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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-12TB 10 -12 -1I TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING October 12, 2011 Present: Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Stephen Stelick, Cl Joseph Solomon, Cl Jason Leifer, Cl David Makar Elected Officials: I3ambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Other Town Staff: Mahlon R. Perkins, Town Attorney Daniel Kwasnowski, Director of Planning Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and reported that she would begin interviewing bookkeeper candidates tomorrow. With respect to the tax cap override, Supv Sumner said many towns are passing override laws for a variety of reasons, including: o As a matter of principle. Towns feel they should decide how much their tax levy need s to be. o Because the timeline for passing a local law is long and the timeline for the budget is short, so there they are doing it in order to have it in place in case they need it. d o Because they know they will need it. .L N There is a model local law available. Supv Sumner said she thinks the town should I have the law in place, not she because anticipates exceeding the cap in levy, but because one L of the special districts may need it. She asked the board to read the model and consider it for oftb next month. Cl Makar said he is leaning toward passing the local law. Cl Leifer said he likes the home rule part. Cl Stelick said officials at the local level should set the rate. Supv Sumner said the tax base in the town went up much less than in previous years, less than one percent. Water/sewer rates - Supv Sumner will have a proposal next month for new rates. Zoning proposal timeline - Supv Sumner said the zoning law is ready to be introduced. The subdivision law is nearly ready to be introduced. Supv Sumner said the new law is more permissive, easier to read, fairer, and less arbitrary than the old ordinance. It is based on more modern standards. She said people have spent all this time working on it, let's not forget about it. Cl Stelick said he thinks there are some issue with the subdivision law and the conversion chart. D Kwasnowski said the sliding scale has been removed. it was pointed out that the zoning law refers to the subdivision law, so they should be passed close together. Supv Sumner said she recalled that the sliding scale would be removed all together. The current subdivision ordinance %vill remain in effect until the subdivision law is passed. D Kwasnowski said the board could adopt the zoning law and then the subdivision law after. There is no subdivision application pending. PaLec I ot'4 TB 10 -12 -1 1 rD Kwasnowski said at the last Planning Board meeting they voted to not have one dwelling unit per two acres, but there was reservation by at least two members of that board. There may be a way to retain part of that under certain circumstances. There is a question of whether a density formula is necessary. There are other items in play. It will be driven by what is on the site and what the market is. D Kwasnowski said the Planning Board doesn't want some massive sprawling development. They discussed that for developments less than 50 units, there would be no density guidelines except for physical constraints of the site and at least conservation subdivision analysis. If more lots are proposed and they are not consistent with the guidelines, then the density formula will go into effect. Supv Sumner said none of these issues will affect the family who is giving a building lot to a relative, for example. This is for large projects. Supv Sumner said she will have a final draft with answers to the density questions next week, and if everyone is in agreement can be introduced then. Craig Anderson said there are still minor glitches in the law, and he disagrees with some of the density regulations. There are restrictions about, the cutting of trees with a six inch diameter. Supv Sumner said there c +rill be a public hearing on it. She said this law is more flexible and so much clearer than the previous ordinance, and how long should they keep tinkering with it. It could be changed next time they get around to it, or if it creates a hardship for someone in the meantime. To hold it up for details like that would be a mistake. 0 Kwasnowski said they will keep s log for the next year of things that should be addressed and ® reviewed. On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the board adjourned to executive session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss a matter of existing litigation. No action was taken, and the board returned to regular session 8:50 p.m, With respect to the budget, Supv Sumner provided a printed copy of the A fund to board members. There were few changes from the version sent out last week. D Kwasnowski's salary changed (correction); sale of refuse &. equipment revenue was increased. A & DA revenues are down $16,000, but there are a couple of places to make that up. A spread sheet for salaries will be available next week. There is a salary increase for M Bianconi because of an increase in job duties, as requested. Supporting documents and memos from department heads were also distributed. Supv Sumner distributed the B fund and said it was pretty complete. She would like a contingency in the planning budget:. B3620 includes $18,000 for a car. D Kwasnowski has submitted an analysis of what: the town currently pays code officers in mileage. This could also be put toward software. B3620 contractual includes expense of application review by Kirby, etc. It is normally reimbursed by the applicant. This line could be reduced, or a revenue line added for escrow. In mapping, the $12,000 for replacement of the large format scanner is a maybe. The scanner no longer functions, and the company no longer supports the software for it. The need is increasing. This work could be done by an outside company, but that presents its own challenges. There is a need to digitize the large format maps and plans. A cooperative effort with another town was suggested. 0 D Kwasnowski noted that his department had cut $120,000 from the A fund. Page 2 U4 TB Iq- 12 -11' Supv Sumner said expenditures overall in the budget were up about. $30,000, and considering the hit with health insurance and such, that is not bad. Revenues are slightly up. She said at this point it is more a matter of juggling than drastic cutting. This is partly due to the establishment of the Highway and DPW equipment reserves. She displayed a chart of expenditures and revenues from 2003 to 2010 for the A and B funds, and said although it is trending up, she thinks it is pretty solid. Some of the decline in the A fund starting in 2008 had to do with decreased interest and 'investment results. There were also transfers to reserves. The budget requests for the fire departments were discussed. Etna has not produced evidence of becoming a 501(3)(c). Their report shows $250,000 in certificates of deposit. Supv Sumner said they are not. getting what they asked for. She will talk to the other chiefs, and said we want Etna to continue operating, not necessarily replacing their trucks. She is okay with holding them level and will talk with the Etna chiefs. Varna Fire Company is budgeting a three year request and Supv Sumner will ask them to sign a three year contract. Neptune currently has a three year contract. Supv Sumner said she will make changes next week then try to nail down the sewer districts. Supv Sumner said there are two budget modifications for the Planning Department, one due to an overrun in the general contractual due to the Clarity project, and one because of a previous budget: modification. RESOLUTION #151 (2011) - BUDGET MODIFICATIONS Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modifications: From Acct To Acct Amount A8790.405 A8790.401. $1,000.00 83620,203 B3620.401 1,000.00 2114 Cl Solomon Roll Call Vote CI Stelick Yes Cl Solomon Yes Supv Sumner Yes Cl Makar Yes C1 Leifer Yes Supv Sumner said there will be an additional budget: mod for legal fees, but she has not yet decided which accounts to take the funds from. is Supv Sumner said Bolton Point is drafting a new emergency closure policy because they encountered the same problems we did last month when the roads were closed. She asked the personnel committee to review that and come up with a policy for the town. Page 3 of 4 TB 10-12 -11 RESOLUTION #152 (2011) - APPROVE ABSTRACT #10 Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #10, as audited, vouchers #906 through # 1015, totaling $640,979.69. 2nd Supv Sumner Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes Cl Solomon Yes Supv Sumner Yes Cl Maker Yes Cl Leifer Yes Cl Leifer will have a report with respect to Time Warner cable next week. D Kwasnowski reported that the public information meeting on critical environmental areas last week went very well. There will be a public meeting November 2 (7:00 p.m.) for presentation of the Varna Plan at the Varna Community Association. The recreation park presentation will be November 3 at the Town Hall. There is information in the display case in the front foyer of the building. Katie Stoner took a job with the Park Foundation. D Kwasnowski said he is trying to hire a replacement and extend the contract a year. There will be no effect on the budget. Supv Sumner reported there was a meeting here last night with the Community Foundation and representatives of the community. A lot of the ideas discussed were about sustainability. There were a lot of comments about the need for recreation, the need for broadband, and sustain abili ty. Similar meetings have been held in other rural towns. D Kwasnowski reported that Bernie Conielius is filling a site off Ringwood Road. There are a lot of trucks going throughthe Ellis Hollow area and he wanted board members to be aware of it in case they were asked. Mane Nichols and D Kwasnowski attended the APA Upstate Conference in Utica. Ed Marx did a presentation on sustainable development. The biggest barrier to development in Tompkins County was identified as home rule. There being no further business, on motion made, seconded, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourn 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk Pagc 4 vr4 Town of Dryden Town Board Meeting October 12, 2011 Name - fflease;�Priritl Address or Board _ -� it: TO Dryden Town Board Meeting Dryden Town Hall 93 East Main Street Wednesday, October 12, 2011 7:30 PM 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Roll Cell 3. Discussion Items a. Tax Cap Override b. Water /Sewer rates for 2012 c. Zoning Proposal timeline d. Budget questions 4. Possible October 19, 2001 Agenda Items a. b. 5. Abstract approval 6. Executive session if necessary The next Town Board Meeting will be Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM The Next Abstract and Agenda Meeting will be Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Discussion Items Dryden Town Board Meeting Dryden Town Hall 93 East Main Street Wednesday, October 12, 2011 7:30 PM a. Tax Cap Override b. W ater /Sewer rates for 2012 c. Zoning proposal timeline d. Budget questions 4. Possible October 19, 2001 Agenda Items a. b. 5. Abstract approval 6. Executive session if necessary The next Town Board Meeting will be Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM The Next Abstract and Agenda Meeting will be Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM 1. Call it-leeting to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Discussion Items Dryden Town Board. Meeting Dryden Town Hall 93 East Main Street Wednesday, October 12, 2011 7:30 PM a. 'fax Cap Override b. Water /Sewer rates for 2012 c. Zoning proposal timeline d. budget questions 4. Possible October 19, 2001 Agenda Items a. b. 5. Abstract approval 6. Executive session if necessary The next Town Board Meeting will be Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM The Next Abstract and Agenda Meeting will be Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM