HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-08TB 05-08-02
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
May 8, 2002
Board. Members Present: Supv Mark Varvayanis, Cl Charles Hatfield, Cl Stephen Stelick,
Jr., Cl Deborah Grantham, Cl Christopher Michaels
Other Elected Officials: Bambi L. Hollenbeck, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff- Mahlon R. Perkins, Town Attorney
Henry Slater, Zoning Officer
David Putnam (TG Millers), Town Engineer
Supv Varvayanis opened the board meeting at 7:005 p.m.
CITIZENS PRMLEGE OF THE FLOOR
Dana Abbey presented the monthly reports for Dryden Ambulance, Inc. There were 76
calls in April and the district collected $15,652.62 (total year to date $70,339.37). They have
been talking to Multi -Med about attempting to collect any outstanding account receivables
prior to January 2002. Their fee would be 3Wo of any amounts collected. D Abbey explained
that Multi Med would bill under the same set of rules that the district has been operating
under. Teri Allen said that Multi Med will review all outstanding bills from January 1, 1998
through December 31, 2001, and determine what should be written off and what can
potentially be recovered and then attempt to recover it. Multi Med will invoice the Town
monthly for any amounts due them. Amounts collected by Multi Med will be recorded and
forwarded to Dryden Ambulance then turned over to the Town. There will be a separate
accounting of the process. Atty Perkins stated this all relates to services provided prior to the
most recent contract with Dryden Ambulance, is the Totvn's responsibility and suggested that
the checks be sent directly to the Town. T Allen estimates that after the overall accounting
process is complete, they should be able to wrap it up in about 3 months.
RESOLUTION fin 138 - AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH MULTI -MED FOR COLLECTION OF
AMBULANCE BILLS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to executive a
contract with Multi -Med for collection of outstanding ambulance bills, subject to review and
approval by the Touvn Attorney.
2nd Cl Grantham
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Judge Valendhelli asked whether the board had done anything about a .security officer
for the Court room when Court is in session. Cl Grantham and Supv Varvayanis advised him
that there is money in his budget for that and he could advertise for and hire a security officer.
Judge Valentinelli again invited board members to visit his Court which is held on Wednesday
mornings beginning at 9:00 am. or his pre - trials which are held the first Wednesday of the
month, beginning at 10:00 am.
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Walt: Matyjas, 14 Bri dle Lane, spoke to the Board regarding the Town of Dryden Youth •
Commission and had annual reports to distribute. The Youth Commission works in
conjunction with the Tompkins County Youth Bureau. It is formed with two representatives
from the Village of Freeville, two from the Village of Dryden and three from the Town. 'There are
currently two vacancies for the Town and his term expires this year. He asked the board's
assistance in filling the vacancies as it is critical to have full representation as they will be
addressing cuts to the County budget and will need to do some prioritising of the programs.
The Town is the second largest contributor with matching funds and should be well
represented. On the programs funded through the Commission is the Youth Conservation
Corp. There is still a window of opportunity to get some projects in for the Youth Conservation
Corp if there is anything the Town would like them to do. The Youth Commission meets once a
month, on the 3rd Tuesday.
Peggy Walbridge, Hunt Hill Road, said she understood there was a presentation by a
legal person who is very knowledgeable on Highway Law about 2 weeks ago, and she wondered
which Board members went to it and what their understanding is of Town road right -of -way
from that meeting. Supv Varvayanis said that he was there and he wasn't sure he wanted to
enter into that discussion.
Robin Seeley, 332 Hurd Road, said that yesterday afternoon she found that an orange
line had been painted up the side of I•Iurd Road from the Squyres residence at 383 Hurd Road
to her residence. It looked like there were marking underground utilities there. She
understood from the phone company that the Town of Dryden had requested that the
underground line be marked. There are two white lines near a bank that she thinks is going to
be cut away, but the Town had also requested that it be marked all the way up to her house at
332 Hurd Road. The phone company told her that the work would begin on the bank on May
10. She called Jack Bush to ask why the line had been drawn all the way to her house and he
said that Mark Sutton had requested it and it was his understanding that it was only supposed
to be marked between the white lines. She is nervous when lines are drawn on her property.
For her this highlighted two important facts. One is that as far as she can tell there is still not
written project: description for what is going on on Hurd Road. She had requested that at the
end of February. The answer from the Highway Department then was that there was no
written description of what was going to happen on Hurd Road because the Department had
not kept written descriptions in the past, and so this would be a departure from procedure.
The other thing she is concerned about is that if the "bank cutting away" is going to start on
Friday, it is her understanding that the Town still has to comply with SEAR, that is a process
that still hasn't been finished yet, and yet the telephone company is under the understanding
that that bank cutting away (not the big bank cutting away at the top of the hill) at the bottom
of the hill will begin. She says SEQR needs to be done before they can start because that is
part of the whole project on the road.
R Seeley said that from the 284 agreement, the Highway Department is planning on
spending $100,000 on this road, which she states is another good reason for having a written
project description. The unanswered question for her is still why the line was drawn all the
way up to her driveway and whether this is part of the shoulder widening that she knows the
Highway Department wants to do there, or whether it really just was a mistake.
Ed Bugliosi, of the US Geological Survey, spoke to the Board regarding the contract he
is proposing and which he has to send to Albany before he can present to the Town in written
form. He explained that his office has put together the proposal that will be sent to their
district office to be approved. After that it will be presented to the Town to see if they would
like to fund it along with USGS. He stated the purpose in doing this is to provide a better
understanding of the water resources of the area, the aquifer system in the Town of Dryden,
basically Virgil Creek Valley, and enable the 'town to develop better comprehensive water
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management strategies for its residents, and become better stewards of the water resources in
the Town. This study will also enable USGS to better understand the systems in this part of
the State, how they work and how they relate to other systems in other parts of the State that
is covered by this office (Cortland, etc.) Any data collected will be put into a national database
that is accessible by the public and other agencies.
The study will consist of three phases which may make it more cost effective for the
Town. The first phase is probably the most important and the phase that DEC is interested in
getting involved with, and will be a general hydro geologic assessment of the aquifer system- -
what is in the aquifer system, what comprises it, what it's made of, what happens to the
groundwater when it flows through the system. Phase Two is additional work that will go into
gleaning knowledge of the system to provide more detail. This is really a management tool for
the Town to use, and that is a groundwater flow model, seeing how particles of water flow
through the system. They will analyze pump tests in the area for municipal systems and
analyze the potential amount of water in the aquifer and the transmissivity. They will
investigate the relationship between groundwater and the major streams and tributaries in the
Town and determine which way the groundwater is flouring. Phase Three will involve
constructing a digital flow model of the system using information collected. This can be used
to do different predictative scenarios. The proposal is to complete the study in 2007 and
accordingly spread out the cost of the study. A report will be given after each phase is
completed. It is projected to cost under $400,000 over the 6 year period. USGS will fund up to
301/o, leaving 70% to the municipality. However DEC is interested in putting up about $50,000
over a two year period, though if the Town decided not to go ahead this year, DEC might move
that money to some other program. USGS is also talking with Tompkins County for all the
aquifers in the County to do similar studies. The Virgil Creek aquifer is the only aquifer in
Tompkins County that was recommended for study recently by the DEC. Cl Michaels said it
® appears that the Town of Dryden is potentially looking at funding a study that will benefit more
than just its residents. Supv Varvayanis said that the County is interested in prioritizing the
aquifers and asked whether Mr Bugliosi thought this was one of the more important aquifers in
the County. Mr Bugliosi said that he would just because of the population served, and he
believes that is the way DEC is looking at it. Martha Robertson said the County is looking at
a needs assessment for two aquifers in Caroline and one in Dryden, and the County Planning
Committee will be discussing it this month. She is hoping they can get funding, but it is in the
long range plan "to do something about this". She said that if this is something the Town
wants to have done sooner rather than later, to go ahead without County money and she will
work to try and have some of the cost reimbursed by the County.
USGS will present the formal proposal to the Town in about 2 weeks. Mr Bugliosi has
asked that a small part of cooperating funds be set aside this year, and once that is done the
amounts are programmed in for the next six years. That being done, the project will be first in
line next year for cooperating funds. He noted it is easy to modify the agreement from year to
year depending on what funds are available to /from the municipality. USGS will let the Town
know of any other funding sources and will assist in applying for funding.
With respect to Tompkins County's Vital Communities Initiative, the County has
previously made a presentation to the Town Board and requested input from communities.
Recently they forwarded to the Town the final draft of the Development and Preservation
Principles, together with a request that the Town Board adopt a proposed resolution. The
Town's Planning Board has also reviewed the principles and the Chairperson of the Planning
Board has forwarded her comments to the County. The Planning Board has recommended that
the Town Board adopt the proposed resolution with the points made in the Chairperson's
letter. David Weinstein added that the principles fit well with what the Planning Board has
been considering for the General Plan.
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TS 05-08 -02
RESOLUTION # 139 - SUPPORT FOR ADOPTION OF VITAL COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT
AND PRESERVATION PRINCIPLES AS INTERIM COUNTY POLICY
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Vital Communities Initiative was undertaken to create a countywide
vision of the future growth and development in Tompkins County, and
WHEREAS, the County has, through its Department of Planning, engaged in an
extensive outreach effort to solicit public input as the basis for drafting and refining the
Development and Preservation Principles, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Representatives proposes to adopt these principles as an
interim measure to:
• Continue a community dialogue on the future growth of the County,
• Evaluate the land use impacts of County programs and decisions, and
Guide the preparation of a County Comprehensive Plan, and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes that in New York State land use regulation authority
is delegated to towns, villages, and cities, but that counties have a role in studying and
fostering intermunicipal coordination on issues that have countywide impact, and need to
consider land use implications in their decision - making, and
WHEREAS, these Principles are intended to be used as a framework for continued
dialogue with local municipalities regarding intermunicipal communication and cooperation on
planning and development issues throughout the County, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the .Dryden Town Board and the Dryden Planning Board support the
adoption of the proposed Vital Communities Development and Preservation Principles by the
Tompkins County Board of Representatives as County policy, with the suggestions in the
attached letter from the Chair of the Dryden Planning Board.
2nd Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote
Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Robert Kuehn, who lives on Ellis Hollow Road at the corner of Dodge Road, said that on
three days in January the Highway Department cleaned the ditch on Dodge Road and took
some trees out. He and others who live on Dodge Road walk the road twice a day and have
never seen any problems with the drainage. It's on a hill and even after a heavy snow the
water went down perfectly. The Highway Department took out six large trees which they gave
to the neighbors to cut for firewood. He gave pictures to the board showing what was left
behind, saying they basically made a mess. He stated he called Jack Kush toward the end of
February inquiring when they would be back to finish and was told that would happen soon.
The pictures were taken last week. Mr Kuehn said that nothing needed to be done except that
there were two driveways where there used to be a house and the culverts there were backed
up. The Highway Department did not address that, but took down live trees and right next to
the road are dead trees with limbs falling from them. The ditch that drained perfectly doesn't
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drain at all anymore. He says the pictures show big gaping holes where stumps were removed
and there is now Standing water. There was a grove of spruce trees where the bottom limbs
came down over the top of the ditch. He says if the saNv on an extension had reached farther
they would have removed the limbs to the top of the tree. As to the ditch that previously
drained perfectly, they scoured it out and now the top part doesn't drain at all and as for the
bottom, silt is going into Cascadilla Creek. He says all the people who live on the road are
unhappy about the mess and it was left unsafe. This work as done before all the controversial
work that came later with all the acrimony and suits, so they did this, made a mess and then
went other places. Trees that are left are in danger of falling because of the holes that were
left. He asked that the Board get the Highway Department to come and finish the job, stating
that it was basically a waste of money and didn't need to be done. They spent three days there.
They made a mess and it's worse than it was before.
COUNCIL PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Cl Grantham reported that she attended the Conservation Advisory Council last night.
They are looking at an open space inventory and on June 12 Dan Karig and some other CAC
members would like to come to the Board and present the draft. They will try to have it in
electronic form also. They have a series of maps they have worked with that identify open
space resources in the Town and they have narration to go with each map. They are literally
inventorying what they think represent the open space in the Town. They also have a fill
ordinance that they brought to the Town last year and they would like the board to consider it
again. Bruce Osadchey will be bringing that to the Hoard on June S. The CAC has agreed to
take over oversight of Dryden Lake and they have agreed to do that. They would like a copy of
the lease for the lake or any other documents that exist in the Town, and would like to see
what State rules and regulations apply to the park area. The CAC is also very_ interested in the
aquifer study and would like to review the proposal and make comments on it. The Planning
® Board is also interested in the aquifer study.
Cl Michaels said that he had attended a class George Frantz is teaching at the planning
school. His students have looked at planning issues related to the NESTS study (which
proposed the northeast corridor). They looked at the road connecting Routes 79 and 13, and
did some analysis as to how it could help revitalize Varna. They also looked at a trail using
some the old railroad beds. It was relatively low cost and looked doable. He has requested in
electronic form some the slides from the powerpoint presentation to share with the board.
Supv Varvayanis and Cl Grantham said that it is not easy to get easements for the trail.
ATTORNEY
Atty Perkins asked for action on the agreement which was sent to the Board in March
regarding the Village of Cayuga Heights providing wastewater treatment services for Town of
Dryden Sewer District #1. The agreement: was originally made in 1966, expired last Fall, and
the Village of Cayuga Heights proposes to extend it on a year to year basis. At the same time
authorize the hook up of three properties along Sapsucker Woods Road which are not part of
the Town of Dryden Sewer District # 1. It would automatically terminate in the event that an
agreement was negotiated and signed between the parties and owners of the Ithaca Area
Wastewater Treatment Plant. This would leave the Town after those three hookups with one
more unit. He has reviewed the agreement and recommends it for action.
RESOLUTION #140 - APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
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RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the agreement with the Village of
Cayuga Heights to provide wastewater treatment services for Town of Dryden Sewer District #1,
and will be executed by board members
2nd C1 Michaels
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
Cl Grantham stated the board had previously discussed Finger Lakes Stone Quarry and
its permit renewal and SPEDES permit from the DEC. She said there are renewing problems
relating to citiven complaints and the road and she asked what the Town can do now with
respect to the road, the noise and the hours of operation as part of the noise. Atty Perkins
asked that it be put on the June agenda.
K -0 i%L
Town Clerk explained that each year the board must pass a resolution designating the
town's polling places and authorizing payment to them. Board members reviewed the proposed
resolution.
RESOLUTION #141 - DESIGNATE & PAY POLLING PLACES
Cl Hatfield offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: •
RESOLVED, that the following is the list of designated polling places in the Town of
Dryden for the year 2002:
District
# 1 -
Etna Fire Station
District
#2 -
Freeville Fire Station
District
#3 -
Dryden Fire Station
District
#4 -
Varna Community Center
District
#5 -
Etna Fire Station
District
#6 -
Dryden Village Hall
District
#7 -
Dryden Fire Station
District
08 -
Bethel Grove Community Center
District
#9 -
Ellis Hollow Community Center
District
#10
- Dryden Baptist Church
District
# 11
- Dryden Town Hall
And it is further
RESOLVED, that this Town Board authorize the Supervisor to pay the following polling
places $100.00 per district for the use of their facilities for 2002: Varna Community Center,
Bethel Grove Community Center, Ellis Hollow Community Center, Dryden Baptist Church,
Dryden Fire Station for Districts #3 and #7, Etna Fire Station for Districts # 1 and #S. Freeville
Fire Station has waived compensation for the use of their facilities.
2»d Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
C1 Stelick Yes •
Supv Varvayanis Yes
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TB 05408 -02
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
RESOLUTION # 142 - APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that. this Town Board hereby approves the minutes of December 5, 2001,
and December 12, 2001.
Did Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Hatfield Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Varvayanis Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Grantham Yes
ENGINEERING
No report.
ZONING OFFICER
ZO Slater updated the board on some projects that had previously come before the
board. He reported that last week RMS Gravel began conveying gravel from their new site (1/2
® mile away) by conveyor belt underneath the road to the existing mine. After two years, the golf
course at Dryden Lake has completed their work and are scheduled to open the "back 9" on
May 25.
With respect to the CDBG grant application that has been filed by the Town to
rehabilitate the Forest Home Circle Mobile Home Park, early plans indicated there might be
some problems with the mobile home park actually conforming to local zoning requirements for
new mobile home parks. Because it is a 1001/6 renovation, that part is subject to today's
standards. The Mobile Home Park Ordinance is not something that can be appealed to the
Zoning Board of Appeals because it is not part of the Zoning Ordinance. ZO Slater wondered if
the board would consider placing the Mobile Home Park Ordinance within the Zoning
Ordinance so that it has flexibility in terms of being able to seek some relief for minor issues
that it can't totally conform with that would cause the project to have to be abandoned.
Atty Perkins explained that the Mobile Home Ordinance was purposely prepared
separate from the Zoning Ordinance because the Town Board at that time did not want the
construction of mobile home parks to be subject to variance. They wanted it as a sort of
building standard and did not want the Zoning Board of Appeals to be able to grant variances
because they wanted it enforced that way so that no new mobile home parks would be
constructed except where there was municipal water and sewer and there would be certain
minimum standards that would have to be met. It was really a public policy and legislative
decision to do it that way, very much intentional. There was a great deal of concern about
proliferation of mobile home parks. A case went to the Appellate Division and the Appellate
Division upheld the Town's position.
Cl Michaels asked ZO Slater what it was about the current ordinance that appears to be
to too inflexible. ZO Slater said that they would probably not be able to supply the minimum
5,000 square foot per lot of usable area. Atty Perkins asked if they could have fewer lots, and
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TB 05-084)2
ZO Slater said that they could, but he did not believe that was the point of the grant. Cl
Michaels said he has experience with housing issues and it is not atypical to do a housing
project that's an eviction plan or part of a cooperative where you take substandard, low income
housing, remove the old tenants, renovating it and then renting to whoever is still around. He
further stated that increasing the area around each dwelling seems to be part of the overall
objective of increasing the standards for the whole park. The plan originally called for
increasing the number of units from 20 to 25, but that has been cut down to 22. ZO Slater
said they do have municipal water and sewer so density is not so much an issue as it would be
with a well and septic system. He stated that with the exception of the expansion of Hillside
Acres, all mobile home parks in the Town existed prior to the Mobile Home Park Ordinance. Cl
Michaels said in this case it may make sense to allow some flexibility in the ordinance, allowing
slightly smaller lot sizes in exchange for committed open areas within the park as long as it
averages to the same total area. Cl Hatfield asked if only having 20 units would be acceptable
and ZO Slater stated there has to be some economic feasibility for the park owner to do it.
They are in business to make same money and there has to be some incentive to the owner,
who is investing around $100,000 in the project on top of the grant funds. Cl Michaels said he
would be amenable to amending the ordinance to allow some flexibility.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Jack Bush announced that there is a metal container behind the Highway Garage for
residents of the town dispose of scrap metal. It will be there until May 30. Chipping Day for
brush is May 18, 2002 from 8:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. Board members are invited to tour the
Town and look at future projects. They will contact him to set up a time.
J Bush informed the Board that property formerly owned by the Cayuga Nature Center
has been purchased by Susan Rausch and she has requested that some work be done on the
road. It was previously believed that section of the road was abandoned, but it has been
determined that it was not. They will need to put some gravel there and he would like the 284
Agreement amended to reflect the amount of $6,000. The work will involve improving the road
and replacing a crossover pipe that has begun to collapse, cutting trees and re- establishing the
ditch line, and cleaning out the parking area and snowplow turnaround.
Peggy Walbridge asked how wide the current roadbed ara.s and how far back would they
be cutting trees. J Bush replied one section of the road is 1.1 1/2 feet and another is about 15
feet. She asked if they would keep it that wide and he replied they would probably be pretty
consistent except where a section goes from the old turnaround to the new parking area and it
will probably be a little wider there. P Walbridge asked if they would be cutting trees beyond
the ditch and J Bush said they would not beyond the back slope of the ditch.
RESOLUTION * 143 - AMEND AGREEMENT TO SPEND HIGHWAY FUNDS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby amends the Agreement to Spend Highway
Funds (284 Agreement) to reflect the addition of $6,000 for the purpose of adding gravel and
work to be performed on Hammond Hill Road.
2t 1d Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
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J Bush explained that under the terms of the Union contract Highway employees get
® the Creek of July 4th off, but nothing has been done to cover other employees such as his
Deputy and Highway Clerk. Supv Varvayanis explained this means Highway employees receive
36 hours more paid time off than other Town employees.
Atty Perkins is looking into the flexible spending plan for employees and will report to
the Board and the Board will discuss passing a resolution for the deferred compensation plan
next month.
J Bush said he would like to know where the new Town Hall will be sited. They have
work to do on the water and sewer and if the new building will be in the same location it will
affect the work they plan to do. The RF'P has gone out and there have been four inquiries.
Hopefully the proposals will have been received and reviewed by the Building Committee prior
to the June 12 meeting.
The Highway Department has done some research involving installing driveway culverts
over the last year and the average cost has been determined to be around $550.00 to put: the
culvert in, excluding the cost of the pipe which the property owner purchase. He asked
whether the board would support charging a fee to install driveway culverts. The Towns of
Ithaca and Lansing and Tompkins County each charge $100, with $25 being attributed to
administration fee and $75 for the material to cover the pipe. This would apply to new
driveway cuts. They install about 30 driveway culverts a year. David Weinstein asked whether
the property owners had the option of using their own contractor and J Bush responded that
this point they do require that the Town do it because they have had problems with driveways
installed by contractors in the past. Cl Michaels is interested in pursuing this and asked for
details on what the County does as well as the charges and policies in other towns. They will
discuss this again next month.
J Bush reported that an owner of property adjacent to the trail on Keith Lane had some
pond work done and mud has slid down the hall unto the Town's property near the trail. The
contractor made assurances that they will do whatever the Town would like done to remedy the
matter. It appears that it will dry up and vegetate itself. DEC has inspected the site and have
no issues with it. After discussion the Board decided to take no action.
RESOLUTION 0144 - AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL VACATION TIME
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the addition of 36 hours to the
accumulated vacation time for the full time permanent non -union employees. This will cover
the additional 2 hours the union employees receive for Memorial Day, July 4Lh and Labor Day
and the additional 30 hours vacation they received in their contract for the week of July 4.
2"d Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
The Board discussed the current purchase order system. J Bush stated it sometimes
presents a problem on Fridays when there is no one available to sign a purchase order and
there is urgency for the order. Atty Perkins stated that purchase order system could be revised
by the board. Cl Michaels suggested that someone draft a proposal of what they would like the
purchase order system to look like. J Bush said that the current system works, except when
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there is no one available to take the requisitions. It was suggested that a credit card could be
made available for times when no one was available. After discussion, the Board decided that
they would appoint someone to take care of purchase orders on Friday, and look into use of
credit card for next month.
RESOLUTION # 145 - APPOINT DEPUTY PURCHASING OFFICER
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Bambi L. Hollenbeck to act as
Deputy Purchasing Officer in the absence of the Purchasing Officer.
2nd Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Electric to the water tanks behind New York State Electric & Gas has now been turned
on and battery power has been discontinued.
J Bush stated someone has sprayed red paint on one of the roads and it should be
known that this can create confusion for utilities and contractors as well as the Highway
Department because different colors of paint represent different utilities. The Highway
Department uses white paint; red stands for electric. Robin Seeley said she had put paint on
Hurd Road and J Bush told her she should not put paint of any color on the road.
Atty Perkins has distributed copies of proposed local laws regarding attendance for the
Planning Board, Recreation Commission and Conservation Advisory Council to board members
for their review and asked that they be introduced and the public hearings scheduled.
RESOLUTION #146 - INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW REGARDING ATTENDANCE
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AND
RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board does hereby introduce the following local law and set
the public hearing for the same for June 5, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
A for ►I law to provide standards of minimum attendance by members of the Town of Dryden Conservation
Advisory Council and the Town of Dryden Recreation Commission and to provide for a procedure to remove any
such members not meeting the nunimum attendance requirements; or for muse.
SECTIm I. PURPOSE, AUTHORITY. By Local Law No. 4 of the year 2000 the Town
of
Dryden
Conservation Advisory Council was
created and by Local Law No.
l of the
year 2000 the Town
of
Dryden
Recreation Commission was created.
The purpose of this local law is to provide
standards of minimum
attendance
by members of the Town of Dryden
Conservation Advisory Council
(herein "CAC
") and the TO«m
of
Dryden .
Recreation Conunission (herein "Rec.
Commission ")at meetings of the
CAC and
Rec. Commission, and
to
provide
for a procedure to remove any such members not meeting the minimum
attendance requirements.
SECTION 2,
MINIMUM
ArruNDANCE REQUIREMENTS.
Members of
the
CAC and
Rec.
Commission
arc expected to
attend all regularly scheduled and
specially scheduled meetings.
In
the event
that
a member is
Page 10 of 14
•
I
TB 05m08=02
absent
from three (3)
consecutive meetings, or in the event a rncnibcr is absent
from ljyc (5) nneetings within any
one (1)
calendar }year,
then such nnernber may be removed Crokn the CAC or Rec.
Commission as herein provided.
SECTION 3, PROCEDURE. In the event a nnennber of the CAC or Rcc. Commission has failed to meet the
minimum at"dance requirements set forth in Section 2, then the Town Beard may remove such member as herein
provided-
(,I.) Notice. Such member shall be mailed a written notice specifying the nature of the fail ure
of such member to meet the minimum attendance requirements of Section 2 above,
(b.) Public Hearing. Such notice shall specify a date (not less than ten 1101 or more (han
thirty 1301 days from the date of mailing such notice) when the Town Board shall convone and hold a public hearing
on whether or not such member should be removed. Such notice shall also specify the time and place of such
hearing,
(c.) Public Notice, Public notice of such hewing shall he given by posting a notice on the town
signboard in the vestibule of the Toim Mall and by publishing a notice once in the official newspaper. Such posting
and publication shall be at ]east ten (10) days prior to tine date of the pubic hearing.
(d.) Conduct of Hearin. The public hearing on the charges shall be conducted befm the Town
Board The member 5ha1] be given an opportunity to prosent evidence and W cal] wimesses to refute the charges. A
record of such hearing shall be made. The decision of the Tovrn Board shall be reduced to writing together with
specific findings of the Town Board iAith respect to each charge against such member. A copy of such &-vision and
such finding shah be mailed to the member.
(e.) Action by the Town Board. Hollowing the hearing and upon a funding that such member has
not mu the minimum attendanco requirements required by this local law the To mm Board may;
01) Remove such member from tine CAC or Rec. Commission; or
(ii -) Issue a written reprimarkd to such nnernbcr without removing Such
member; or
(iii.) If the Town Board shall find that the reasons for failing to meet the
min4nnum attendance kcquiremu nts are excusable because of illness,
injury or other good and sufficient canse, the Town Board may elect to
lalrc no action.
SECTION C REMOVAL FOR CAUSE, NoLbing containod hmin shall be deeknetf to limit or restrict the
Town Board's authonhy to remo{+e a member from the CAC or Roc. Conunission for cause (i.e, for other ftn the
reasons enumerated herein). The procedural provisions of Section 3 (Procedure) shall govern any hearing to remove
a member for cause,
SECTION] S. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The Mvisions of Section 2 shall not apply to any merknber who has
applied for and been painted a leave of absence by the Town Board from their duties as a member of the CAC or
Rec. Commission. The Torun Board may grant such leave of absence on such terins and fey such period as it may
doom appropriate provided, however, no such leave of absence shall be for a period in mess of eleven (11) months-
SE TION 6, EFFECTIVE DATE, A PPLICAMLI TV,
(a -) This local law shall become cFlective upon filing lR ith die New Fork Secretary of State,
(b,) This local law shall apply to all members of the Town of Dryden CAC or Roc. Commission
regardless of the date of thdr appoiknuncnt,
(0 P ugedive meknbcrs of the CAC and Roc- Commission shall be notiricd of the requirements of
this local law prior to their appointment,
2nd Cl Grantham
Ralf Call Vote
Ct
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stehck
Yes
Bupv Vaxvayanis
Yes
C1
Michaets
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Page 11 of l4
TB 05 -08-02
RESOLUTION 4147 — INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW REGARDING ATTENDANCE FOR
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
Cl Michaels of red the following resolution and asked for its adoption;
RELG'>~.D, that this Town Board does hereby introduce the fall owing local law and set
the public hearing for the same for June; S, 2002 at 7:15 p.m-
A local lave establishing minimilim attendance and continuiM education requirements for
members of the Planning Board artd providing a procedure for removal of members not meeting
such requirements and for cause,
SECTION 3. P1lFt�OSE. AUTRIIRITY, The purpose of this local ltiw is to provide standards of
roiturnurn attendance by mcmb�crs of the Town v Dr}den Plaruurtg Sward :et meetings and hetirings nl'such board
and to establish minimum training and continuingcducation course m.quirements for such members, `Phis louil lain
is acted under the authority of Town LtiW '271 (1)),
SECTION 2. N1INIM1. 1M ATTENDANCE RE01.11'REMENTS [ll'ieetirigs and Hcarings), Membcrs of the
Planning Board are expected to awed all regrdarly schcduIW and specially scheduled mcctings of the beard. In the
ovcnt that a member of the board is absent from three (3) consccutive meetings, or in the event a member ut the
board is Zibsent from live (5) meetings within any one (1) calendar your, there such member may be rcmo }ved from
the board as heroin provided-
SECTION 3, MINIMUM ATTENDANCE REQUIREME T (Continning Ediecation and Training]
in the event that a mcrnbcr of the Planning Board does not attend at least onC (1) scmiimr, worksbop or
continuing cducati�n course within two (2) coitisccuti a calendar years in which the Trnrn Board leas designated at
least two (2) seminars_ workshops or centinuiiig education courses, then such member ma{- be removed from the
board as herein provided.
SECTION 4.
CONTIN'lJ'ING E DUCAT [ON AND
TRAINING. The Town Board,
with the consent of the
Chairperson of
Ilic Planning Board shall desi isite such seminars: workshops. or
continuing
education oburscs which
may lie offered
within a reasonable distance and which irwy be helpfiLl to or of
a5sistance
to the Planning Board in
rrying out its
functions in a 6mel }�, fair and lawful manner. The costs of such
seminars,
workshops or continuing
education courses so designated Shall be a Town charge- Members shall also
be reimbursed for travel and meal
oxpCnsCS acanrding to
Town policies,
SECTION 5. PROCEDLIRE, In the event a mornber of the Pltirming Board has failed to meet the minintuiia
tittondancc requirements set forth in Scaions 2 or 3, then the Town Board may rx;move such mem4xm J�orn the,
Planning Board as herein provided=
(a,) N Wee- Such member shal l be mailed a written notice specifyi ng the nature of the failure
orsuclt member to erect the rniniinum attendancc requirements of Sections 2 or 3 above -
{b) Public Hearing Such notice ftil Specify ti Clil[C (not less than ten [l { } or more than
thirty (30] days from the date of mailing such notice} wltcn the Town .Board shall comene and hold a public bca ing
on whethor or not such member should be removed from the Plruuti.ng Board, Such notice shall also specify the time
and place of such hearing),
(c.) Public Notice- Public nolia; of such hrariing shall be given by posting a notice on the
town signixxard In the vaslibulc of the Town Null and by publishing a notice once in the officisl nM^spLIPer. Such
posting aubcl pvbiication shall be at least ten (10) dsiyS prior to the date or die public hearing,
(d -) Conduct of Hearing. The public hearing on die chart cs shall be conducted before the
Tmvu Board- The member shall be given an opportunity to prmnt evidence and to call witnesses to refute the
charges, A record of with horning shall be made, The decision of the Town 134ard sliall be reduced to writijig
together Nitb speciric findings of the Town Board with respect to each charge apins�i such member. A oop}' of such
decision and such finding, shrill be mailed to the incTnbcr.
Page 12 of 14
TB 05 -08 -02
(e.) Action by the Town Board. Following the hearing and upon a finding that such member has
;� not met the minimum attendance requirements required by this local law the Town Board may:
(i.) Remove such member from the Planning Board; or
(ii.) Issue a written reprimand to such member without removing such member from
the board; or
(iii.) If the Town Board shall find that the reasons for failing to meet the minimum
attendance requirements are excusable because of illness, injury or other good
and suflicient cause, the Town Board may elect to take no action_
SECTION 6. REMOVAL FOR CAUSE. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the
Town Board's authority to remove a member from the Planning Board for cause (i.e. for other than the reasons
enumerated herein). The procedural provisions of Section 5 (Procedure) shall govern any hearing to remove a
member for cause.
SECTION 70 LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The provisions of Section 2 shall not apply to any member who has
applied for and been ranted a leave of absence by the Town Board from their duties as a member of the Planning
Board The Town Board may grant such leave of absence on such terms and for such period as it may deem
appropriate provided, however, no such leave of absence shall be for a period in excess of eleven (11) months.
SECTION 8. SUPPRESSION OF TOWN LAW. This local law is adopted ptusuant to the provisions of
Municipal Home Rule Law §10. It is the intent of the Town .Board pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law §10 to
supersede the provisions of Town Law §271 relating to the appointment of members to Town of Dryden Ply rm ng
Board
SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a.) This Local Law shall be deemed to supersede and repeal any other Local Laws to the extent
therein inconsistent herewith.
(b.) if any part of this Local Law shall be ,judicially declared to be invalid, void, unconstitutional or
unenforceable, all unalTected provisions hereof shall survive such declaration and this Local Law shall remain in full
force and effect as if the invalidated portion had not been enacted.
(c.) Nothing herein shall be deemed to be a waiver or restriction upon any rights and powers available to
the Town of Dryden to further regulate the subject matter of this Local Law.
SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. APPLICABILITY.
(a.) Tlus local law shall become effective upon filing with the New York Sccrclary of State.
(b.) This local law shall apply to all members of the 'Town of Dryden Planning Board regardless of the
date of their appointment to such board.
(c.) Prospective members of the Planning Board shall be notified of the requirements of this local law
prior to their appointment to such Board.
210 Cl Grantham
p.m.
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stehck
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
Because Judge Valentinelli had an arraignment, the Board took a short recess at 10:45
RESOLUTION # 148 — APPROVE ABSTRACT # 105
Cl Grantham offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Page 13 of 14
TS 05-08 -02
RESOLVED, that this Town Board does hereby approve Abstract #105, vouchers #350
through #430, totaling $299,874.64.
211LI Cl Michaels
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
CI
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
On motion of Cl Michaels, seconded by Supv Varvayanis, and unanimously carried, the
board moved into executive session at 9:55 p.m. to discuss current litigation, and came back to
regular session at 10:10 p.m.
Jack Bush informed the Board that the purchaser of the Cayuga Nature Center on
Hammond Hill, Susan Rausch, is interested in donating a portion of land to the Town, that
portion being a parking and turnaround area, approximately 100' by 2001. He believes it is a
good idea and is looking for the Board's support. Cl Grantham said it is a good idea for the
Town to take it over, as the Town had previously been plowing it at the request of the Cayuga
Nature Center.
RESOLUTION # 149 - SUPPORT ACCEPTANCE OFDONATION OF PROPERTY TO TOWN
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board does hereby support the acceptance of a donation of
property to be used for a parking lot and turnaround on Hammond Hill Road in the Town of
Dryden.
2nd Cl Grantham
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Hatfield
Yes
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Supv Varvayanis
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Grantham
Yes
On motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned
at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Hollenbeck
Town Clerk
Page 14 of 14
May -02 -02 03rS6P TCPO /ITCTC 607- 274 -5578 Pa04
DRAFT
Last Revised March 14, 2002
Development and Preservation Principles
Efforts are underway by public and private sector organizations throughout this community to guide change
in a new direction, from downtown Ithaca development to village and hamlet revitalization to rural land
protection. The Vital Communities Initiative bulids on current efforts and seeks to develop a more
comprehensive, community-wide approach. The Vital Communities principles have been developed to help
guide governmental, private and non - profit. groups In Tompkins County as they make decisions which
influence land use patterns and quality of life In nelghborhoods and communities throughout the County,
Decisions such as where to site a housing development, what land to protect;, or where to approve an
economic development loan all have land use Implications and Impacts, When trying to envision life in the
future, one thing is a given: things will change. If past growth patterns give us an indication of future
growth, the types of changes we could see Include.
• Loss of population (and related loss of businesses and tax base) In the City and Villages;
• More new commercial and residential development along roads in the rural and agricultural areas;
• Increased traffic along rural roads and in the urban areas;
• Increased taxes to pay for additional public services (e.g., water, sewer, schools, police, fire, public
transportation, and road construction and maintenance);
• Loss of vitality In traditional community centers;
• Loss of agricultural lands, natural habitats, and open space,
• Increased amount of time people spend in their cars;
• Degradation of the quality and quantity of drinking water supplies, streams, and lakes.
Planning for the future is the only way to preserve and enhance the characteristics and attributes of
Tompkins County that we most cherish, and to ensure that our communities remain healthy, vibrant, and
vital communities.
P/mc %p /e 1
Build strong, cohesive neighborhoods and communities
• Encourage the development of diverse communities that provide a mix of uses, a variety of employment
options, social and recreational opportunities, and an assortment of amenities within walking distance of
residential development.
• Enhance the quality of communities by Improving the character of the built environment, including
visually appealing architectural elements and streetscapes that encourage pedestrian travel, facilitate
community interaction, and promote public safety.
• Preserve and enhance the distinct identities and historic character of existing neighborhoods, and
encourage the development of new neighborhoods that possess their own special sense of place,
through attractive design of public places; proximity to schools, parks and other services; and
community festivals and events.
PDgc 1 of 4
May -02 -02 03:66P TCPO /ITCTC 607- 274 -15678 P_06
Principle Z
Encourage nodal development patterns that build on existing infrastructure and
population centers
• Strengthen and enhance the City of Ithaca's downtown area as the urban center of the County.
• Strengthen and enhance the villages and hamlets of the County as vital centers serving the rural
population.
• Increase the amount and density of housing, office, and retail space In the central business districts
throughout the County.
• Use In -fill development to promote greater density by filling the existing "gaps" left by abandoned
buildings, vacant parcels available for development and land located behind existing development along
roads.
• Save public costs by directing new development to places contiguous to existing development where
sewer, water, roads, and other necessary services already exist, or are planned as part of a
comprehensive plan to accommodate projected growth.
Principle 3
Promote choice and affordability in housing optiom
• Provide for a variety of living experiences, including rural, suburban, small villages, big villages, and
urban, each with Its own distinct style and personality.
® Protect consumers' housing choices throughout the County by providing a mix of choices (i.e,, location,
housing types, and neighborhood character).
• Provide more affordable housing options for low -to- moderate income residents.
is Promote increased owner- occupied housing within neighborhoods in the County.
Principle 4
Protect natural resources, green spaces, and recreational resources
• Preserve and
protect
open space, unique natural
areas, wetlands, water and woodland resources,
scenic
views,
on water
areas of
natural
for all proposed developments.
beauty, and the rural
character of Tompkins County,
• Create, preserve, and enhance parks, hiking traits, active and passive recreation facilities, and historic
resources; enhance public access to Cayuga Lake.
• Provide a system of interconnecting greenways and ecological corridors that connect agricultural lands,
natural areas, and open space.
• Protect water quality and
quantity
in the
County's streams, lakes, and
groundwater and consider the
potential regional Impacts
on water
supply
and wastewater management
for all proposed developments.
• Protect the areas where crucial aquifers are replenished and avoid new development in flood prone
areas.
plgc'�Vo
May -02 -02 03:56P TCPD /ITCTC 607 -274 -5578 P406
Principle 5
Promote agriculture, protect farmland, and protect the rural economy
• Protect prime agricultural soils and areas of contiguous agricultural activity.
• Enhance the viability of existing farming operations and agricultural businesses, and encourage new
ones to be formed.
• Encourage development that Is designed to preserve open space and valuable agricultural land.
• Provide
for a
variety of formal
and informal economic activities, such as private timber harvesting, agnm
tourism,
and
home businesses,
which support a rural way of life.
Principle 6
Enhance development of a local economy that supports strong communities
• Concentrate appropriate commercial, Industrial, and retail development onto relatively small amounts of
land, In dose proximity to housing and consumers, and in existing developed areas (through vertical
growth, where suitable).
• Support economic choices that employ local workers and provide family - supporting wages and benefits.
• Provide a
climate
where locally -owned businesses can flourish by enhancing the County's natural
resources,
arts and
culture, lively urban core, and vital
neighborhoods.
• Support tourism in the area by encouraging local institutions, businesses, and facilities to better plan
� and coordinate tourism related activities.
"0 • Enhance the capacity of existing water and sewers stems to accommodate commercial growth In
p tY g y g the
urbanized areas of the County.
Prindple 7
Promote a multi modal transportation system that encourages economic health and
community vitality
• Enhance and promote the use of bicycles and walking as viable forms of transportation by providing
public facilities, including mulrl -use tralls, bicycle routes, and sidewalks.
• Enhance transportation options that allow passengers to transfer easily and safely from one mode of
transportation to another (e,g., biking to bus service).
• Ensure that development occurs In a manner that maintains the function and safety of the road network
in the area.
• Provide affordable and accessible public transportation to Important destinations among outlying nodes,
the Ithaca urban area, and points outside the County.
• Enhance transportation options, including freight and air service, to support business development,
while preserving the integrity of existing communities.
• Promote a transportation system that supports nodal, compact development patterns and reduces
negative environmental impacts.
f
pngc 3 of 4
May -02 -02 03156P TCPa ITCTC
607 �274 -5578 P M 03
We hope is heir hack from you in time for the Planning Committee's roview of these principles,
is scheduled for May 16. Plow consider the enclosed resolution of support as a re el your Rowd
may wish to use or adapt, Alternatively, loiters of support arc welcome, a� arc ]cttcrs out Iiining
why your group may Dave chosen not to act, or not to support the aunty adopIing these
principles for its own use.
Ifyou would like to rnect with your County rrpresentative(s), please t niwt the $oard of
Represeniatives office (274-543 4), or your representatives diroctly, to schedule a 6nie. If YO it
would Tike to meet with members of [he County Plannning Departrnent staff, please nontact the
Commissi[mer of Planning, Ed Marx (274- 556O),
In addition, thew veil] be a public mooting on Thursday, ApTiI 1 T, at 7.100 PA4 at the H nrian
ices Building at 320 Wcist State Strcm The purpose orthe m cell nF, is for the Plvuiing
CommI(toe of the %ard of l epTr:s nwtives to Bear public comments are the proposed Vital
Cornmuni(ies Developmem and Preservation Principles. The meeting wili b�gin,uixh a brief
presentation by the County Planning Deparniient on the Vital Communirie� prov;trn and know the
County could use the Pritioiiples if they wore adopted, This vwili be, followod by an i)ppcMunity
for those pronnt to oornm=f on the Dcyolopmont and PrewrvatiQii Principles and the approach
the 13oard I's propvsinU to tire. as outlined above,
I hope you and your colleagues will take the time to let uS know what you think about thaw
County's ad phon of the proposed Developmcnt and Preservation Principles_
i look forward to heuning your thoughts on our efforts.
i'
Tewil of Dram
Town Board Meeting
May 8, 2002
Name - (Please Print]
Address
n.
Barbara Caldwell
1624 Ellis Hollow Rd.
Ithaca, New York 14850 - 9689
Ph.607- 272 -5769
e -mail: bcaldweaa,twcny.rr.com
April 27 2002
FAX to Tompkins Co. Dept. of Planning 274 -5578 This is page 1 of 2 pages
Re: "Development and Preservation Principles" - Draft of 3/14/02
Following comments are my own and may /may not represent views of any group or
organization I may be affiliated with -
Actually, the "Principles" statements have been refined down pretty well by now.
Having been in on that first broad workshop where we drew wild lines on overlay
maps and argued about priorities it's amazing to see how much agreement we came
to and how well they read.
I do have a couple of minor points which you may wish to consider:
1. Under Principle 6, bullet 3, the words "locally - owned" strike a wrong note.
I really don't think all "outside - owned" business is bad [which your wording
might imply]. Rather, I think that any business which is sensitive to local
needs, issues, and priorities, -and adjusts its business practices accordingly by
encouraging and supporting employee community involvement, and/or direct
support of community activities, should be encouraged. [Look at such things
as who underwrites Hangar productions, donates substantially to various
activities, - they're often not "locally owned".] Would something like
"socially responsible" be a suitable alternative if you must have something,
or is that "too Ithaca -ish "?
2. Under Principle 6, bullet 4, please consider "...facilities to better plan,
coordinate and expand tourism related..." We have a lot of interesting things
here, -but at times we, for the most part, seem to want to keep it a secret, or
at least make the visitor ferret out things to see and do. Other places often
are far more welcoming and open, - everything from dinner in private homes
in New Zealand to simple encouragement of visitors by every business in
places kite Saratoga, Lake Placid, etc. It maybe the issue of changing and
educating community attitudes toward tourism is the real challenge, but an
"expansion ", a thinking ouvo.khe -box, might do it -and not necessarily with
any great price tag.
I. Under Principle 7, bullet 6, a rural "neighborhood" is not necessarily that
compact but still considers itself an entity. My personal definition of
it is an area that interacts, even when not threatened.] How
about giving a nod here to protecting the quality of life in rural
neighborhoods? Reducing "negative environmental impacts" just doesn't do
it
Sincerely,
Barbara H.. Caldwell
4•.