HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-19TOWN OF DRYDEN
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
October 19, 2016
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb,
Cl Deborah Cipolla-Dennis, Cl Kathrin Servoss
Absent: Cl Linda Lavine
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Rick Young, Highway Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Jennifer Case, Bookkeeper
Rick Case, Assistant DPW Superintendent
Supv Leifer opened the special meeting at 6:03 p.m. The board considered a resolution
in support of a grant application for the Varna to Freeville rail trail.
RESOLUTION #159 (2016) – TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE ONE OF THE
DRYDEN RAIL TRAIL AND SPONSOR AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Dryden Town Board recognizes the importance of developing transportation
alternatives to add to the existing road and trail infrastructure in the Town of Dryden,
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden Comprehensive Plan cites the creation of the Dryden Rail Trail
as an important transportation and recreational initiative,
WHEREAS, the Lehigh Valley Railroad abandoned the East Ithaca to Freeville and Cortland rail
beds and the Harford to Dryden, Freeville and Groton rail beds by 1977, and the abandoned
rail beds are currently owned by a variety of private and public entities,
WHEREAS, the Town Board established a Rail Trail Task Force to take deliberate steps to
develop the Dryden Rail Trail including acquiring easements, securing funding and moving the
project through planning, design and construction,
WHEREAS, the Rail Trail Task Force has scoped out a construction project to build
approximately 3 miles of the rail trail from Game Farm Road to an area just northeast of the
Route 13 crossing with a total project cost of $849,500 for Phase One of the Dryden Rail Trail
Project,
WHEREAS, the New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) made funds available
through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for conversion and use of abandoned
railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized transportation
users,
WHEREAS, these TAP funds require a local match of at least 20% of total project costs,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Dryden Town Board supports and endorses
the work of the Rail Trail Task Force and the creation of the Dryden Rail Trail; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Town Board authorizes the Planning Director, Ray
Burger, to apply for $679,600 of Transportation Alternatives Program funding for Phase One of
the Dryden Rail Trail Project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Town Board approves the allocation of $169,900 to the
project to meet the 20% local match requirement. The source of the funds will be determined
and allocated by further resolution of the Town Board in the event that the grant application is
approved.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Cipolla-Dennis Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the business meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
The board then held a budget workshop and heard from Dryden Ambulance and several
fire departments regarding their budget requests, what they do in the community and the
equipment and training necessary to perform their services.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk