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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-06-Town Board Meeting Minutes 1 | P a g e Town of Danby Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes Held Tuesday, October 6th, 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, Consulting Planner Ted Jones, Town Bookkeeper Keith Shipman, Town Highway Superintendent Other Attendees: Marnie Kirchgessner Dave Marshall Ted Crane Ronda Roaring Joshua Varano Dominic Varano Axl Chavez Katharine Hunter The regular meeting was preceded by a budget workshop at 5pm. The budget was discussed, but no motions were made or voted on. Meeting Called to Order at 6:01pm Public Hearing As was advertised in the Ithaca Journal, Danby Town News, and on the Town of Danby’s website, a public hearing was held regarding a proposed local law to allow electric-assist bicycles access to public roads and trails. Dave Marshall spoke in favor of the local law. Ted Crane spoke in favor of the local law. The public hearing was closed at 6:04pm and the regular meeting proceeded. 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 in favor of the drafted resolution regarding Verizon’s proposed decommissioning of copper landline service. She detailed a discrepancy in the Town’s budget wherein youth programming funding was accounted for as revenue offsetting a larger total for services, as opposed to lowering the upfront cost. She asked that the budget be modified to show the lower cost, rather than the offset. 2 | P a g e Ronda Roaring suggested a procedure for posting informational signs along roadways for properties under Planning Board or BZA review. Ted Crane noted that such signs along the roadway should be big enough to be read. He announced that Harvest Fest would be on Saturday, October 10th from 1pm-5pm at Dotson Park. He commented that the drafted resolution regarding Verizon’s proposed decommissioning of copper landline service was ineffective as written and suggested edits. Correspondence 1. Email from Ronda Roaring "events" 2. Email from Ronda Roaring "Oct. 12 meeting at town hall" with response from Supervisor Gagnon 3. Email from Ronda Roaring "Signs" 4. Mail from the Town of Dryden, Village of Dryden, and Village of Freeville regarding the proposed formation of a Fire District Announcements Supervisor Gagnon announced the end-of-term vacancies on the Town’s volunteer boards and committees. Board Member Connors announced that the Friends of the Library Book Sale would be happening over the upcoming weekends. Meeting Minutes Resolution 260 of 2026 to Approve the August 18th, September 1st, and September 15th Town Board Meeting Minutes Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Larkins Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 260 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Reports and Presentations • Town Clerk’s Monthly Report • Code Enforcement Officer’s Report- The Board noted that the County Health Department issued a citation for 182 West Miller Road • Supervisor’s Account Analyses and Budget Transfers Resolution 261 of 2026 to Transfer $6,000.00 from Fund Balance to A1220.110 Bookkeeper Services to Cover Payroll Expenses Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 261 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Resolution 262 of 2026 to Transfer $1,000.00 from A1990.4 Contingent Account to A1220.400 Supervisor Contractual 3 | P a g e Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 262 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 The Board and Bookkeeper Jones discussed a third line transfer to correct an error in which the payroll for the Jennings Pond Director and Assistant Director were paid out of the Lifeguard line. It was determined that no resolution was required for this transfer, but there was Board support for the transfer. Warrant Abstract 22 of 2026 Resolution 263 of 2026 to Approve General Fund Vouchers #358-376 for $32,333.80 Discussion There was discussion about a last minute addition of a voucher from a contractor who had missed the submission deadline due to a misunderstanding. His invoice was added as number #376 and increased the total from $31,406.09 to $32,333.80. Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 263 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Resolution 264 of 2026 to Approve Highway Fund Vouchers #168-175 for $25,845.29 Discussion Board Member Connors asked if the State contract pricing could be included on the vouchers for relevant items so that the price comparison could be verified. Clerk Savoy stated that he had spoke n with Accounting Assistant Julia Hughes and was informed that Highway Secretary Laura Shawley was responsible for ensuring that this information was present on submitted vouchers, as she has access to the State contract system. Vote Moved by Connors Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 264 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Business Budget Review Process- Next Steps 4 | P a g e Resolution 265 of 2026 to Schedule a Special Meeting to Audit and Authorize Payment of the Credit Card Bill and Discuss the Tentative Budget on Friday, October 16th at 1pm Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Pruce Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 265 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Integrating Updated Definitions of Agriculture into Danby’s Zoning Law Planner Hutnik gave an update on the progress on updating definitions of agriculture in the zoning law, including a summary of the community forum held in September with Planning Consultant George Frantz. Based on discussions from the forum, he suggested inviting farmers, traditional and not-so-traditional, to meet and discuss. The next step will be to hold another community forum in November, with potential for a survey or other method of gauging opinion without physically having to be present. No formal action was otherwise taken. Danby Community and Park (DCAP) Agreement The Board and members of the DCAP leadership, Ted Crane and Pamela Goddard, discussed the agreement, noting no major differences in the scope of the contract. Resolution 266 of 2026 to Authorize Supervisor Gagnon to Sign the 2026 Danby Community and Park Agreement Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Dillon Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 266 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Possible Part-Time Code Enforcement Officer Supervisor Gagnon summarized a conversation with Code Enforcement Officer Steve Cortright regarding his performance, specifically a perceived lack of enforcement action. He stated that Cortright had agreed to a reduction of his salary by 25%, which would still allow him to maintain healthcare while creating available funds for a new hire. The Board discussed the scope of a “building safety enforcement officer”, including review of existing civil service positions that encompass the desired duties. The position will likely be a competitive position, part-time, and require specific training which may need to be completed after the position is filled. No formal action was taken, but Gagnon agreed to draft a one paragraph description of the job for the Board to review at the next meeting. Tthe item will also be discussed again as part of the 2027 budget review. Discussion about Applying for a CDBG Microenterprise Program Planner Hutnik detailed a CDBG program that would offer grant funding for “microbusinesses” in Danby, most notably those with fewer than 5 employees. The Board discussed the process and grant structure. The grant is awarded to the Town for between $100,000 and $300,000 to be distributed to 5 | P a g e businesses in amounts of between $5,000 and $35,000. It would require the formation of a committee to review applications and grant awards, which would possibly entail contracting a firm, similar to how the existing CDBG program is administered. Planner Hutnik explained that ideally he would like to see 5-6 businesses “pre-apply” for this grant before allocating resources towards the Town applying for the grant. No formal action was taken, but several members of the Board gave thumbs up in support of the initiative. Municipal Health Consortium Agreement Resolution 267 of 2026: Approval of the 2027 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement for the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium WHEREAS the Town of Danby is a Participant in the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium (the "Consortium"), a municipal cooperative organized under Article 47 of the New York Insurance Law, and WHEREAS the municipal participants in the Consortium, including this body, have approved and executed a certain Municipal Cooperation Agreement (the "Agreement"; effective date of October 1, 2010), and WHEREAS Article 47 of the New York Insurance Law (the "Insurance Law") and the rules and regulations of the New York State Department of Financial Services set forth certain requirements for governance of municipal cooperatives that offer self-insured municipal cooperative health insurance plans, and WHEREAS the Agreement sets forth in Section Q2 that continuation of the Consortium under the terms and conditions of the Agreement, or any amendments or restatements thereto, shall be subject to Board review and upon acceptance of any new Participant hereafter, and WHEREAS the Municipal Cooperative Agreement requires that amendments to the agreement be presented to each participant for review and adopted by a majority vote by its municipal board, and WHEREAS the Town of Danby is in receipt of the proposed amended Agreement and has determined that it is in the best interest of its constituents who are served by the Consortium to amend the Agreement as set forth in the Amended Municipal Cooperative Agreement, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that upon receipt and review of the amended Agreement, the Town of Danby approves at a meeting of the governing body held on October 6, 2026 and authorizes the Chief Elected Official to sign the 2027 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement (Effective 1.1.27) of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium as recommended by the Board of Directors. Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 267 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 Process for Obtaining Litigation Counsel The Board discussed Attorney Guy Krogh’s recommendations for litigation counsel. Board Member Dillon will follow up with his recommended contacts to find out their scope of services and pricing. No formal action was taken. 6 | P a g e Resolution on Verizon’s Application to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) for the Decommissioning of Copper Landlines Board Member Pruce detailed a resolution he drafted regarding Verizon’s application to the FCC to begin decommissioning copper landline service, specifically asking the FCC to remove the application from the docket of 31-day automatic approval as reliable alternate services are not yet available to all impacted residents. He noted Mr. Crane’s concerns but stated that the application had been submitted on September 9th and could be approved as early as October 10th, hence the urgency. Resolution 268 of 2026- Resolution of the Danby Town Board, Tompkins County, New York, Urging the FCC and Verizon to Protect Danby Residents' Access to Critical Communications, Including 9-1-1, as Copper Landlines Are Retired WHEREAS Verizon has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to end copper landline service in parts of New York, including Danby, on or after November 30, 2026 (WC Docket No. 26-252); and WHEREAS Danby residents who have no wired internet and little or no cell coverage have received notices that their landline will be replaced by Verizon's wireless Voice Gateway, which may not work at their homes; and WHEREAS for these residents a landline is the only reliable way to reach 9-1-1, including during power outages that can last for days, far longer than wireless backup batteries; and WHEREAS the FCC's review is the only process in which the Town can be heard, and Town officials' repeated attempts to reach Verizon have gone unanswered; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Danby urges the FCC to remove Verizon's application from automatic approval and to deny discontinuance in Danby until each affected home has a replacement service that has been tested at that address and keeps 9- 1-1 working through extended power outages; and be it further RESOLVED that the Town Board calls on Verizon to: 1. Give the Town a list of affected Danby addresses and the replacement service available at each; 2. Keep copper service in place wherever a replacement has not been tested and shown to work; 3. Provide Voice Gateway equipment, installation, and multi-day backup power at no cost; and 4. Commit to a timeline for bringing fiber to Danby homes that now depend on copper; and be it further RESOLVED that the Town Clerk is directed to file this resolution in WC Docket No. 26-252 and send copies to New York's U.S. Senators, the Representative for NY-19, the Town's State Senator and Assemblymember, the NY Public Service Commission, and neighboring municipalities, with an invitation to adopt similar resolutions Vote Moved by Gagnon Seconded by Connors Vote: Connors Yes Dillon Yes Larkins Yes Pruce Yes Gagnon Yes Resolution 268 of 2026 passed on October 6th, 2026 The next meeting’s agenda was not discussed. The meeting adjourned at 7:59pm.