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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-16 Town Board Meeting Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, June 16th 2026, at the Danby Town Hall Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor Mariah Dillon Zachary Larkins Mark Pruce Board Member Absent: Leslie Connors Town Staff and Officials: Blake Savoy, Town Clerk George Frantz, Interim Town Planner Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Laura Shawley, Town Bookkeeper Other Attendees: Laura Rivet Jennifer Tiffany Hunter Grigg S-Q Julie Clougherty Ted Crane Pat Woodworth Cap’t Tilton Ronda Roaring Katharine Hunter Susan P Meeting Called to Order at 6:01pm Additions/Deletions to the Agenda -Address Remaining Questions Surrounding Community Forum (added to business) -Report from County Legislature (deleted) Privilege of the Floor Ronda Roaring requested to delay her time until item “Issue Single-Party Check for South Danby Road CDBG Contractor?”. The request was accepted. Ted Crane commented that the Special Events Law, as written, would leave a hole for partial rentals of larger properties for a higher trigger point. He also commented that the law did not adequately address other issues. Katharine Hunter commended that she agreed with Crane’s comments, opining further that the law is not ready to be passed in its current state. She stated that had sent a letter about the county declaring Juneteenth a holiday. She commented on the correspondences submitted by Steve Selin, specifically their perceived inaccuracy. Correspondence 1. Email from Greg Hutnik with attached letter "Ag marketing" 2. Email from Ronda Roaring "RE: Ironwood Notice" 3. Email from Ronda Roaring "Re: Follow up about the South Danby Speed Limit Petition" 4. Email from Ronda Roaring "Fw: Fire Question" with response from Board Member Pruce 5. Email from Steve Selin "Fwd: Next step toward conflict resolution" 6. Email from Kirby Sikes of NYPIRG with attached letters "NYPIRG Charitable Outreach 2026" 7. Email from Ronda Roaring "Request" Announcements 2 | P a g e Clerk Savoy announced that Town Historian Mary Ann Barr is soliciting interest for a Danby Time Capsule in honor of America’s 250th “birthday”. Those with ideas about what should go in a Danby Time Capsule are encouraged to reach out via mail or email to Historian Barr mbarr@danby.ny.gov . Meeting Minutes Resolution 181 of 2026 to Adopt the May 5th and May 19th Meeting Minutes Discussion Clerk Savoy explained that May 19th’s meeting minutes had originally contained an incorrect resolution number which was corrected. Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 181 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 The Board discussed the June 2nd meeting minutes but did not vote on them as they had not had a full chance to review them. Reports and Presentations • Supervisors’ Report- The report noted that a budget transfer was required to cover expenses related to the hiring of the Assistant to the Supervisor. Bookkeeper Jones stated that a transfer of $2,000 was over what was required to fulfil the deficit, but would reduce the need for future transfers, and noted that unspent funds would be rolled over back into the fund balance next year. Resolution 182 of 2026 to Transfer $2,000.00 from the Fund Balance to A1220.400 Supervisor’s Contractual Account Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 182 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 After the vote, Clerk Savoy stated that based on the reports from Bookkeeper Jones, Julia Hughes was paid entirely from the accounts under the Supervisor, including during her time as a second deputy clerk during property tax collection. He stated that he would be reviewing the hours submitted, which had been separated based on her duties, and following up with an amount that can be transferred to reflect the correction. Warrant Abstract 13 of 2026 Resolution 183 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #203-233 for $28,299.53 Discussion The Board discussed the vouchers, including clarifying some of the items included. Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Dillon 3 | P a g e Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 183 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Resolution 184 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #96-106 for $20,531.63 Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 184 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Resolution 185 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #16-18 for $221.10 Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 185 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Business Agreement with Highway Superintendent on Capital Projects The Board and Bookkeeper Shawley (who is also the Highway Secretary) discussed the Resolution 186 of 2026: Agreement to Spend Town Highway Funds- Pursuant to the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, we agree moneys levied and collected for the repair and improvements of highways, and received from the state for repair and improvement of highways shall be spent as follows: 1. A sum not to exceed $ 175,000 shall be spent on Hill Road from Curtis Road to South Danby Road. The road will be resurfaced with 2.5 inches of cold mix pave and surface treated with a double coat of chip seal. This amount also includes a fog seal and shoulder construction. The funding for this project will come from the CHIPS allotment from New York State. Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 186 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 4 | P a g e After the vote, the Board expressed that they’d like to see Highway Superintendent Shipman at a future meeting to discuss this and other upcoming Capital Projects. Shawley stated she would relay the message to him. Discussion of Issuing a Single-Party Check for CDBG Contractor Ronda Roaring explained the circumstances surrounding the replacement of her water heater as part of the grant she’d received as part of the CDBG program. She emphasized that the work was incomplete, specifically the timer on her water heater, which was why she had refused to endorse the check. Supervisor Gagnon explained that the contractor had determined that the timer on the water heater was defective and bypassed it to make the installation. He refused to install a new one because it was outside of the scope of the project and not made available until other work had been completed. Resolution 187 of 2026 to Authorize the Issuance of a Single-Party Check for a CDBG Contractor in this Instance Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 187 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Discussion of Declaring Juneteenth a Town Holiday and Closing Town Hall The Board discussed the fact that June 19th, or Juneteenth, is a federally recognized holiday but not a holiday recognized by the Town in terms of the Employee Handbook and Town Hall being open. They discussed how pay would work for the part-time employees, salaried employees, and contracted employees, but noted that union employees would not be impacted, since their holidays are determined by the union contract. Resolution 188 of 2026 to Designate June 19th (Juneteenth) a Recognized Holiday in the Town of Danby and Add it to the List of Holidays in the Employee Handbook Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 188 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 After the vote, it was further elaborated that Town Hall would be closed on June 19th. The Board also discussed the need to review and prepare for the negotiation of the union contract. Changes to the Town Hall Entryway Plan Board Member Dillon reviewed the newest package of plans for the entrance to Town Hall to bring it up to compliance with ADA regulations. The Board discussed funding for the project, specifically noting that the unencumbered funds balance has been well-funded in recent years. This means it is feasible for the Town to use reserve funds rather than impacting the tax levy for the project. It was noted that this project is overdue and that the use of fund balance is preferable to potentially 5 | P a g e endangering the community. The next step will include going to bid based on these plans. No formal action was taken. Special Events Law- State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) At the start of discussion, Board Member Larkins recused himself from the table. Interim Planner Frantz and the Board reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) parts 1 and 2. All points were reviewed, but the following points were discussed in greater detail. Part 1, question 5, action as a permitted use under zoning regulations and consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan: Frantz selected “N/A”. There was discussion about whether part 1 related to the adoption of the local law. Part 1, question 12, site as relates to the National or State Register of Historic Places and eligible for placement under Commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation: The Board was unclear as to whether or not buildings or sites were eligible for placement on the register. Katharine Hunter commented that there are eligible properties, which Interim Planner Frantz affirmed. Part 1, question 8, impacts on traffic: “No” was selected. Susan Perri commented that the law would increase traffic in the area by allowing events. Regarding part 2 of the SEAF, the Board and residents discussed the potential impacts of events under this law, specifically traffic, intensity of land use, and conflict with zoning code. The discussion focused on what constitutes a small impact compared to a moderate to large impact. The subjectivity of what falls under “no/small impact” and “moderate/large impact” was raised. Interim Planner Frantz explained that “small impacts” would be expected, but the role of the BZA as established in the law would serve to mitigate what may otherwise be moderate to large impacts. Julie Clougherty commented regarding the SEQR process and the requirements of parts 1 and 2. Supervisor Gagnon responded regarding the process, including clarifying the purposes of parts 1 and 2. Ted Crane commented regarding traffic and a “loophole” wherein he would be able to subvert the law by renting a portion of his property, which the law does not adequately account for. The Board noted these concerns. Resolution 189 of 2026 to Extend the Meeting by 1 Hour (9PM) Vote Moved by Dillon Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 189 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Resolution 190 of 2026 to Make a Determination of No Significant Adverse Environmental Impact Based a Review of the Drafted Special Events Law Conducted as Part of SEQR Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes 6 | P a g e Larkins Abstained (by recusal) Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 190 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Appointment of a Representative for the Tompkins County Animal Control Advisory Board Clerk Savoy stated that while reviewing the contract with the Tompkins County SPCA, he noted that the Town should appoint someone for the Tompkins County Animal Control Advisory Board. He stated that he had been unable to find one for the current contract and asked that he be appointed. Board Member Connors stated that a resolution had been passed when the 2022 contract was signed. Resolution 191 of 2026 to Appoint the Town Clerk as Representative for the Town of Danby to the Tompkins County Animal Control Advisory Board and that This be Reaffirmed as Part of the Organizational Resolutions Vote Moved by Dillon Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 191 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Confirmation of Hire- Assistant to the Supervisor Laura Rivet was introduced as the candidate selected by the hiring committee from among 21 applicants. Resolution 192 of 2026 to Endorse the Findings of the Assistant to the Supervisor Ad- Hoc Hiring Committee and Hire Laura Rivet for the Position Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 192 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Community Forums Board Member Pruce described the plan to hold community forums at Town Hall. The discussion revolved around whether the number of Board Members in attendance would be limited to two and whether Zoom videoconferencing would be made available. The Board discussed the impersonal nature of Zoom attendance and noted that people are not always comfortable speaking freely when they’re being recorded, which would be a requirement with Zoom videoconferencing. Ted Crane commented that the public would still be allowed to record the meeting. The Board continued to discuss the questions at hand, including Board Member Larkins stating that he would want nothing to do with forums that took place over Zoom. 7 | P a g e Resolution 193 of 2026 to Decide that the First Community Forum will not have a limit on the Number of Board Members, that the Town will not Maintain an Audio or Video Recording of the Meeting, and that Zoom Videoconferencing will not be Available. Discussion It was stated that Clerk Savoy, or another recording secretary, would be at the meeting to create minutes that would serve as a record. It was stated that in the event that only two Board Members show up, minutes would still be taken, but would not be minutes of an official meeting as quorum was not met. Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Absent Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 193 of 2026 passed on June 16th, 2026 Next Meeting’s Agenda -June 2nd Meeting Minutes -Special Events Permit Fee -General Code Update -Consulting Contract for Bookkeeper Shawley The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 PM.