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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-21TB 10-21-21 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING October 21, 2021 Zoom Hybrid Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley, Cl Loren Sparling, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez Elected Officials: Rick Young, Highway Superintendent Other Town Staff: Emily Banwell, Deputy Clerk Ray Burger, Planning Director Peter Walsh, Town Attorney Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM TOWN CLERK Cl Sparling provided some edits via email to the minutes of September 9 and September 16, 2021. RESOLUTION #164 (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 September 9 and September 16, 2021. 2nd Cl Skaley Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Scotties Auto Repair Scotties Auto Repair would like to add a lot adjacent to the land already owned by them. Last week, DEC contacted R Burger to let him know that the creek on the east side has jumped its bank and is now coming through the lot. Scott and Judith Adams presented to the board their plan to put trees along Route 13 so the passerbyers cannot see the lot from Route 13. They stated the reason their car lot is so full is because they don’t have enough employees to work on all of them, they are waiting on parts due to the shortages, they are waiting for payments on some, and others have been abandoned. Joe Osmeloski lives across from Scotties. In the 22 years scotty has been there, he has never had a single problem with them. They are great neighbors; they are trying to do the best they can. Shirley Price lives next door to a garage, Fox’s, and they have been a great neighbor. He does not, nor has he ever, had as many cars as Scotties has. Judith presented documentation TB 10-21-21 that shows the national parts shortage. They refuse to use flimsy/cheap parts on their customers vehicles. Linda Lavine thinks Scott and Judith Adams are wonderful people and have been incredibly faithful to the community. She would like to speak to the supply chain because Scott was nice enough to store their car there while they were waiting on a .99 cent part to finally come in. She thinks they should bend over backwards to make sure it is safe but to really work with Scott and Judith to do so. 2 Pros Construction 2 Pros Construction put additional land scaping under the skirting of the unit that is there now. They are now applying for a permit. The board would like to see more landscaping, so it actually looks like it belongs there. R Burger provided the Planning Boards recommendations (attached). D Lamb is worried that if it looks like it belongs there with the landscaping and such, it wont look like the unit is for sale. RESOLUTION #165 (2021) - Approving Site Plan Amendment for an Outdoor Display at 450 Cortland Road, Tax Parcel 26.-1-14.4 Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, A. Jack Litzenberger, dba 2Pros Construction, has applied to amend his site plan to add an outdoor display on Tax parcel 26.-1-14.4 at 450 Cortland Road; and B. The original SUP and site plan was approved by the Town Board (Board) on 12-20-18; and C. An application, sketch plan, and short EAF have been submitted, and D. The Town Planning Department considers the application complete and in conformance with the requirements of the Code of the Town of Dryden (Code) §270-5.2, §270-6.1, §270- 9.9 and §270-11.2, and E. A public hearing was held on October 21, 2021 with public comments registered in the meeting minutes and considered by the Board, and F. The Tompkins County Planning Department has reviewed the application pursuant §239 –l, -m, and –n of the New York State General Municipal Law, and G. In a letter dated October 4, 2021, the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability stated that they have no recommendations or comments on this proposal, and H. The Town Planning Board reviewed the site plan and made recommendations at their 9- 23-21 meeting and these have been considered by the Board, and I. 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 affirms that the negative determination of environmental significance for the original application, made on 12-20-18 after having reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short TB 10-21-21 Environmental Assessment Form Parts 1, 2, and 3, is valid for this minor amendment as well, and J. The Board has reviewed this application relative to the considerations and standards found in Code §270-11.4 for site plan review and Section 270-9.9 for outdoor storage. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Town Board approves the sketch plan documents, submitted with the application dated August 20, 2021 as site plan for 450 Cortland Road, conditioned on the following: a. A building permit and Certificate of Occupancy shall be obtained for the display unit. b. The sign on the display unit shall be made more permanent and comply with Code Section 270-9.4. c. Additional landscaping shall be provided to hide the space between the floor of the unit and the ground. 2. The Town Board, finding that the applicant is in compliance with all other provisions of the Code of the Town of Dryden and other applicable ordinances, approves a site plan amendment for the outdoor display at 450 Cortland Road with the Town of Dryden Standard Conditions of Approval as amended August 14, 2008. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Knickerbocker Manufacturing Facility Knickerbocker is an American manufacturing company based in New York City. This business was founded in 1919. They are the only manufacturing business made 100% in America. Richard Knickerbocker, owner, and his three sons all went to Cornell so they are very familiar with the culture, work ethics and values in the area. They want to move their business to town near the NYSEG intersection so they are requesting a special use permit so they can move in as soon as possible. Their expectation is to grow in Ithaca and expect at least 60 employees in the factory and grow from there. County Briefing The public safety meeting at the county passed a resolution supporting a plan for centralized arraignment. That will take place in the sheriff’s dept. An opportunity for people to be arraignment 8AM-8PM instead of all hours of the night. The committee approved sending this on to get office of court administration approval. The idea is to start up in January. At the facilities an infrastructure meeting, Cl Lamb and Cl Skaley were there to talk about a resolution on bridge NY funding. The George Road and Freese Road bridge are both BridgeNY projects. The town of Dryden making application to the state of NY, you are able to bring in millions of dollars so 95% will be paid for by NY. Usually these projects are 80% by county and 20% by the town. R Young and Supv Leifer worked on these grants a couple years ag and were very successful. This is a big deal and going to save taxpayers millions of dollars. M Robertson said it would be great if Supv Leifer could write a statement from the town in support of this. TB 10-21-21 Vaccination Clinics are going on at the shops of Ithaca mall. They are providing boosters, first shots and second shots. The county is starting to make a plan to start vaccinating children. American Recue Plan funding and recovery fund that the county legislature has identified and established so they area getting that going. The administration issued and RFP this week for a consultant to minister the program. TCAT Connect TCAT is now offering Tconnect which will work like Uber or Lyft to run rural route transit services. This program has been several years in the making. They received a grant in 2019, but COVID hit and delayed the efforts. Service is free for the month of October. Planning Department Update The Contractors are unburying the land scaping that was out in last year at the solar farms on Turkey Hill Road and 2150 Dryden Road. They brush hogged around the trees, put cloth up, and used fertilizer and mulch and each tree. They have identified trees that have died and made a plan to replant those next year. They have learned a lot during this and are doing their best. R Burger expects to see better management practices next year. Highway Update R Young completed paving many roads this summer and now they are getting ready to head into the busy winter months. Establishing a rural ambulance Task Force Presentation attached. RESOLUTION NO. (2021) – Establishing a rural ambulance task force D Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the Dryden Town Board recognizes the critical role that ambulance services provide in rural communities, WHEREAS, the Dryden Town Board understands that rural ambulance companies are under unprecedented financial stress which is causing many rural companies to shut down and others to take on larger service areas, which increases response times, WHEREAS, the decreasing availability of ambulance service creates issues equity that impacts poorer disadvantaged communities in remote areas, WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden was forced to double its ambulance tax rate in 2020, causing a regressive tax burden on low-income households, WHEREAS, fewer people are pursuing the paramedic profession, primarily due to extremely low pay and a stressful work environment. Therefore, there is a growing shortage of Paramedics forcing ambulance companies to compete in recruiting and retaining qualified staff, WHEREAS, the problems facing Dryden are shared by rural municipalities throughout New York state, TB 10-21-21 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the town of Dryden requests that the Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, sign pending legislation establishing the New York State Rural Ambulance Task Force, Senate Bill S3503C. ALSO RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution, accompanied by a letter from the town, be sent to Governor Hochul, Senator Hinchey, Senator Helming, Senator Oberacker, and Assemblywoman Kelles. 2nd Cl Skaley Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes WIAA Ask Bambi about resolution IAWWTP Digester Repair Cost Amendment There was an incident at the wastewater treatment plant that now requires repairs. RESOLUTION NO. _____ - 2021 Dryden Town Resolution for SJC emergency digester repairs Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is a part owner together with the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca (“Owners”) of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (“IAWWTF”); and WHEREAS, the Owners are responsible in proportion to their ownership interests in the IAWWF for the costs of repair and maintenance thereof; and WHEREAS, during the night of March 11 - 12, 2021 the primary and secondary digesters at the IAWWTF plant were damaged by reason of a blockage caused by excessive debris in the primary digester overflow line, necessitating emergency repairs; and WHEREAS, based on the information then available and engineering advice concerning the needed repairs and cost thereof and upon recommendation of the Special Joint Committee (“SJC”), the Owners, including the Town of Dryden by Resolution 108 -2021 on May 13, 2021, approved funding the required emergency repairs in the amount of $1,650,000; and WHEREAS, in the course of performing the then-known, required emergency repairs it was discovered that the amount of solids and debris within the primary digester far exceeded the initial estimate of 450 tons; and WHEREAS, it now appears that there may be an increased quantity of solids present in the secondary digester as well; and WHEREAS, upon further inspection and evaluation of the digester systems additional damage has been discovered including a bent linear motion driveshaft located inside the primary digester tank without which the primary digester cannot be properly operated, and potentially- TB 10-21-21 compromised anchor supports for the cover of the secondary digester, described as “in very poor condition”; and WHEREAS, the best estimates for the additional repairs required to remedy exceed by $1,150,000 the cost of repairs previously estimated and approved, bringing the total of estimated repair costs to the sum of $2,800,000; and WHEREAS, the continued smooth operation of the IAWWTF plant is a critical need for the Town of Dryden and other concerned municipalities; and WHEREAS, a public emergency exists at the IAWWTF arising out of an unforeseen occurrence or condition whereby circumstances affecting the left, health, safety or property of the IAWWTF and the Town of Dryden and other municipalities bordering the southern end of Cayuga Lake require immediate action which cannot await competitive bidding; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act the project is a Type II action because it constitutes maintenance or repair involving no substantial changes to an existing structure or facility; NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby RESOLVED, that the Town of Dryden that the previously-approved emergency funding for emergency digester repairs be increased by an amount not to exceed the sum total of one million one hundred fifty thousand ($1,150,000) dollars for the removal of excessive solids and debris and repair of the existing linear motion mixer driveshaft in the primary digester and anticipated increased solids and debris and repair of the cover anchor supports for the secondary digester, for an emergency repairs total of $2,800,000; and be it further RESOLVED, that the capital project CP #422J, IAWWTF Various Improvements, be hereby amended by an amount not to exceed $1,150,000 for the purpose of funding said primary and secondary digester repairs, for a total project authorization of $14,341,850;and be it further RESOLVED, that the funds necessary for said project shall be derived from the following sources as determined by the Controller of the City of Ithaca: insurance recovery, serial bonds issued by the City of Ithaca without liability or co-issuer status for the Town of Dryden but subject to an obligation to reimburse the City of Ithaca pursuant to contract, grants, and Federal stimulus funds, the respective shares of the Owners’ costs to be allocated as required by the Joint Sewer Agreement revised December 31, 2003 and amended February 20, 2019; and it is further RESOLVED, that the approvals and authorizations in this resolution are contingent upon IAWWTF co-owners City of Ithaca and Town of Ithaca likewise approving and authorizing said project and required contracts; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized and requested to execute and deliver as the act of the Town of Dryden such contracts and other documents as may be required to give effect to the foregoing resolution. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes TB 10-21-21 RESOLUTION _____ (2021) Approving Execution of Sanitary Sewer Mains Agreement Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Between the Town of Dryden on Behalf of Dryden Sewer Benefit District SS8 (the “Consolidated Sewer District”) and Cornell University WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden has undertaken to repair and improve its public sewer services in the Hamlet of Varna (the “Varna Sewer Project” or “Project”); and WHEREAS, the Project is funded in part by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation as Project No. C7-6390-02-00; and WHEREAS, the Town and Cornell University (“Cornell”) have previously entered into two agreements made April 8, 1968 and December 10, 1990 concerning the transmission of wastewater to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plan from the Dryden Sewer District No. 2 and the Monkey Run Sewer District via a 16-inch sanitary sewer interceptor line owned and maintained by Cornell; and WHEREAS the Town in 2019 consolidated five sewer benefit districts including the Monkey Run Sewer District to form the Consolidated Sewer District; and WHEREAS, the Town as part of the Varna Sewer Project wishes to increase the usage that the Consolidated Sewer District may make of the Cornell 16-inch line; and WHEREAS, both the 1968 and 1990 agreements made between the Town and Cornell by their terms have expired; and WHEREAS, the Town and Cornell wish to revise, extend and make current the 1968 and 1990 agreements; and WHEREAS, the Town and Cornell have agreed between them a Sanitary Sewer Mains Agreement updating the 1968 and 1990 agreements and providing for future relations between them in respect of the use of the Cornell 16-inch line; NOW, it is hereby RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden, acting on behalf of the Consolidated Sewer District, approves the entry of the said Sanitary Sewer Mains Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and as approved by counsel to the Town; and it is further RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Dryden is authorized and requested to execute and deliver as the act of the Consolidated Sewer District the said Sewer Mains Agreement. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes George Road speed limit reduction TB 10-21-21 There was a resolution done in 2017 but DOT rejected it. The board is going to try again. RESOLUTION _______ (2021) - REQUEST LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON GEORGE ROAD Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption WHEREAS, On September 21, 2017, Supervisor Leifer offered Resolution number 124 to request a speed reduction on George Road because of the progress of the Dryden Rail Trail at that time; and WHEREAS, the Town Board unanimously passed that resolution and the request was sent to Tompkins County Highway and the New York State Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation denied the request by a letter dated December 13, 2018; and WHEREAS, since December 13, 2018, the Dryden Rail Trail has seen substantially more completion, including the installation of a lighted pedestrian crossing at intersection of the Rail Trail and George Road, and the section between the Village of Dryden and the Village of Freeville is now fully open to the public; and WHEREAS, George Road is frequently used as a short cut for commuters to avoid travelling through the Village of Dryden and the speed limit is currently 55 mph (unmarked), and WHEREAS, the Town Board is concerned with the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the trail as well as the residents of the George Road and the travelling public, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby requests that the speed limit on George Road be reduced to 40 miles per hour and that pedestrian signage be installed, and requests that the New York State Department of Transportation conduct a study of the area to determine whether such a speed limit is warranted. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Resolution # (2021) Game Farm Road Speed Limit Reduction Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden places a high priority on completion of the Dryden Rail Trail, which will connect with the East Ithaca Recreation Way at Game Farm Rd, and WHEREAS, completion of the 10.5 mile Rail Trail is a priority action in the 2014 Tompkins County Priority Trail Strategy, and WHEREAS in 2017 the Town of Dryden was awarded a $182,000 grant from NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to build the trail from NYS Route 13 to Game Farm Rd., and TB 10-21-21 WHEREAS in 2019 the Rail Trail was awarded approximately $2 million in grants from the New York State Department of Transportation to build a pedestrian bridge across Route 13 and to complete trail surfacing on sections adjacent to that bridge, and WHEREAS, the Town has substantially completed and is prepared to open the section of the Rail Trail from Route 13 to Game Farm Road, and WHEREAS, due to the high volume of users on the East Ithaca Recreation Way, and the likely high volume on the newly opened Dryden Rail Trail, it is anticipated that Game Farm Road will have a dramatically higher number of pedestrians and bicyclists crossing at the connection of the two trails, and WHEREAS, a parking lot adjacent to the East Ithaca Recreation Way on Game Farm Road has increased the number of vehicles pulling in and backing out at the crossing, and WHEREAS, the impaired sight lines north of the trail make it difficult for drivers travelling 55 miles per hour to see and stop in time for crossing trail users and cars entering and exiting the parking lot, and WHEREAS, the East Ithaca Recreation Way by Game Farm Road is situated within a designated Tompkins County Unique Natural Area Inventory Site (Cascadilla Woods and Fish Ponds #128), and therefore is a valued riparian corridor that should be protected from adverse alteration, and WHEREAS, the Towns of Dryden and Ithaca each own the crossing to the center line of Game Farm Rd., and WHEREAS, representatives of the two Towns have met on numerous occasions since June 2019 with officials from Tompkins County Highway, Planning and Board of Representatives, Cornell Transportation, and Cornell Botanic Gardens, to discuss the safest, most environmentally appropriate and most cost-effective way of allowing trail users to cross Game Farm Road, and WHEREAS, it was the consensus of that group that, following an appropriate traffic study, an at-grade crossing should be installed between the two trails, and that a request be made to reduce the speed limit on Game Farm Road from 55 MPH to 45 MPH, now THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Town Board renews its 2019 request to the County Highway and State Department of Transportation to do a traffic study for a speed limit reduction on Game Farm Road from 55 MPH to 45 MPH. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Resolution #____ (2021) Safety and Preparedness Committee Chair Appointment Cl Sparling offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Sarah Erickson as Chair of the Safety and Preparedness Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2021. 2nd Supv Leifer TB 10-21-21 Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Resolution #____ (2021) Climate Smart Communities Task Force Member Appointment Cl Sparling offered the following resolution and asked for it adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Marie McRae as a member of the Climate Smart Communities Task Force. 2nd Supv Leifer Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Resolution #____ (2021) Safety and Preparedness Committee Member Appointment Cl Sparling offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Nicole Koekebacker to the Safety and Preparedness Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2025. 2nd Cl Skaley Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Planning Board Updates D Lamb believes it might take as long as 2022 before the Comp Plan is ready to share with the boards and the community. The Planning Board brought to the attention of the Town Board a contractor yard in the VFW parking lot which requires a permit. Cl Lamb wanted to make it clear that this wasn’t the Town Board’s doing, and they had no knowledge that it was a problem. Conservation Board Update Cl Sparling reported they approved the Drinking water source protection program plan and support its incorporation as an appendix in the comp plan. They had some minor edits that they didn’t see in the draft but he thinks that is because it was lost once the document was opened. They hope to attend the NYSACC conference and see if the membership in the organization is worthwhile. TB 10-21-21 They addressed the ditching that occurred in Freeville. Freeville DPW starting ditching in the buffer to the regulation wetland. It was intentionally thought they were ditching in the wetland itself. They would like to draft a letter to provide more outreach to various DPW to education ditching and its effects so they don’t do it again. DRYC Update They are working on their goals and rethinking what their purpose is so everyone is on the same page. Tompkins County provided them with a vitality check list that was created to help recreate DRYC as a commission. From an independent of this document, they had a lot of goals that overlapped. Such as, an orientation package for new members, a record keeping system that is accessible by key stake holder, a website, and so on. Ag Committee Update Did not meet because they are awaiting draft #3 of the comp plan. Rail Trail Update The Rail Trail had an in person meeting in Varna. The soft opening of the spur trail going through the Game Farm is a great success for the rail trail and has been a long time coming. You can go back to see R Young and his teams wonderful work. It has been a long haul working with the DEC to go through that property. They got into another grant program for $200,000 that we’re seeking from NYSEG. It is something they have a good shot at. They may not receive all $200,000 but some of that. Safety & Preparedness Update The Committee welcomed a new member, Sarah Erickson. They are working with he county to see how they are running. They are coordinating with Red Cross of Tompkins County and also looking at reinstating the serve program. Climate Smart Update They are working on parceling out the two $5,000 grants. They decided to give $9,000 toward the electric vehicle for code enforcement. The other $1,000 would go toward ongoing climate smart work. The town of Dryden is ranked #2 out of 86 southern teer communities. Dryden has 2400 points and this is important because at the 3000 point level a $10,000 grant is in reach. It is a first come first serve grant. At 4000 points we are eligible for 20000 grant at 5000 point level we are eligible for a $70,000 grant. Broadband Update Broadband has a new logo. We are waiting to hear about the grant we put in for. There’s a website being launched. Citizens Privilege Ed Wilson 12 Wellsley Drive- Says he walks to trail often but he doesn’t see why the need for a bridge when protected fencing can be used. He says people cross the road to get the mail and no one gets hurt. TB 10-21-21 Buzz Lavine, Ringwood Road, Bikes from Etna to Cornell and crossing route 13 was the most dangerous part of the commute. He believes a bridge would make for a safer and more convenient commute, Joe Osmeloski, 2180 Dryden Road, Read from article Todd Bitner on why the trail can’t go on Cornell property Mike Pitzrick- He saw an add in the shopper suggesting the town should opt out of the cannabis dispensaries in the town. Cannabis legislation was passed by NYS government and not by the Town Board. NYS law cannabis sales and use should be allowed to adults 21 years and older. 