HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-15TB 5-15-14
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
May 15, 2014
Present: Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Gregory Sloan, Cl Joseph
Solomon, Cl Jason Leifer, Cl Linda Lavine
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Mahlon Perkins, Town Attorney
Jane Nicholson, Director of Planning
Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 7:08 p.m. and board members and guests
participated in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SPRING HOUSE ROAD
Supv Sumner opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. and explained that, as in previous
years, there has been a request that Spring House Road be closed for a couple of hours during
a fundraiser race to benefit the Dryden lacrosse teams. The event will be June 8 and the road
will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. There were no comments or questions from the
board or audience, and the hearing was left open at 7:13 p.m.
TOWN CLERK
RESOLUTION #79 – APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Solomon offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the minutes of April 10 and April
17, 2014.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Hilary Lambert, 1676 Hanshaw Road, made the following statement:
I am speaking to request that the Dryden Town Board please vote to support the Tompkins
County Legislature’s resolution regarding the deeply flawed proposed New York State Energy
Plan.
I have not been as involved as others but have attended two presentations, one by Tony
Ingraffea and one by an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
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I was startled to find out that a plan so important to our state’s future is sadly lacking in
innovation regarding bringing more renewable energy sources into the mix. At both the start
and end dates of the plan, the proposed relative percentages of gas, coal, nuclear, and a tiny
percentage of renewably-sourced energy production, remain unchanged.
It is surprising that this plan is not even attempting to match the urgency of the climate
change planning coming out of NY City and other communities. The draft state plan largely
ignores the reality of climate change and implications for necessary innovation .
I heard a great presentation by engineer Tony Ingraffea recently where he unveiled a proposed
plan for transitioning to 100% renewably sourced energy for NY State within a few decades.
That is more like the kind of visionary thinking that we need to be encouraging New York state
to go for.
While Ingraffea’s suggestions will require the test of time and funding, I do hope that the
Dryden Town Board can get behind supporting the county’s statement of concern regarding the
present plan. This is just a first step. It is small, solid and realistic, and important to help move
our state forward toward a healthier, sustainable and renewables-based energy future.
Victor Tiffany, Statewide Coordinator for Move to Amend, Danby, New York
After Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution similar to t he one before this board this
evening Council President Eric Garcetti said, “Every struggle to amend the constitution began
as just a group of regular Americans who wanted to end slavery, who thought women should
vote, who believed that if you’re old enough to be drafted, you’re old enough to vote. These are
how American amendments move forward from the grassroots when Americans say enough is
enough.”
Do you want elections where speech only matters if we have millions and millions of dollars?
Do we really want corporations with their limited liability and massive resources deciding who
gets funding to run for office?
Regarding the Citizens United decision, retired Justice John Paul Stevens has written lately
“Essentially, five justices were unhappy with the limited nature of the case before us, so they
changed the case to give themselves an opportunity to change the law.”
It’s puzzling why conservatives would speak out against this resolution as they are usually
opposed to this kind of blatant judicial activism. Even Glenn Beck believes that rights are for
individuals only.
A New York federal judge on April 24th reluctantly struck down New York's limits on donations
to independent political action committees as unconstitutional, potentially ushering in a new
era of "super PACs" in state campaigns. "I think there is a risk of quid pro quo corruption, but
the Supreme Court has not recognized it," he said.
The Supreme Court is paving the way toward an oligarchic form of society in which a handful
of billionaires like the Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, George and Jonathan Soros and Tom
Steyer will have control over our political process. We have got to defend American democratic
order.
Sooner or later, some group, some oil and gas company will come after your jobs. It’s just a
matter of time.
The Roberts five have voted to legalize corporate plutocracy. Tonight, it’s your turn to vote.
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Jim Skaley, said he has read the resolution to congress and strongly supports it and
urges the board to approve it and move it forward to the state and the congress. This is a way
that the people can finally through local representation and by direct petition to congress
express their disappointment with way the courts are viewing the notion of who has the rights
of citizenship and who does not. Certainly corporate interests are important but should not be
greater than citizens who have the right and privilege of voting.
