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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-28Conservation Board
June 28, 2016
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Dryden Conservation Board
June 28, 2016
Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Peter Davies, Jeremy Sherman, Nancy
Munkenbeck, Craig Schutt, Charlie Smith and Milo Richmond
Liaisons Present: David Weinstein, Planning Board and Kathy Servoss, Town Board
Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
The meeting was called to order at 7PM.
Review and approval of minutes from May 31st:
C. Schutt moved to approve the minutes as presented, C. Smith seconded the motion
and the minutes were unanimously approved.
Reports and Updates:
Town Board: K. Servoss
- K. Servoss was recently appointed and did not have a report.
Town Planning Board: D. Weinstein
- This Thursday (June 30th), the Planning Board is hosting a discussion at the
Dryden Fire Hall regarding Community Solar. The Planning Board is currently
working on legislation recommendations that will permit Community solar
arrays in the Town.
- He strongly encouraged everyone to attend.
- C. Smith questioned whether the solar panels create an impervious surface that
might be of concern
o D. Weinstein pointed out that although it may appear as a solid surface,
the panels are not blocking the water. There are significant gaps between
the panels which permits plenty of pervious ground.
o N. Munkenbeck offered the term “rain shadow” to explain the effect of the
panels
- P. Davies questioned how many solar installations can be put into use before
NYSEG says they are losing money on transmission and the generating
companies complain they are losing their daytime production. N. Munkenbeck
indicated that NYSEG was just granted permission to increase rates
significantly. P. Davies pointed out that those that don’t have solar and are
paying more, might end up being against solar.
- P. Davies asked for an estimate regarding how many solar installations might
be coming into Dryden. D. Weinstein said that there are only certain places that
the solar installations can be placed; they need 3-phase power lines to connect
to.
Conservation Board
June 28, 2016
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- There are two new cell towers being installed in Dryden. One will be on the
former RPM site (on Route 13, near the cemetery) and the other will be close to
the Town of Groton/Dryden border.
o There is some concern about the cell towers not using co-location
installation on the towers.
- The Planning Board has been getting applications for re-use or expansion of
buildings. Those kind of projects are exempt from SEQR which the
Conservation Board may wish to keep in mind.
o Several members indicated that they would like to know if SEQR can be
done at the discretion of the Planning Board or is it totally under the
control of the DEC.
- C. Schutt indicated that the Conservation Board may want to think about
where the Solar installations might go. The Route 13 corridor is in the County
Comprehensive Plan as a scenic corridor and that is also the area that has 3-
phase power lines.
Ag Advisory Committee: C. Schutt
- Cooperative Extension has started the writing for the Ag Plan and most of the
meeting was spent reviewing the document and making suggestions.
NY Rural Water Association: C. Schutt
- They have received 112 responses to the survey and they are going to extend
the response time.
DRYC: K. Servoss
- Last month’s meeting was cancelled due to a failure to achieve a quorum.
- K. Servoss was the Chair of the DRYC but has been recruited for the Town
Board opening. She will be the Town Board liaison to the Conservation Board.
Town Planning Department: R. Burger
- A public hearing for the Zoning Law Amendment, which will increase the
potential density in areas with public water and sewer, will be held at the July
18th Town Board meeting
- There is a potential Planned Unit Development in Varna. It is on a 7 acre lot
with a concept plan for 36 Town Homes. It is located along the rail trail (740
feet of trail) and part of the amenity package for the PUD will be developing the
trail and deeding 1.1 acres to the Town. (The amenity package refers to the
exchange of a desired benefit to the Town granted by the developer (in this case
the trail) for increased in allowed density).
Rail Trail Task Force: B. Beck
Conservation Board
June 28, 2016
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- B. Beck is the Chair and Bruno Schickel has agreed to serve as the Vice-Chair.
- Currently they are working on the trail easement agreements and reviewing
land deeds and survey maps for the parcels for which they need easements.
- There hasn’t been any further movement on the Game Farm section of the trail.
o C. Smith reported he learned the Director of the Division of Fish and
Wildlife Resources is retiring in July. He agreed that he would meet with
her and get her caught up with the current situation. The Board believes
she might be able to provide advice on the best way to move forward with
that section of trail.
- B. Beck has found that the Town has a water/sewer easement along the entire
trail length from Dryden to Ithaca.
New & Continuing Business:
NRCP:
Water Resources: G. Dodici
Farmland Resources: C. Schutt
Biological and Recreational Resources: N. Munkenbeck & D. Weinstein
Enduring and Scenic Features: M. Richmond
The Board discussed the difficulty they had accessing the material and arranged an
alternative method. No discussion was held regarding the Plan.
Next month’s meeting will be cancelled. The Conservation Board members will be
holding a picnic at Dryden Lake Park.
The Board discussed the recent mowing of the wetlands adjacent to the Town Hall and
the mowing at Dryden Lake. The Conservation Board members have requested that
the mowing be held until August so the nesting birds can complete their cycle.
C. Smith suggested that a paragraph or two be added to the NRCP addressing the
mowing issue.
The Red Mill Bridge will be stored behind the DPW. No start date has been given for
the project other than sometime this summer.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk