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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-05 Town Board Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, May 5th , 2026, at the Danby Town Hall Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor Leslie Connors Mariah Dillon Zachary Larkins Mark Pruce Town Staff and Officials: Blake Savoy, Town Clerk Greg Hutnik, Town Planner Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Gary Huddle, Town Justice Theresa Klinger, Town Justice Other Attendees: Ronda Roaring Ted Crane Jim Holahan Jennifer Tiffany Scott Davis Hunter Grigg Katharine Hunter Steve Selin Neff Walker Julie Clougherty Daniel Beatty Ava Owen Meeting Called to Order at 6:00pm Additions/Deletions to the Agenda -Shared Services Agreement with NYDOT (added) -Community Forum Idea, if time allows (added) -Authorize Seeking Grant Support from County for Shane Spencer Property Planning (deleted) -EV Charger and Entry Way to Town Hall Discussion (to be discussed at another time) Privilege of the Floor Julie Clougherty opined that the Special Events Law would be enabling businesses outside of existing zoning laws. She commented on the number of variations and drafts, stating that the law is not ready, and that there should be more time taken to craft it. She a sked who would enforce the law. She noted that she has observed a growing hostility towards the neighbors of South Hill Cidery. She opined that the Town has ignored the complaints of the neighbors of South Hill Cidery and that the neighbors have been forced to take legal action. Ted Crane opined that the Town’s right to farm law doesn’t need to change to conform with Ag+Market’s. He offered suggestions for the Special Events Law including a specification for off-road parking and a clause being written in the future tense . He then provided the Board a live demonstration of the nuances of decibel reading, concluding with an encouragement for the Board to “follow the science” when determining appropriate allowances and metrics. Gary Huddle commented on discussions on Facebook about the Special Events Law and thanked Board Member Pruce for explaining what is going on. He noted some misunderstandings about what is being proposed, such as confusion about previous drafts of noise laws with the current Special Events Law. He asked who would enforce the Special Events Law, including counting cars or calibrating decibel meters, and op ined that self-monitoring would not be sufficient. Steve Selin commented that his orchard has been producing many blossoms and noted the positive impact on pollinators in the area. He commented on the trigger point for the sound clause in the Special Events Law being set at “above ambient” and opined that the definition of ambient was not 2 | P a g e clear. He also commented on a change in the proposal from 9pm to sunset, noting that sunset in October is around 6:30pm and closer to 10pm near the solstice. Katharine Hunter spoke about bird migration in Danby and encouraged residents to ensure that unnecessary lights are off or turned down to ensure that they have a safe migration. She noted further concern for the loss of nocturnal animals. Correspondence 1. Email from Brad Rauch "Draft Events Law" with responses from Board Members Dillon and Pruce 2. Email from Susan Perri "Town of Danby Proposed Special Events Law" 3. Email from Susan Perri, Hunter Grigg, Nadia Grigg, Scott Davis, and Julie Clougherty "Special Events Law" with responses from Supervisor Gagnon, Planner Hutnik, and Board Member Pruce 4. Email from Steve Selin "Ag and Markets Update" 5. Email from Joel Gagnon "Spring 2026 Community Celebrations Grant - Town of Danby" 6. Public Notice from Tompkins County Ag+Farmland Protection Board 7. Notification of Cannabis Renewal Application from Altitude 8. Email from Marnie Kirchgessner "Special Events Law" 9. Email from Susan Perri with Letter of FOIL Appeal and response from Board Member Pruce 10. Email from Jeremy Holmes "Letter of Support for South Hill Cider" 11. Email from Maria Kennedy "Letter of Support for South Hill Cider" 12. Email from Eric Banford "Letter supporting Agrotourism in Danby" 13. Email from Brad Rauch "Event Law and Agritourism" 14. Email from Joel Gagnon "Final Resolution - Bailey Park MHP" 15. Email from Katharine Hunter "special event law" Clerk Savoy encouraged residents to have patience regarding the technical constraints of linking correspondences on the agenda, including review and redaction of any personal information. He further encouraged them to reach out if they have suggestions or would like to see any of the correspondence. Announcements (Made during additions/deletions to the agenda) The Planning Board is looking for applicants to fill a vacancy. Applications are due by May 15th and will be reviewed at the May 19th Board Meeting. Supervisor Gagnon announced that there will be a Memorial Day event held at Town Hall on Monday, May 25th from 11am-3pm. Katharine Hunter added that there will be a dedication for the