWD)
pvandebogartftc@gmail.com Contact: Scott Wendt,
Meets: 2nd Thursday at 7:30pm swendt(a)_danby.ny.gov
Meets: 1 st Wednesday at 5pm
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February 2026 Town of Danby, New York
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ib�� From: PRST STD
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1830 Danby Road U.S. Postage Paid
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• Ithaca, NY 14850
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Phone: 607-277-4788
https://danby.ny.gov
Welcome to the
Danby Town News!
Questions? Email us at
town newsCa)_dan by.ny.gov
Town Officials
Town Supervisor Joel Gagnon
supervisor(aD_danby.ny.gov Town Justices Garry Huddle
.............................................................................................................................................................................................
Town Board Leslie Connors Theresa Klinger
Meets 1st Tues Mariah Dillon Court Clerk Diane Gair
and 3rd Tues Zachary Larkins Hours: Mon-Wed dgairCcD_nycourts.gov
Mark Pruce 8am-11 am
townboa rd(a)_dan by.nV.gov .............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................... ........................................... Town Planner Greg Hutnik
Town Clerk Blake Savoy
Hours: Mon—Fri planner danby.ny.gov
Deputy Town Clerk Cindy Katz
Hours: Mon—Fri clerkoffice@danby.ny.gov by appointment
.......................................................................................................................................................................
11am-4pm Code Enforcement Steve Cortright
............................. Keith.......................... Ship
.......................m.......an..... Hours: Mon-Fri
...
Highway ................................................. code(aD-danbV.ny.gov
Superintendent highway(c danby.ny.gov by appointment
.............................................................................................................................................................................................
Deputy Highway Jack Shawley Documents/ Mary Ann Barr
Superintendent I Historian mbarr danbV.nV.gov shawley�a danby.ny.gov
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
Hours: Mon—Thu Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
6am-4:30pm IshawleV(aD_danbV.nV.gov
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