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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-13TrB 03 -13-02 TOWN OF DRYDEiV TO WAF BOARD MEETRV March 13, 2002 Board Members Presents Supv Mark Varvayarus, Ol Stephen Stelick, Jr., Cl Christopher Nbchael s 1lbsent: C1 hzrlez� Hatfield, Cl Deborab Grantham Other Elected Officials; Barnbi L. I3ollenbeck, Town Clerk Jack Bush, Highway Superintendent Other Town Staff` Henry dater, Zoning Officer David Putnam (TG Millers), Town Engineer upv Varvayanis opened the meeting at 7:o0 p.m_ Board Tnexp bem and guests participated 'n the pledge of U1.1epance followed by a moment of silence, CITIZENS PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Christopher Clauson, Town Jugdc, , who holds Court regularly on Monday nights told the Board that he is out of space and breaking the law, and we need to do sotnerbiu immediately_ 'He is allowed to have 12 people in tyre mein. during Court, and when they overflow into the hallway, he has no control over I1hem_ This has to be fixed inim diately heca.use he is supposed to uphold the law, not break the law. He reported that there had been an incident in the Court roam when they didn't have s unity. He and Judge Valentinelli have come to the conclusion that security is an issue that needs to be addressed for the safety of not only those in the court z4y3tem, but others in the building. The Judge stated the CouTt roon is dirty_ used For a storage room, and is a disgrace to the Town of Dryderx_ Judge la►uson reported that recently he had to hold a felony bearing izi Lansing because the room was otherwise occupied. He stated that by law the Court has to have Borne sort of priority over any meetirig because there are laws that he has to follow_ If he doesn't hold the hearings, he's xn trouble or the defendant wallcs away. His only thought is that any time he needs to hold a hearing, he'll have to bump someone out of the room, because the law is not something he can control and he does not believe he should have to go Larising or anywhere else_ ZO Slater explained that the la %v states that there shat be 40 sq ft in a court room for every person who's in that courtroom, and in a regular session you could have as little as 7 square feet or the number of fixed chairs present for an assembly. Judge Clauson said that more and more attorneys have remarked about the legality of the situation and asked if the Town had to be sued because there was inadequate ,pace. He said that he averages approximately 70 people between on a Monday night and on pretrial TJglats anywhere bet 60 and 120 defendants, not including attorneys and family mem r4_ He schedules 1heni beginning at 7:0 p-m,, but the building is still fjlled to overflowing, SupvVarvayanis suggested that they try to schedule fewer people and Iry to spend inure time in the CUUrt. Board members were I to visit cc}urt sessions (Wadays at 6:QQ p.m, and Wednesdays at 9: 00 a.xz,_). Judge ValentirnclH said that in his Couz-t he deals wilt appearance tickets and arraignments with counsel from 9:00 to 10:00 a. m. and ihat is followed by matters concenuing the District Attorney and pretrial s, etc. Page I of 7 5 1* TB 03 -13 -02 During trials with jury the judges are often unable to access their office because the witnesses are there. Other offices in the building are utilized by attorneys and their clients conferencing, etc., displacing those who work in those offices. The judges have received a copy of the space study conducted by Egner Associates and Judge Clauson said that what had been drafted was sufficient for their needs. Judge Clauson said that: he had contacted Chief Robertson of the Dryden Village Police because he feels that they should provide security for the Court. He approached the Village Board and told Judge Clauson that it would cost $38 per hour. Judge Clauson said he believes the State returns money to the Town from fines (and the Town gets all that money now because the Village no longer has a Court). He and Chief Robertson have spoken about it and wondered if the Town would be willing to give 20% of that money to the Village in exchange for court room security whenever court is in session. Judge Clauson said he thought it was a good idea and the Village Board would then have incentive to make new Village of Dryden Local Laws for which he believes they would receive 100% of the fine money. Judge Clauson said that: if you look at: the calendar for the building it is full of evening meetings for various boards and committees, and somewhere the Court has to have priority. Judge Valentinelli said that tonight he had an arraignment and had to do it in his office because of this meeting. All of his materials are in the court room, making it difficult. He further explained that after a small claims hearing a short time ago, a fight started out in the hall between the two parties and his secretary was caught between them. Fortunately there were troopers present for a different matter who were able to intervene and handle the situation. The Village of Freeville pays the Village of Dryden $38 per hour for court security. In the past the Town has hired retired policemen for around $15.00 per hour. Larry Carpenter asked how things were progressing with the Union. Supv Varvayanis said that he had several copies of the contract signed. A copy has been faxed to Joe Steflik, Esq. who has not had a chance to look it: over, although Supv Varvayanis assumes that it has not changed since they last saw it. He suggested that the Board authorize him to sign it, subject to approval by the Town's attorney. RESOLUTION #101 - APPROVE UNION CONTRACT Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Union Contract as finally negotiated, subject to approval by the Town's attorney, and authorizes the Supervisor to sign the same. 211d Supv Varvayanis Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Supv Varvayanis Cl Michaels Yes Yes Yes Supv Varvayanis said that after approval by the attorney, certainly this week, the contract will be signed. Dana. Abbey of Dryden Ambulance presented board members with reports for the month of February. The checks received log shows a total of $19,968.15 received in February, bringing the total for this year to $37,974.82. An aging report for the month of February shows 19 there were 56 billable calls totalling $19,592.47. A call log for the month of February shows 109 total calls and the breakdown of their location, 67 of those being transports. He believes that 56 of the 67 have been billed so far. D Abbey asked whether the board wanted the point Page 2 of 7 TB Mm13 =0 totals for members monthly or annually and Cl Michaels said that annually would be fine, as it would probably only be reviewed annually- D Abbey stated they will probably not keep averaging $19,000 a month because medicaid might only pay $140 of a $350 bill Cl Michaels said that this information is helpful because he expectw that next year the Town will want a contract proposal where Dryden Arnlru.lance keeps the revenue, as well as the way it is currently structured. Cl Stelick asked that next month Teri Allen address the Board with respect to her prngress, COUNTY BRIEFING Michael Larne brought the board up to date on some public works projects. The addition to the Public Works Building on Bomwick Road is complete except for a few items and the outside landscaping. A eerfifirate of occupancy has been issued- They expect to have an opcln house later in the Sp"ing. The cutback of sfzte funding presents a problem, impacts several of the county departments and he expects these cuts will trickle on down to local governments. In November the County was infhrmed of a change in State policy. If a project phase, say right -of -way accluisitian was not initiated By the end of the frderal fiscal year, its funding may not roll over inn the succeeding year as it has done in the past. This was an unnounced implementation of this policy_ He was told that Pete Messmer, Highway Manager, and John Larnpmn m, Bridge Engineer, were at a - meefiu at DOT in Syracuse at that time about something else entirely and as they were ]eKvmg were given a letter regarding the View Policy. The effect of the policy to Tomplcias County was a lass of over 7 million dollars in rollover funds for Tompkins County Highway projects_ Affected were North Triphammer Road reconstruction project, the McLean - Cortland Road right -of -way acquisition and construction, Brooktondale bridge right -of-way acquisiiion, Red +Till Road bridge right -of -way acquisition and construction, mod boats bridge preliminary design., Hanshaw Road preliminary design, and Coddington Road preliminary design. The County has had to reprioritize their projects in order to be able to continue with those that have the highest priority by Basically talking the fixnding allocated for the above projects and applying that money earlier to other projects, meaning these projects will be pushed back_ The Transportation Council approved a Highway Department recommenda&ia to delay projects scheduled for 2002- 0 and Shift: those fiends to North. Triphammer road, Srooktond<de bridge and a Fortiori of the McLean- Cortland Road. Projects delayed to 2005 or 2006 are the bance of the McLean Road proj la ect, the Ringwood Road bridge, Newfield depot and lied Mill Road bridges and the Han€3haw Road reconstruction. The Couniy felt that North Triphammer Road was in such bad condition they had to proceed with that project. They have purchased rights of way from 88 pr4pe�ty owners. There are a few that haven't been purchased azi may have to go to condemnation [four or five). They had expected the A+tcLean "Cortland R€ra project to be Built this year and it looks like they will only be able to build about a third of it (probably the most northern third). Funding did carne through for bridge painting projects. Beeauw of the change In right- of - %vay funding no money was available to shift from other projects for the Red Mill Road Bridge project so this work will not be done u-aW 2004. The State Historic Preservation Office has expressed willingness to co rider relocation of tlae existing truss bridge (taking the historic bridge $r. moving it somewhere else to be used) _ The State Ristarie Pregervatinn Office needs more details in order to approve it. The Ringwood Road bridge hart originally be scheduled for 2001. -03 and the project has now been delayed until possibly the beginning of 004 nxLd reconstr C31L n will not happen until 2006, Page 3 of 7 TB 03-13-02 The County is planniug to have a meeting of the residents of Ellis Hallow Road to discuss the issue of the speed limits on. March 25 at the Ellis HoUow Community Center_ They have been looking at the issue of stop signs thom and received a report. (a nwmpilation of studies) regarding use of stop sigrm- The study argues that they really don't reduce the speed of traffic and cause a lot of other problems, COUNCIL PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR None. ATTORNEY Absent. TOWN CLERK Clerk has previously furnished board members with information regarding the New York State Town Clerk's Conference Ian be held M fe Saratoga Springs April, 21 -24, 2002, and asked for a resolution auth.oriziug her attendance and exTwnsesl RESOLUTION #102 - AUTHORIZE ATTENDANCE AT OLERWS CONFERENCE Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and atiked for its adoption= RESOLVED. that this Twxm Board hereby authorizes the Town Clerk's attendbnce at the New pork State Town Clerk's Conference in SaratogR Springy April 21-24, 2002, and the expenditure of $482.00 to the Saratoga Sheraton for room & meals, $60,00 registration fee, and voile age, n,l Cl telick Roll Call Vote ENGINEERING C1 stelick Supv Varvayazlis Cl Michaels Yes Yes Yes D Putriam reported that at hie site of R Wawak's apartment complex, 1062 Dryden Road, they have located the water main, It turns out to be in the way and either the water main will have to be moved, or one building will have to be constructed in a slightly different locs#aon. He suested that he, [} dater and the Highway Su.perintencicnt cxxxiid deal with it admirxistratively. The builder has indicated a willingness to move the water main at no expense to the Town_ After discussion, the board decided to let 11nwn staff deal with the situation _ ONING OFFICER 14oard members were provided with the zoning officeer, monthly report and copies of the zoning variances granted this year, O Slater asked the board for support for Kevin Ezell to amply far a committee position with the Inrernational Cade Coun61 He has been urged to apply by members of the building code commurui y. If K Ezell iri selected to serve on a committee (one year term), he will attend two i)r throe meetings a gear, experrs heirig paid for by ICS, ZO dater recommends biro for the position_ Pagc 4 of 7 TB 03 -13-02 RESOLUTION # 103 - SUPPORT APPLICATION OF KEVIN EZELL Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby supports the application of Kevin Ezell to serve on a comr'ttee for the International Code Council, and authorizes the Supervisor the write a letter of support to be submitted with the application. 2„d Cl Stelick Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Supv Varvayanis Yes Cl Michaels Yes ZO Slater reported that the funding for Project lmpact coordinator runs out the end of April, and if the Board wishes to continue that position it will have to be funded. He said the coordinator's position is a full time job and he believes it: pays its way many times over. Matt Shulman is interested in continuing in the position. The Board will consider it next month. There are two cell tower applications in the works, together with a couple of business applications that will be heard in the future. The Planning Board will be discussing the comprehensive plan next month. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT On motion of Cl Michaels, seconded by Cl Stelick, and unanimously carried, the board moved into executive session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss a particular employee and his request for a leave of absence. On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried they moved back into regular session at 8:10 p.m. RESOLUTION # 104 - OFFER LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO EMPLOYEE Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Highway Superintendent to offer a leave of absence (without health insurance benefit) to an employee subject to approval or review by the Town's labor attorney, Joseph Steflik. 2nd Cl Stelick Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Supv Varvayanis Yes Cl Michaels Yes Jack Bush asked the board to sign the Agreement to Spend Highway Funds they had been provided earlier. This agreement covers expenses for paving, including stone and gravel, for Hurd Road (2 miles), Mt. Pleasant Road (2 miles), Mineah Road (.6 miles), Pleasant Hollow Road (.51 miles) Red Mill Road (.94 miles), Schutt Road (1.22 miles), Cady Lane (.79 miles), Leisure Lane (.35 miles) and Meadow Drive (.2 miles). Cl Michaels asked if any of these improvements included widening the roads. The agreement shows each road having a width of traveled surface of 20 feet. J Bush said that is what is reported on the inventory of roads for the CHIPS report. They will be re- paving what the existing is, and they will have to put a O shoulder down, which may make it look it wider, to bring the shoulder even with the edge of the pavement:. There was discussion regarding putting off re- paving Red Mill Road since the County has postponed the bridge project and J Bush said that they could repave a portion of Page 5of7 TB 03 -13-02 what he had originally planned. Cl Stelick asked what the width of the shoulders on these roads was and J Bush replied that it varied and they would keep it as close as possible to what is there. He would like to have the agreement signed so that they could begin hauling stone in preparation. After discussion, the board decided to remove the portion regarding Red Mill Road, noting that those funds could later be designated for use on another road. Supv Varvayanis stated that Cl Grantham and Cl Hatfield had not had a chance to look at the proposed agreement, and would like to approve a few of the projects that have priority. J Bush explained that approving the entire agreement gives him flexibility in allocating manpower and he will not have idle workers while waiting for approval. After further discussion, the agreement was approved. RESOLUTION #105 - APPROVE AGREEMENT TO SPEND HIGHWAY FUNDS Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Agreement to Spend Highway Funds as presented, with the exception of Red Mill Road, and it: will be signed by the board members present (Supv Varvayanis, Cl Stelick, and Cl Michaels). 2nd Cl Stelick Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Supv Varvayanis Yes Cl Michaels Yes RESOLUTION # 106 - APPROVE ABSTRACT # 103 ® Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract # 103, as audited, vouchers #182 to #272, totaling $614,934.03. grid Cl Stelick Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Supv Varvayanis Yes Cl Michaels Yes ZO Slater unformed the board that there will be a hearing; for the HLJD grant application on April 3, and there will also be hearing for a home business occupation. Cl Michaels would like a new procedure for approving the abstract, instead of the board members having to initial each and every voucher/ purchase order. RESOLUTION # 107 - ADOPT NEW ABSTRACT APPROVAL PROCEDURE Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts a new procedure for approval of purchase orders and an abstracting procedure, substantially similar to the format provided as an example by Dianne McFall, approving them in bulk. 2ra Cl Stelick Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Supv Varvayanis Yes Page 6 of 7 TB 03 -134)2 0 Cl Michaels Yes On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, / ln' f*" Bambi L. Hollenbeck Town Clerk Rige7of7 loin of Urden Town Board Meeting; March 1, 2002 Name - (Please Print] Address �D% - J+ , ) rA F � L . f (� I A r �e}{ � oil Co AUn. Jack Hush and M. Varvayanis - re. blunt Hill Rd. Subject: Attu. Jack Bush and M. Varvayanis - re. Hunt Hill Rd. Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 10:31:23 -0500 From; Laura Stenzler <Ims9 a cornell.edu> is To: DRYHWAY@Iiglitlink.com lightlink.com CC: Drydent@ightlink.com Dear Nr, Bush, First I'd like to thank you for addressing the citizens at the Dryden Town Board meeting last night, 3/6/02. I understood from you comments that you are planning to start road maintenance work on Hunt Hill Rd, next week. Please correct me if I am wrong. I was wondering if those of us with property along Hunt Hill should be expecting letters from you outlining your plans, as you did with Hurd Rd. I realize you may have found this something that created rather than avoided problems, but that courtesy is still one that is expected of our elected officials to maintain the communication so vital to community relations. I do hope you plan to continue this communication, as uncomfortable as it may be at times. I am particularly concerned because there are several absentee and /or elderly land owners on Hunt Hill Rd, who may be unaware of any plans, yet concerned about the impact to their properties. Thanks for you attention, and I do email or letter. Sincerely, Laura SL'enzler 147 Hunt Hill Rd. 539 -6893 Laura Stenzler. ®Research support Specialist Cornell Lab of Ornithology/ A408 Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14850 607 -254 -4280 Im59 @cornell.edu hope to hear from you soon, either. by Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology i or l 308!2002 6:55 AM I>rydcn road uroit slaca-1 for 2002 U Subject:' Dryden road work slated for 2002 Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 06;44:52 -0500 From: "Liam G-B. Murphy" < Liam .murphy @clarit_yconnect.com> ® '1'0: Jack Bush <DRYI IV4`AY a.lightlink.com >, Mark Varvayanis <sv27 @cornell.edu>, Stele Stelick <sstelick @aol.com >, Deb Grantham <grant h am@t weny. rr. com>, Chris Michaels < michaels 1bpmlegal.com >, Bambi Hollenbeck <Drydent cL�?i lightlink.com >, Martha Robertson <mrob@twcny.rr.com> To Town Board members and the Highway Department: My vote goes with Bob Vander's views expressed as follows: As a resident of upper Genung Rd. (Genung circle specifically) I have no objection t Liam G.B. Murphy Ward & Murphy 170 Main Street, Groton, New York 13073 liam.murphy @clarityconnect.com htto: / /www,ward- and- murphy.com 1607) 898 -3190 This email message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure as attorney - client communications or attorney work product under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, of the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this communication in error, please isnotify me immediately by telephone, and return the original message or documents to us at the above address via U.S. Postal Service. Thank you. -- Original Message - -- From: "Martha O. Robertson" <rrirob @twcny.rr.com> Sent: 3/10/2002 1:43PM Subject: Re: GENUNG RD. ALERT! Re: Dryden road work slated for 2002 >> Dear all, >> Below are the emai.ls of the Dryden Town Board. I would suggest that >> sentiments such as Robert's below should be sent directly to ther., and to >> Jack Bush, Dryden Highway Superintendent. >> sv270corne3,l. edu (Mark Va.rvayanis) >> sstelick@ao3.com (Steve Stelick) >> granthamgtwcny.rr.corn (Deb Grantham) >> micliaels@bp.mlegal.com (Chris Michaels) » >> Also write to Bambi Nollenbeck, the Town clerk, Drydent @lightlink.com, and >> ask her to send your message to the fifth Town Board member, Charlie Hatfield. >> >> The email address for Jack Bush is DRYHivAYL211ghtlink. com. His phone is >> 844 -8620. >> Martha 'a ® >> » At 09:09 AM 312012002, Robert Vander wrote: 1 of 3 3e20i2002 6:00 AM Drvdcn road work slated for 2002 >> >Nari and Others >> >As a resident of upper Genung Rd. I have no objection to having the road >> >resurfaced or paved. But not one tree or bush should be cut. Not one bank >> > should be cut array or disturbed. The remains of the old oak they cut need 4@,3 ®>> >to remain for stability and definition of the roadway. We all feel quite >> >strongly about all this. >> >Robert Vander >> > - - - -- Original Message - - - -- >> >From: Nariman B. Mistry <n.bm20cornel.l..edu> >> >T'o: Zorii:a Henderson <zorika@lightlink. com>; <m.rob@twcny. rr. corn >; >> > <JESkaley @aol.com >; <Eitzen7 @aol.com >, <gtantham @twCny.rr.com >; >> ><saberg@nyseg.com >; Susi Varvayanis <sv27@cornell.edu >; >> ><davenutter@baka.com>; <nstan @twcny.rr.com >; Sarah Craetz Gagnon >> > <sg940corneJ1.edu >; <michaels @bpmlegal.com >; <dlm @holt.com >; ,Nariman Burjor >> >Mistry <nbm2 @co,rnell.edu >; Olivia H Vent <ohv10corneJ1.edu >; Robin Hadlock >> >Seeley <rhs40co.rne1l.edu >; Susan P Ashdown <spa4 @corne.l,1.edu >; >> ><ncdbeg9s0earthJ1nk. net>; David Alan Weinstein <daw58co.rnell. edu >; Herbert- » >John Engman <hje1 @cornell.edu >; <egutches@twcny.rr.com >; David Kremers >> >Whitmore <dkw2 @cornel.l,.edu >; <vander @usadatanet.net >; <malper @ithaca.edu>; >> >Linda K DeNoyer <lkd1 @cornell.edu >; <sunnybrk@aol.com >; Mark Earl Sorrells >> > <mesl2 @cornel1.edu >; <row.Iand @ithaca.edu >; <bstings@twcny.rr.com >; Jean M >> >Bonasera < >> >Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2002 6:49 PM >> >Subject: GENUNG F.D. ALERT! Re: Dryden road work slated for 2002 >> > > I believe the upper Genung Rd. residents (E.Hollow to Snyder Hill >> > > Rd.) have tried to keep their road unpaved for all these years. It is >> > > a beautiful shady road - -- if trees are cut there it will be a total >> > > travesty, worse than anything so far! ® >> > > » > > Nara >> > > >> > > At 4:20 PM -0500 319102, Zorika Henderson wrote: >> > > >Hello all, >> > > >Here's a list of road work slated for 2002, which appears on the >> > > >highway department's web site. In some cases, the work has already >> > > >been done. Two examples of work coming up are Hunt Hi.11 Rd. and > > > Snyder Hill Rd. >> > > >If your property does not have a written easement to the town, the >> > > >highway department does not have a right -of -way and you do not have >> > > >to let the department cut trees or brush on your land. >> > > >Zorika Henderson >> > > > "2002 WORK PROJECT GOALS INCLUDE: Erosion control and drainage work >> > > >on Mt. Pleasant Off Rt. 366. Cut back bank and fix drainage near #68 >> > > >Hunt Hill Rd. Cut .back bank and move ditch away from pavement near >> > > > #427 Beam Hill Rd and :surface treat. Repair Hanford Dr. turn.- around >> > > >and construct Deibler Dr. turn - around. Surface treat: Mt. Pleasant, >> > > > Mineah, Pleasant Hollow, Rd Mill, Schutt, Hunt Hill, Genung, Cady >> > > >Lane, Mott, Lailani, Simms HJ.11. Livermore, Livermore Cross, Orion, >> > > >Purvis, Beam Hill, Hollister, Stevenson, Dodge, Snyder Hila„ Kirk, >> > > >and .Kingdom Rd. Pave: Mt. Pleasant from Mineah to Baker Hill, Mineah >> > > >from Ringwood to Vleasant Hollow, Pleasant Hollow, Red Mill, C:enung • >> > > > €rom Ellis Hollow to Snyder Hill, Meadow Dr., and Leisure La. Scht:tt 2 o1'3 Y20r2002 6:00 AM Dr dcn road work slated for 2002 >> > > >Rd T d L SUrfaCe treat." >> > > >> > > Nari B. Ma. st:ry >> > > 214 Newman Laboratory, >> > > Cornell University, NY 14853 >> > > Tel: 607 -255 -3368 >> > > FAX: 607- 254 -4552 3 of 3 3 12012002 6:00 AM .Deborah Grantham From: Nariman B. Mistry [nbm2 @cornell.edu] nt: Monday, March 04, 2002 8:10 PM drydent @lightlink.com; dryhway @lightlink.com IPC: grantham @twcny.rr.com; sv27@cornell.edu; sstelick @aol.com; michaels @bpmlegal.com Subject: Attn: Dryden Town Supervisor We have been residents of Ellis Hollow in the Town of Dryden for 33 years, we wish to express our strong objection to the indiscriminate cutting of trees by the Dryden Highway Department along the rural roads of the Town in our area. The character, of our neighborhoods is being changed arbitrarily without any consideration of approval or permission by residents and neighbors. Mature trees that have great value to the neighborhood are being cut without much thought. It is not enough to persuade an unwary homeowner that highway maintenance makes it necessary. We request urgently that the Town Board immediately initiate discussions for a well- thought -out policy regarding the cutting of trees along the roadsides of the Town. This policy should be formulated with the active participation and approval of residents and must be publicly discussed before; formal adoption. The policy must put forward strict guidelines balancing the need for highway maintenance and safety against the need for preservation of the rural character of the neighborhood and the protection of healthy mature trees. we all know that it is too late to start thinking about this after 0 -oee cutting has begun. It takes 30 years or more to grow a mature ee and only a thoughtless minute to cut it down! Many other wnships across the country have come to realize the folly of not having a comprehensive policy to control wanton destruction of trees, shade and animal & bird habitat along their roads, whether by officials of the town or by private residents. These Towns have enacted responsible policies that show concern for the overall environment that we all share. we strongly disapprove of the destruction of roadside trees, and where it is done thoughtlessly, we consider it almost a case of vandalism. We urge you to put a stop to it. Sincerely, Nariman & Virginia Mistry Town of Dryden. Nari B. Mistry 214 Neuman Laboratory, Cornell university, NY 14853 Tel: 607 -255 -3368 FAX: 607 - 254 -4552 1