new sign for the Soldiers’ Monument and a tent encampment by members of Sydney Camp. The event will conclude at 3pm with playing Taps. Reports and Presentations • Town Clerk's Monthly Report • Code Officer’s Monthly Report • Supervisor’s Account Analyses Minutes Resolution 150 of 2026 to Approve the April 7th, 16th, and 21st, 2026 Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes 3 | P a g e Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 150 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Warrant Abstract 10 of 2026 Resolution 151 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #159-169 for $15,627.73 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 151 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Resolution 152 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #64-72 for $5,656.99 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 152 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Business 2026 Danby Seniors Agreement Resolution 153 of 2026 to Authorize Supervisor Gagnon to Sign the 2026 Danby Seniors Agreement Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 153 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Schedule Second CDBG Public Hearing (Closing Hearing for 2024 Grant) Planner Hutnik explained that at the end of a CDBG grant administration, a hearing is held for the public to offer feedback about their experiences. He said that he would send out a mailer to those who received grant funding for their feedback. Resolution 154 of 2026 to Schedule a Public Hearing for the Closing of the 2024 CDBG Grant 4 | P a g e Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 154 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Bookkeeper Shawley’s Impending Retirement- Last Date and Consulting? Supervisor Gagnon announced Laura Shawley’s proposed retirement on June 30th and after that, she be employed as a consultant for the purposes of training her replacement. The Board discussed aspects of the budget, including where the money would come from and how much she would be paid for her work. Suggestions were made to limit the time period to 6 weeks, 20 hours, or 20hrs to be reviewed at the end of those hours. The Board broadly agreed to keeping Shawley as a consultant and discussing any potential contract at a later meeting. No actions were otherwise taken. Designation of the Property at 15 Bald Hill Road as Park Land Ted Crane asked about the process for the creation and dissolution of parkland, specifically if there is any need for State involvement. Supervisor Gagnon responded that it is functionally similar to a conservation easement. Resolution No. 155 of 2026 – Dedication of Public Parkland – 15 Bald Hill Road, Tax Parcel No. 10.-1-39 Whereas the Town of Danby owns the approximately 1.35-acre property addressed as 15 Bald Hill Road with a tax parcel number of 10.-1-39 (“Property”); and Whereas the Property was formerly used by the Town of Danby Highway Department; and Whereas the Town of Danby wishes to use the Property for public park purposes; Now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Danby hereby dedicates the Property as public parkland. Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 155 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Special Events Law Discussion The Board, Planner Hutnik, and several residents commented on the current draft of the Special Events Law and reviewed changes and suggestions including modifications for the sections relating to sound. 5 | P a g e Resolution 156 of 2026 to Extend the Meeting by 10 minutes until 8:10pm Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 156 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 NYDOT Shared Services Agreement Supervisor Gagnon explained that the agreement would allow the Town and State to call upon each other, primarily in response to emergency situations, and share resources. It was noted that the agreement would be valid for either 2 or 4 years and would be m ore fiscally viable to “lock in” the annual cost of $25,000 for 4 years. Resolution 157 of 2026 to Authorize Highway Superintendent Shipman to Sign the NYDOT Shared Services Agreement for a Term of 4 Years Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 157 of 2026 passed on May 5th, 2026 Community Forum Board Member Pruce proposed holding community forums where people would be able to discuss a particular topic outside of the context of a Town Board Meeting, noting the limitations of Town meetings such as the 3-minute time limit and that there isn’t a back -and-forth. Clerk Savoy expressed some concerns about unintentionally triggering Open Meetings Law but was supportive of the idea insomuch as providing a space for community members to discuss issues. It was reaffirmed that there would be no decisions made at these meetings. Next Meeting’s Agenda -Tompkins Green Energy Network (T-GEN) Update -Codification Project Update -Audit Committee Update -Correspondence Policy The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 PM.