He also supports the resolution with respect to the sustainable energy policy. The town
has been working with this in the comprehensive plan and working with other parts of the
county in developing things. The Varna Community Association has a new program on
introducing Tompkins Solar projects which will be useful to citizens. The town’s efforts to
support that effort would be commendable.
Janet Morgan, 940 Dryden Road, said she agrees with the previous speakers on these
big topics.
She is serving as chair of the Varna Community Association. They are hopeful they will
be one of the wifi hotspots for internet access in the Town of Dryden. They hoping for a
decision soon and are anxious to get it up and running.
Joe Wilson, Hunt Hill Road, regarding the 2014 draft energy plan, he hopes the board
will pass the resolution. The plan states good goals, but provides no meaningful structure.
The goals call for substituting renewable resources over the next 23 or 33 years so that we
could be at a place where we are relying less on fossil fuels. However, the plan has two huge
flaws. One flaw is that it has no specifics about how this will be accomplished and no
deadlines for adherence. The other flaw is that the plan makes it clear that the real goals are
to dramatically expand fossil fuel infrastructure and dramatically increase fossil fuel use. Both
are counter to what scientists tell us is going on with regard to climate change, global warming,
and the need to dramatically reduce use of fossil fuel.
With regard to the resolution directed to Congress, he thinks that notion that
corporations, artificial creations of the state, can somehow be converted into human beings
with all the rights and privileges given to us human beings under the Constitution is an
unbelievably absurd and stupid exercise of judicial activism. He urged the board to pass the
resolution requesting Congress to look at this principal again because it’s absurd.
Judy Pierpont, 111 Pleasant Hollow Road, urged the board to submit a resolution to
the state, to NYSERDA in particular, requesting that it revise its draft state energy plan. The
state and federal government are not responding to or planning adequately for the realities of
climate change. Citizens need to speak through local governments by resolutions as well as to
speak and write to their state representative. We want to see our governments incorporate the
necessary shifts in policy to mitigate climate change. It is happening now in unprecedented
ways. Huge parts of Antarctic ice sheets are breaking away and sea levels are predicted to rise
3 feet by the end of this century. We will also experience floods, droughts, fires, extremely
powerful storms and other disturbances. Food is getting expensive because of droughts and
floods. New York needs to do its part in mitigating the effects of climate change as much as
possible. We need to cut emissions of green house gases, the most potent of which is
unburned methane, or natural gas. While New York State Energy Plan in its draft form sets
out good intentions in reducing carbon dioxide, it lacks specific steps to achieve the goals. It
ignores the known impact of methane as a heat trapping green house gas. The plan proposes a
large increase and acceleration in the use of natural gas, which is mostly methane, for both
household gas and electrical generation. The policy is based on the fact that the gas is
cheaper than other fuels at the moment. The price of gas is unstable and is already rising. If
more export facilities are permitted, the price will rise to global levels and we’ll be stuck with a
dinosaur of gas infrastructure. The plan doesn’t anticipate this.
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Methane leaks into the atmosphere unburned at every stage of production, transport,
and use. Dialing back is now possible and the plan should include real planning for renewable
sources of energy and a projected timeline for upgrading the grid. Solar energy is now almost
at parity with electricity generated by fossil fuels. As soon as fossil fuels become more scarce
and expensive, solar energy will be cheaper. We need to get busy doing what is possible.
Martha Ferger, 6 Union St., said she supports the previous speakers and changes in
the New York State Energy Plan. She is also in favor of the resolution for the move to amend
initiative and getting money out of politics. It is important to democracy to get rid of pure
money being able to determine the results of our elections.
Supv Sumner said she read a lot of the energy plan in the last week while working on
the resolution. The plan was written by the NYS Energy Planning Commission. They’ve been
working on this since 2010. The board includes a representative from NYSERDA,
Commissioner Martens of DEC, and representation from several other state agencies. The plan
itself is fairly brief and very disappointing. Part II got her attention. There is an astonishing
amount of attention to environmental justice and the impact of high energy rates and high
density air pollution in low income communities. She was also surprised to see there are
creative things including micro grids and community distribution systems. The plan is in need
of vast improvements, but there are a few things to compliment them on.
Cl Sloan arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Marie McRae, 710 Irish Settlement, said she supports the move to amend resolution
and any comments that can be made on the NYS energy plan. Several people have mentioned
solar energy. The Solarize Tompkins program has a goal this year of doubling the installed
kilowatts in Tompkins County. They had 112 installations last year in Dryden, Caroline and
Danby. They will be sending information on a series of dates for solar tours and community
education meetings at the Varna Community Center and at the Dryden fire hall.
Supv Sumner closed the public hearing regarding temporary closure of Spring House
Road.
RESOLUTION #80 (2014) – CLOSE SPRING HOUSE ROAD
Cl Solomon offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Dryden boys and girls lacrosse programs are sponsoring a 5K road race
as a fundraiser for their teams and desire to use Spring House Road as part of their course,
and
WHEREAS, the safety of the public and race participants is best protected by a
temporary closure of the road during the road race, and
WHEREAS, Town Law section 64 (10-b) authorizes the town board to set terms and
conditions for issuance of a permit by the town superintendent of highways to hold a road race
on Spring House Road and temporarily block such road during the event, and
WHEREAS, the road, although blocked, will still be open to authorized emergency or
hazard vehicles, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the temporary closure of
Spring House Road on June 8, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to accommodate the “Run
for the Pride” 5k road race, with the condition that race personnel be posted at each end of
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Springhouse Road to notify drivers of the reason and expected duration of the road closure and
any requirements of the Town Highway Superintendent are complied with.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
SUPERVSOR REPORT
Bolton Point is planning a transmission main upgrade under Route 13 near
Triphammer Road. It feeds the East Hill water tank that feeds most of Dryden. The Village of
Lansing also has a need for a sister main and they have come to an intermunicipal agreement
to share one 18” main that the village will use as its transmission main and the Commission
will be able to use it in the event of an emergency.
TCCOG is working on a response to the Governors new tax freeze. Residents of
municipalities that stay within their state-imposed tax levy cap will receive a refund/rebate
from the State. If the Town of Dryden stays within its tax levy cap in 2015 each resident will
receive the greater of either any increase in their taxes that would occur as a result of a rise in
the tax levy increase, or the amount that the state said the levy could rise. The Town of
Dryden has for years kept the tax rate flat. The total assessment goes up about 1.66%
annually. The levy goes up, but the assessment goes up, so the rate stays the same. Someone
who has not made any improvements has paid the same town tax for the eight years she has
been in office. The taxpayer would get their 1.66% anyway, even though t heir taxes did not go
up. They will receive a payment from the state of the greater of 1.66% or however much the
taxes increased. For an average home in the Town of Dryden ($150,000) the rebate will be
$3.56. Supv Sumner said she doesn’t understand how they believe this is going to address
government efficiency or the economy in any way. TCCOG is meeting tomorrow to talk about
the next phase. Municipalities are required to analyze and report any shared services that
promote government efficiency and reduce costs to taxpayer. The expense of gathering the
information for this reporting is another unfunded mandate.
A handout was distributed about a project at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
Plant. They are working with Clear Cove Systems in a demonstration project of a new waste
water treatment technology. Using less energy produces cleaner water and a very carbon rich
sludge which can be used to produce methane and generate electricity. The plant is now
generating in the neighborhood of 200,000 kilowatt hours a month. They are now soliciting
carbon rich waste streams (truck waste) to increase the ability to generate electricity and with
eye toward forming a community energy improvement district . The company is extremely
innovative and on the cutting edge. They were very complimentary of IAWWTP and their efforts
for a plant its size. They will be generating in the millions of kilowatt hours eventually and it
would otherwise have been a greenhouse gas escaping from the plan et.
SUSTAINABILITY PRESENTATION BY NICK GOLDSMITH
Nick Goldsmith explained that he worked for the town for 20 months, and this is a
presentation of the highlights of the project and preliminary findings of government energy
inventory. This position was funded by a grant mostly through the Park Foundation, with the
planner splitting his time between the Town of Dryden and Town of Ithaca for 32 months.
See attached PowerPoint.
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PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Jane Nicholson thanked Nick Goldsmith for working with the Planning Department on
the Comprehensive Plan analysis. He did a fantastic job and she appreciates his help.
Hazard Mitigation Plan – J Nicholson explained that Tompkins County has completed
a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. It was adopted by the County in 2013 and was a
joint effort by all municipalities. If towns in the county choose to adopt it, it will replace any
pre-existing plan. Adopting the plan makes our community eligible for predisaster mitigation
funding from FEMA. It is a FEMA approved plan. There are four or five municipalities that
have adopted it and others are in the process. No public hearing is necessary, but is
recommended to give the community a chance to become familiar and comment. The official
document will be in the Town Clerks office. It is also available online at Tompkins County’s
website.
Supv Sumner said Dryden’s plan was last adopted in 2000. This multi-jurisdictional
plan identifies hazards and associated risks. Extreme weather is a major threat. At the bottom
of the list of hazards is civil unrest. She thanked Dave Sprout for his help on this project. The
board agrees a public hearing should be scheduled.
RESOLUTION #81 (2014) – SET PUBLIC HEARING ON HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby sets a public hearing on the adoption of the
Tompkins County Hazard Mitigation Plan for June 19, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Sketch Plan Review - 478 Lower Creek Road – Board members have the Planning
Department report and sketch plan map. This is a strength and fitness facility in a building at
the corner of Lower Creek Road and Route 13. There is no change to the footprint of the site,
building, or parking. Based on the sketch plan and the Planning Department report, the Town
Board can waive full site plan review (recommended). The area is zoned light industrial and
the special use application is complete. Applicant states this is not a gym with a lot machines.
It is basically warehouse space with rubber mats on the floor. Ten to twelve strength and
fitness classes per week are held. The board had no questions on the sketch plan.
The board reviewed the short form SEQR
RESOLUTION #82 (2014) – NEG SEQR DEC – 478 LOWER CREEK ROAD
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
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A. The proposed action involves consideration of the sketch plan of JC Leasing,
LLC in connection with an application for a special use permit to operate a strength and fitness
training business at 478 Lower Creek Road.
B. The proposed action is an Unlisted Action for which the Town Board of the Town
of Dryden is the lead agency for the purposes of uncoordinated environmental review in
connection with approval by the Town.
C. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, in performing the lead agency function
for its independent and uncoordinated environmental review in accordance with Article 8 of the
New York State Environmental Conservation Law – the State Environmental Quality Review Act
“(SEQR), (i) thoroughly reviewed the Short) Environmental Assessment Form (the “Short EAF”),
Part I, and any and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed
action and its environmental review, (ii) thoroughly analyzed the potential relevant areas of
environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse
impact on the environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii)
completed the Short EAF, Part II;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, based upon (i) its thorough review of the
Short EAF, Part I, and any and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to
this proposed action and its environmental review, (ii) its thorough review of the potential
relevant areas of environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a
significant adverse impact on the environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR
§617.7(c), and (iii) its completion of the Short EAF, Part II, including the findings noted thereon
(which findings are incorporated herein as if set forth at length), hereby makes a negative
determination of environmental significance (“Negative Declaration”) in accordance with SEQR
for the above referenced proposed action, and determines that neither a full Envi ronmental
Assessment Form, nor an Environmental Impact Statement will be required, and
2. The Responsible Officer of the Town Board of the Town of Dryden is hereby
authorized and directed to complete and sign as required the determination of significance ,
confirming the foregoing Negative Declaration, which fully completed and signed Short EAF and
determination of significance shall be incorporated by reference in this Resolution.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
RESOLUTION #83 – ACCEPT SKETCH PLAN AS THE SITE PLAN AND WAIVER FURTHER
SITE PLAN REVIEW – 478 LOWER CREEK ROAD
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, JC Leasing, LLC has submitted a Sketch Plan Review application for a
strength and fitness center at 478 Lower Creek Road per Article XI of the Town of Dryden
Zoning Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board finds the project to be consistent with the zoning, design
guidelines and comprehensive plan; and
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WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed the Sketch Plan and approves said Sketch
Plan as the Site Plan, and hereby waives further Site Plan Review, now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden having reviewed the Sketch
Plan and found it satisfactory, hereby waives further Site Plan Review for the proposed strength
and fitness center at 478 Lower Creek Road and accepts the Sketch Plan as the final Site Plan.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
RESOLUTION #84 (2014) SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING – 478 LOWER CREEK ROAD
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board, after review of the sketch plan and special use
permit application, and upon recommendation of the Planning Department, hereby schedules a
public hearing on the application of JC Leasing, LLC for a strength and fitness center at 478
Lower Creek Road, for June 19, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Yellow Barn Water District – Board members have received a letter from the Town
engineer explaining that the bids received for construction were higher than anticipated in the
Map, Plan and Report. The town will need to hold another public hearing for comment on the
increased cost. Then there will need to be another bond resolution to increase the amount of
funding. The Yellow Barn Water Company board meeting is next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Supv
Sumner will attend to answer any questions property owners might have. She believes they
will support moving ahead. The board will hold a special meeting on May 29, 2014 at 7:00
p.m.
RESOLUTION #85 (2014) - SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING
REGARDING THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM
AMOUNT TO BE EXPENDED FOR YELLOW BARN WATER
DISTRICT WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS.
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York
(the "Town") has caused a map, plan and report (the "Maps and Plans") to be prepared in
connection with the proposed establishment and improvement of the Yellow Barn Water
District (the "District"); and
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WHEREAS, the boundaries of the District are set forth on Appendix A attached
hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Town proposes to acquire, construct and install a water supply
and distribution system and related facilities in the District (the "Improvements"), consisting of
the acquisition, construction and installation of water transmission mains and lines, and
acquisition of furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required in connection
therewith, all as more particularly described in the Maps and Plans; and
WHEREAS, by resolution adopted on January 17, 2013, the Town Board
authorized the establishment of the District and the acquisition, construction and installation
of the Improvements at a maximum cost of $524,920, with the first-year cost to the typical
property owner in the District to be approximately $1,045.01 per year; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2013, the New York State Comptroller approved the
establishment of the District at a cost not to exceed $524,920; and
WHEREAS, based upon bids received for construction of the Improvements, the
Town Board has determined that the maximum cost of the Improvements will be $640,000,
constituting an increase of $115,080 over the original estimated maximum cost; and
WHEREAS, based upon the increase in the maximum cost of the Improvements,
the first-year cost of the District to the typical property in the District is now estimated to be
approximately $1,157.98 per year; and
WHEREAS, the method of financing the costs of the Improvements will consist of
the issuance of serial bonds and bond anticipation notes of the Town to mature in annual
installments over a period not exceeding 30 years; and
WHEREAS, the Maps and Plans describing the foregoing, including a detailed
explanation of how the estimated cost of the District to the typical property was computed,
have been filed in the Town Clerk's office and are available for public inspection during regular
business hours.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board will hold a public
hearing to hear all persons interested in the proposed increase in the maximum cost of the
Improvements to the District, which public hearing shall be held in the Town Hall, 93 East
Main Street, in the Town of Dryden on May 29, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.; and be it further
RESOLVED, and ordered that the Town Clerk give notice of such hearing by
publishing in the official Town newspaper a copy of this resolution and by posting a copy of
this resolution on the Town's official sign-board not less than ten nor more than twenty days
before such hearing.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Mike Lane said there are houses being transferred in Yellow Barn and asked if there
was a fact sheet available to new owners.
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Resolution to Amend Constitution – Cl Lavine has revised the resolution provided by
Move to Amend. She said this shorter version is sufficient and it doesn’t make her feel as if she
needs to be personally knowledgeable about all the details. It says what needs to be said. Cl
Sloan read the resolution for the audience.
RESOLUTION #86 (2014) – REQUEST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Cl Sloan offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, The Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election
Commission set in motion the potential for corrupting the democratic process in all elections,
large and small, from Town Boards elections such as our own in Dryden, to State elections,
and Federal elections for Congress and President.
WHEREAS, given our serious investment in the democratic process and its role in
creating a civil society at all levels, we, as members of the Dryden Town Board, wish to express
our concern and suggest that our representatives in Congress take action to remedy this
issue.
WHEREAS, Congress has the authority to propose a Constitutional Amendment, which
would then be subject to ratification by the States, making clear that the Constitution did not
intend for money to be construed as free speech; nor for corporations to be given the
constitutional rights of natural persons. There may be other remedies as well.
WHEREAS, the Town Board does not have the authority to directly affect this outcome,
we, as locally elected officials of the Town of Dryden, believe that this issue rises to a level that
should command the attention of our CONGRESSIONAL Representatives.
THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Boar d of the Town of Dryden respectfully requests that the
United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate propose a Constitutional
Amendment making clear that the Constitution did not intend for money to be construed as
free speech; nor for corporations to be given the constitutional rights of natural persons.
2nd Cl Lavine
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon No
Supv Sumner No
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Supv Sumner explained it was necessary to approve three vouchers which were not
included in last week’s abstract. One is for ambulance workers comp coverage, one is
registration for Highway School, and one is for glass repair.
Supv Sumner explained that the Town gets workers comp through PERMA, and there
are special rates for volunteer firefighter coverage. We pay about $58,000 a year for that
coverage. In this case $19,076 is for volunteer ambulance drivers and responders. T he
ambulance company has its own workers comp for their paid drivers and responders, but it
doesn’t cover the volunteers.
RESOLUTION #87 (2014) – APPROVE PAYMENT OUTSIDE ABSTRACT
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Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes payment outside the abstract as
follows: PERMA $19,076.00; Choice Auto Glass $160.00; and Association of Towns $100.00;
totaling $19,336.00.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
RESOLUTION #88 (2014) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATION
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following bu dget modification:
From SM 599 to SM 9040.8 in the amount of $19,076.00.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Attorney Perkins arrived at 8:40 p.m.
Supv Sumner said she objects to the way the rate for volunteers is calculated. She will
be asking NY Comp Alliance for a bid. The town is currently with NYMIR. She has also spoken
with Lee Shurtleff in the County Emergency Planning Office, who is trying to introduce some
sort of intermunicipal savings across the municipalities.
Mike Lane said at one time the town covered all of the workers comp including WB
Strong and Neptune. Then there was a state audit (around 1980) and the town was informed
this was not proper and it shifted to the villages.
Supv Sumner explained that the Dryden Youth and Recreation Commission has
reviewed applications for the $15,000 in Community Grant funds in this year’s budget and
made recommendations for funding. There were 19 applications in all.
RESOLUTION #89 (2014) – AUTHORIZE RECREATION GRANTS
Cl Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the recommendations of the Dryden
Recreation and Youth Commission for funding as follows:
Applicant Purpose Award
Dryden Community Center Café Music 1,481.00
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Dryden Farmer Market Advertising 500.00
Dryden United Methodist Church Community dinners 500.00
Dryden Veteran's Memorial Home Roof 4,500.00
Ellis Hollow Community Center Poolside Lighting 814.00
Friends of Dryden Wrestling Singlets 700.00
Neptune Fire Company Jr Fire Academy 1,615.00
Neptune Fire Company Jr Fire Academy 1,390.00
Southworth library Teen Programming 1,300.00
Dryden Historical Society Festival 1,500.00
Varna Community Center Programming 700.00
And the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute the necessary agreements.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Supv Sumner has a request from a resident for relief from a large water bill that
resulted from a leak and noted that the board has denied this type of request for customers in
previous situations. The owner is responsible, and the town has paid Bolton Point for the
water. The board is in agreement that it will not grant any relief on this bill, and Supv Sumner
will respond with a letter.
NYS Energy Plan – Supv Sumner said she drafted this resolution from what was
provided by Cl Lavine and what other municipalities have passed, and read portions of the
resolution. She recommends reading as much of the plan as you can, and applauds them for a
lot of the work. It is inadequate, but a good starting place. Cl Leifer said he would like to see a
headline that ¾ of our energy comes from renewable resources, like Germany.
