HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-18TB 2-18-21
Page 1 of 13
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 18, 2021
Via Zoom
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley,
Cl Loren Sparling, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper
Peter Walsh, Town Attorney
Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
RESOLUTION #52 (2021) – APPROVE MINUTES
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of January 14
and January 21, 2021.
2nd Cl Skaley
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Announcements
Supv Leifer reviewed the notes from today’s county meeting. They will be posted on the
town’s website.
Town Board Vacancy
Cl Lamb introduced Leonardo Vargas-Mendez who has served as President of the Latino
Civic Association and Executive Director of Cornell University Public Service Center. Cl Lamb
said he is familiar with the community, is a connector and would make a great addition to the
board with his administrative and public service experience.
Mr Vargas-Mendez said he has resided in Tompkins County for 43 years and in the
Town of Dryden for 10 years. He has served on boards of non -profit organizations and
currently serves on the boards of directors of Alternatives Federal Credit Union and McGraw
House. He has been involved in many different organizations and was a Senior Administrator
at Cornell University for 30 years. He is honored to serve and will do his best to learn and be a
partner.
RESOLUTION #53 (2021) – APPOINT TOWN BOARD MEMBER
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
TB 2-18-21
Page 2 of 13
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Leonardo Vargas-Mendez as a
Dryden Town Councilperson to fill the seat vacated by Kathrin Servoss for a term expiring
December 31, 2021.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PRESENTATION
Joel Molina, Cornell University
Joel Molina introduced several of his colleagues and they gave a presentation about
how Cornell University has been handling the Covid pandemic. The positivity numbers past
and present were reviewed. They are currently at .07%. In analyzing their processes, they
made a few changes. There will be a faster turnaround on test results. Students will be tested
on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. They continue to evaluate the ir approaches.
With respect to budget matters, they are hopeful that there will be significant money
flowing before the end of the state fiscal year. That would reduce the cuts that will be
experienced in the current year and next year. It seems that t hings are falling into place for
approval of the American Rescue Plan and it is on target to be signed into law before the middle
of March when the unemployment extended benefits expire.
Comments and questions for Cornell’s town hall events can be sent to Gary Stewart at
gary.stewart@cornell.edu.
There are about 500 more students on campus for the Spring semester than there were
in the Fall. They are at about 80% occupancy on campus.
PUBLIC HEARING
1622 DRYDEN ROAD
SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 6:35 p.m. R Burger introduced Marco
Misakovic with NPT Wireless who is representing the team. This is for a utility shelter near
Elemental Pet Vet on Route 13. It will be about a 50’ square compound with two 10’ by 20’
equipment sheds. This is an allowed use by special use permit. It is a Type 2, so there is no
need for SEQR. There are no recommendations from the county in their 239 review.
Marco Misakovic explained they are proposing a fiber shelter to provide greater fiber
capacity to the area for internet communications. These 2 shelters will be unmanned and do
not require onsite personnel. There will be a standby generator on the site. After feedback
from the Planning Department they revised their plan to include shrubs up front and the
generator for emergency use will be on the back side. They worked with the landowner and
neighboring landowners on a joint driveway. They will use the existing drive until the joint
drive is completed. There are pictures of other installations to get an idea of what it will look
like.
This fiber will serve residents in the area as well as local businesses and schools. The
site was chosen because it is a remote area that works with the zoning code and this seemed to
work best. It is in the rural residential zone, with Lowrey Construction to the northeast and
Elemental Pet Vet and Second Home Dog Care to the west. All three businesses will use a
TB 2-18-21
Page 3 of 13
common driveway (Planning Board recommendations in July). The necessary easement
agreement will be signed in the next few weeks. This will be a long -term facility.
The board reviewed the proposed resolution approving site plan and granting the
special use permit and the conditions in that resolution. Cl Skaley said given the
concentration of more commercially oriented properties, the area might be considered for
rezoning. This is a Type 2 action so there is no SEQR review.
There were no further questions from the board or public and the public hearing was
closed at 6:52 p.m.
RESOLUTION #54 (2021) - Approving Site Plan and Granting Special Use Permit for a
Public Utility Facility at 1622 Dryden Road, Tax Parcel 44.-1-13.416
Cl Skaley offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. NTP Wireless, on behalf of FirstLight Fiber, has applied for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to
locate a public utility facility at 1622 Dryden Road, Tax Parcel 44.-1-13.416; and
B. An application, SUP worksheet, equipment details and sketch plan have been
submitted, and
C. The Town Planning Department considers the application complete and in conformance
with the requirements of Town Zoning Law §501, §600, §1103 and §1201, and
D. A public hearing was held on February 18, 2021 with public comments registered in the
meeting minutes and considered by this board, and
E. The Tompkins County Planning Department has reviewed the application pursuant §239
–l, -m, and –n of the New York State General Municipal Law, and
F. In a letter dated February 16, 2021, the Tompkins County Planning Department
determined that they have no recommendations or comments on this proposal, and
G. The Stormwater Management Officer reviewed the proposal and concluded that the site
is already operating under a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) filed with the
NY Department of Environmental Conservation, and
H. Pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden
has, on February 18, 2021, determined that this proposal is exempt from review since it is
a Type II action under 6 CRR-NY 617.5 (c) (9), and
I. The Town Board has reviewed this application relative to the considerations and
standards found in Town Zoning Law §1104 for site plan review a nd §1202 for Special Use
Permit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board approves the sketch plan documents dated December 31, 2020 as site
plan for 1622 Dryden Road, conditioned on the following prior to issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy:
TB 2-18-21
Page 4 of 13
a. Any generator testing will take place between the weekday hours of 8-5.
b. The buildings and fence fabric will be neutral colors.
c. The proposed permanent access on the site plan will replace the temporary access
within one year.
2. The Town Board hereby finds that the considerations for approval of the requested
Special Use Permit listed in Section 1202 of the Town of Dryden Zoning Law have been met,
specifically that:
a. The proposed use is compatible with the other permitted uses in the Rural Residential
district and compatible with the purpose of this district as public utility facilities are a
permitted use in this zone and this parcel is located adjacent to the Route 13 right -of-
way and other commercial businesses;
b. The proposed use is compatible with adjoining properties and with the natural and
manmade environment, as this proposal is for two 11 ft by 20 ft equipment shelters to
be screened by fabric covered fencing and landscaping;
c. Parking, vehicular circulation, and infrastructure for the proposed use is adequate. This
facility will share a driveway with adjacent businesses;
d. The overall impact on the site and its surroundings considering the environmental,
social and economic impacts of traffic, noise, dust, odors, release of harmful
substances, solid waste disposal, glare, or any other nuisances has been considered
and found to be negligible, based on the low volume of traffic associated with this
business and that generator noise will be mitigated;
e. Restrictions and/or conditions on design of structures or operation of the use necessary
to ensure compatibility with the surrounding uses or to protect the natural or scenic
resources of the Town have been incorporated into the site plan;
f. The project complies with the requirements for site plan review and conforms to the
Town’s Commercial Design Guidelines to the maximum extent practicable in that: the
site is screened from residential uses by landscaping and the use of a neutral colored
fabric to cover the fence.
3. The Town Board, finding that the applicant is in compliance with all other provisions of
the Town Zoning Law and other applicable ordinances, approves a Special Use Permit for
the public utility facility at 1622 Dryden Road with the Town of Dryden Standard
Conditions of Approval as amended August 14, 2008.
2nd Cl Sparling
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Abstain
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
PUBLIC HEARING
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. Cl Skaley said this public hearing is
required in order for the Town to apply for CDBG funding to be used to help fund the sewer
TB 2-18-21
Page 5 of 13
replacement in the hamlet of Varna. The purpose of this hearing is to gather comment on the
project and that goes into the application to the Office of Community Renewal which
administers the funds. The town’s consultant, G & G Consulting , is preparing the application
which must be completed and submitted prior to March 5, 2021. It is a t ight schedule and
following this hearing the board will consider a resolution to apply for the grant. The board
passed other related resolutions in January.
There was a meeting today with Environmental Facilities Corporation and someone
from the Department of Health on the water side of the project. The water application is being
reviewed by the Department of Health. The sewer project was the bulk of the meeting this
morning to discuss financing options and address some technical questions. Most issues were
addressed. We will need to file our various agreements with the professionals with the
application. The board will discuss the Minority Business officer later tonight. The financial
consultant recommends going for a short-term loan from EFC with a near zero interest rate.
We have submitted a new packet of information to EFC to review for scoring the project and are
hopeful for some additional ranking that would put us up into a better position for longer term
financing and the possibility of a hardship grant. The income survey conducted shows that we
are at about 64% of the adjusted mean income. There will be more discussions with our
consultants going forward with this.
Comments/questions:
Can work start by late summer/early fall? The board has approved TG Miller to move forward
with surveys and engineering approaches needed to prepare a bid package. No RFPs will be
issued until we have approval for financing from the Office of Community Renewal. No work
can be commenced until approval of funding. There will be additional permits required from
the Department of Health and NYS DOT.
There were no further comments or questions and the hearing was closed at 7:00 p.m.
RESOLUTION #55 (2021) – APPLY FOR CDBG GRANT TO HELP FUND SEWER
INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE HAMLET OF VARNA
Cl Skaley offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town of Dryden is proposing to replace aging sewer mains in the
Consolidated Sewer District, and
Whereas, the Town has applied for funding at the Environmental Facilities Corporation
and the NYS Department of Health, and
Whereas, the Town has held a public hearing for a CDBG grant as part of applying for
additional support through the NYS Office of Community Renewal for a Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG), be it therefore
Resolved that the Town of Dryden formally is submitting an application and seeking
funding our Sewer infrastructure project through the Community Development Block Grant
funds.
2nd Cl Sparling
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
TB 2-18-21
Page 6 of 13
Supv Leifer Yes
COUNTY BRIEFING
Martha Robertson reported that 211 can provide people trying to get a Covid vaccine
with information, but cannot actually set up an appointment for them. There has been a pop-
up site scheduled at GIAC for that community.
The Reimagining Public Safety report will be out on Monday and the public hearing will
be held Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The goal is to pass it by April 1, 2021.
The Urgent Care Clinic on Arrowood Drive has closed due to a staffing shortage. CMA
representatives are sending people to the emergency department on the other side of the lake.
They can’t reopen right now, but hope to reopen in Spring. Their nurses are being recruited by
other states and by the state system to do vaccinations at state sites. Nurses are getting offers
of $10,000 a week to go to California or Florida. Because of that they are down about 15
nurses in the emergency department and ICU. They are rethinking the best way to provide this
service in the future to the east side of the county.
M Robertson said she is chairing the Housing and Economic Development Committee
as well as the Tompkins Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Board members have the monthly update and it is on the website. R Burger said TC3 is
reinvigorating their effort to find some kind of a trail to connect the campus to the Village that
does not encourage the use of Lee Road.
Borger Station has given notice that they intend to proceed with the 2.65 million dollar
project to replace two compressors with an anticipated start date of April 1. The building
permit application is expected soon.
The Dryden 2045 website was discussed. The recording labelled for the 3rd workshop
(that was zoom bombed) is actually the recording for the 4th workshop. Supv Leifer would like
the recording from the 3rd workshop to be edited to remove the hate speech comments. He
noted the chat for workshop 2 is not available. R Burger said the chat file was lost due to a
Zoom glitch. One of the EDR consultants noted the comments for Jane Rice who discussed the
comment and it may have been put up on a sticky note. We do not have an exact transcript of
the chat, but most were addressed in the video and audio. The consultants also took notes
and the input was captured.
Supv Leifer would like the time to comment extended until March 3, 2021. R Burger
will contact John Kiefer and the EDR consultants and let them know.
No date has been discussed for completion of a draft of the Comprehensive Plan. The
contract goes through June and may have to be extended.
Cl Lamb commented that the last workshop went really well and it was a useful and
productive meeting. He is amazed at the number of community members that believe the town
is coming for their gas and woodstoves. T he town has never been for that, it is not a goal, and
is not making people switch their energy source.
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
No report.
TB 2-18-21
Page 7 of 13
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Dog Control Officer Appointment – An offer letter of employment was sent to Jason
Leonard. He will be paid through payroll and will track his time to gather information for next
year’s budget. There may be a different plan for 2022 and the town will issue an RFP in the fall
of 2021. J Leonard spoke with the board about the work to be done and tracking the data. It
was noted this results in an increase of about $15,000 over the adopted budget.
RESOLUTION #56 (2021) – APPOINT DOG CONTROL OFFICER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Jason Leonard as Dog Control
Officer through December 31, 2021.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
SJC/(IAWWTP) - City Harbor Guthrie Agreements – This matter involves an easement
for an underground sewer pipe that needs to be moved for the City Harbor project. The
municipal owners of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant are surrendering the existing
easement and it is being replaced directly by one on their property that will have the same
function. A resolution has been received and reviewed by the board. Each municipality must
approve it by a majority vote. Surrendering of the easement is a conveyance of real estate that
requires the resolution be adopted subject to permissive referendum.
RESOLUTION #57 (2021) - APPROVE THE FOLLOWING AGREEMENTS: (A) AMENDMENT
TO EASEMENT FOR OUTFALL PIPE FACILITIES, (B) AGREEMENT FOR ACCESS TO AND
USE OF EFFLUENT AND ACCESS AGREEMENT, (C) EASEMENT TERMINATION AND
RELOCATION AGREEMENT, AND (D) PROXIMITY DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, City Harbor, LLC, a New York limited liability company (“City Harbor”) is the
owner of certain real property located at 101 Pier Road in the City of Ithaca, County of Tompkins,
State of New York, designated as Tax Map Parcel Number 17.-1-1.3 (the “City Harbor Property”);
and
WHEREAS, The Guthrie Clinic, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation (“Guthrie” and,
together with City Harbor, “Developers”), is the owner of certain real property located at 101 Pier
Road in the City of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, State of New York, designated as Tax Map Parcel
Number 17.-1-1.2 (the “Guthrie Property”); and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Town of Dryden (the “Municipalities”)
collectively own and operate the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 525 Third
Street in the City of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, State of New York (the “Facility”); and
TB 2-18-21
Page 8 of 13
WHEREAS, the Developers have met multiple times with the Special Joint Committee (the
“SJC”) of the Facility and its designated representatives to discuss plans for development of the
City Harbor Property and the Guthrie Property which involve multiple agreements with the
Municipalities, and
WHEREAS, on August 21, 2019, the SJC adopted a resolution recommending the
Municipalities enter into an agreement with City Harbor allowing its use of Facility effluent to
heat and cool a development on City Harbor Property, pursuant to specified terms and
conditions, and such effluent is also proposed to be used to heat and cool a development on
Guthrie Property; and
WHEREAS, in relation with the developments on the City Harbor Property and Guthrie
Property, on June 17, 2020, the SJC adopted a resolution recommending the Municipalities
release a sewer easement, abandon in place an unused 30” outfall, and enter into a replacement
easement with Developers; and
WHEREAS, representatives of the SJC and staff have negotiated the following four
agreements with Developers: (A) Amendment to Easement for Outfall Pipe Facilities, (B)
Agreement for Access To and Use of Effluent and Access Agreement, (C) Easement Termination
and Relocation Agreement, and (D) Proximity Disclosure Agreement; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2020, the City Planning and Development Board, acting as Lead
Agency in a coordinated environmental review of the Type I City Harbor and Guthrie
developments, determined that the proposed City Harbor and Guthrie developments, and related
actions encompassing the four agreements, will result in no significant adverse impacts on the
environment, and the City Planning and Development Board issued a negative declaration of
environmental significance for purposes of Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and
6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review; and
WHEREAS, on December 16, 2020, the SJC approved a resolution recommending
approval of the four agreements, contingent on all Municipalities approving each agreement and
on all such approvals becoming effective, and the SJC further recommended that the effective
date of all four agreements occur simultaneously; and
(A) AMENDMENT TO EASEMENT FOR OUTFALL PIPE FACILITIES
WHEREAS, the Facility discharges treated sewage effluent (the “Effluent”) into Cayuga
Lake by way of an outfall pipe owned by Municipalities (the “Discharge Pipe”) that runs through
the City Harbor Property pursuant to an easement granted to the City of Ithaca (as Agent -
Municipality, acting on behalf of itself, the Town of Ithaca, and the Town of Dryden, as tenants
in common); and
WHEREAS, the Developers and Municipalities wish to amend this easement to establish
and confirm the rights of City Harbor to construct and maintain within the easement parcel
certain facilities and improvements necessary for the development and use of the City Harbor
Property and the Guthrie Property (the “Amendment to Easement for Outfall Pipe Facilities”); and
(B) AGREEMENT FOR ACCESS TO AND USE OF EFFLUENT AND ACCESS AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, Developers intend to access and utilize the Effluent flowing through the
Discharge Pipe in order to provide for the heating and cooling of improvements to be constructed
upon the City Harbor Property and Guthrie Property, pursuant to a certain Agreement for Access
To and Use of Effluent and Access Agreement by and among City Harbor, Guthrie, and
Municipalities (the “Effluent Use Agreement”); and
TB 2-18-21
Page 9 of 13
(C) EASEMENT TERMINATION AND RELOCATION AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, as authorized in the Municipalities’ 1984 Joint Sewer Agreement, the City
holds for the benefit of the three municipal owners of the Facility rights to (1) a 10-foot wide
sewer easement, and (2) a 30” outfall pipe (30” Outfall) located therein that served the old City
wastewater treatment plant and has not been used since the Facility began operations, (“Sewer
Easement”); and
WHEREAS, City Harbor and Guthrie, property owners of the respective tax map parcels
17.-1-1.3 and 17-1-1.2 on which the Sewer Easement is located, have requested that the
Municipalities release rights to the Sewer Easement and 30” Outfall; and
WHEREAS, City Harbor has offered to convey to the Municipalities a 20-foot wide
replacement easement to run between Cascadilla Creek and the City property line along Pier
Road (the “Replacement Easement”); and
WHEREAS, City of Ithaca and Town of Ithaca staff recognize the release of rights to the
Sewer Easement and 30” Outfall and acceptance of the Replacement Easement offered by the
Property Owners would not be detrimental to the Municipalities; and
WHEREAS, in consideration for, and to cover the expenses of, the release of its rights to
the Sewer Easement and 30” Outfall, the Developers have agreed to pay the City of Ithaca
$2,500, and
WHEREAS, the Municipalities must undertake individual processes to authorize
divestment of real property, which are subject to permissive referendum; and
(D) PROXIMITY DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, in connection with and as consideration for the execution of the Effluent Use
Agreement and Easement Termination and Relocation Agreement among Developers and
Municipalities that will allow improvements to be built on Developers’ properties, Munic ipalities
have requested from Developers, and Developers have agreed to provide to Municipalities, a
commitment to disclose their respective Property’s proximity to the Facility to each purchaser of
or tenant leasing space within, upon, or for maritime docking adjacent to their Property;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that subject to the approval of the Attorney for the Town, and subject to a
permissive referendum as permitted by law for the approval of the Easement Termination and
Relocation Agreement, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden approves the following
agreements and authorizes their execution by the Town Supervisor: (A) Amendment to Easement
for Outfall Pipe Facilities, (B) Agreement for Access To and Use of Effluent and Access Agreement,
(C) Easement Termination and Relocation Agreement, and (D) Proximity Disclosure Agreement,
contingent on all Municipalities approving each agreement and on all such approvals becoming
effective; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the four agreements shall be finalized so that the effective date of the:
(A) Amendment to Easement for Outfall Pipe Facilities, (B) Agreement for Access To and Use of
Effluent and Access Agreement, (C) Easement Termination and Relocation Agreement, and (D)
Proximity Disclosure Agreement occur simultaneously; and be it further
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Town Law section 64(6) the Supervisor is authorized and
requested to sign and deliver this resolution as the act of the Town of Dryden.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
TB 2-18-21
Page 10 of 13
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Correct 2015 Payment Fund -
Resolution #58 - (2021) Correcting 2015 Payment from TA Fund to A Fund
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, in 2015 the Town of Dryden paid $1,000 to the Intergeneration al Band
incorrectly from the TA 29 account line.
Whereas, funds were received in 2015 from the Tompkins County Community
Funds for the Intergenerational Band and deposited in the A Fund.
Whereas, due to the incorrect reporting of the expenditure, it has made the TA 29
account line carry a negative balance.
Whereas, due to new reporting on the 2020 New York State AUD, the Bookkeeper is
trying to ensure the TA fund account is correct and the reporting will be simplified.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves the transfer of funds from TA 29 Misc.
of $1,000.00 to A 7989.407 Recreation – Misc. Grant effective February 22, 2021.
2nd Cl Sparling
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Budget Modification – A budget modification is necessary in the Yellow Barn Water
account from fund balance to cover personnel services.
RESOLUTION #59 (2021) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATION
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modification:
From To
(1,745.41) SW7 599 Fund Balance
1,745.41 SW7 8340.1 Personnel Serv
2nd Cl Skaley
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
TB 2-18-21
Page 11 of 13
Supv Leifer Yes
Virtual Meeting Protocol – Cl Lamb presented a document (attached) to be sent to
board and commission chairs with recommendations for increasing security in virtual meetings
to help prevent zoom bombings and hacks. After discussion, there will be a recommendation
about the chat settings added and it will be d istributed.
ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES
Planning Board – Cl Lamb reported a portion of the meeting was devoted to debriefing
on the comp plan meeting the night before and resolving how to move forward. The Planning
Board approved the site plan for Incodema at 1920 Slaterville Road. Incodema will be moving
their operation from the City of Ithaca to Dryden.
Freese Road Bridge – Cl Lamb said he had received favorable feedback on the
possibility of moving the bridge to Groton. This will result in changing the plan and having to
go through the findings document again. Knowing what the preference is, we should be able to
accomplish that fairly quickly. This week the Village and/or Town of Groton will send a letter
of interest to acquire the Freese Road and Red Mill Road bridges to him. He will forward that
to DOT, Federal Highway and SHPO. The intent is to put the bridges on display in Groton.
He said the town will not put a concrete bridge on Freese Road like the one on Red Mill
Road. We have the option of a steel truss-style bridge with a historical look that will stick with
the parameters previously discussed (single lane with traffic signaling, pedestrian walkway and
lookout nook). The project may come in under budget since we don’t have the expense of
tearing apart the old bridge and using portions on the new bridge. The new structure will be
less expensive to maintain going forward and should not be more than the funding we were
granted.
Planning Board Vacancy – Cl Lamb reported that Linda Wagenet is interested in the
position and is qualified. He noted the position had been held open while the board searched
for some gender diversity.
Cl Sparling said he recalled the request for diversity but not necessarily gender
diversity. He thinks we need to have a clearer timeline when appointing people to committees
and boards. He understands delaying the decision in January to allow for more applications,
but we haven’t received more since early January. He doesn’t think it is right to have
applicants waiting on the board’s decision for two going on three months. He knows the
Planning Board can continue to function in its current configuration, but doesn’t think it is
right to hold open a seat for two to three months while we have qualified candidates. We owe it
to people who have applied to give them a “no” in a timely fashion if they are not in contention
for the vacancy. Personally, he believes that Steve Foote is a qualified candidate. He has
served on the Ag Committee for six years and now wants to take on a new challenge. He also
has the full support of the Ag Committee as set forth in their resolution. Having a farmer on
the Planning Board would be a good idea because she or he would be able to provide a unique
perspective on the town’s plans for development. He supports Steve Foote for this vacancy.
Cl Lamb believes there may have been some disconnect; he thought it was clear that
the town wanted a female for the position. Cl Skaley said he has trie d unsuccessfully to find a
female candidate. Supv Leifer is in favor of appointing a female to the Planning Board, but
would not be opposed to appointing Steve Foote when another vacancy occurs. He added that
we also need some age diversity.
Craig Schutt said he has known Linda Wagenet for years. She is a great person and he
enjoyed working with her, but she has never put in an application for anything in the town.
TB 2-18-21
Page 12 of 13
Steve Foote brings diversity because of his ag background. Municipal law mentions that town
boards should appoint someone from agriculture if they are available. There are people who
have been willing to serve. It isn’t easy to find someone from agriculture to apply.
Cl Sparling suggested the board work on a policy and make it clear what we are looking
for. Candidates should be promptly notified if they are not what the board is currently looking
for.
Supv Leifer said we need to do a better job of recruiting and creating diversity on all of
our boards and committees. The board will wait on receiving the application from L Wagenet
before making the appointment.
Conservation Board – Peter Davies has stepped down and the Chair recommends that
Andrew Miller be moved from alternate to member.
RESOLUTION #60 (2021) – APPOINT CONSERVATION BOARD MEMBER – MILLER
Cl Sparling offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Andrew Miller to the Conservation
Board to fill the seat vacated by Peter Davies with a term expiring December 31, 2021.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Recreation & Youth Commission – Cl Sparling reported that Willow Running was
happy with their event here and there may be 5K on Dairy Day. There was discussion about
the recreation field. There was a question put out about how seniors can become a more vital
part of our community.
Ag Advisory Committee – Cl Sparling reported the committee met twice and passed
the attached resolution on February 17 which has been presented to Town Board members.
They also discussed stretch energy code and will do more research on that. The resolution
addresses the Comprehensive Plan and what is important to the Ag Committee in that plan.
The board discussed the resolution. Supv Leifer suggested that the Board of Realtors would be
a good place to start education and they could be provided with materials to pass on.
Information could also be put on the town website.
Rail Trail Task Force – Cl Lamb said the MOU for the rail trail through the Game Farm
was signed and sent to Albany. The town will need to get engineered, stamped plans for the
surface improvements (2” of stone dust) to the trail through the Game Farm. B Beck said he
has talked to TG Miller about preparing a stamped plan. We will also need approval for the
renovation of the trestles.
Safety & Preparedness Committee – New members were appointed last week.
Climate Smart – Supv Leifer said he is still waiting on the purchase agreement for the
LED lighting project. Cl Sparling reported they discussed the new clean energy actions
guidance. John Kiefer drafted a resolution for the Climate Smart Community to adopt the New
York Stretch Code that passed unanimously, and he will bring that resolution to the Planning
Board.
TB 2-18-21
Page 13 of 13
Broadband Committee – Supv Leifer and Cl Lamb will meet with someone from a town
in Idaho to see how they are running their system. They met earlier in the w eek with a
representative from USDA Rural Development who seemed positive about the town applying
again for ReConnect funding and securing a grant. Our project fits the USDA Rural Connect
program that has $750,000,000 this time around. The grant application would be submitted
in July with announcements by the end of the year.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
None
OTHER BUSINESS
It was noted that we still have openings on the Recreation & Youth Commission and
Zoning Board of Appeals.
Cl Skaley would like to schedule a zoom call with our financial consultant and bond
counsel for Monday or Tuesday next week.
The town needs to have a Minority Business Officer in place for certain grant
applications for federal money. Supv Leifer agreed to serve in that capacity. If a resolution is
necessary, it can be done at the March 2 special meeting.
With respect to the AOT Conference, Cl Sparling reported that all nominations were
approved and all resolutions passed.
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk