HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-21TB 2-21-19
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 21, 2018
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Linda Lavine,
Cl Kathrin Servoss, Cl Alice Green
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Rick Young, Highway DPW/Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
Khandi Sokoni, Town Attorney
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:10 pm. Board members and audience recited the
pledge of allegiance.
TOWN CLERK
RESOLUTION #47 (2019) – APPROVE MINUTES
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of January 2,
January 10 and January 17, 2019.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
BUDGET MODIFICATION
There is one budget mod for 2019 for insurance recovery in the amount of $8,026.14
and one for 2018 for PaveNY/Winter Recovery for $158.67.
RESOLUTION #48 (2019) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
From To
2019 DA2680 Misc Ins Recovery DA5130.4 Machinery 8,026.14
2018 DB5110.4 Street Maintenance DB5112.21 Street Improvements 158.67
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
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Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Susan Simmons said she and her sister and nephew live at 832 and 836 Dryden Road.
She asked about the status of the water and sewer improvements in Varna. Supv Leifer said
TG Miller has been evaluating the effect of the proposed Trinitas project on the work that needs
to be done there. If the project doesn’t go through the town will still need to make
improvements.
Brynn Schmitt, 134 Hornbrook Road, Ithaca, thanked the board and local citizens
around the Borger compression station for their work on what is happening there. It is a
wonderful accomplishment by the citizens, the board and everyone involved. The upgrades will
significantly reduce emissions, reduce the County’s carbon footprint and improve the air
quality dramatically around the station. She asked that the town continue to push for even
higher standards there. There is an oxidation catalyst needed for unit four that would also
help with the air quality. She’d like to see the best available control technology and the lowest
achievable emissions. Thank you to all who had a part in accomplishing this improvement.
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
Highway Superintendent Rick Young said they have used less salt this year. They had
significant problems with some trucks the last few days and are hoping winter will end soon.
To date they have billed about $85,000 to the county for snow removal.
Supv Leifer reported that the Town of Dryden was awarded the G. Jeffery Haber
Leadership Award by Comp Alliance at the Association of Towns meeting earlier this week. It is
in recognition of the efforts the town has made to maintain a safe work environment and
minimize time lost due to workplace injury. The town received this award largely due to the
efforts of the Highway Department.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Supv Leifer said the department’s report is available online. There will be a new person
getting bands for the music series in Dryden this year.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
The monthly report has been provided to board members and is online. Ray Burger
reported there has been some movement on the Mineah Road intersection. After doing a study,
DOT is planning to put a flashing light there and do some increased signage and striping on
the road. The signage and striping will likely happen first.
Some of our advisory board members attended a county training on February 4 that
dealt with county resources and grants available. The town attorney will be attending the
Planning Board meeting this month and doing a training on SEQR, site plan review, and
answering questions. R Burger asked the board to approve training credit in the amount of
one hour for the February 4 training and two hours for February 28, 2019, for advisory board
members that are required to do continuing education training each year. The board approved
his request.
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Lee Road status – TC3 Foundation is in the process of coming back with a formal
application after holding some community outreach meetings. When the matter comes before
the town board residents will be advised via a mailing from the town.
ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES
Board Appointments
RESOLUTION #49 (2019) – APPOINT AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEMBER – BIEBER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Erin Bieber to the Agriculture
Advisory Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2019.
2nd Cl Servoss
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #50 (2019) – APPOINT RECREATION & YOUTH COMMISSION
MEMBER – HOLLAND
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Joanne Holland to serve on the
Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission as the representative from Dryden Central School
for a term to expire December 31, 2019.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Planning Board – They have recommended an update to the comp plan. In the
meantime, they have established a building energy subcommittee to guide recommendations
on amending the comp plan with respect to building energy issues because climate change is
not currently addressed in the plan. The subcommittee would like to schedule a public
information meeting on March 7 to present the recommended changes. They will collect
comments and have material ready to post on the web prior to a formal public hearing.
