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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-22Dryden  Rail  Trails  Task  Force  &  Friends   Working  Meeting   June  22,  2016   Dryden  DPW  Building     Meeting  Convened  at  7:05  pm     Attendance:  Bob  Beck,  Bruno  Schickel,  David  Fogel,  James  Miner,  Ray  Burger,  John  Kiefer,   Bard  Prentiss,  David  Bravo-­‐Cullen,  Alice  Walsh  Green,  Nancy  Munkenbeck,  Milo  Richmond     Agenda   Introductions   Review  Handout   Review  Easement   List  of  landowners     Suggested  Additions  for  Handout                (Bob  presented  formatted  6-­‐page  handout)   • URLs  for  trail  information  resources   • References,  testimonials  and  real  estate  value  facts   • Pictures  of  typical  trail  signage   • Links  to  studies  of  experiences  with  trails  around  the  country     Discussion  Items   Opposition  to  South  Hill  Trail  extension     At  a  recent  Dryden  town  board  meeting,  some  residents  spoke  against  a  trail  extension  from   the  Six  Mile  Creek  Natural  area  towards  Brooktondale  that  crosses  four  different  townships,   including  the  southwest  corner  of  Dryden.     Many  adjacent  landowners  were  concerned  about  an  increase  in  crime  if  the  trail  is   formalized.    (It  was  noted  that  studies  show  more  formal  trails  bring  crime  rates  down.)       An  effort  to  build  this  trail  was  attempted  in  2008,  and  stymied  when  a  dispute  arose  over   whether  the  tract  is  owned  by  NYSE&G  or  the  adjacent  landowners.  NYSE&G  currently  pays   taxes  on  the  section.     Question  re  acquisition  of  the  Schug  trail.    It  was  partly  owned  by  the  DEC,  the  Town   acquired  the  remainder  of  the  land  for  the  trail.     Hunting  on  and  near  the  trail   There  will  be  signage  during  hunting  season,  caution  to  put  dogs  on  leash,  etc.    Some   hunting  occurs  off  the  Schug  trail  (ducks)  but  has  not  been  a  problem.    (See  discussions  of   hunting  issues  in  previous  minutes.)     Paving  material  and  handicapped  access   The  trail  will  be  primarily  covered  with  stone  dust,  a  gravel  mix  that  packs  down,  allowing   handicapped  access.  There’s  no  intention  to  create  a  fully  paved  trail,  but  that  wouldn’t  be   ruled  out  in  particular  sections.         Suggestions  for  Changes  to  the  Handout  for  Landowners     • Add  more  about  the  economic  benefits  to  landowners  along  a  trail.    This  needs  to   counter  balance  arguments  that  “property  value  will  tank.”     • Add  URLs  for  more  info.    (Ray  said  these  could  be  added  to  the  Town  website  within   a  couple  of  weeks.)     Comments/  Suggestions  re:  the  Easement  Document     • Remove  sections  2d  and  2e,  and  include  any  particular  stipulations  in  a  Schedule  A   instead     • If  there  is  any  mortgage  on  the  property,  protection  for  the  easement   (subordination)  must  be  obtained  from  the  mortgage  holder.  (This  language  isn’t   included  in  the  document,  so  the  person  approaching  a  landowner  must  bring  it  up.)     • There  is  a  difference  between  conservation  and  trail  easements.    With  conservation   easements,  a  landowner  may  receive  income  tax  breaks  for  the  charitable  donation   of  development  rights.  For  a  trail  easement,  tax  breaks  are  not  generally  sought.   Landowners  won’t  be  encouraged  to  get  an  appraisal  for  find  out  how  much  they’re   giving  away,  and  the  town  won’t  pay  for  it.     • To  describe  the  easement  right  of  way,  it  is  hoped  that  we  can  refer  to  information   in  previous  deeds  and  surveys  recorded  in  the  County  Clerk’s  office.  This  would  save   the  expense  of  hiring  surveyors  or  making  elaborate  descriptions  of  the  rail  bed.     (Descriptions  were  sometimes  vague  when  Mahlon  Perkins  sold  the  sections  back  to   landowners.)    The  town  attorney  will  have  to  decide  if  descriptions  are  adequate,   and  those  negotiating  with  landowners  will  try  to  give  an  accurate  description  as  a   first  draft.     • There  was  a  discussion  about  getting  volunteer  help  from  a  surveyor  or  attorney,   with  two  names  suggested  by  Milo.     • A  lengthy  model  Trail  Easement  and  commentary  from  Pennsylvania  may  yield   additional  details  to  cover  in  the  Dryden  document.    Bob  is  studying  it.     • The  issue  of  Liability  is  important.  NYS  law  helps  protect  landowners  from  suits  by   trespassers  who  are  injured  on  their  land.    For  the  trail,  the  Town  will  also   indemnify  landowners.     • Todd  will  bring  the  Dryden  Draft  to  Cornell  attorneys  for  their  review.     Review  of  Landowners  List     Attendees  worked  from  the  trail  section  map  and  landowner  list  provided  by  the  Ithaca-­‐ Tompkins  County  Transportation  office,  to  identify  specific  landowners  to  approach  first.         Properties  considered  important  to  approach  soon  to  build  momentum  were  listed  as   numbers:  8,4,19,18,  21,  and  11.    Bruno  will  contact  the  owner  and  manager  of  Varna  LLC   (#8,  Lucente)  and  Brown,  to  begin  talks  about  the  trail.         When  the  Design  Connect  team  contacted  landowners  along  this  section  of  the  proposed   trail,  there  was  no  significant  opposition  (other  than  the  DEC  Game  Farm),  according  to  Bob.     There  were  issues  raised  from  property  owners  east  of  Route  13.       It  was  decided  to  approach  state  elected  officials  Barbara  Lifton  and  Jim  Seward  to  enlist   their  help  in  negotiating  with  the  Game  Farm  and  the  William  George  Agency  about  their   respective  sections  of  the  trail.    Bruno  volunteered  to  contact  Sen.  Seward.  Milo  offered  to   help  with  Game  Farm  negotiations,  unless  Mary  Ann  Sumner  is  providing  leadership  on  this.         The  last  meeting  with  the  William  George  Agency  management  was  some  time  ago;  second   hand  word  is  that  the  new  management  is  just  as  opposed  to  a  trail  on  the  property.    There   was  a  suggestion  to  connect  with  long  time  staff  there  for  a  read  on  how  to  approach   management.    As  Mayor  of  Freeville,  David  could  host  a  meeting  with  Agency  officials,   Bruno  and  Bob.         Fred  Bonn  from  NYS  Parks  was  mentioned  as  another  supporter  and  resource.   Ray  asked  whether  a  subcommittee  was  needed  to  apply  for  a  NYS  Parks  grant,  with  the   application  due  on  July  31.    However,  it  appears  such  an  application  must  wait  until  all   easements  are  in  place.     Meeting  adjourned  at  9:14  pm     Next  Meeting:  7  pm  Wednesday,  July  20  Village  of  Freeville  Hall.