RESOLUTION #90 (2014)
PROVIDING COMMENTS ON AND RECOMMENDING IMPORTANT REVISIONS TO THE
2014 DRAFT NEW YORK STATE ENERGY PLAN
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the 2014 Draft New York State Energy Plan (Draft Plan), which sets forth a vision
for New York’s energy future, was released for public comment on January 7, 2014, with a
revised deadline for comments on May 30, 2014, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden applauds the planners’ acknowledgement of the
disproportionate impact of high energy costs and high density air pollution on low -income
residents, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden appreciates the State’s reaffirmation of its commitment to an
80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of a 50% reduction
by 2030, and
WHEREAS, success in meeting these goals will require measurable targets and specific actions
for transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and
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WHEREAS, the Regional Sustainability Plans developed for all ten regions of New York State in
2013 required each region to develop such measurable targets and specific actions to achieve
those targets, and
WHEREAS, many actions needed to reach the State’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals
can only be undertaken at the State level, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Town of Dryden calls upon the Governor, the NYS Energy Planning
Board, and the State Legislature to revise the Draft Energy Plan to include measurable targets
and specific actions, in particular those specified in the attached list, that must be undertaken
across all sectors to transition to a renewable energy future and to meet the State’s goals for
greenhouse gas reductions, and
RESOLVED further, that copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Chair of the New York
State Energy Planning Board; John B. Rhodes, NYSERDA President and CEO; Governor
Andrew Cuomo; Senator Dean Skelos and Senator Jeffrey Klein, Senate Republican Conference
Majority Leaders; Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Democratic Conference Leader;
Assemblyman Sheldon Silver, Majority Leader; Assemblyman Brian Kolb, Assembly Min ority
Leader; Audrey Zibelman, Chair, New York State Public Service Commission; Senator George
D. Maziarz, Chair of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee; Assemblywoman
Amy Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, Senator James Seward; and
Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
2nd Cl Sloan
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Attachment to Resolution No. 90 (2014) from the Town of Dryden: Providing Comments on and
Recommending Important Revisions to the 2014 Draft New York State Energy Plan
Draft Plan Elements Supported by Town of Dryden:
The commitment to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim
goal of a 50% reduction by 2030
Recognition of the disproportionate impact of high energy cost and high density air pollution
on environmental justice communities
Emphasis on building resiliency to the impacts of climate change
Initiative to expand microgrids
Initiatives to transition to renewable energy sources
NYSERDA initiatives to assist communities to integrate and cross-reference land use, smart
growth and transportation capital projects for consistent outcomes.
Revisions Suggested to the Final Energy Plan
Include specific measures to provide assistance to community efforts to meet the state’s
goals. Any plan meant to establish “bold solutions” to new challenges must meet those
challenges with new solutions by making sure that new opportunities and incentives are
available in communities that have built their employment and tax base on the older
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technologies; renewable technology incentives should be offered to companies to build in those
communities formerly housing fossil fueled or nuclear fueled plants.
Include a greater level of detail about reductions in demand that could be achieved
through energy efficiency improvements and demand-response requirements.
Establish interim targets with reductions every five years to reduce NYS reliance on fossil
fuels including natural gas and increase investment in clean, renewable energies. Include
specific activities to promote continuous action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Establish defined targets for clean vehicular transportation to achieve and surpass the
Zero Emissions Vehicle memorandum of understanding recently signed by Governor Cuomo
with seven other states.
The Draft Plan emphasizes market-based solutions to our energy transition. A balanced
approach that includes regulatory or tax policies aimed at penalizing polluting energy sources
and encouraging efficiency and renewable energy will be necessary to dramatically change the
market in favor of renewable energy and efficiency in time to meet the State’s greenhouse gas
reduction goals; this complementary approach should be incorporated in the Final Plan.
On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the board m oved into executive
session to discuss the employment history of a particular individual at 8:55 p.m. The board
moved back to public session at 9:08 p.m. and passed the following resolution.
RESOLUTION #91 (2014) – REQUEST UNEMPLOYMENT HEARING
Cl Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Supervi sor to request a
hearing in the matter the unemployment claim of Melissa Bianconi.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote Cl Sloan Yes
Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk