HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-14TB 7-14-16
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
July 14, 2016
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Linda Lavine,
Cl Deborah Cipolla-Dennis, Cl Kathrin Servoss
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Jennifer Case, Bookkeeper
Jennifer Jones, Recreation Director
Ray Burger, Director of Planning
Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Approve Abstract
RESOLUTION #117 – APPROVE ABSTRACT #7
Cl Cipolla-Dennis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #7, as audited, general
vouchers #459 through #545 ($290,746.82) and TA vouchers #73 through #78 ($16,294.60),
totaling $307,041.42.
2nd Cl Servoss
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Cipolla-Dennis Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Speed Limit Change
The board has received a petition for a lower speed limit on the section of Lower Creek
Road between Route 13 and Hanshaw Road. The board will do a resolution next week to send
this request on to the County who will review it and forward it to the state.
Cricket Lane SUP for Vehicle Repair Shop
Supv Leifer explained that the public hearing was closed and a SEQR resolution was
done. This is a revote on the resolution moved and seconded last time that failed because
there was not a majority vote of the entire board. Cl Cipolla-Dennis read portions of the
proposed resolution to deny the special use permit. Cl Lavine said the economic impacts
should be considered. It would be easy to argue that the value of neighborhood properties
would decrease. Cl Lamb said there could be economic impacts, but we need data to back it
up. Supv Leifer said the irony is that if we allow this under a special use permit, there could be
controls put in place. Without the approval they could engage in the activity for non-
commercial reasons and we would have no recourse. If they are working on their own vehicles
or a friend’s vehicle for no compensation and there is a noise issue, there is nothing we can do
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about it. Cl Lamb said the neighbors feel it will negatively impact their lives, and regulating it
will not satisfy them.
Resolution #118 (2016) – DENYING SITE PLAN AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR GARAGE AT 4 CRICKET LANE
Cl Cipolla Dennis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. Amy and Edward Vorhis have applied for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to operate an
automotive repair garage at 4 Cricket Lane in Freeville, New York, Tax parcel #28.-1-
19.123, and
B. The proposal is to operate an automobile repair business in an existing two -story garage
located next to their home, and
C. An application and site plan dated 1/23/16 have been submitted and presented to the
Town Board on 3/17/16, and
D. The Town Planning Department and Town Board considers the application complete and in
conformance with the requirements of Town Zoning Law §501, §600, §1201, and §1310,
and in conformance with the Residential and Commercial Design Guidelines to the
maximum extent practicable, and
E. A public hearing was held on May 19, 2016 with public comments registered in the meeting
minutes and considered by this board, and
F. The Tompkins County Planning Department has reviewed (letter dated 5/19/16) this
project as required by NYS Municipal Law §239 -I, -m, and -n and determined that it has
no negative inter-community, or county-wide impacts,
G. The Town Board has reviewed this application relative to the considerati ons and standards
found in Town Zoning Law §1104 for site plan review, §1202 for Special Use Permit, and
§1310 for automotive repair garages; and
H. Pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act ("SEQRA") and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, the grant or denial of site plan approval
and a Special Use Permit for this project is an Unlisted action for which the Town of Dryden
Town Board, acting as lead agency in an environmental review with respect to the project,
has, on June 16, 2016, made a negative environmental determination of significance, after
having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Parts
1, 2 and 3;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
I. The Town Board hereby finds that all of the considerations for approval of the requested
Special Use Permit listed in Section 1202 of the Town of Dryden Zoning Law have not been
met, and specifically finds that:
A. (§1202.B) The proposed use is not compatible with adjoining properties and with the
natural and manmade environment. The additional noise, fumes and traffic are not
compatible with the quiet residential nature of the adjoining properties.
B. (§1202.D) The overall impact on the site and its surroundings considering the
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environmental, social and economic impacts of traffic, noise, dust, odors, release of
harmful substances, solid waste disposal, glare, or any other nuisances is found to be
unacceptable, because there is inadequate buffering to prevent the migration of these
impacts off of the project site; and
C. (§1202.E) The operation of the proposed use is not compatible with the surrounding
uses. The adjoining properties are residential, single-family homes. The proposed hours
of operation, which include evenings and weekends, will expos e the neighborhood to
additional noise, exhaust fumes, and increased traffic during the times when most
families will be home.
2. The Town Board, finding that the proposal does not meet the standards set forth in Zoning
Law §§1202.B, D and E, denies a Special Use Permit for the proposed automotive repair
garage at 4 Cricket Lane.
3. The Town Board denies the site plan for the proposed automotive repair garage at 4 Cricket
Lane dated 1/23/16, for the following reasons: The need for a site plan is triggered by the
need for a Special Use Permit, and the Special Use Permit has been denied.
2nd Cl Lavine
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Cipolla-Dennis Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer No
County Highway Capital Project Status Report – This is available on the town’s website.
There was discussion regarding how to fund the town’s portion of the expense of the bridge
repairs for the Red Mill Road and Malloryville Road bridges. Supv Leifer said he will be
tracking the bond market.
Bolton Point Agreement of Municipal Cooperation – Supv Leifer said they are not ready
to vote on this at Bolton Point yet. The summary was sent to board members via email on
June 20.
Code Enforcement Agreement with Village of Dryden – This is for $24,000 for the year
(same as last year) plus $54 per hour for planning services. The revenue goes to the A fund.
We will be moving all planning and code enforcement activities to the B fund. The Village
Board will meet next Thursday and Supv Leifer would like authorization to sign prior to then.
The town will likely ask for an increase next year because the Poets Landing expansion will
take a lot of work.
RESOLUTION #119 (2016) – APPROVE CODE ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT
WITH VILLAGE OF DRYDEN
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the agreement with the Village of
Dryden for code enforcement services for the term June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017, for the
amount of $24,000.00 plus $54.00 per hour for planning services, and the Supervisor is
hereby authorized to execute the same.
2nd Cl Lamb
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Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Cipolla-Dennis Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Snow and Ice Contract – This is an agreement with Tompkins County for maintenance
of roads in the winter. Responsibility for certain roads is transferred to the other municipality
in order to make sensible plow routes. It has been reviewed and signed by the Highway
Superintendent and Supv Leifer needs authorization to sign it.
RESOLUTION #120 (2016) – AUTHORIZE SNOW & ICE AGREEMENT
WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Snow and Ice Agreement with
Tompkins for a term of three years covering October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2019, and the
Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the same.
2nd Cl Cipolla Dennis
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Cipolla-Dennis Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
There was a discussion about which municipality is responsible for plowing Sapsucker
Woods Road. It seems that it wasn’t well cared for last winter. Supv Leifer will talk with
Highway Superintendent Rick Young about it.
Montgomery Park – Supv Leifer explained that the village is looking for a firm
commitment from the town for both the court resurfacing and the playground rebuild.
Estimates have been received for the court repair. There is leveling and other things involved
that the town doesn’t have the equipment for. Broome Bituminous has submitted an estimate
to do that work and the town Highway Department will provide other related services and
labor. Broome Bituminous is under contract with the county so we can piggy back on that. Cl
Lamb said there is a clear need for an upgrade of the park and there is a lot of community
support. The town will have access to the courts for its programs and an MOU is being drafted
to ensure that. It is important to get this done in this construction seas on. The playground
cost is close to $100,000 and there is also private money being raised for that. Cl Servoss said
her recollection of what was discussed at the DRYC meeting was that the Town would offer
$50,000 toward the basketball court and asked why we are now contributing toward the
playground, though she is not opposed to it. Cl Lamb said this may have happened on two
different tracks. The funding for the basketball court would be not to exceed $45,000
(including in-kind services). There is about $25,000 in finishing work that would have to be
done by a professional. Cl Cipolla-Dennis suggested the town contribute toward the cost of
repair of the basketball courts, not to exceed half the actual cost or $45,000, whichever is less,
and $15,000 toward the playground. Supv Leifer will revise the resolution to reflect that and
the board will vote next week. Cl Servoss will speak with DRYC members to be sure they know
what is proposed. The MOU will be ready for August authorization.
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Cl Lavine asked if the funding would come from the Recreation Reserve and was told
that was the intent. She suggested funds could be moved from the recreation reserve to other
funds for upcoming bridge work.
Climate Smart Communities – Cl Cipolla-Dennis said this is a program she has learned
about that NYDEC is pushing forward. Basically it is a way for the state to incentivize local
governments to put measures in place about sustainability. They are recommending that
communities take a pledge basically setting goals, taking inventory of emissions, planning for
climate action, decreasing the community’s energy use, increasing use of renewable energy,
realizing benefits of recycling, etc. The first step is passing the resolution taking the pledge. In
doing that you become a registered climate smart community at the state level and that opens
a door to funding to help with some of the goals. Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca, and
towns of Caroline and Ithaca have already done this. She thinks is it something to look into
and said it requires some work. She recommends creation of a task force of interested
community members to work on meeting the goals and getting the funding and such. After
discussion, the board felt it would be beneficial to participate in this program. Cl Cipolla-
Dennis will bring a resolution to the August meeting.
Items for July 21 agenda:
Verizon Wireless tower application – The board will close the public hearing, do SEQR
and proceed.
Zoning Law Amendment regarding density – Supv Leifer said they will hold the public
hearing but possibly not vote and leave the public hearing open. He doesn’t want it to
affect the PUD application at 1061 Dryden Road.
Moratorium – board will hold the public hearing and be ready to discuss it. Supv Leifer
talked with Ed Lavine and told him of the public hearing because it directly impacts
them. NYSEG has not contacted Lansing about the pipeline recently either. There was
a question about whether it would affect work by the town on its own water/sewer
projects. The board believes this moratorium is for projects that require a permit such
as SUP and the town wouldn’t need one for its work, but will check with the attorney
next week.
Planning Board credits for those who attended the solar program.
Resolution to allow sale of trucks by the Highway Department.
Appointment of a marriage officer for a wedding in September.
TCAT resolution
Dryden Recreation & Youth Commission Appointment
Cl Lamb explained the Rail Trail Task Force has a vacancy due to a resignation. They
will be meeting prior to the next board meeting and asked that Judy Pierpont be appointed to
fill that vacancy.
RESOLUTION #121 (2016) – APPOINT RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE MEMBER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden Rail Trail Task Force is composed of eleven voting
members, and
WHEREAS, Rick Kugler has informed the Chair of the Task Forceof his decision to
resign as a voting member, and
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WHEREAS, Judith Pierpont has asked for consideration for becoming a voting member
on the Rail Trail Task Force, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board accepts Rick Kugler’s resignation and
approves Judith Pierpont as a voting member of the Dryden Rail Trail Task Force.
2nd Cl Lavine
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Cipolla-Dennis Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Court Clerk conference request – Supv Leifer explained that the two court clerks have
registered for a conference. In this case, payment by check has been requested rather than
use of the town credit card. The clerks have asked for separate rooms and the board discussed
whether this is appropriate, particularly in a time of budget concerns. Our current travel
policy does not address this. The court budget can accommodate the expense of this
conference. It was suggested that we look into what other towns do and s et limits going
forward. It would need to be amended in the personnel handbook.
Cl Cipolla-Dennis and Cl Servoss, in their earlier personnel committee meeting,
discussed making modifications to the personnel manual. Jen Case will go through it first,
using the notes she has made over the past few years, and the committee will review that draft.
Then perhaps the board would review it in a work session.
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk