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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-04 Town Board Meeting Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, at the Danby Town Hall Board Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Town Supervisor Mariah Dillon Leslie Connors Zachary Larkins Mark Pruce Town Staff and Officials: Blake Savoy, Town Clerk George Frantz, Interim Town Planner Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Other Attendees: Marnie Kirchgessner Katharine Hunter Amanda Manfredo Jennifer Tiffany Garry Pat Woodworth Cap’t Tilton Ronda Roaring Ted Crane Heather Coffey Laura Vineyard Meeting Called to Order at 6:01pm Additions/Deletions to the Agenda -Property Maintenance Discussion (added to business) Privilege of the Floor Marnie Kirchgessner described her background in youth involvement in Danby, including being on the Danby Youth Commission. She stated that she has spoken to many people and heard lots of support for the skate park. Amanda Manfredo commented about the proposal to legalize riding electric/electric assist bicycles (e-bikes) on roads in Danby, noting that it can be done through the passage of a local law. She stated that she would like to see Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, in particular, but that she had no opposition to Class 3 e-bikes if the Board wanted to include them. Ronda Roaring stated that NYS already allows e-bikes on some trails. She expressed concerns about speed and other illegal vehicles that drive on public roads, such as golf carts. She suggested the Town reach out to other municipalities about these issues. Ted Crane stated that he supports e-bike legislation, adding that the southern end of Comfort Road does have a speed limit of 25mph. He commented on a discussion between audience members prior to the meeting about the difference between Zoom and in person attendance of meetings. He commented on the nature of comments about the skate park, providing an example of a self-selective survey. He expressed that he would like to know more about the reasoning behind the recent zoning determinations made by Planner Hutnik and Interim Planner Frantz. Pat Woodworth expressed support for the skate park and that she hopes the Town will continue to fund the project. Heather Coffey expressed support for the skate park and that the Town should continue to fund it. 2 | P a g e Laura Vineyard expressed support for the skate park and for e-bikes in Danby, noting that a reason that e-bikes are currently unlawful is a holdover from the legislative intent to ban segways. Katharine Hunter expressed support for the skate park and that she had been previously told that funding is available from Laura Shawley, former Town Bookkeeper. She explained that the last survey done by the Danby Youth Commission highlighted that kids want a place to be. She reiterated her support for the skate park, adding that her son teaches people how to ride bikes and that these places offer opportunities for the community. Correspondence 1. Email from Robert Lieberman about a property maintenance complaint 2. Email from Amanda Manfredo about legalizing e-bikes in Danby Announcements The West Danby Cemetery Association will be holding a work/clean-up day at the cemetery on Saturday, August 8th. Meeting Minutes The Board discussed the 7/7/26 meeting minutes but did not vote on them. Reports and Presentations • Report on Cemetery meeting- Board Members Connors and Dillon reported that they had attended the West Danby Cemetery Association’s meeting. They said that the meeting was not well attended, but that the Cemetery Association was able to fulfill the need for new members. • Clerk’s Report • Supervisors’ Report- The Board discussed whether they needed to approve transfers between lines within the same department. Resolution 218 of 2026 to Authorize the Transfer of $279.00 from the Supervisor’s Contractual Line to the Supervisor’s Equipment Line Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 218 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 Warrant Abstract 17 of 2026 Resolution 219 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #283-297 for $24,241.93 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 219 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 3 | P a g e Resolution 220 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #126-137 for $11,814.44 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 220 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 Business Authorize Single Party Check for Housing Rehab Contractor Supervisor Gagnon explained that a contractor working on a house as part of the CDBG program had a check that the bank had refused to recognize. He noted that the homeowner had endorsed the original check. Resolution 221 of 2026 to Authorize a Single Party CDBG Check for Jem Heritage Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 221 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 Authorize Use of the Town Hall Meeting Room for Chamber of Commerce Community Conversation- Oct. 29th 9-10:30am Resolution 222 of 2026 to Authorize the Use of the Town Hall Meeting Room for the Chamber of Commerce Community Conversation and Add the Chamber of Commerce to the Pre-Approved Users List Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 222 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 E-Bikes Discussion The Board, with additional explanations from Amanda Manfredo and Laura Vineyard, discussed the fact that State legislation does not permit electric/electric-assisted bikes (e-bikes) on roadways. Manfredo proposed that the Town adopt a local law that would treat e-bikes the same as bikes, allowing them on roadways and requiring that they follow existing regulations for standard bicycles. 4 | P a g e There are different classes of e-bikes, but commonly classes 1 and 2 would be targeted by this kind of legislation. A motion was made by Supervisor Gagnon, seconded by Board Member Connors, to ask Attorney Krogh to draft a law that would legalize riding e-bikes in town by classifying them as bikes, but the motion was later rescinded. A second motion was passed. Resolution 223 of 2026 that Board Member Dillon Investigate Existing Municipal Laws that Legislate Class 1 and 2 E-Bikes as Standard Bikes for the Purpose of Vehicle and Traffic Laws and Draft a Proposal for Such a Law in Danby Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 223 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 NYAOT Bill of Rights Resolution 224 of 2026- A Resolution in Support of the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights WHEREAS, town government provides services essential to the vitality of New York State, including but not limited to maintaining and repairing roads, protecting neighborhoods and businesses, guiding economic development, and serving as the first line of defense, communication, and safety for residents every day of the year; and WHEREAS, the 933 towns of New York State are home to more than 9.1 million New Yorkers and are diverse in population, geography, and demographics, such that decisions affecting daily life are best made at the local level by the government that best understands each community's character, challenges, and needs; and WHEREAS, the towns of New York are partners in shaping the State's future, and a true partnership between the State and its local governments will propel the New York State forward to the benefit of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, the New York Association of Towns has adopted a Bill of Rights articulating the core principles that should govern the relationship between the State and its towns; and WHEREAS, the Town of Danby shares and affirms those principles, namely: 1. Protection and defense of municipal home rule, recognizing that towns, as the level of government closest to the people, are best positioned to balance competing interests and make decisions that shape daily life; 2. Local control of land use and zoning, free from statewide zoning rules that override the voice of resident taxpayers and the officials they elect; 3. Freedom from unfunded mandates, so that local taxpayers are not made to bear the cost of orders imposed by State and federal authorities without the resources to carry them out; 4. Modernized transparency, accessibility, and engagement, including reform of outdated public-notice requirements that consume scarce municipal dollars on print notices often missed by the public; and 5. A meaningful voice in State decisions affecting the hometowns that towns govern, so that town government is treated as a true partner rather than an afterthought or a hurdle to clear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby hereby endorses and adopts the New York Association of Towns Bill of Rights and affirms its commitment to the principles set 5 | P a g e forth therein; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board calls upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to respect and uphold these principles in the enactment of legislation and the administration of State programs affecting towns; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of New York, the Temporary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the State Senator(s) and Member(s) of the Assembly representing the Town of Danby, and the New York Association of Towns. Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 224 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 Board Member Dillon noted that there is an HR track at the Legislative Conference which would be a good training opportunity for Assistant to the Supervisor Laura Rivet. Resolution 225 of 2026 to Authorize Laura Rivet to Attend the New York Association of Towns Legislative Conference, if She is Able To Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 225 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 Skate Park Funding and Implementation Timeline Discussion Board Members Pruce and Larkins presented the current plans for the skate park on Bald Hill Road. The plans include a low impact “street course” and a half-pipe sunk into the existing hill to reduce the need for drainage and a retaining wall to prevent erosion. They discussed reaching out to students at Cornell for assistance with water management for the site. Resolution 226 of 2026 to Authorize an Expenditure of up to $13,000.00 to Construct the Skate Park’s Halfpipe with Money from the Community Development Fund Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 226 of 2026 passed on August 4th, 2026 After the vote, the Board discussed opportunities for grant funding for further construction of the skate park. Property Maintenance 6 | P a g e Board Member Connors described resident concerns regarding property maintenance, noting that letters sent from Code Enforcement Officer, Steve Cortright, have gone unanswered without further action taken. The Board discussed possible solutions to increase response, including possibly asking the County Department of Social Services or Adult Protective Services for assistance. They also discussed potentially hiring another Code Enforcement Officer to follow up with enforcement actions, possibly through pulling funding from the existing Code Enforcement Officer salary line. Board Member Zach Larkins volunteered to speak with Cortright about the matter. No formal action was taken. Next Agenda -Ag Definitions -General Code update -Community Forum -Additional funding for George Frantz/further contract The meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.