HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-29Conservation Board
March 29, 2016
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Conservation Board
March 29, 2016
Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Nancy Munkenbeck, Milo Richmond, Peter Davies, Craig
Schutt, Gian Dodici, Charlie Smith, Jeremy Sherman and Tim Woods (Alternate). Steve Bissen
excused
Liaisons Present: David Weinstein (Planning Board) and Jason Leifer (Town Board) at 8:40PM
Staff Present: Ray Burger
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM
Review and approval of minutes from February 23, 2016:
C. Smith moved to approve the minutes with the recommended clarifications. C. Schutt
seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
Reports and Updates:
Town Board: J. Leifer
The Town Board is meeting on Thursday at 5PM regarding the Pinckney Road land purchase to
determine the public referendum date, how many voting places will be available, absentee
voting, etc.
Planning Board: D. Weinstein - N. Bellisario has agreed to provide an easement on the back side of his Hall Road property.
The width of the easement is yet to be determined – emergency vehicles need to be able to
travel the trail - The amendment to the renewable energy law to permit a commercial or large solar
installation was discussed. Currently, the law restricts a solar installation to 2000 sq feet or
less. - Has consideration been given for the end of the solar panel life cycle? - Current law covers the end of use for any renewable energy installation - Information has been shared indicating that at least two outside solar companies are
interested in installation in the Dryden area. - Should restricting the areas solar farms can be built be part of the law in the interest of
preserving quality farm land? - Is there consideration for encouraging solar panels on buildings rather than in fields? Yes,
the law will encourage using building roofs, perhaps incentivizing that option over the use
of ground mounting. Should the law require new commercial buildings to mount solar
panels? - What about reflective light pollution? Today’s solar panels are very absorbent and don’t
reflect much. - Fill Ordinance: D. Weinstein and C. Anderson (Planning Board) are looking for fill sites to
determine how many there are in the Town of Dryden which will affect what direction to take.
It will probably be a permitting process based on zoning. - Points of consideration: areas that have flowing water should be protected and fill areas
tend to increase truck traffic, dust and noise. - They are close to amending the utilities agreement that will give the Town more control over
our utility infrastructure development making sure that the utilities benefit the Town rather
than just passing through.
Conservation Board
March 29, 2016
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- Green Building Codes – NYS is going to present new codes that will be comparable to what
the Town wants thus there is no reason to add another layer of rules. - M. Richmond asked if N. Bellisario has the proper permits for the activity on the corner of
Freese Road and Route 366. Right now, Mr. Bellisario is removing some of the dirt that was
deposited there. It is being returned to Cornell. On the lower side of the property, more filling
will be done but he has the proper permits to continue.
Ag Committee: C. Schutt - The Ag Committee is holding two meetings (the first was March 1 and the second one is
tonight) for farmers and farm land owners to get feedback on the “action items” of the plan.
Those action items will direct the plan. - George Frantz is working with the Ag Committee on the Dryden Ag Plan
B. Beck asked the Board again if anyone was interested in serving as a liaison to the DRYC.
Additions to the Agenda:
R. Burger shared that the 902 Dryden Road project and the Storage Squad project were both
approved at the Town Board meeting. The zoning law amendment was also approved but
another problem has arisen regarding properties that have water/sewer service and thus can
support a higher density.
C. Smith asked the Board members to fill out the survey regarding the Cayuga Watershed Plan.
The questionnaire was sent via email and perhaps the emails were sent to “junk” or “clutter” so
some folks may not have seen it yet.
Pinckney Road Land purchase: B. Beck
The Town Board voted to move ahead with the public referendum on Resolution 40 which
approves the purchase of the land. The money will come from the Recreation Reserve fund per
Resolution 41.
N. Munkenbeck recommended the Town Board start a Conservation Fund so they can start
putting money away for future land purchases.
Rail-Trail planning meetings: B. Beck - B. Beck brought a resolution to the Conservation Board for approval. A group of people met
March 16th to discuss the potential of creating a Rail – Trail from Ithaca through Varna, Etna,
and Freeville to Dryden. The resolution will create a sub-committee of the Conservation
Board to work on easements, communication with land owners, and planning. - N. Munkenbeck recommended the resolution be sent to the Town Board with the suggested
edits. P. Davies seconded the recommendation and the Board agreed unanimously. - Please see attached resolution. - The Board determined the Committee name will be R2TSC (Rails 2 Trails Steering
Committee) - The next meeting is the 13th of April at 7PM at the Dryden Highway Department.
Red Mill Bridge: R. Burger - the County is still willing to move it but there needs to be lead remediation and structural work
on the underside of the bridge before it can be permanently placed.
Conservation Board
March 29, 2016
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- the Board discussed the potential places for the bridge including at the Dryden Lake Park
connecting the boat launch and the main park and on the potential trail circumventing the
Jerry Dell Farm.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk