HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-09TB 01 -09-02
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETLIVG
JANUARY 9, 2002
Board Members Present: Supv Mark Varvayanis, Cl Stephen Stelick, Jr., Cl Charles
Hatfield, Cl Christopher Michaels, Cl Deborah Grantham
Other Elected Officials: Bambi L. Hollenbeck, Town Clerk
Jack Bush, Highway Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Mahlon R. Perkins, Town Attorney
Kevin Ezell, Zoning Officer
David Putnam (TG Millers), Town Engineer
Supv Varvayanis opened the Town Board meeting at 7:05 p.m.
RESOLUTION #70 - APPROVE ABSTRACT # 101
Cl Hatfield offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #10 1 as audited, vouchers
#1 through #69, totaling $335,607.03.
2nd Cl Grantham
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
C1
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Eugene Madsen, 289 Bone Plain Road, addressed the board regarding a parcel of land
(tax map #52. -1 -28) he recently purchased. He previously delivered a memo to the board
regarding the matter. Mr. Madsen was surprised to find when he received his tax bill that he
had been assessed special district charges for the Turkey Mill Water & Sewer Districts and his
tax bill had increased from about $400 last year to about $4,000 this year. He asked the
Board to help him recognize the error and perhaps correct it. The parcel has previously been
exempted each year upon request of the previous owner.
Atty Perkins stated that from the information he has it appears that part of the parcel in
question is within the Turkey Hill Water District and Turkey Hill Sewer District. Not all the
assessed value, acres or units are within the district. In that sense there is obviously an error
in computing the benefit assessment which would be attributable to this parcel because only
part of it is in the district. That was never a problem until this year, no adjustment had to be
made because annually the owners had come to the town and asked to be exempted from the
special assessments on the grounds that the parcel had no road frontage (the part that was
actually in the district) and had no real benefit, no way of getting to the water or sewer lines
along Route 366, Atty Perkins described to the board using the map that portion of the parcel
that lies within the bounds of the district. Apparently no request was made this year because
the previous owners didn't pass along that information to Mr. Madsen. He is not sure without
checking what Mr Madsen can do about it.. It will need to be determined how much is actually
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TS 014)9 -02
attributable to the parcel that lies within the district, and not the whole parcel, because the
computation of the benefit assessment was based on the whole parcel, not: just what was in the
district. Secondly, is there anything that we can do about that, since the tax roll is now final?
B Hollenbeck
said
he could apply
through the County
for a correction, but the Town
would have to talk to
the
County and let:
them know what the
charges ought to be.
Mr Madsen wondered since the Town Board had never applied special assessments to
the parcel since the inception of the districts, why should they ever apply? The part of the
property within the district has no access to the services.
Atty Perkins .stated he could not say what in the past motivated the board to annually
do this, but part of it is in the district and therefore there is a presumption that it is subject to
the benefit assessment. Apparently in the past the board exempted it because there is no road
frontage and it is not now served by water and sewer, but that is not to say that it couldn't be
served by water and sewer. It: was charged this year because there was no request for an
exemption.
Cl Michaels asked if the parcel could be removed from the district permanently. Atty
Perkins will check the provisions of Article 12 of the 'Gown Law to see if that is possible, and
noted that: if he ever wanted to develop that part of the parcel and got: an easement so he could
bring water and sewer up the hill tiom Route 366 he'd be out of luck and Atty Perkins
assumes that the reason the owners requested exemption annually is to maintain that option.
Michael Lane suggested that the Board pass a resolution requesting a correction and
send it with a cover letter to Valeria Coggin, Director of Assessment.
Supv Varvayanis asked Kevin Ezell to determine what the official procedure is, asked
the board for authorization to write a letter to assessment after the acreage within the district
has been determined, and asked Atty Perkins to check Article 12 as to whether the parcel could
be permanently removed from the district. Mr Madsen stated he did not want any portion of
the property left within district.
RESOLUTION #71 - AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO WRITE TO ASSESSMENT REGARDING
TAX MAP PARCEL #52. -148
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to write a letter to
the Division of Assessment requesting that the tax roll be corrected so that Tax Map Parcel
#521-1 -28 is only assessed special district assessments for that portion of the parcel lying
within the bounds of the Turkey Hill Water District and Turkey Hill Sewer District.
2114 Cl Hatfield
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Cl Michaels cautioned Mr. Madsen that there are certain timeframes that he will need to
work within to have changes made, and he should be conscious of those in his application to
the Division of Assessment, and that he may want to hire an attorney for assistance with this
because different procedures have different time lines.
Page 2 of 15
TS 0 1 -09-02
Larry Carpenter asked how union negotiations were proceeding. Supv Varvayanis
stated that the Town's attorney has sent a letter to the new business agent and there has been
no response to date.
Peggy Walbridge is concerned about speed limits on Ellis Hollow Road, Ellis Hollow
Creek Road and Ringwood Road. People turning right from Ringwood Road onto Ellis Hollow
Creek Road drive much too fast. She stated that since "the hollow" has parallel road, it should
be looked at as a system to try to get the speed limits down. Dealing with one road will only
move the problem to another road.
She is also concerned about the cost of the ambulance, and requested that Town make
available to citizens on the web and otherwise a line by line breakdown of the ambulance
budgets for the current year, last year, and any previous years, so that the public can see
where the increases are. She said that if it is a legitimate increase people will be less upset if
they have the information and if there are some problems it will show in line by line format.
She would like to see them available with a month. Dana Abney staked that would be possible.
D Abbey said the Fire and Ambulance Departments held a public information meeting
last night and P Walbridge said she heard from people that they did not hear a lot of true
explanation line by line. She doesn't believe that is an unreasonable request. D Abbey said
they do not have the last five year's wages, and Supv Varvayanis stated the Town could add
what it spent for that.
COUNTY BRIEFING
Michael Lane - The County Board has been in a reorganizational mode. The new
® County Board Chair is Tim Joseph and M Lane is serving as Vice Chair. M Lane will be
chairing the Economic and Work Force Development Committee, serving on the Public Works
Committee, Chairing the Charter Review Committee, and serving on the Communications
Capital Project Committee and Space and Relocation Committee.
A report on the Caswell Road Engineering Study has been or will soon be sent to the
Supervisor and the Water Resources Council.
Martha Robertson stated that she is thrilled to be here and thanked the people who
helped her get elected to the County Board. She will be serving on the Health and Human
Services Committee, Budget Committee, Communications Capital Project and the Planning
Committee. Ed Marx has been appointed as the new head of the .Planning Department and will
be working to fill vacancies in the department and bring it up to speed as soon as possible.
She is eager to get oriented and take tours of County buildings.
She is concerned about the traffic problems in the Ellis Hollow area. She understands
that speed limits are under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of
Transportation. People in the area have petitioned the State several times through the years
and a few years ago one section of Ellis Hollow Creek Road were successful in getting the speed
limit lowered for that section down to 40 mph. Residents of the area believe it is crazy that the
roads in the area are posted for different speeds ranging from 40 mph to 55 mph and it creates
a dangerous situation. These are residential areas and the roads are used by children, bikers,
joggers, walkers, etc. She has spoken with Marty Luster about this and he told her the first
step is to get a resolution from the Town Board and he would go with her to the State DOT to
see what could be done. She believes the case can be made that since the State lowered the
speed limit in one section to 40 mph there is really no justification to not have a. consistent
® speed limit in the whole area of 40 mph. The area would consist of Ellis Hollow Creek Road
from Turkey Hill Road to Ellis Hollow Road, Genung Road, Ellis Hollow Road from Game Farm
Road to Ellis Hollow Creek Road, and Turkey Hill Road. She knows from the Sheriff that they
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TB 0 1 -094)2
cannot depend on them for enforcement. Ellis Hollow Road is in the process of being
redesigned by the County and speed is defanitely an issue that neighbors are talking to the
highway department about. The neighbors would like to see a multi - faceted approach to this
and one part of that is to lower the speed limit. M Robertson believes the strength of the case
is to ask for consistency in the neighborhood.
C1 Michaels asked Town Highway Superintendent, Jack Bush, for his opinion on the
matter. J Bush said he has a few concerns. This is not the only residential area in the Town of
Dryden. He noted that the previous board had passed a resolution in support of Towns being
able to determine speed limits within their municipality. Last year a resident of the other
section of Ellis Hollow Creek Road contacted DOT and was informed that there was no way a
lower speed limit would be issued for that section of the road. M Robertson stated that this
section of the Town is up in arms about speed limits, trucks, about the area being used as a
throughway, and the need to rebuild the road brings this all to a head. It is an extremely
attractive area, for people to use the sides of the road for various reasons and residents should
be safe when doing so. She stated that residents are willing to go door to door gathering
signatures on petitions.
Cl Grantham said that usually the Board wants petitions before taking action and the
Board could pass a resolution and wait for petitions or wait for petitions and then pass a
resolution. P Walbridge stated they had not paid attention to petitions in the past, and there
are minutes from the meetings regarding the redesign of Ellis Hollow Road that support the
request for a lower speed limit. After discussion the board determined that petitions were not
necessary prior to the resolution and action by the Board.
RESOLUTION #72 - REQUEST AREA SPEED LIMIT IN ELLIS HOLLOW AREA
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is concerned for the safety of its residents and those
people travelling through the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is aware that many of its citizens would like a. lower speed
limit in the Ellis Hollow area to help insure the safety of those residents,
WHEREAS, there are segments within the area that are posted at 40 mph and the
character of the road doesn't change sufficiently to warrant an increase in speed to 55 mph, it
is
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby supports a lower speed limit in the Ellis
Iiollow area and requests that the New York State Department of Transportation reduce the
speed limit in the following area of the Town of Dryden to 40 miles per hour: Ellis Hollow Creek
Road in its entirety, Ellis Hollow Road from Game Farm Road to Ellis Hollow Creek Road,
Genung Road in its entirety and Turkey Hill Road between Ellis Hollow and Ellis Hollow Creek
Road.
211d Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
page 4 of 15
TS 01 -09 -02
M Robertson - This resolution will be read by the designers and the people working on
the road as a very strong statement. Some people might just say it's people whining about
speed on the road. If the Town Board gets behind this, it will lend a lot of validity and be taken
more seriously.
Cl Michaels - I think we should have stop signs at Turkey Hill and one at Genung Road.
On Genung Road, although it will probably decrease my quality of life in terms of noise, there's
a community center and pool right there. Kids are on their bikes. There are no lines on the
road. They aren't experienced enough and they ride their bikes right out into the road.
RESOLUTION #73 - REQUEST 4-WAY STOP AT ELLIS HOLLOW AND TURKEY HILL
ROADS & AT ELLIS HOLLOW AND GENUNG ROADS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is concerned for the safety of its residents and people
travelling through the Town, and
WHEREAS, the intersections of Ellis Hollow and Turkey Hill Roads and Ellis Hollow and
Genung Roads are particularly dangerous to motorists and pedestrians and bikers, and
WHEREAS, a community center located near the intersection of Ellis Hollow and
Genung Roads is frequented by children biking and walking who must cross the intersection of
Ellis Hollow and Genung Roads,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board hereby requests
® that the intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Turkey Hill Road and the intersection of Ellis
Hollow Road and Genung Road be made fourmway stops, and that the Tompkins County
Highway Manager take the appropriate action to accomplish this.
2nd Cl Grantham
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl St:elick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Mike Lane stated that the County is already looking at the issue of stop signs and
appreciate the resolution.
COUNCIL PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
None.
ATTORNEY
Atty Perkins distributed to the board a draft of a letter to be sent by the Supervisor to
the DEC on two issues with respect to the quarry. One is the renewal of the mining permit for
Finger Lakes Stone and the other is the issuance of a SPEDES permit, a discharge permit for
the cooling water from the stone cutting operation. Cl Grantham asked if it was necessary to
say there had been a change of ownership and some of the land has been sold to a private
owner, which may be an opportunity for them to modify the permit. She believes the area that
is being filled was sold to Mr. Dolph personally and is part of the area that was covered by the
® mining permit. Atty Perkins said the letter addresses the issue of mud on the road and hours
of operation, and he does not believe they need any other reasons to look at it. The letter does
Page 5 of 15
TB O l d19d)2
reference the reclamation, and hauling clean fill from off site on site. Cl Grantham said that
the letter does not ask for specific hours for the mill or that the doors be kept closed or that
other noise abatement be implemented. Atty Perkins pointed out that DEC does not claim to
have any jurisdiction over the fabrication part of this operation. They consider anything taking
place in the mill itself as manufacturing and not something; that they are going to regulate
because they have no statutory or regulatory authority for that part of it. He suggested that we
could ask for any assistance with respect to that, but they have no regulatory authority. He
understands from the mining plan that they use equipment to take away the shale and then
they take the stone out and break it apart and haul it to the mill where they then cut it, etc.
From the things he has read in the mining permit and in the correspondence is that once they
have actually removed the stone from the earth and transported it, DEC doesn't really care
much more about it. A few years ago DEC was asked to comment on that part and they
declined. Cl Hatfield asked if the cutting operation was grandfathered and Atty Perkins said
that everything he has indicates that part of the operation has been going on for many years.
According to the owner it has been going on at least 50 years.
There have been complaints from people who live a significant distance away that can
hear the cutting operation at night. There are also complaints in the file that the actual quarry
operation is going on outside the hours of operation which were permitted. The mi
inng plan
stated that the hours of operation would be 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon on
Saturdays. The negative declaration that was made in connection with the environmental
review listed the hours as 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the quarry operation.
Under the State Administrative Procedures Act as long the application for renewal was
timely, he is considered to be operating under the terms of the old permit until a new permit is
issued. Atty Perkins stated that since it has not been officially renewed, this is a good time for
the Town to comment. A sentence will be added to the letter to the effect that the Town feels
that some consideration should be given to noise mitigation from the milling operation. Cl
Michaels stated that he feels more is gained by providing the DEC with information than
showing a strong; sense of advocacy one way or the other.
RESOLUTION #74 - AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SEND LETTER TO DEC
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to sign and for%%wd
letters (as amended) to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with
respect to Finger Lakes Stone's application to renew its mining permit and its application for a
SPEDES permit.
2nd Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Atty Perkins provided the board with information that the mileage allowance used by
CRS is 36.5 cents per mite.
Atty Perkins asked the board if there were any comments to be discussed regarding the
new standard fire contracts distributed last week and noted the inclusion of them in the
Page 6 of 15
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contract will need be authorised as well as authorizing the Supervisor to sign the contracts. He
has prepared and distributed a sample form that could be used in gathering information from
the fire departments for each call responded to. There was much discussion between the board
and fire departments representatives present about what information is needed and what is
readily available. Supv Varvayanis thought that perhaps a copy of the state report could be
obtained, but it turns out that is not easy to do. He suggested that a meeting of the chiefs be
held to discuss what information was necessary and what could be obtained from dispatch.
Cl Michaels said that what he would want to know is who is volunteering and who is
going out, so you know who is active for purposes of insurance and who may deserve some
recognition. Also where they go, how often, one department responding vs another. He stated
if 95% of the information can be obtained from dispatch, that would make it easier on the
departments. He would support hiring a soflxvare vendor if necessary to develop a way to
extract the information we needed from dispatch.
D Abbey suggested that the departments be notified now of what the Town is looking for
so they can begin to set up a system now and save time in the future.
Cl Michaels read the form prepared by Atty Perkins, and Atty Perkins said he would like
to see one of these reports for each vehicle responding to a call, and the driver of the vehicle
could be responsible for completing the form.
Natan Huffman said that he has recently become active in the Varna Fire Department
and that he suspects all the fire departments are already encumbered and burdened with
paperwork and reporting. The State requirements are voluminous and it takes a tremendous
amount of time to deal with the State mandates and to now ask for another version of the
® information, it would be good to know specifically why the information is being asked for (he
noted that is not challenging the reasons why). He asked the board to be sensitive to what
these public servants are trying to do.
Cl Michaels said he would like to know what is already reported to the State and
perhaps a copy of that would be sufficient. N Huffman invited the Board to come to the Varna
Fire Department tomorrow night and he will show them the depth of reporting that is already
done. There may be a way of handling the data so that everyone gets what they want, but he
does not believe a system exists now. Cl Michaels and Cl Grantham will go to the Varna Fire
Department.
Dan Tier said the information required by the State is not what the Town is asking for.
The State report is much more generalized in terms of ghat type of call it was, the code
number, what type of action was taken and code number. They aren't interested in the
number of trucks responding and number of personnel, etc. They are looking for how many
fires were in the State, how many were hazardous materials incidents, etc. The other thing
that needs to be addressed because of the number of fire companies in the Town of Dryden, is
each fire company's capabilities that they have to run that data. Central dispatch has a
certain amount of data. He does not know how it can be broken down, or how central dispatch
stores the data Some fire companies have the capability to receive that data in their
department, but some do not. He suggests that: the fire departments should look at the form
and see what each department is capable of doing and maybe do some adjustments and come
back to the board with it. Perhaps they could come up with a more workable solution. Cl
Michaels said that feedback would be helpful. D Tier said perhaps they could add some other
pertinent information such as training hours and time spent on things like truck checks and
equipment maintenance, etc, that may be of more interest to the board than just the fire calls.
O Supv Varvayanis said perhaps the Town could get a report of what the individuals in the
department have done. Cl Michaels said he would take on the burden of exploring software
options.
Page 7 of 15
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Atty Perkins asked the board for any comments on the new standard provisions in the
fire contracts (paragraphs 7 through 15). Cl Michaels stated that given the discussion tonight
we can probably anticipate some objections regarding 7(a). He thinks it is an accurate
statement of the type of information the Town is looking for, and he would like input on what
they think they can provide in the most efficient: means possible. Atty Perkins said that the
last sentence of the paragraph covers the situation, and he is not asking for approval of the
form he distributed tonight (it was offered as a suggestion). Supv Varvayanis would like it
understood that there will still be some negotiation with respect to the information required
and how it is provided.
RESOLUTION #75 - APPROVE REVISED FIRE CONTRACTS
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the fire contracts as revised and the
Supervisor is authorized to sign the same.
2tLd Cl Michaels
Doll Call Vote C1 Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Atty Perkins said that he had investigated how the Town might go about assisting the
Toxvn of Ithaca by filing a friend of the court brief. If the Town of Dryden grants to submit an
amicus curiae brief, it has to get permission from the appellate division. It is a matter of
privilege, not a right. It would allow the Town to Weigh in on an issue which is common to all
towns within counties that have the kinds of issues before them that are now going to before
the Appellate Division, that is, the claim of exemption from local land use control laws. The
Town of Ithaca is going to ask the Association of Towns also if they would be willing to weigh in
on the issue and seek permission to file an amicus curiae brief. It would allow the Town of
Dryden to introduce some argument or authority to protect our interests in these kinds of
issues because this is an issue of great importance to the Town. The more different voices that
are heard representing the Towns' point of view the better. Atty Perkins will have to make a
motion in the Appellate Division for permission to file a brief. This is done on paper, and there
is no trip to Albany involved. The Town has no real standing in the appeal because it is a
matter involving the Torn of Ithaca and Tompkins County about whether or not the County
was exempt from the site plan review provisions of the Town of Ithaca zoning law. But this is
an issue which is important to all towns and that is, when you have a claimed exemption from
local land use controls, who makes the decision using the balancing of public interests test.. Is
the Court, is the abating municipality, the host municipality, etc. These are the issues that are
involved in the Town of Ithaca appeal.
RESOLUTION #76 - AUTHORIZE AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF IN SUPPORT
OF TOWN OF ITHACA
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVEM, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Attorney to apply to the
Appellate Division to submit an amicus curiae brief in support of the Town of Ithaca in its suit
against Tompkins County, to prepare and submit the brief.
2nd Cl Michaels
Page 8 of 15
•
Roll Call Vote
TOWN CLERK
Cl Hatfield
Yes
Cl Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl Michaels
Yes .
Cl Grantham
Yes
TB 01 =09 -02
Board has been provided with the Town Clerk's monthly report and annual report.
B Hollenbeck reported that she and Cl Stelick had attrnded the Recreatian Partnership
meeting yesterday and the Partnership would like to have the By -Laws approved by all
participating municipalities. The County has requested some changes to the agreement, and
when those are reduced to writing, she will forward to board members.
RESOLUTION #77 = APPROVE RECREATION PARTNERSHIP BY -LAWS
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the By -Laws of the Recreation
Partnership Board.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
ENGINEERING
Cl Hatfield Yes
C1 Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Dave Putnam noted that the Sterns & Wheler contract for SJS needs to be acted an
tonight.
Atty Perkins noted that he did not comment on the need for additional services or the
amount spent for them and summarized his comments on the contract. The dram agreement
talks about scope of service, basic services, and design phase services, and he had some
question whether that meant the same thing. It also talks about additional services which are
apparently defined as anything that is not identified within the scope of services. The
agreement is intended to cover the additional services at a rate of 2.5 times the standard rage.
There is a termination provision that requires 30 days notice and Atty Perkins said that seems
like it might be a long time if for some reason the engineer is not performing given that the
services are to be performed within 210 days. There is attached to the contract "standard
conditions ". That should not be interpreted to mean that it is a standard condition required by
a statute, but are conditions for the contract and all of those are negotiable. The agreement
needs to be construed according to the laws of the State of New York and currently says that it
will be construed according to the laws where the engineer has his principal place of business.
The venue would have to be laid in Tompkins County. The contract contains no provision for
him to provide professional liability insurance or proof that he has it. The owners should be
named as additional insureds and proof of the insurance with certain limits should be
required.
Supv
Varvayanis said that Susan Brock and John
Barney
also
had comments. D
Putnam said
that he understood that it had to be acted on by the
end
of the month because of
Page 9 of 15
TB 01 -09 -02
bond act funding. Supv Varvayanis asked the board to authorize him to sign the contract
when Atty Perkins was satisfied with it. 0
RESOLUTION #7$ - AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN STERNS & WHELER AGREEMENT
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to the sign the
agreement with Sterns & Wheler after it has been approved by the Town Attorney.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
ZONING OFFICER
Kevin Ezell reported that 196 construction permits had been issued in the Town in
2001, the 314 most issued since ZO Slater has been working for the Town. In addition, 43
permits were handled for the Village of Dryden. Board members have received the Zoning
Officer's monthly report.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT /DPW
Jack Bush said that he would like to convene a meeting of the Dryden Lake Park •
Committee. Cl Grantham said that Joyce Gerbasi had suggested that committee be rolled into
the Conservation Advisory Council. J Bush would like an opportunity to talk with them about
how things are going in the park and whether there is anything the committee would like to see
happen. Cl Grantham will talk with Joyce Gerbasi about a meeting that would include the
CAC and possibly any of the previous members, who J Gerbasi didn't think wanted to be active
anymore. Mike Lane said that if the park committee has been dissolved that somebody ought
to write the members of the committee and thank them for Nxrhat they have done and tell them
that their services are no longer required. He has had people who served on that committee
ask him when the committee will meet again, and they have spent a lot of time on the park.
Supv Varvayanis said he will send out the letters.
J Bush has previously sent the board information regarding a deferred compensation
plan. Cl Grantham thought it looked fine. 'there is no cost to the Town other than Dianne's
time. C1 Hatfield said it was a nice thing to offer the employees. Cl Michaels said that it is
called the New York State Deferred Compensation flan but wondered who vas actually the
vendor. Supv Varvayanis said New York State authorizes it. Dan. Tier said he believed it was
authorized by the State and operated by an agency and is currently overseen by an insurance
company. Cl Michaels said he is in support: of the idea of a deferred compensation plan, but
would like someone to look into which vendor we should be using. Under IRS regulations
municipalities actually enjoy some significant protections in terms of qualified plans. Be said
we should select: the vendor that can provide the most flexible plan, and volunteered to look
into that.
M Lane said that the County has a plan and had put: out a request for proposals. 'He
suggested that Cl Michaels contact David Squires or Steve Rrhicher. C1 Michaels will report at
the next: meeting. 0
Page 10 of 15
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® J Bush asked the board to pass a resolution in support of the Town of Dryden
continuing intermunicipal sharing of labor and materials. There has been no agreement
reduced to writing and he would like a resolution in support until that agreement can be
prepared. Atty Perkins stated there had been a meeting with Highway Superintendents and
attorneys of different towns and had pretty much reached an agreement,
RESOLUTION 1179 - SUPPORT INTERMUNICIPAL SHARING OF LABOR AND MATERIALS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby supports the idea of intermunicipal sharing of
labor and materials between local municipalities.
2nd Cl Grantham
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
CI Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
J Bush asked the board to consider giving back to employees who do not require health
insurance for spouse and /or children a sum of money. Supv Varvayanis noted that was
something that Joe Stellik had wanted in the contract negotiations. The Deputy Highway
Superintendent will not be covered under the Union contract, and J Bush said this could be a
possible savings for the Town. Cl Grantham said that they could look at that for other Town
employees and that the Innsurance Committee could look into it. Cl Michaels said that at his
office the employees are given a certain amount of money to use toward insurance, etc., and if
they don't use it all, then get it in cash, and he recommends that the Town move toward
something like that.
J Bush stated ghat as his number of full time people has gotten smaller he has had to
rely more on part time people. It is working well, however there is an issue with the drug and
alcohol policy. Currently part time people do not participate in the random drug testing, and
he relies on these people to drive equipment. They should be incorporated into the drug testing
policy. It could be that the part time person would have to come in only for the test, and if he
needs to be paid for that time, then that is probably what we need to do. Atty Perkins said that
they should be subject to the random drug testing if they are going to be driving, and it is only
a question of amending the Town's policy. The employees will be covered under the agreement,
with the County for testing.
RESOLUTION #80 - AMEND DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
Cl I-Ialfield offered the following resolution and asked for•its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby amends the Town of Dryden Drug and
Alcohol Policy to include part time employees of the Highway Department,
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Page llof15
TB 0l -09402
J Bush furnished the Board with information regarding the Highway Department's
current inventory and a plan for replacing equipment.. Larger equipment is listed with the year
purchased and the average age of use. He would like to put the larger trucks on a 6 year
rotation. The goal is to replace equipment before it begins to cost a great deal of money for
repairs each year. He would like to stay within the budget each year, keeping the taxes the
same, and use the dollars to replace the equipment. He believes in this approach because new
equipment gets better fuel mileage and saves money on fuel. Newer equipment should have
less breakdowns which means less down time, and means more production. More production
helps keep manpower numbers down. Better technologies mean that newer engines meet
certain emission requirements which is becoming more important. An example of better
technologies is a dump box that has a sander/ spreader built in so that the trucks can be used
any time of the year. Keeping the vehicles such as a pickup truck with a three year warranty
on a two year rotation means that the truck is covered by warranty for the time you have it.
The appearance of a newer fleet gives a good appearance for the Town of Dryden. One of the
important things is that it contains a consistent: budget and helps keep taxes from rising.
This plan is modelers after an example by Cornell Local Roads, and shows that the Town
should be budgeting 409,000 a year to be able to maintain this program for the length of time
required to replace all equipment. The plan includes which equipment should be replaced in
what year and is carried through until each piece of equipment is cycled through (2015). By
keeping the equipment for a shorter period of time the equipment has value when you sell it,
and the money goes back into the fund. It is estimated that in the year 2002 Nve should only
need around $259,000, in 2003 $218,000, in 2004 $250,000, in 2005 $270,000. Each year it
is below $300,000. He would like to stay with this program.
One goal is to try and avoid the cost of major repairs down by not retaining a vehicle
past its warranty. This would also help eliminate the need for a mechanic, and the individual •
assigned to a particular truck has first opportunity to work on that equipment. If they aren't
capable, someone in house will be asked to do the work before it is sent out for repair. They
have been without a mechanic now for three years.
Supv Varvayanis would like to see the study done by the County that Jack used in
preparing this plan. Cl Michaels wondered if there was any sense in buying an old piece of
equipment, saving on the initial purchase price, and assuming the cost of maintenance and
repairs. J Bush said that cost of repairing some of the large pieces of equipment is excessive,
and the longer you keep it the more repairs you will make. Jack Bush noted that one thing he
had done since 1999 is remove some pieces of equipment from the sleet that were not used
often such as a tractor trailer, 2 trucks, and he down -sized the loader. He is trying to do what
makes the most: sense for the town, and buying junk is not the answer. In some cases it has
made more sense to rent a piece of equipment when it was needed instead of own and maintain
it.
Cl Michaels asked for a meeting with Jack to better understand this plan and what he
is trying to accomplish. Supv Varvayanis suggested that a meeting of Highway Committee
would be a good time to discuss some of these things.
J Bush asked for a resolution to sell certain equipment and purchase equipment
(previously provided to board members). He noted that it is important to accomplish this soon
because some items will need to be purchased under state contract: (those items are noted in
the resolution), and there is a deadline for that. The resolution vas made by Cl Hatfield and
seconded by Supv Varvayanis. Cl Michaels said he does not have enough information to vote
on this now and would like more time to consider this resolution and talk with Jack about it.
If it turns out that a. deadline will occur prior to the next meeting, the Supervisor will call a
special meeting. Motion was rescinded. 40
Page 12 of 15
1413 01 -09=02
A Sergeant from the NYS Police introduced himself and asked that if the Town has any
concerns to please get in touch with him. He heard the concerns regarding speed in Ellis
Hollow. He can try to address that by having troopers in the area a little more often. Cl
Grantham told him that people had been in about Midline Road and speeding and citizens have
also expressed concern for speeders in the Etna area. The trooper said they had been
contacted by people in Etna and had worked on that area. Board thanked him for coming.
DISCUSSION
The Building Committee is still waiting for a written report from Pam Kingsbury.
Cl Grantham noted two things left off the committee appointments were her as liason to
the CAC and as representative to the Cayuga bake Watershed .lntermunicipal Organization.
She would like to keep doing that.
RESOLUTION #81 - APPOINT LIASON TO CAC AND REPRESENTATIVE TO CAYUGA LAKE
WATERSHED INTERMUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Deborah Grantham as its hason to
the Conservation Advisory Council and appoints Deborah Grantham as its representative to
the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization.
2nd C1 Michaels
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
There is a vacancy for the Cable Commission and Natan Huffman is willing to serve in
that: capacity and has the expertise. Cl Grantham would also like to revisit the issue of joining
the County in negotiating with Time Warner. Several years ago the Town decided to go its own
way and she would like to consider going with the group. Neither one is moving very fast, but
she noted that there is strength in numbers. M Lane said he would make an inquiry to see if
the option to join the consortium was still open. He would like the Town to join the group,
especially with both Villages being involved, and it would help in the efforts for the TC3
connection. He will let us know if the City and of:her municipalities would be willing to let the
Town join.
RESOLUTION #82 - APPOINT CABLE COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Nat:an Huffman as its
representative for the Cable Commission.
2nd Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote
Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
C1 Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Pagc 13 of 15
748 014)9 -02
RESOLUTION #83 - REVISIT JOINING CABLE CONSORTIUM
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board will revisit its prior decision not to join the Joint
Cable Commission.
211d Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote
C1
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Cl Grantham noted that Cl Michaels has been appointed to the Community Block Grant
Review Committee and advised him that the next meeting N%U be March 5, 2002, at 8:30 a.m.
They are close to being done with that grant and will probably have one or two more meetings.
There is about; $28,000 left to be committed. 25 projects are done or committed.
Cl Hatfield made a motion to appoint Tom Hatfield to the Planning Board and it was
seconded by Cl Michaels, C1 Grantham stated they had an application from Joe Aquadro who
specializes in housing and so on in his work at Cornell and she thinks it would be an
important addition to the Planning Board, so she % %ill vote against T Hatfield and wishes that
Joe Aquadro be considered for the position. J Aquadro lives on Groton Road which is a
different part of Town than has been represented in some time on the Planning Beard.
Planning Board members currently live in Ellis Hollow (3), Varna. (1), Etna. (1), and near the
Dryden Village (1),
RESOLUTION #84 - APPOINT PLANNING BOARD MEMBER - HATFIELD
Cl Hatfield offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Thomas Hatfield to the Town of
Dryden :Planning Board for a germ to expire December 31, 2007,
2 "" C1 Michaels
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
No
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
No
There is a vacancy on the Industrial Development Agency. Tom Hatfield has submitted
an application for this position.
RESOLUTION #85 - APPOINT IDA MEMBER - HATFIELD
Cl Hatfield offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Thomas Hatfield as its
representative to the Industrial Development: Agency.
2 1*1d Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Page 14 of 15
Ei
I
TB 0 l -09 -02
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Supv Varvayanis stated that a resolution is required to file the annual report by March
1, 2002 in lieu of the February 1, 2002 date.
RESOLUTION #86 - FILE ANNUAL REPORT BY MARCH 1
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Toum Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to file the 2001
Annual Report with the Office of the State Comptroller by March 1, 2002 in lieu of the
February 1, 2002 filing with the Town Board.
2nd Cl Hatfield
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Cl Michaels asked what the McArthur Fund was and Supv Varvayarlis said he did not
really remember what that was. Interest from the find is distributed every year to Dryden
Central School and the George Junior Republic. He does not recall what started it, and will
report on it next month.
On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the board moved into executive
session at 9:50 p.m. to discuss a matter of litigation. No action was taken and on motion
made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Hallenbeck
Town Clerk
Page 15 of 15
Town cf Umden
Town Board Meeting
January 9, 2002
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Address
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DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING
DRYDEN TOWN HALL
Wednesday, .January 9, 2002
6:30 Pan. audit & approve January abstract #101
— NUment
Citizens Privilege
County briefing - Michael Lane - George Totman — Martha Robertson
Councii privilege of the floor - set time for annual audit
Attornev
Town Clerk Minutes
Engineering
Zoning Officer
Monthly Report
Department of Public Works
Purchase equipment
Sell equipment
Park committee meeting
Procurement policy
Highway Superintendent
Purchase equipment
Sell equipment
Deferred compensation plan
Procurement policy
Discussion
Building Committee report
Old business
New business
Resolutions
File Annual report by March
Disburse McArthur Interest
Financing scope of services (SSJS)
Town
13oani
meeting_w
/public hearings — Wednesday
Febam
6 2002 — 7:00
p"m.
Town.
Board
meeting—
Wednesday, February 13.2002
— 6:30
p.m.