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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-21 Town Board Meeting Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, at the Danby Town Hall Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor Mariah Dillon Leslie Connors Mark Pruce Board Member Absent: Zachary Larkins Town Staff and Officials: Blake Savoy, Town Clerk George Frantz, Interim Town Planner Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Other Attendees: Ivan Newell Jennifer Tiffany Hunter Grigg S-Q Julie Clougherty Ted Crane Pat Woodworth Cap’t Tilton Ronda Roaring Katharine Hunter Laura Steve Selin Meeting Called to Order at 6:01pm Additions/Deletions to the Agenda -Summary Community Forum (added to business) -Update about the West Danby Cemetery -Report from County Legislator Weiser (deleted) -Report from Highway Superintendent Shipman (deleted) -Report from the West Danby Water District Advisory Committee (delayed, then removed) Privilege of the Floor Julie Clougherty commented on an email she had received from Board Member Mark Pruce regarding South Hill Cider and negotiations, expressing dissatisfaction with the tone and content of the email. She opined that the drafted Special Events Law would enable illegal activity. Ivan Newell commented that the drafted Special Events Law could be simplified, that it was onerous for business owners to need separate permits for individual events in a “series”, and that the guidelines shouldn’t include decibels. He opined that South Hill Cider is an important part of the community and the importance of community in the “greater Ithaca area”. Steve Selin commented in response to his neighbor’s comments about South Hill Cider and mediation/negotiations. Ted Crane thanked Board Member Pruce for organizing the previous week’s community forum and thanked Ivan Newell for discussing and demonstrating the exponential nature of the decibel scale. He expressed concerns over the drafted Special Events Law’s potential conflicts with existing zoning laws. Katharine Hunter commented responding to Selin’s earlier comments. Pat Woodworth commented that the drafted Special Events Law would affect all businesses in Danby, not just South Hill Cider, and that the lot size criteria do not take into account the nature of a lot (wooded, multiple buildings, etc.). 2 | P a g e Hunter Griggs commented that he agreed with Clougherty’s earlier comments. Garry Huddle (by written comment) commented that a Special Events Law is unnecessary, as are other laws regarding noise. He suggested that the Town could instead possibly create a dispute resolution group for complaints. Correspondence 1. Email from Susan Perri "RE: Special Events Law with response from Board Member Pruce 2. Email from Jo Ann Palmer "Email May 29" with response from Code Officer Cortright 3. Email from Roberta Wallitt "South Hill Cidery" 4. Email from Ronda Roaring "Jennings Pond" 5. Email from Pat Woodworth with attached letter "Proposed Special Events Law" 6. Email from Town of Dryden Planner Ray Burger "Public notice from Town of Dryden" 7. Email from Hunter Grigg "Farm Theater" 8. Email from Ronda Roaring "What you can do in a gym" 9. Email from Ronda Roaring "Friends of the Coddington Valley Rail Trail" Announcements The West Danby Cemetery Association will be holding a special meeting on July 28th at the West Danby Fire Hall. Meeting Minutes Resolution 206 of 2026 to Approve the June 2nd, 2026 Town Board Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 206 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Resolution 207 of 2026 to Approve the June 16th, 2026 Town Board Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 207 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Reports and Presentations • Supervisors’ Report was presented. No transfers were required. Warrant Abstract 16 of 2026 Resolution 208 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #259-282 for $21,089.37 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon 3 | P a g e Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 208 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Resolution 209 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #119-125 for $30,201.97 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 209 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Business Appointment for the Representative to the Health Insurance Consortium’s Board of Directors and Municipal Joint Committee Supervisor Gagnon explained that Laura Shawley previously held these positions and recommended that Laura Rivet be appointed to take her roles on these committees. The Board discussed the purpose of the Municipal Joint Committee. Resolution 210 of 2026 to Appoint Laura Rivet be the Town of Danby’s Representative for both the Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium’s Board of Directors and the Municipal Joint Committee Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 210 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Authorization of Request for Bids for the Town Hall Accessibility Project Board Member Dillon explained that T.G. Miller had finalized a 300-page bid packet, much of which is boilerplate and typical for these kinds of projects. It was noted that the bid is able to be split into two parts, one for the crosswalk and an additional bid for redoing the entryway to Town Hall. Respondents could bid for only the crosswalk part of the project, which includes a set deadline of November for completion. Resolution 211 of 2026 to Authorize the Issuance of the Request for Bids for the Town Hall Accessibility Project to be Due by August 12, 2026 at 1pm Vote 4 | P a g e Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 211 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Proposal to Collaborate with the West Danby Community Association to Honor Laura Shawley Supervisor Gagnon explained that there has been a previous tradition of recognizing recent retirees from the Town at the annual West Danby Community Association’s picnic, scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. Resolution 212 of 2026 to Collaborate with the West Danby Community Association at their Annual Picnic Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 212 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 After the vote, the Board discussed the specifics of “collaboration”, determining that a certificate or plaque would be appropriate. Discussion of the Special Events Law The Board discussed the most recent feedback about the drafted Special Events Law. There was some discussion over the next steps, including reconsideration of the criteria for triggering the law, the purpose of the law, and the officer or body responsible for issuing these permits. The Board also discussed, with input from Interim Planner George Frantz, potential for updating the definition of agriculture within the current Zoning Law and potentially introducing site plan review for agricultural businesses. Resolution 213 of 2026 to Refer the Special Events Law to a Committee of Planner Hutnik, Board Members Connors and Dillon, and Supervisor Gagnon for reworking. Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 213 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Technology Recommendations from TCNS Clerk Savoy reviewed the current recommendations from the Town’s IT services provider, TCNS. Resolution 214 of 2026 to Extend the Meeting by 30 Minutes until 8:30pm 5 | P a g e Vote Moved by Dillon Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 214 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Resolution 215 of 2026 to Authorize Replacement of the Highway PC and Purchase of End of Life Support for the other PC Using Windows 10 Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Abstain Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 215 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Designation of a Delegate and Alternate for the September 22nd NYAOT Legislative Conference Supervisor Gagnon stated that this is a new conference that NYAOT is holding and that they requested that towns designate delegates and alternate delegates, even if they will not be able to attend. Resolution 216 of 2026 to Designate Board Member Connors as the Delegate and Board Member Dillon as Alternate Delegate to the September 22nd NYAOT Legislative Conference Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 216 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Pro-Housing Community Declaration Resolution 217 of 2026- Pro-Housing Community Declaration WHEREAS, the Town of Danby (hereinafter “local government”) believes that the lack of housing for New York residents of all ages and income levels negatively impacts the future of New York State’s economic growth and community well-being; WHEREAS, the housing crisis has negative effects at regional and local levels, we believe that every community must do their part to contribute to housing growth and benefit from the positive impacts a healthy housing market brings to communities; WHEREAS, we believe that supporting housing production of all kinds in our community will bring multiple benefits, including increasing housing access and choices for current and future 6 | P a g e residents, providing integrated accessible housing options that meet the needs of people with sensory and mobility disabilities, bringing economic opportunities and vitality to our communities, and allowing workers at all levels to improve their quality of life through living closer to their employment opportunities; WHEREAS, we believe that evidence showing that infill development that reduces sprawl and supports walkable communities has significant environmental and public health benefits; and WHEREAS, we believe that affirmatively furthering fair housing and reducing segregation is not only required by law, but is essential for keeping our community strong and vibrant; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Town of Danby, in order to take positive steps to alleviate the housing crisis, adopts the Pro-Housing Communities pledge, which will have us endeavor to take the following important steps: 1. Streamlining permitting for multifamily housing, affordable housing, accessible housing, accessory dwelling units, and supportive housing. 2. Adopting policies that affirmatively further fair housing. 3. Incorporating regional housing needs into planning decisions. 4. Increasing development capacity for residential uses. 5. Enacting policies that encourage a broad range of housing development, including multifamily housing, affordable housing, accessible housing, accessory dwelling units, and supportive housing. Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Absent Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 217 of 2026 passed on July 21st, 2026 Community Forums Board Member Pruce summarized the discussions at the community forum, such as parks, public transit, small/local businesses, housing, and sidewalks. He stated that a date for another forum has not been decided but suggested it could happen in September. No formal action was taken. West Danby Cemetery Association Special Meeting Board Members Dillon and Connors will attend the special meeting. No formal action was taken. Due to the meeting running late, the next meeting’s agenda was not discussed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.