Conservation Board – Cl Lamb said they had an energetic meeting at the end of
January. There was concern about the Freese Road bridge and impacts on flooding. He said
the preferred alternative actually reduces flood and is designed for a 200-year flood event. The
preferred alternative does have improved hydraulic outlooks compared to what is currently
there. They are also concerned about fill in a floodplain and that is a serious concern. We
want to have as little impact on the floodplain as possible.
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They also discussed a plastic bag ban. The county is looking at this and we don’t need
to duplicate that. Sooner or later it will come up here.
Recreation & Youth Commission – The next meeting is next Wednesday. They will be
looking to have an orientation for new members in the coming weeks with help of TC Youth
Services.
Ag Committee – The Ag Summit is coming up. The Town will be invoiced by
Cooperative Extension for its board/committee members who attend.
C Schutt said the Conservation Board has been looking at a guideline document for the
Planning Board and contractors based on the NRCP and Ag Plan. He took what they have so
far to the Ag Committee for discussion. They had some ideas about what else could be in that
document.
Rail Trail Task Force – Cl Green presented two resolutions in support of grant
applications for the rail trail.
RESOLUTION #51 (2019) - AUTHORIZE THE DRYDEN RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE TO
APPLY FOR TWO TOMPKINS COUNTY GRANTS: EARMARKED FOR PARKS AND TRAILS,
AND CAPITAL TOURISM
Cl Green offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the 2005 Town of Dryden Comprehensive Plan and the 2011 Recreation Master
Plan both identified a need for increased outdoor leisure and recreational space; and
WHEREAS, in the Spring of 2016 the Town Board appointed a Rail Trail Task Force made up of
volunteer community members and authorized it to take deliberate steps to develop a Dryde n
Rail Trail in the historic Lehigh Valley Railroad corridor; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force has made significant progress advancing the trail project including
obtaining easements along its 10.5-mile length, and
WHEREAS, the Task Force has obtained a $182,000 matching fund grant from the NYS Office
of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden has authorized the Task Force to apply for a New York State
Transportation Alternatives Program (NYS TAP) grant for construction of a Route 13 crossing
and for trail surfacing, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Legislature, in adopting the 2019 budget allocated funding
for two trail- related grant opportunities,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Dryden authorizes the Dryden Rail Trail
Task Force to apply for
A Tompkins County Tourism Capital Grant, not to exceed $100,000, toward costs of building
and restoring bridges and water crossings along the trail section included in the NYS OPR HP
grant and /or the NYS Transportation Alternatives Program grant, and
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A Tompkins County Parks and Trails grant not to exceed $5,000 towards the cost of three
kiosks in the Game Farm to Route 13 section of the Dryden Rail trail.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Cl Green said the task force is in the beginning stages of planning an opening ceremony
for the Dryden Village to Freeville Village section on May 11. The plan is to center the
celebrations at a half-way point in that three-mile stretch. It will happen in a pavilion area
owned by the William George Agency. They plan to invite people to walk in from either village
for a series of family centered events.
Emergency Services Committee – Patrick Brunner reported the February meeting was
cancelled due to bad weather. Items on agenda were: how to define an active member, a one
department concept moving forward, consolidation of equipment, uniformity of equipment,
town wide certifications, cross-training on each other’s apparatus, an incentive program for
departments and members, a retirement package or some sort of discounts. A shared services
committee meeting is scheduled for next Monday. He is looking into the Local Gov Efficiency
Program, has spoken with someone in that office and will let everyone know when he has a
meeting scheduled.
P Brunner resigned from his position as Fire Warden effective at the end of this month
and read the attached statement. He has provided the Supervisor with a copy of the town
coordinator job he drafted.
Cl Lavine said she’s sorry that he felt unsupported and wants him to know that she
supported him. Cl Green thanked him for all he has done for Dryden. Cl Lamb said the work
done and information exposed by P Brunner has been valuable to the town. The board
appreciates his service and courage in his statement.
RESOLUTION #52 (2019) – THANKING PATRICK BRUNNER
Cl Lavine offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board hereby extends their appreciation and thanks
to Patrick Brunner for his service to the town in the position of Fire Warden and for his years of
service to the Town of Dryden and its communities as a member of the Town’s fire
departments.
2nd Cl Green
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
P Brunner said there are five high school students involved in fire/emergency services
who are graduating this year. Neptune has two scholarships to award and it would be nice if
there were other scholarships available.
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Supv Leifer has distributed the job description for the coordinator position and that can
be reviewed at the March agenda meeting. There may be resistance to it, but this is a position
that is needed. It is different from the Fire Warden position. This person will need experience
in fire and EMS and will work with and report to the board.
P Brunner recommended that the Fire Warden position go to one of the department
chiefs.
Safety & Preparedness Committee – Katie Quinn-Jacobs said Dominion is swapping
out units 2 and 3 at the Borger Station. They are being replaced with units recommended by
the committee. She presented a chart (attached) that shows the difference in NOx and CO
emissions with the current equipment and the new equipment. The chart represents the
maximum output for a year. Borger is currently operating under restrictions because of the
units 2 and 3 can only be run for an hour a day over the course of a year. The r ed line is as if
they ran 24/7 365 days a year. This is a huge difference. K Quinn-Jacobs received the raw
data numbers that went into the chart in order to look at it in terms of percentage. The change
will result in an enormous reduction in emissions over a year. The c ommittee is in favor of this
move. She reviewed the points at the top of page.
The committee would like Dominion to commit to not selling the old units for anything
other than scrap. They don’t want them sold to be operated elsewhere. Unit 4 is not
addressed in the proposal and is not in this project. The committee would like this to be
included before permits are issued. The oxidation catalyst on Unit 4 will only affect the
reduction of carbon monoxide that it produces.
Cl Lamb said he appreciates the committee staying on top of this and keeping the board
advised. Supv Leifer will contact D Houser of Dominion with the committee and Town’s
requests.
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW
HOUSING TRUST EXEMPTION
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Cl Servoss explained this is an
exemption provided by the state that the town, by adoption of this local law, can allow its
property owners to take advantage of. The county has adopted it and towns in the county can
now choose to adopt it. Supv Leifer added it will help support affordable housing in town.
There were no comments and the hearing was left open.
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW
AMENDING SECTION 706 OF THE ZONING LAW
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. This amendment updates Section
706 of the Zoning Law to refer to the most current LEED Neighborhood Development Protocol
and allows the town to have discretion to excuse non-compliance with LEED perquisites that
can’t be reasonably attained in the Town of Dryden. Planning Board Chair John Kiefer said it
has been awkward for the Planning Board to be using an ancient LEED standard. There were
no further comments and the hearing was left open.
The board reviewed the short EAF in the matter and Supv Leifer read aloud the
statement in part 3.
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NEW BUSINESS
Climate Smart Community Task Force – Cl Green presented a proposed resolution to
form a Climate Smart Community Task Force. The Task Force will work to gain points for the
town to become a Climate Smart Bronze Level Community. They hope to be able to apply for a
grant for matching money for updating the comp plan to include more sustainability elements.
RESOLUTION #53 (2019) – CREATE A TOWN OF DRYDEN CLIMATE
SMART COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
Supv Leifer offers the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, New York State introduced the Climate Smart Community (CSC) certification
program in 2014 to recognize the leadership of communities that go beyond the CSC pledge to
implement and document a suite of actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change at the
local level, and
WHEREAS, over the past two years, DEC’s Climate Smart Communities grants program has
awarded approximately $20 million for 37 climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas
mitigation projects, and DEC has awarded another $1 million to support 26 Climate Sma rt
Community certification projects, and
WHEREAS, in 2016 the Town of Dryden approved a pledge to work toward becoming a New
York State Climate Smart Community, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden has recently been awarded certification as a Clean Energy
Community, and received a $5,000 grant for further sustainability actions, and
WHEREAS, the first step towards bronze certification as a Climate Smart Community is
appointing a Climate Smart Task Force and Chairperson, to guide documentation of the Town’s
action steps toward Climate Change Resilience and Mitigation, now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Dryden appoints the following persons to the
Town Climate Smart Task Force:
Ray Burger, Director of Planning
John Kiefer, Chair of the Dryden Planning Board
Peter Davies, Chair of the Dryden Conservation Board
Joseph Wilson, Member of the Dryden Planning Board
Alice W. Green, Town of Dryden Councilperson
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board appoints Councilperson Alice W. Green
to serve as chair of the Climate Smart Community Task Force.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Sue Engel suggested that the DHS Sustainability Club be involved in this.
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Municipal Broadband Study – Hunt Engineers has submitted a proposal to do a study
on municipal broadband for the town. The expenses of the study (not to exceed a total of
$30,000) could be funded with the sales tax that was received and not planned for. Hunt will
survey entire town, what services they use, the speeds they have, price paid , etc. We currently
have a hodgepodge of coverage in the town. The town may be able to provide coverage that
would pay for itself based on service fees that would be lower than competition. There may be
grant funding available. It would provide faster speed for less money. If the town had fiber
through the entire town it would also improve cell service dramatically. Supv Leifer asked for
support for the concept in anticipation of a contract. Hunt has a section of their firm that
specializes in this service and they have experience. The goal is to investigate whether it is
possible for the town to own and operate a municipal broadband service. The project should
pay for itself and there may be grant funds available to assist in construction. The estimated
cost to build out the service at $12 million. With customers paying at a rate of $50/month, it
would pay for itself in ten years.
Supv Leifer closed the public hearing on the housing trust exemption at 7:41 p.m.
RESOLUTION # 54 (2019) - Adoption of Local Law No. 2 of 2019 to Enact the New York
State Real Property Tax Law Section 467-j – Restricted Sale Price Exemption for Housing
Trust Houses
Cl Servoss offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden wishes to encourage affordable housing, and
WHEREAS, on September 29, 2016, the New York State Legislature adopted an exemption
available only to the taxing jurisdictions within Tompkins County that would be applicable to
only properties subject to an initially regulated housing trust, and
WHEREAS, The Tompkins County Legislature adopted a local law number 5 of 2016, to enact
the tax exemption contained in New York Real Property Tax Law Section 467-j, making it
possible for towns and school districts within the county to do the same, and
WHEREAS, prior to this exemption, the Department of Assessment was required to value these
properties at their full-market value absent the voluntary re-sale restriction including the full
value of the land, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden desires to provide an exemption that would be for the
difference between the full market value and the restricted re-sale price of the improvement
owned by the individual property owner, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden hereby adopts said L ocal Law as Local
Law No. 2 of 2019 entitled “Local Law Enacting the New York State Real Property Tax Law
Section 467-j – Restricted Sale Price Exemption for Housing Trust Houses,” and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby directed to enter said Local Law in the minutes of
this meeting and in the Local Law Book of the Town of Dryden, and to give timely notice of the
adoption of said Local Law to the Secretary of State, as required by law, and to file a certified
copy in the Office of the Tompkins County Clerk.
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SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Cl Green
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Supv Leifer closed the public hearing on the zoning law amendment at 7:42 p.m.
RESOLUTION #55 (2019) - SEQR NEG DEC –Zoning Law (Local Law 1 of 2015)
Amendments
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. The proposed action involves amending the Town of Dryden Zoning Law to change the
standard in Section 706: Green Neighborhood Development, Additional Density to reflect a
more current standard instead of the 2009 LEED standard; and
B. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden has determined that this is an unlisted action
pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and is the lead
agency for the purposes of uncoordinated environmental review in connection with approval by
the Town; and
C. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, in performing the lead agency functi on for its
independent and uncoordinated environmental review in accordance with Article 8 of SEQRA,
(i) thoroughly reviewed the Environmental Assessment Form (“EAF”), Parts I and 2, and any
and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to th is proposed action and its
environmental review, (ii) thoroughly analyzed the potential relevant areas of environmental
concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the
environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) completed the
EAF, Part 3.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, based upon (i) its thorough review of the EAF, Parts
1 and 2, and any and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this
proposed action and its environmental review, (ii) its thorough review of the potential relevant
areas of environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant
adverse impact on the environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and
(iii) its completion of the EAF, Part 3, including the findings noted thereon (which findings are
incorporated herein as if set forth at length), hereby makes a negative declaration of
environmental significance (“Negative Declaration”) in accordance with SEQR for the above
referenced proposed action, and determines that an Environmental Impact Statement will not
be required; and
2. The Responsible Officer of the Town Board of the Town of Dryden is her eby authorized and
directed to complete and sign as required the determination of significance, confirming the
foregoing Negative Declaration, which fully completed and signed EAF and determination of
significance shall be incorporated by reference in this Resolution.
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2nd Cl Green
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #56 (2019) - Adopting Local Law No. 3 of 2019 to Amend the Town of
Dryden Zoning Law Section 706 (Local Law 1 of 2015)
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town has the authority to adopt the local law referred to above (hereafter
“the Local Law”) pursuant to Article 9, §1 of the New York State Constitution and §10 of the New
York State Municipal Home Rule Law; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board on 12-19-18 passed Resolution 31 recommending that
the LEED standard referenced in Zoning Law Section 706 be changed to reflect t he most current
protocol instead of existing reference to a 2009 LEED standard; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board determined that the Zoning Law should be amended to
change the standard in Section 706: Green Neighborhood Development, Additional Density to
reflect a more current standard; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, after due deliberation, finds it in the best interest of the
Town of Dryden to adopt said Local Law; and
WHEREAS, the proposed change was introduced at the Town Board meetin g on
January 17, 2019, and the Town Board of the Town of Dryden reviewed and discussed the
change and set a public hearing to be held by said Town Board on February 21, 2019 to hear
all interested parties on the Local Law; and
WHEREAS, final copy of the local law was delivered to the Town Board and Town Clerk
and posted on the Town of Dryden website on February 11, 2019, and
WHEREAS, notice of said public hearing was duly advertised in the Ithaca Journal, and
WHEREAS, said public hearing was duly held on said date and time at the Town Hall of
the Town of Dryden and all parties in attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak and
comment on the Local Law, or any part thereof, and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Local Law is an unlisted action pursuant to the New
York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its implementing regulations at 6
NYCRR Part 617, for which the Town Board of the Town of Dryden, acting as lead agency in an
environmental review with respect to the adoption of this local law, made a negative
determination of environmental significance on January 17, 2019, after having reviewed and
accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Parts 1, 2 and 3 prepared by
the Town’s Planning staff.
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden hereby adopts said Local Law as Local
Law No. 3 of 2019 entitled " A Local Law Amending the Zoning law for the Town of Dryden,
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Tompkins County, New York," a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part he reof, and
the Town Clerk is hereby directed to enter said Local Law in the minutes of this meeting and in
the Local Law Book of the Town of Dryden, and to give timely notice of the adoption of said
Local Law to the Secretary of State, as required by law.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #57 (2019) – AUTHORIZE FEASIBILITY STUDY – MUNICIPAL
FIBER-TO-THE-HOME NETWORK
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the town of Dryden has received a proposal from Hunt Engineers,
Architects, Land Surveyors & Landscape Architect, DPC, to conduct a feasibility study in
connection with a municipal fiber-to-the-home network in the town at a cost of $25,000 and
expenses estimated at $5,000, and
WHEREAS, due to the lack of town-wide internet coverage and inconsistency of services
offered in the town, the board has determined that investigating the possibility of a municipal
fiber-to-the-home network, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to execute the
proposal and agreement from Hunt Engineers dated February 19, 2019, to conduct a feasibility
study for a municipal fiber-to-the-home network at a cost not to exceed $25,000 and expenses
not to exceed $5,000.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
COUNTY BRIEFING
Mike Lane reported that the airport project is moving along. Senator Schumer came a
few weeks ago and announced there is more funding for the airport grant program in
Washington and he will be advocating strenuously for the county’s ten-million-dollar
application for the grant for the second phase of the terminal expansion. The county received a
1.6 million dollar grant for its application for a mixed-use fuel station. They hope to have that
near the Sheriff’s facility on Warren Road. It would mean they would not need to have a fueling
station at new DOT facility. This mixed-use fuel station could be used by TCAT and/or other
municipalities.
The county’s first budget meeting for the 2020 budget will happen in April.
TC3 is currently working on its strategic plan. M Lane mentioned to them a sidewalk
that goes from the Ithaca College entrance to Ithaca City line for safety. He asked that TC3
investigate how that was funded and think about a sidewalk down the hill for students.
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The county will be putting out an RFP for the Route 13 study. That will be supervised
by the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee. They will ask for participation on the working
group from the Town of Dryden, the Village of Lansing, Cornell University, and Tompkins
County. They are interested in the corridor from the Dryden Village line south to War ren Road.
FREESE ROAD BRIDGE
Cl Servoss explained that Federal Highway has determined that alternative #13 was the
only alternative that had no impact on the historic bridge. That alternative would retain the
existing bridge and add a vehicular bridge next to it (twinning). Under Section 4F they have
essentially said the town has to choose that option.
Cl Lamb said the hydraulic study done since that decision was initially made shows
that the impact of the current bridge creating a backup of water during a flood event and
maintaining the old bridge in this twinning scenario would put the new bridge in danger. That
would make this a not-prudent option at this point.
Matt Schooley of Barton & Loguidice pointed out that SHPO looks at the matter from a
historic perspective only. If the town and county are not willing to financially support
alternative 13, they need to pass a resolution then becomes an adverse effect because does not
meet purpose and needs. If town wants to go with alternative 11, we need to take the historic
truss out of the picture and need a resolution in order to move this forward in the process.
Maintaining the old bridge as a pedestrian bridge would place an undue bur den on taxpayers.
After further discussion, the board passed the following resolution.
RESOLUTION #58 (2019) - Amendment to the Alternative Comparison Table for the
Freese Road Bridge over Fall Creek Project, PIN #3756.41
Cl Servoss offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town of Dryden was awarded a BridgeNY Grant for the rehabilitation or
replacement of the Freese Road Bridge over Fall Creek, BIN #3209800, and
Whereas, thirteen alternative designs were discussed and researched, with extensive public
input, during the preliminary design phase, and
Whereas, the Town Board re-examined Alternative 13, in consultation with the Town Highway
Superintendent, and has determined that Alternative 13 does not meet our purpose or needs,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Town Board determines that Alternative 13 does not meet the purpose or
needs of the Town due to the costs of maintaining the pedestrian bridge would place an undue
burden and hardship on town taxpayers.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Abstain
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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GEORGE ROAD BRIDGE
M Schooley said we are moving closer to going to go to bid on George Road. The town
previously sent a SEQR letter of intent to be lead agency and now needs to pass a resolution
assuming the lead agency role.
RESOLUTION #59 (2019) – ASSUME LEAD AGENCY ROLE – GEORGE ROAD BRIDGE
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board hereby assumes lead agency status for SEQR
purposes in connection with construction of the George Road Bridge under the BridgeNY
Program.
2nd Cl Servoss
Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Abstain
Cl Green Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
SEQR review can be done at the next board meeting.
Cl Servoss presented an amendment to the agreement between the City of Ithaca, Town of
Ithaca and Town of Dryden and GHD Consulting Services, Inc. for the project at th e Ithaca
Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. Atty Sokoni will review that agreement before it is signed.
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk