Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-15 Town Board Meeting Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, September 15th, 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 George Frantz, Planning Consultant Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Keith Shipman, Town Highway Superintendent Other Attendees: Marnie Kirchgessner Steve Selin Ted Crane Ronda Roaring Pat Woodworth Cap’t Tilton Theresa Katharine Hunter Meeting Called to Order at 6:02pm Additions/Deletions to the Agenda -County Legislator’s Report (deleted, none submitted) -Highway Superintendent’s Report (given during relevant business item) -Agreement to Spend Highway Funds (added) -Request to Purchase Tires for the Highway Department (added) -Update on the Skate Park and Playground (added, if time allows) -Update on the General Code Project (added, if time allows) Privilege of the Floor Marnie Kirchgessner spoke about a letter she received from Verizon about the end of landline service for herself and her neighborhood. She expressed concern regarding the lack of viable and reliable alternatives, noting that wireless/cell technology isn’t available where she lives, which is Verizon’s suggestion. She asked if there was any help that the Town Board could offer for those who are in this situation. She also invited members of the Board who are interested in the work of the County Recreation Partnership to contact her. Ted Crane stated that he had written about Verizon ending landline service in the area and had researched the subject, including contacting the Public Services Commission. He further stated that from his efforts, he’d learned that the Federal Communications Commission was responsible for this, and that affected residents were “out of luck”. He referenced a correspondence from Ronda Roaring, asking why the requesting organization, Migrant Advocacy and Support, did not ask the Danby Community Church to use their space. He expressed interest in seeing the tentative budget when it was ready, noting concerns regarding spending on the crosswalk and Town Hall entryway project(s). Clerk Savoy responded to Crane’s comments, stating that the organizers had shared that the Danby Community Church was already booked for that night and that the Town Hall was a “runner up”. Katharine Hunter expressed support for immigrants in the community, specifically that “we are all immigrants”. 2 | P a g e Correspondence 1. Email from Ronda Roaring "Senior School Exemption on taxes” 2. Email from Ronda Roaring "immigration" 3. Email from Brad Rauch "Food Security and Town Leadership’s Role" Announcements Board Member Pruce announced that the next Community Forum at Town Hall would be on Thursday, September 24th at 6:30pm. He stated that the topic would be a presentation by Town Planner Greg Hutnik and Planning Consultant George Frantz on the future of agriculture in Danby. Meeting Minutes The Board and Clerk Savoy discussed the procedure for the submission of meeting minutes, including changes to the live document not being reflected on PDF versions. A motion was made by Board Member Connors to approve the 8/18/26 Town Board Meeting Minutes but was withdrawn after further discussion. Reports and Presentations • Code Enforcement Officer’s Report- The Board discussed the absence of any enforcement action on the report. They discussed the potential to hire an assistant for enforcement, noting that the certification required for the position would make it reasonable to look for someone trained in zoning enforcement as well. The shortage of code enforcement officers was also discussed. Warrant Abstract 21 of 2026 Resolution 251 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #333-357 for $27,542.02 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 251 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Resolution 252 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #157-167 for $121,688.92 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 252 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Resolution 253 of 2026 to Approve Water Fund Vouchers #29-32 for $513.22 Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes 3 | P a g e Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 253 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Business Meeting Room Use Request- October 12th for Danby Residents of the Spencer Van-Etten School District Regarding School Taxes Resolution 254 of 2026 to Approve the Meeting Room Use Request for Danby Residents in the Spencer Van-Etten School District on October 12th, 2026 Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 254 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 NYAOT Legislative Conference Resolutions The Board reviewed and discussed the New York Association of Towns annual resolutions ahead of the September legislative conference. They discussed support for all resolutions, with one exception for a resolution proposing a dedicated fund for municipal water and sewer infrastructure that would apply to existing systems but not new ones. Board Member Connors was notified to vote in favor of all 14 resolutions at the conference, but no formal action was taken. Agreement to Spend Highway Funds and Authorization of Tire Purchase Town Highway Superintendent Shipman explained that of the 6 projects listed, 5 were funded by CHIPS, which required Board approval to spend. The agreement is listed in Appendix 1. Resolution 255 of 2026 to Sign the September 15th, 2026 Agreement to Spend Town Highway Funds Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 255 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Superintendent Shipman explained that the current tires on some of the Highway vehicles are in need of replacement. He further explained they would receive some credit towards the purchase of the tires through the trade-in of the old tires. Resolution 256 of 2026- Approval by the Town Board to Allow the Highway Superintendent to Purchase Truck Tires WHEREAS the tires on the highway trucks are in need of replacement due to normal wear and tear, and 4 | P a g e WHEREAS the Highway Department has obtained quotes from three different vendors and examined the State Contract Price through Sourcewell. Now therefore, be it RESOLVED that the Town Board gives permission to purchase tires for four 10-wheel dump trucks, two 6-wheel, single axle dump trucks, and two pickup trucks from Tallmadge Tire for an amount not to exceed $25,000. Funding for this will come from the highway fund account number DA5130.400, Machinery Contractual. Vote Moved by Dillon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 256 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Discussions of the Tentative Budget in Formation The Board discussed the status of the budget ahead of the 9/30/26 receipt of the tentative budget. The most significant increase in expenses will come from a roughly 16% increase in cost for health insurance. There was also discussion about contracted employees and budget reporting/oversight. Resolution 257 of 2026 to Allocate $4,500.00 from A8020.400 to Pay Planning Consultant George Frantz, Including Any Remaining Money Previously Allocated and Used to Pay the Most Recent Invoice Vote Moved by Pruce Seconded by Gagnon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 257 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Resolution 258 of 2026 to Schedule a Budget Workshop for 5pm Ahead of the Regularly Scheduled 6pm Town Board Meeting on October 6th, 2026 Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 258 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 Bald Hill Park- Playground Update Board Member Pruce provided an update on the Bald Hill Park playground. He stated that he had met with one playground company, Parkitects, and discussed baseline price expectations. He also had met with Mary Bavis, NYS Assembly Member Anna Kelles’ chief of staff, who described a process for potential State funding, with backing from Kelles’ office and NYS Senate Member Lea Webb. The process involved funding on a reimbursement basis, so initially it would need to be paid for by the 5 | P a g e Town. Based on the process timeline, it was recommended that the Town submit a formal request soon, and that a letter of commitment could be expected in April, with the money expected 6-12 months later. He also announced that there would be a survey available soon for parents (and kids) to submit ideas about what they’d like to see at the playground. Resolution 259 of 2026 to Extend the Meeting by 15 Minutes Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins No Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 259 of 2026 passed on September 15th, 2026 General Code (E-Code) Update Planner Hutnik explained the status of the project. There are 19 questions that still need to be answered before the project can be finalized. Among these are several about options to update penalties to match State law and property tax exemptions. He said he would discuss some of the questions with Clerk Savoy. Due to the meeting running late, the next meeting’s agenda was not discussed. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM. Appendix 1: AGREEMENT TO SPEND TOWN HIGHWAY FUNDS – SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 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 $5,000 shall be spent on Buttermilk Lane from Rt. 96B to the cul-de-sac. The road will be surface treated with a double coat of oil and stone. The funding for this project will come from the CHIPS allotment from New York State. 2. A sum not to exceed $5,000 shall be spent on Meadow Wood Terrace from Buttermilk Lane to Old Town Road. The road will be surface treated with a double coat of oil and stone. The funding for this project will come from the CHIPS allotment from New York State. 3. A sum not to exceed $16,500 shall be spent on Fieldstone Lane and Fieldstone Circle. The road will be surface treated with a single layer of oil and stone. The funding for this project will come from the CHIPS allotment from New York State. 4. A sum not to exceed $7,000 shall be spent on Ridgecrest Road from the Ithaca town line to Muzzy Road. The road will be surface treated with a single layer of oil and stone. The funding for this project will come from the CHIPS allotment from New York State. 5. A sum not to exceed $23,000 shall be spent on Troy Road from Nelson Road to Miller Road. The road will be surface treated with a single coat of oil and stone. The funding for this project will come from the Highway Fund Account A5110.400, Road Repair Contractual. 6. A sum not to exceed $ 5,000 shall be spent on Old Town Road from Meadow Wood Terrace to the Dead End. The road will be surface treated with a double coat of oil and stone. The funding for this project will come from the CHIPS allotment from New York State.