HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-141
TI4 IU -14-04
TOWN OF DRYDEN
?SOWN BOARD MEETING
October 14, 2004
Present: Supv Steven Trumbull, Cl Stephen Stelick, Jr, Cl Martin
Christofferson, Cl Christopher Michaels, Cl Michael Hattery
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Hollenbeck, Town Clerk
Jack Bush, Highway Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Mahlon R. Perkins, Town Attorney
Henry Slater, Zoning Officer
Dave Putnam, TG Miller Engineers
Debbie Gross, Environmental Planner
Supv Trumbull opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. and led board members and the
audience in the pledge of allegiance.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Charles Demotte, of Ellis Hollow Road, said his family has lived in their current location
since 1946, about a quarter mile from the stone quarry, and since the quarry started extending
their operations they have experienced a deterioration in their water quality. The water
contains more silt and they have had to have a water filter installed. When water pressure
becomes low, it becomes very murky and clogs the filter. They believe it is directly related to
the expanded operations at the quarry, ghat they have dug into the aquifer at: some level, and
because they do a lot of grinding and washing of stone he said a lot of the silt is working into
the groundwater. 'There are others in the area who are concerned, and Supv Trumbull said he
had received a few phone calls. He is also concerned with a pond on the quarry property that
is used to wash machinery, saying they occasionally drain it and he said that water may be
seeping in to the well water.
Cl Michaels asked what the color of the silt was and DeMotte said it was gray in color.
Cl Michaels said the board has had a number of discussions about the quarry, relating to
noise, hours of operation, etc., and said he is a frequent customer of the quarry. He has
witnessed a whitish color in water draining across the quarry property into the ditch and was
told it was from a lubricant used at the quarry. Mr DeMotte has also seen some of that.
Supv Trumbull said there had been some discussion of a water district in the area and
Mr DeMotte said he would encourage that.
ENGINEERING
D Putnam reported that he had spoken with Bolton Point about the fire hydrant
flushing, etc., and they have no interest in painting the hydrants. The last time they were
painted was in 1.989, and if the Town wants them painted, the Town will have to do it. Bolton
Point will flow test the hydrants at an hourly rage of $34 per hour. Bolton Point: tries to
maintain the hydrants on a three year cycle (including making sure the hydrant works,
greasing the threads on the connections, etc.) but are currently running a little behind. They
flush all the dead ends once a year (which is an unrecorded flow test). There are a few problem
hydrants that don't drain well and so that they don't freeze in the winter, Bolton Point: checks
Page t of 15
4
41'13 10 -1441
them each Fall to make sure
there is no water sitting
in the hydrant. He
has checked for
recommended schedules for
flow testing, and has not
been able to locate
one.
Bolton Point does
keep records
of specific flow test. D Putnam said the Town had a
water model
constructed
several years
ago and that would give a good indication of what each
line is going
to produce.
A few hydrants
would be tested to validate the model, but he said
enough time
has gone by
and changes
have been made that it would make sense to use the
data as it is,
but. it the 'Town wanted it
go any further they would need to re -model the system.
It was last done before the Turkey Hill
system was added.
CI Stelick asked if it would be good to come up with a standard for testing the hydrants
on a regular basis. D Putnam said that Bolton Point makes sure the hydrant is working
properly, they just don't record the flow. He said it is more important that flow tests be done
on older systems, and because all of the pipe in the Town of Dryden is a cement line;, it should
not be a problem. There is a standard on how to do the flow test, but not: how often. With a
cement line, unless a change is made in the system, there is no real reason for the flow to
change.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Cl Stelick introduced the new Town Recreation Coordinator, Jennifer Staton, who
previously worked for the City of Lynchburg, Virginia. Cl Stelick reported that the Rec
Department offices have moved from the old boy scout building (because it was sold) and are
currently housed at the Elementary School, sharing space, free of charge for next year or so.
The telephone number remains the same: 844 -3303. He thanked his wife, Lisa Stelick, for
initiating and coordinating the move,
i o
Atty Perkins said that in September the board had received a proposed Order calling a
Public Hearing on the East Hill Tank Project and the bond resolution for the same, and
because they did not yet have the proposed amendment to the agreement it was premature to
act on it. The proposed amendment to the agreement has now been received, and Atty Perkins
said though he has some concerns with some of the terms and has a call in to the commission
attorney, the board could adopt the Order calling a Public Hearing tonight for the November
meeting on the amendment and the bond resolution to authorize the issuance of joint and
several serial bonds in the amount of $1,500,000 to pay part of the $2,200,000 cost. The
changes that are in the Order from when originally received by the board are minor. Before the
Order is adopted the board should review the short environmental assessment form and adopt
the SEQR resolution, then the board can adopt the Order calling the Public Hearing,
Supv Trumbull reviewed the short environmental assessment form with the board. Cl
Michaels noted the tank is actually being built in the Town of Ithaca, but Dryden's water
customers will benefit.
RESOLUTION # 144 - NEG SEQR DEC - SCLIWC PROJECT
Cl Hattery offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board, having reviewed the short environmental
assessment form in connection with the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermun.icipal East Hill Tank
and Transmission Line Extension project, does hereby issue a negative declaration based on
such review. This is an unlisted action and the Town of Dryden is the lead agency in
uncoordinated review. The Supervisor is authorized to sign all necessary documents.
2„d Cl Michaels
Page 2 of 15
TB 10 -14-04
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Hattery Yes
RESOLUTION # 145 - ORDER FOR PUBLIC HEARING
IN THE MATTER OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTHERN CAYUGA LAKE
INTERMUNICIPAL WATER COMMISSION EAST HILL WATER TANK AND WATER MAINS,
THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR SUCH PURPOSE, THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF
JOINT AND SEVERAL SERIAL BONDS FOR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF SUCH
PROJECT, AND THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT OF
MUNICIPAL COOPERATION GOVERNING SUCH WATER TANK AND WATER MAINS.
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, a plan, report and map has been duly prepared in such manner and in
such detail as this Board determines to be necessary, relating to the construction of a water
tank on Hungerford Hill in the Town of Ithaca and construction of additional water
transmission mains in part in connection with such new water tank all to be a part of the
Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission ( "SCLIWC ") water system, and all
pursuant to Article 5 -G of the General Municipal Law and relevant provisions of the Town Law
and Village Law, such project to be known and identified as the SCLIWC 2004 East Hill Tank
and Water Main Project, and hereinafter also referred to as "Improvement ", to provide improved
water storage capacity and water transmission capabilities for SCLIWC and the system owned
in common by the Towns of Dryden, Ithaca and Lansing and the Villages of Cayuga Heights
and Lansing (collectively the "Municipalities 11 and sometimes individually the "Municipality "),
such Improvement to be constructed and owned by the Municipalities, and
WHEREAS, the proposed SCLIWC 2004 East Hill Tank and Water Main Project consists
of the improvements set forth below and as more particularly shown and described in said
plan, report and map presently on file in the Office of the Town Clerk:
Construction of a 31000,000 gallon pre - stressed concrete water storage tank and
appurtenant facilities on Hungerford Hill in the Town of Ithaca, construction of 3600
feet of sixteen inch diameter ductile iron pipe and appurtenances running from
SCLIWC's existing transmission main on Ellis Hollow Road east of its intersection with
Pine Tree Road easterly along Ellis Hollow Road to its intersection with Hungerford Hill
Road then southerly along Hungerford Hill Road and then southeasterly across lots to
the proposed new storage tank on Hungerford Hill, and construction of a twelve inch
diameter ductile iron water distribution main and appurtenances running northerly
from the intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Hungerford Hill Road across logs
approximately 1500 feet to the vicinity of the Cornell University Athletic Fields located
off of Game Farm Road; and
WHEREAS, the maximum amount proposed to be expended for the aforesaid
improvement is $2,200,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the proposed method of financing to be employed for the aforesaid
improvement is issuance by the Municipalities of joint and several serial bonds not to exceed
Page 3 of 15
'rB 10 -14 -04
$1,500,000 and payment of the balance of the costs of said improvement by the expenditure of
current revenues and surplus funds held by SCLIWC; and
WHEREAS, the area of said Town determined to be benefitted by said SCLIWC 2004
East Hill Tank and Water Main Project consists of the entire area of all the water districts in
the Town served by the SCLIWC Water Treatment Plant, including, without limitation, the
areas of the Dryden Water District li 1. -Varna area, Snyder Hill Water District, Monkey Run
Water District, Hall Road Water District and the Turkey Hill Water District; and
WHEREAS, it is now desired to call a public hearing for the purpose of considering said
plan, report and map, the providing of said SCLIWC 2004 East Hill Tank and Water Main
Project, the authorization of serial bonds for payment of part of the costs of the Improvement,
the expenditure of Current revenues and surplus funds for the balance of the costs of the
Improvement, and the amendment of the existing Agreement of Intermunicipal Cooperation
between the Municipalities in relation to such Improvement, and to hear all persons interested
in the subject thereof, all in accordance with applicable provisions of General Municipal Law,
Local Finance Law, Town Law, and Village Law;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, by the Town Board of the Town of
Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, as follows:
Section 1.. A public hearing will be held at 65 East Main Street, in said Town, on
the l lth day of November, 2004, at 7:00 o'clock P.M., to consider the aforesaid plan, report and
map and the questions of the providing of said SCLIWC 2004 East Hill Tank and Water Main
Project, the authorization of joint and several serial bonds for payment of part of the costs of
the Improvement, the expenditure of current revenues and surplus funds for the balance of the
costs of the Improvement, and the amendment of the existing Agreement of Intermunicipal
Cooperation between the Municipalities to authorize such improvement, bonding, and other
activities, to delegate to the Treasurer of SCLIWC certain authority to issue such bonds on
behalf of the Municipalities, and to grant SCLIWC certain other powers and authority, and to
hear all persons interested in the subject thereof and concerning the same and to take such
action thereon as is required by law.
Section 2. The Town Clerk of the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, is
hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy of this order to be published once in the official
newspaper of the Municipality, and also to post a copy thereof on the Town signboard
maintained by the Clerk, not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the day
designated for the hearing as aforesaid.
Section 3. This order shall take effect immediately.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Cl
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
C1
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
Atty Perkins said he received today information on increasing the Bolton Point water
rate, but has not yet reviewed it. The board will be taking action on this prior to the end of the
year.
Regarding the special
town election scheduled for
November
2 for the
proposed
Royal
Road Water and Royal Water
Sewer District, Atty Perkins
said
there
has
been
some discussion
Page 4 of 15
TB 10 -14 -04
with the election commissioners. There are eight voters for this elections and Atty Perkins
said the election commissioners, contrary to specific provisions of Town Law, have taken the
position they don't want the Town to appoint their inspectors, which the Town pays, to be the
inspectors for this special election thinking there is going to be too much confusion because of
the eight additional people coming here to vote. Atty Perkins has taken a hard line with them
about it and has a call in to the Deputy Commissioner of the State Board of Elections, and said
he thinks they are being very unreasonable. He suggested that the Town Board appoint as the
election inspectors for the special election those individuals who are assigned to work at the
Town Hall for the November 2 general election.
Cl Christofferson asked what had happened with the George Junior Republic flooding
problem. Supv Trumbull said he had provided the documentation they requested and he
hasn't heard anything further. The water is still there.
Aiay Perkins said Steve Lucente is requesting the use of part of the town -owned old
railroad bed in the Varna area in connection with a proposed timber harvest. Steve Lucente
said that he had originally developed Observatory Circle. Behind that is some land that still
belongs to him, a portion of which was donated and deeded to the Town for the future trail
leading to Ithaca. He now would like to cross that property that was given to the Town in order
to harvest timber from his remaining property. Atty Perkins suggested that Mr Lucente be
granted a temporary license, which would be revocable, so that he could temporarily enter the
town property and get his equipment and materials in and out of his property. The license
would require that he restore the surface to the same condition it was prior to entry and could
be revoked at any time. He noted that if it gets really muddy, Mr Lucente should temporarily
halt activity until it freezes or dries up. The license would be patterned after the license the
Town asks landowners to give when the Town needs to enter their property to perform required
work. The board agreed.
RESOLUTION ii 146 - GRANT TEMPORARY LICENSE TO LUCENTE
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby grants a temporary license to Steven Lucente
to enter and cross Town of Dryden property near Observatory Drive for the purpose of
harvesting timber from his adjacent property, and the Supervisor is authorized to sign the
necessary license agreement.
2nd Cl Christofferson
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Stelick
Yes
C1
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
C1
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
HIGHWAY & DPW DEPARTMENT
Jack Bush stated that the §284 Agreement will need to amended to reflect that work
will not be done on some roads that were approved earlier in the year. The work will not be
done because of lack of time and /or funds. He will prepare a resolution containing details for
action next month.
Cl Michaels noted purchases this month for two ten -wheel trucks and New Holland
tractor and asked if these were replacements and was told they were and done according to the
replacement cycle.
Page 5 of 15
`I'8 10 -14 -04
0 COUNTY BRIEFING
Mike Lane said the County Legislature has been working on the budget and reported
that they are getting close to having a tentative budget. He suspects there will be an increase
in the tax levy, but a decrease in the tax rate and probably won't make the 3% goal they had
set for themselves. A lot of it is driven by the need for capital expenditures, such as the jail,
public safety communication and road improvements. In the current proposal there is an
increase in the highway department for staffing for another road crew including equipment.
There will be money in the capital projects to continue funding for the aquifer study. He said
he hopes the Town is looking carefully at what kind of protection the Town will need for aquifer
areas once the studies are complete.
Cl Michaels told M Lane and Martha Robertson that the only citizen who spoke tonight
was concerned about water issues on Ellis Hollow Road and the quarry and its possible
impacts.
Cl Hattery asked if the County had hired a new Highway Manager and was told they
have not, though the process is underway and there will be a state -wide or region -wide search
for candidates. The public works committee has reviewed the job description and they will be
moving ahead.
Martha Robertson said they added $200,000 to the budget for the jail funding because
of the timetable the Commissioner of Corrections has set for the next stage of design. There is
no commitment of funds for construction, but there is funding for design services. One Sheriff
Deputy has been added back into the budget in addition to the highway staff, making a net full
time equivalent increase of 2.35. Other departments saw cuts with some jobs eliminated after
® someone retired. She said it has been a stabilizing year in large part due to the State being
gentle, though she doesn't expect it next year. She said the net effect of the State budget on
Counties is $100,000,000 extra expenses to the Counties than in previous years. Tompkins
County is seeing a little bit of relief, but in Counties that have County nursing homes or
hospitals there are a lot of regulations and fee increases and changes. She said we'll have to
see what happens after the lawsuit on public school funding is determined.
M Robertson said she had heard from other residents in the Ellis Hollow area. who are
concerned about their water, including one who had to have a new well dug. There had been
some talk about a water district in the area. She has received about a dozen responses to a
note she put in the Ellis Hollow Gazette about water problems, and has been working with
Debbie Gross and mapping those. She said they are getting tired of low quality and in some
cases low quantity water.
ZONING OFFICER
ZO Slater thanked Supv Trumbull, Cl Stelick and others who attended the meeting with
FEMA on October l.. He said there were 21 people who participated, who including people from
the County Highway Department, Soil & Water Conservation District, NYS DEC, FEMA,
representatives from Congressman's Bochlert's office who have been assisting with the appeal,
and the Town's Highway Superintendent:, Environmental Planner and Engineer. The
presentation and visit to the site went very well. He said that at the end of the day FEMA was
explaining that it was SEMO's fault, and SEMO explaining that it was FEMA's fault, but
neither of them pointed a finger at the Town. He is confident that this will be resolved in the
Town's favor and the Town will recover the funding it is currently owed. Supv Trumbull said
that ZO Slater did an excellent job of presenting the Town's position and Cl Stelick agreed.
Page 6 of 15
TB 1 i 1 -14-04
ZO Slater said that on July 8 the Town approved the construction of a tower on the
NYSEG property at 1387 Dryden Road. At that meeting the fees due by the applicant to the
Town for reimbursement of telecommunication fees was discussed, and a condition of the
approval was "prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall pay engineering
fees of $20,000 with a credit toward any amounts previously paid ". The applicant's attorney
has asked for clarification and a copy of his letter has been provided to the Board. ZO Slater
said he believes they owe $20,000 minus the $7,500 they had paid. The Board agrees that is
the case and ZO Slater will relay that to the applicant's attorney. Cl Christofferson noted they
were also to discontinue the action brought against the Town. Atty Perkins said he had signed
and sent back to them a stipulation discontinuing the action and communicated that to the
court.
ZO Slater said that earlier this month he had forwarded to the Board copies of a petition
submitted by Jon King who wants to use his property on Turkey Hill Road for a_ pet cemetery.
Atty Perkins said it is not listed as a permitted use in the zoning ordinance. Cl Hattery said
that if Mr King wants the Town to change its zoning ordinance to accommodate his request,
that Mr King should come to a board meeting to discuss it.
ZO Slater, Debbie Gross and Cl Christofferson have met with several people who were
interested in providing telecommunications consulting services for the Town. They had
previously narrowed the list to three people, but the first choice did not have professional
liability insurance and was not inclined to obtain it. The second choice also could not provide
professional liability insurance. The third choice, Jeff Kirby of Tectonic Engineering and
Surveying Consultants, has met with them. The committee has compared the costs for review
and time of review. Mr Kirby lives in the Town and would be assigned to the Town by the
company, and they have professional liability insurance. They recommend that Mr Kirby be
chosen to provide the needed service. The company has provided a proposed contract which
® will be reviewed by the Town attorney.
RESOLUTION # 147 - APPOINT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is seeking a consultant to assist with review of wireless
telecommunications facilities applications, and
WHEREAS, the committee composed of Debbie Gross (Environmental Planner), Henry
Slater (Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer), and Marty Christofferson (Town Board Member),
has reviewed a total of 11 proposals and interviewed 5 shortlisted candidates, and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey Kirby of Tectonic Engineering and Surveying Consultants has risen
to the top of the applicant pool for the following reasons:
• He is a licensed professional Engineer with many years of experience with wireless
telecommunications projects;
• While his expertise is in the structural engineering of towers, he has a working knowledge
of radio frequency engineering issues and has good professional relationships in this field;
• He works out of a home office in Dryden;
• His references are positive;
• Tectonic Engineering has the necessary level of Professional Liability Insurance;
• The proposal responded well to Dryden's needs
• The proposed costs compare favorably with the other shortlisted candidates.
Page 7 of 15
TFi 10, 14 -04
0 Now, therefore, be it resolved that:
1. The Town of Dryden selects Jeffrey Kirby of Tectonic Engineering as Wireless
Telecommunications Consultant;
2. The Town will engage the services of Tectonic Engineering using an agreement that
is approved by the Town Attorney, and the Supervisor is authorized to sign the same.
2 °d Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Hattery Yes
Cl Christofferson noted that there is no cost to the town until the services are needed,
the fees are billable back to the applicant, the fees are reasonable, he has good credentials and
the Town needs to have someone available to be called upon when necessary. Cl Christofferson
and D Gross said the consultant: could help with the review of the Town's Telecommunication
Tower Citing Ordinance. Cl Hattery suggested they get a quote for that service. Cl
Christofferson said telecommunication companies should be encouraged to site their towers in
order to better service areas of the town. Cl Michaels said it would be nice to have a survey of
the current site for co-location.
ZO Slater said there currently two seats open on the Planning Board and one on the
Zoning Board of Appeals. He has contacted several people who were referred to him, and did
receive a resume back from someone from the farm community. He still has the resumes from
the last search. C1 Hattery and Cl Michaels mill review the applicants and make a
® recommendation at the November I I board meeting. They will also review the applicants
interested in a seat on the Conservation Board and make a recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER
Debbie Gross said that she and Cl Hattery, Supv Trumbull and Jack Bush have been
working to set up interviews with the three short - listed teams for a trail consultants. The last
of the interviews will be October 29, and shortly after that she expects they will be able to make
a recommendation to the board.
Tompkins County is funding up to $25,000 for well drilling for the aquifer study. The
site chosen is on property of NYS DEC near Dryden bake and she has received a letter stating
they have no problem with the well being placed on that property. D Gross will be working on
putting this out to bid. There is a revised agreement from Tompkins County regarding
payment of the $25,000, and she has made changes to reflect the possibility of two wells.
There would be one deep well and one shallow well. Supv Trumbull has previously been
authorized to sign the agreement; he will do so and return it to the County.
Harold & Janet Purdy expressed concern for the water situation on Ellis Hollow Road,
J Purdy said they had been there for 35 years and have always had water. They have a
charcoal system for their water supply and have had no problems until the past few years. The
water is cloudy and no one wants to drink it. They are unsure whether it has anything to do
with the work in the quarry. There is water in places in their yard that has not been there
previously and trees near their driveway are dying because of the water. There are other people
in the area also experiencing problems.
Page 8 of 15
TB 1 U -1444
• D Gross said she has done some research on the problem. Todd Miller of USGS says
the potential for some form of silt from the quarry operations to get into the bedrock fractures
and potentially into the wells is pretty unlikely, but remotely possible. There would have to be
a contract with USGS or some other firm that does this type of work to do a study. She has
been trying to collect information about the location of the homes that are having problems and
suggested that in the long run it might be a good idea for the Town to have some form of
standard questionnaire for people to fill out who are experiencing well problems to make sure
that we get the same information (depth of well, etc) from each person.
D Gross said it seems there are three issues. Most important is there are problems with
wells, and that is serious. There is a question of what is causing the problem and what can be
done to address it. Then there is a question of when do well problems in an area become
severe enough that the Town should consider forming a water district.
D Gross said she has spoken with the quarry owner and DEC and they seem to be
moving in a good direction, and if there is a problem it: is likely coming from the settlement
pond for the wash water from the stone cutting operations. DEC is asking them to line any
future ponds they put in to prevent any possibility of leaking. They are moving the ponds
upslope and will be working with DEC to close the current ponds.
D Gross asked for feedback from the board on what the next step should be, such as
commissioning a study or establishing criteria for using when it might be necessary to have a
water district. CI Hattery said the quarry is operating under a DEC permit and that permit is
designed to make sure they are operating in a way that doesn't create significant environmental
impacts. He said since there is an authority that has a responsibility on the quarry issue, that
we ask DEC to give us some sense about whether they are complying with their existing permit
® and whether they think we have what seems like a water quality problem in the surrounding
area.
J Purdy said they are not just mining their own stone. They are bringing truckloads of
huge slabs in every day and cutting it and that uses a lot of wager.
Cl Stelick suggested that DEC be contacted and given the information and letters that
have been received. Cl Michaels would like to see a map prepared that shows where people are
having trouble, and contact others in the area that we have not heard from. He also agrees
that DEC should be the first contact and said they would also have the resources to do so
testing. Cl Michaels said the activities at the quarry have dramatically increased and the wager
usage in the area is much more than it was when he first moved to the area. He said even
their retention ponds are not leaching in, his feeling is that they are using much more water
that may affect the water table in the area. He would be very concerned if it is settlement from
the lubricants that is getting into the water supply.
M Robertson said in terms of a wager district, it seems that especially if there is a
localized problem it may be worth following through on this first. D Gross has prepared a map
for her of the complaints that have been received by her. She has random comments from
people and believes a standard list of questions would be helpful, and asked if D Gross and
Todd Miller could come up with that. Dan Karig has also offered to help. Cl Michaels said the
area and density of the area may not make a water district affordable. He also noted that he
has had water in his basement this year for the first time since 1994.
Cl Christofferson asked D Gross to gather the information, contact DEC and get a sense
of what DEC can do.
Page 9 of 15
TB 10&14-04
TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk B Hollenbeck
asked that the board
approve
the minutes of September 9 and
September 24, incorporating the
changes requested by
Martha
Robertson.
RESOLUTION #148 - APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the minutes of September 9, 2004,
as amended, and September 24, 2004.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Stelick
Yes
C1
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
B Hollenbeck explained that each Presidential election year, the law requires a local
voter registration event be held. The inspectors to work the event are appointed by the Board
of Elections, and the resolution of the Town Board last January was to pay them $45.00. The
event is two different days, and this year there were different people working each day. The
working hours each day are also different. She suggested that the inspectors working the voter
registration event be paid an amount equivalent to the amount paid to inspectors working
election day. That amount works out to $6.67 per hour for hours of operation.
RESOLUTION #149 - ELECTION INSPECTOR PAY FOR LOCAL REGISTRATION
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden has determined that election inspectors working on
local registration days should be paid at a rate equal to that paid to election inspectors working
the primary and general elections, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby agrees to pay election inspectors working on
local registration days at the rate of $6.67 per hour for each hour the local registration is open.
2 ^d Cl Hattery
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Cl
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
B Hollenbeck informed the Atty Perkins that she did not yet have the list inspectors who
would be working election day at the Town Hall. After discussion, the board agreed to appoint
whatever individuals are scheduled to work as election inspectors at the Town Hall on election
day to also serve for the Town's special election on the formation of the Royal Road Water
District and Royal Road Sewer District.
Pabc 10 of 15
'rn I0 -14.04
RESOLUTION #150 - APPOINT INSPECTORS FOR SPECIAL ELECTION
Cl Hattery offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints those election inspectors assigned
by the Board of Elections to also serve as inspectors/ ballot clerk for the Special Election on the
formation of the Royal Road Water District and Royal Road Sewer District.
2nd Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote
DISCUSSION
CI
Stelick
Yes
Cl
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
Supv Trumbull explained
there is a
need to
establish a petty cash fund for the
Recreation Department, and that
needs to
be done
by resolution.
RESOLUTION # 151 - ESTABLISH PETTY CASH FUND FOR RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Supv Trumbull offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes a petty cash fund for the
Recreation Coordinator, not to exceed $200.00.
21,11 Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Cl
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
Supv Trumbull has received a letter from the McLean Community Council saying there
is currently no "school zone" at the Cassavant School and asking that the Towns of Groton and
Dryden request one from the New York State Department of Transportation.
RESOLUTION #152 - AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO REQUEST SCHOOL ZONE
FOR CASSAVANT SCHOOL
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to write to the New
York State Department of Transportation and request that a school zone be established in the
area of the Cassavant School and that proper signage be installed.
2nd Cl Hattery
Roll Call Vote C1 Stelick Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Page 11 of 15
TD W-1444
- 14-04
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Hattery Yes
Supv Trumbull said they have been working on a plan for malting sure dam inspections
are completed.
D Gross said she has been doing some research on the tree trimming, and brush cutting
done by NYSEG, stemming from concerns expressed by Tom Hatfield. She has spoken with a
NYSEG forester to get a sense of what their policy is. They provided a copy of their policy,
which is quite lengthy, and a page that identifies their goals. Essentially they operate on a six
year rotation and do their cutting based not on the height of the trees, but the species. If a
species is known to grow quickly, they will cut that. They said that if it is a tree in someone's
yard, they try to talk with the property owner, but don't have a policy about the time period
between notification and cutting. The forester said Tom Hatfield could contact her personally
to express his concerns. D Gross asked if there was a precedent for Town's to establish an
agreement with NYSEG for how the tree trimming was done, and she said not to her
knowledge.
D Gross said that it seems within their right of way, there really is a job they need to do
and they are under stricter regulations now because it was determined the big power outage
that happened last fall was due to three trees. They are under some pressure to stay on top of
this.
Mike Lane said one of the problems they used to have in the Village was no
coordination of tree - trimming among the utilities. NYSEG would come through and trim under
contract and the next week the telephone company would come through and trim the same
things. He suggested the Town look at how they coordinate among the other utilities.
D Gross said she did ask about using the power line areas for trails, and NYSEG told
her they would have no problem with it as long as it was only a footpath, but it would need to
be coordinated with the landowners because NYSEG only has an easement across the
properties. Joyce Gerbasi expressed concern about the pesticides used by NYSEG.
Supv Trumbull said he would like to enhance the core committee for trail development
and interested persons should contact him or Debbie Gross. Mike Lane said he would be
interested in working to help coordinate the County's efforts, as the County's Planning
Department is working with other municipalities on trails. Joyce Gerbasi suggested they
contact the people who used to serve on the Dryden Lake Committee.
The board will meet on October 25, 2004 at 5:00 p.m., at the Dryden Fire Hall for a
budget workshop.
Supv Trumbull said he had received a letter from the Etna Community Association
requesting $1652 for play structures at the park in Etna. Atty Perkins said it could be done
with a contract and the board will consider it in the budget process. Cl Michaels said there are
a number of community centers in the town. Ellis Hollow Community Center has expressed an
interest for funding some items, and the problem in the past with the Ellis Hollow Community
Center is that they wanted to limit their facilities to Ellis Hollow community residents and the
reaction by the members was that might not be the case if it would limited their funding
options. He suggested we contact the previous Recreation Coordinator and see what, if any,
communications she had had with them. He said he would like to see a policy regarding what
our requirements should be in these rases, not the least of which should be that it is open to
Page 12 of 15
TB 10 -1444
the entire Town. Atty Perkins noted the last funds given to Ellis Hollow Community
Association contained that language in the agreement.
Supv 'Trumbull stated the Town had received an application from Patricia Mooney to
serve on the Youth Commission.
RESOLUTION #153 - APPOINT YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBER - P MOONEY
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Patricia Mooney to serve on the
Youth Commission, filling the vacancy left by Walter Matyjas, with a term to expire December
31, 2004.
2nd Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl flattery Yes
Supv Trumbull said he had received a letter from Tompkins County asking whether the
Town would like to appoint someone to serve on the Water Resources Council. D Gross will see
if she could find someone who is interested.
Supv Trumbull said Dave Putnam has spoken with the City Engineer about the Town
purchasing increased capacity in the sewer plant. They don't believe the Town needs it right
now, but if we anticipate future growth, we may want to buy it now because it may be less
expensive. The board asked Supv Trumbull to check into the cost and will discuss it in the
future. Cl Hattery noted it would have to paid for by the districts it would serve.
RESOLUTION # 154 - APPROVE ABSTRACT # 110
Cl Michaels offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #110, as audited, vouchers
#863 through # 1002, totaling $683,606.50.
2nd Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Michaels Yes
Cl Hattery Yes
Cl Stelick said he has been contacted by New York State about the Town's cable
franchise agreement. A year ago the town held a public hearing on the franchise and will need
to do so again this year. He said basically the agreement as proposed is what we'll get as far as
fees go. The Town cannot adjust how much the cable company charges for service, and is not
directly connected to what Cl Christofferson has been working on. Cl Christofferson said he is
making some progress with TC3. Cl Stelick suggested we hold another public hearing, and
noted we are not the longest- standing municipality that has not signed an agreement, but New
Page U of 15
TI3 10 -14 -04
York State has an interest in us moving forward. The board suggested the public hearing be
held in December.
Cl Stelick noted that with this abstract the fire departments had been paid the foreign
fire insurance monies pursuant to a memorandum of understanding agreed to by the
departments. He thanked all the Fire Chiefs and the board members of the departments for
coming up with an agreement that worked, and specifically thanked Ron Flynn, the Chief of
Neptune Hose. Cl Stelick said he had put it upon R Flynn to try and work something out and
they accomplished it with the assistance of Atty Perkins. This represents cooperation between
four fire departments in the Town.
Cl Stelick said at the last board meeting there was discussion concerning the
Recreation Partnership and he committed at that meeting to try and make a difference. They
just had their first evaluation committee. He said it was cordial and they are going to work
something out that will be a hybrid of the current structure. He is committed to making sure
that every child in the Town is taken care of and can participate in everything that is possible.
The people at the table are committed to making it work. M Robertson stated the County had
voted to continue the funding for the Recreation Partnership,
Cl Stelick said he had asked Senator Seward to secure some funding for a ball field on
Wall Street. They have been working on it for a number of years, and Senator Seward was able
to secure $2,500 toward the field. Cl Stelick said he would discuss it more in the budget
process, and will be looking for some town funding to help complete the project.
Cl Hattery asked whether any progress had been made on the Length of Service Award
Program for the fire departments. Supv Trumbull asked Atty Perkins if the Villages could
initiate a program and the Town assist financially through a contract. Atty Perkins said there
may be ways to accomplish it, and it would take some understandings between the Town and
the two Villages. Cl Hattery suggested a meeting be held with the mayors of the two Villages to
see if they are willing to initiate it, saying it is important for volunteer retention. Atty Perkins
said a benefit to the Town would need to be identified since they are Village fire departments.
On motion of Supv Trumbull, duly seconded and carried, the board moved into
executive at 9:10 p.m. to discuss the employment history of a particular individual, and the
possible acquisition of real property where public disclosure may substantially affect the value
thereof.
No action was taken the board moved back into regular session at 9:35 p.m.
RESOLUTION #155 - AUTHORIZE FUNDS FOR DESIGN WORK
Cl Hattery offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the expenditure, up to $5,000, to
retain Egner Associates to do basic design work for an adjacent parcel of land.
2n,1 Cl Christofferson
Roll Call Vote
Cl
Stelick
Yes
Cl
Christofferson
Yes
Supv Trumbull
Yes
Cl
Michaels
Yes
Cl
Hattery
Yes
Page 14 of 15
TB 10 -14 -0-4
Cl Hattery said the Conservation Board has been considering candidates to fill
vacancies on that Board. He would like to get the names and any recommendations from the
Conservation Board so that the Town Board can make the appointment:.
There being no further business, on motion duly, made, seconded and unanimously
carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Hollenbeck
Town Clerk
Page 15 of 15
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Name - ;Please Print}
Qy& t" vwL
Town cf Drvden
Town Board Meeting
October 14, 2004
11
Address
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