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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-18 Town Board Meeting Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, August 18th, 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 Greg Hutnik, Town Planner Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Other Attendees: Leonard Dodge Tod Sukontarak Katharine Hunter Jennifer Tiffany Ted Crane Ronda Roaring Pat Woodworth Cap’t Tilton Earl Hicks Meeting Called to Order at 6:00pm Additions/Deletions to the Agenda -Town Clerk as TCAT Ticketmaster? (added) -Authorize use of Town Funds for CDBG Projects (added) -Discussion of potential search for litigation counsel (added) -Supervisor’s report (deleted) -Code enforcement discussion (added) Privilege of the Floor Ronda Roaring commented regarding the differences between electric/electric assist bicycles (e- bikes) and e-scooters, referencing an article from the NY Department of Motor Vehicles, and suggested adding e-scooters to the proposed e-bike law. Ted Crane suggested a correction about a statement in the 7/21/26 TB meeting minutes. He also suggested clarifying that the e-bike law would only impact public roads and trails and not apply to private property. Katharine Hunter expressed support for further enforcement action regarding the property on West Miller Road. Correspondence 1. Anonymous letter about property concerns about 182 West Miller Rd. 2. Email from Ronda Roaring “Sidewalk in hamlet” Announcements Clerk Savoy announced that County Legislator Irene Weiser would be holding a county budget discussion at Town Hall, likely on a Saturday in September during the Library’s open hours. Board Member Pruce announced that the next Community Forum would be on September 24th from 6:30-8pm at Town Hall. He also announced that TCAT would be holding open sessions for the public to come give feedback, encouraging residents to advocate for more routes in Danby. 2 | P a g e Meeting Minutes The Board discussed the 7/16/26 Community Forum “minutes”, but decided that they did not want to vote on them because they were not of an actual meeting of the Town Board. Resolution 227 of 2026 to Approve the 7/7/26 Town Board Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Larkins Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 227 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Resolution 228 of 2026 to Approve the 7/14/26 Town Board Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Dillon Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Abstain Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 228 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Board Member Connors stated her abstention was because she was absent for that meeting. Resolution 229 of 2026 to Approve the 7/21/26 Town Board Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Abstain Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 229 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Board Member Larkins stated his abstention was because he was absent for that meeting. Reports and Presentations • West Danby Water District Advisory Committee Report: Leonard Dodge and Tod Sukontarak described the status of the system assessment by Hunt Engineering. They explained that the technique of the survey shifted to “laptop analysis” because excavation was cost-prohibitive. Overall, the total estimate for replacing everything would be around $12 million. There is an alternative proposal to narrow the scope of the project to prioritize recommendations from the Health Department (another pump and replacing meters) and replacing the asbestos-cement main with ductile iron, totaling about $8 million. They noted that these numbers are not final as there are many variables that go into calculating them, primarily whether grant funding is applicable. They described the ongoing efforts to survey homeowners within the water district for income data, which is necessary to apply for grant funding. They also discussed the need 3 | P a g e for the new water tank agitator/mixer, noting that the new one would be repairable and its 3-year warranty won’t be voided by self-installation. The Advisory recommendation is that theTown Board perform a SEQ review based on the full $12 million scope of the project because it encompasses the aspects of the $8 million project. • Supervisor’s Report- The legal ads budget line was overdrawn. Bookkeeper Jones recommended authorizing a transfer of $500.00 to the line to account for the likelihood of the need for more notices before the end of the year. Resolution 230 of 2026 to Authorize the Transfer of $500.00 from the Contingent Account Line (A1990.400) to the Legal Advertisements Line (A1410.480) Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 230 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Warrant Abstract 18 of 2026 Resolution 231 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #298-315 for $27,777.74 Discussion Board Member Dillon noted that the total amount of the vouchers on the agenda had been mistyped and read aloud as $27,222.74. Motion was amended to correct this, moved and seconded by Connors and Dillon respectively. Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 231 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Resolution 232 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #138-149 for $45,384.04 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 232 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Business Budget Discussion 4 | P a g e The Board and Bookkeeper Jones discussed budget priorities for the upcoming year, including the negotiation of the CSEA union contract and increased healthcare costs. They also discussed the need for further capital planning and saving for inevitable expenses when equipment fails or needs repair. Resolution 233 of 2026 to Prepare a Local Law to Override the Tax Cap for Budget Year 2027 and Schedule the Public Hearing for said Local Law for the start of the Town Board Meeting on September 1st, 2026 Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 233 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 After the vote, the Board discussed the budget process. They also discussed funding for community organizations, noting that the Comptroller’s audit had pointed out that agreements with the Town had not been executed prior to distribution of funds, even when they are budgeted for. Action Items from the West Danby Water District Advisory Committee Resolution 234 of 2026 to Authorize Purchase of a Mixer from Big Wave Water Technologies not to Exceed $13,000.00 Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 234 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Resolution 235 of 2026 to Endorse the WDWDAC’s Proposal to Perform a SEQR Review and Bonding Resolution based on the $12-Million Proposition Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 235 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Review of Bids Submitted for the Town Hall Accessibility Project The Board reviewed the singular bid submitted by Boland’s Excavation and Topsoil (1403 Millburn Drive, Conklin NY 13748) for $273,000.00 for both parts of the project (crosswalk and entry approaches). The Board discussed their expected price for the project, as well as if/when to reopen bids. They also discussed potentially reviewing some of the insurance requirements that were included in the initial bid package. 5 | P a g e Resolution 236 of 2026 to Reject the 1 Bid Submitted and Re-Bid in January Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 236 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Town Hall Siding/Building Repairs Supervisor Gagnon explained that the siding on the Town Hall has been quite damaged by weather. He also explained that in his newsletter solicitation for a facilities maintenance person, George Evanega had been named as interested in the position. Resolution 237 of 2026 to Approve a Contractual Hiring of George Evanega at $45/hr for Building Repairs Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 237 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 E-Bike Local Law Board Member Dillion provided an updated draft of a local law to allow electric assisted bicycles (e-bikes) on roads and trails in Danby. Dillon explained that adding e-scooters would open “a can of worms”. The Board discussed removing provisions that were stated under State law, adding Crane’s suggestion of specifying “public” roads and trails, and having the law reviewed by Attorney Krogh. They discussed holding a public hearing, but no date was set. No formal action was taken. Appoint the Town Clerk to Sell TCAT Bus Tickets Clerk Savoy explained that he had been approached by a Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) representative with a proposition to operate as an “outlet” location to sell bus tickets. He stated that access to public transit was discussed at the July Community Forum. Resolution 238 of 2026 to Authorize the Town Clerk to be a “Ticketmaster” for Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 238 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 6 | P a g e Authorization of Use of Town Funds to Pay CDBG Contractors Due to miscommunications stemming from Planner Hutnik’s absence, a request to the State for CDBG funds was not made, resulting in 3 contractors being unpaid. The funding from the State would be received in the next 2 weeks, but the work was completed several weeks ago, hence the time sensitivity of the matter. A request was made for the Town to “front” the money and be repaid. Planner Hutnik explained that this is not unusual and is acceptable under the CDBG program guidelines. Bookkeeper Jones stated that the best way to approve this would be to create a new abstract (19) and associated vouchers for the 3 bills, authorize payment, and charge it to the payable account line, to be reimbursed when the State funding came in. Resolution 239 of 2026 to Authorize Payment of Abstract 19 General Fund Vouchers #316-318 for $24,097.00 to Pay the CDBG Contractors Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 239 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Resolution 240 of 2026 to Extend the Meeting by 15 Minutes Vote Moved by Dillon Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 239 of 2026 passed on August 18th, 2026 Code Enforcement Discussion The Board discussed the potential to look for additional assistance with funds from the existing Code Enforcement Officer’s salary, the process for prosecution of violations, and the specifics of property maintenance laws at the State and local level. No formal action was taken, but Board Member Larkins said he would speak with CEO Cortright to gauge his interest/willingness. Special Litigation Counsel Planner Hutnik explained that this is a recommendation from Attorney Krogh because his schedule cannot handle a trial, and the Town should have counsel for if/when litigation occurs. Obtaining counsel earlier on means that the attorney is aware of the full details of a situation as it is unfolding, which could be beneficial. No formal action was taken. Due to the meeting already running over schedule, the next meeting’s agenda was not discussed. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.