2/3 adults support adult cannabis legalization. Opting out would not prevent access to it at all. Folks can drive down the road and get some at the next town over. His brother was an addict and but it was alcohol that killed him, not marijuana. So who is going to go around closing liquor stores? He wants to thank the town board and feels blessed to have competent public administrators in the town. Alice Green- Thanked the Town Board and Town Supervisor for the wonderful job they’re doing. She is proud of the Town of Dryden. Judy Pierpont, 111 Pleasant Hollow, Echoed Alice’s appreciation. She would like to see the Rail Trial finished. To her it is obvious that the bridge is the safest option. If we should chose to give back 1.5 million tap grant and for which the town would be on the hook for 20% but other grants and donations would cover most of the 20% Dryden would be on the hook for 100% of alternative means to cross route 13. By the time the alternative trails are built, the cost to tax payers would be probably higher than the % of the bridge we would have to pay in the bridge auction. The proposal for an alternative font take in account that Cornell wont give the easements for the alternative so she doesn’t know why its being talked about. Allen Green- Thanked the Town Board and said they are doing a great job. He is proud to be a Town of Dryden resident. Dave Bradley- There is a very popular overpass in Buffalo between Delaware Park north and Delaware Park south. It avoids people walking half a mile in order to cross the road. Route 198 has tens of thousands everyday and is very noisy. If we have a change to do an overpass that’s the way to go. He believes it will get more popular overtime. Diane Hymes- She is impressed with the work the board has done especially with broadband and the Rail Trail. Shirley Price, George Road, The village board passed to oppose marijuana dispensaries in the village of Dryden. She doesn’t want the board to let it time out, she wants thought on it on record in a board meeting. The Dryden VFW were letting trucks use their parking lot while they were working in the Town. The Planning Board/Department told them they would have to get a contractor yard permit to stay there. Shirley doesn’t understand why the town would drive out revenue. Paula Park- Attached Martha Robertson- Even one injury because we have an unsafe crossing of route 13 is one too many. Two people on county legislature were trying to insert legislative oversite over the staff professional opinions. They wanted to put the legislature in the decision tree of whether a road or bridge project is safe. The community beat this down and hopes the legislature will as well. The legislature are not engineers. That is why they go to the DOT. The TB 10-21-21 DOT was clear that the bridge is the safest option. She wants to thank the task force for setting an amazing example and showing leadership. Shirley Lyon, Mineah Road, The town of Dryden pollutes a class a drinking stream, knows it does and preaches environment. It happens on two streets. The pollution continues. She commends R Young for getting the 700,000 to help repair the stream. But what was failed to be mentioned is that Dryden is the one who caused the issue. Joe Wilson Hunt hill- Back in the day he was a personal injury law. When he thinks about going under the bridge he cant help but wonder about the injuries that will come from the falls. Some of those will result in lawsuits. It will be the sole liability of the town. If instead the bridge the likelihood reduced to almost 0. The logical conclusion would be do build the bridge. Jolene Lyon, Mineah Road, said she is worried that a kid will go up on the bridge and toss something in a car below, like what has happened in Syracuse and Rochester. Who is liable for that? We will still be liable for it. Bridges are one of the most popular places for protests because it is the best way to get the most attention. Chris Hymes- Thanked the Town Board for looking out for the community. He has heard people say that they cross the road every day for the mail and no one has gotten hurt. Safety and understanding your own neighbor and listening to the cues. You’re use to your neighborhood and crossing route 13. It’s dangerous for people who are not from around there. Chuck Geilser- Ellis Hollow- The Town has done some very positive things for instance, no one is going to wait very long for an ambulance or police officer. He thanked the town for joining county housing find to expand affordable housing. As a town they have invested in safety. He thanked the board for that. Supv Leifer- Wanted to make it clear that R Young is handling the pollution problem and has known about the issue. He trusts Rick work. He also addressed the marijuana dispensaries saying that the state already passed the legalization of marijuana. There’s nothing the town can do about legalization. The town can discuss this next month but there is no rush because it will probably be extended. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Emily Banwell Solar Landscaping Update Report for the Town of Dryden True Green Capital Management LLC October 2022 Dryden Community Solar Farms @ 2150 Dryden Road Current Tree Health Issues and Challenges Identified • Every tree along the Southern side of the site, between the solar project and Dryden Road, have recently received the following: - Fabric around tree trunks as weed suppressant - Fresh topsoil with fertilizer • Trees to the South that did not survive were replaced • Eastern tree line, which is a mix of burkii juniper and red maple per the approved site plan, appear to be over-winter deer food and was significantly impacted during last winter, as shown by the barren lower halves • Natural vegetation mix of grasses and weeds grew quickly and substantially around the planted shrubs to the south • Mulch washed away quickly after winter snow melted and the site lacked fertilizer Maintenance Steps • Mowing must take place multiple times throughout the warm seasons to ensure plantings, particularly those to the south, have enough room to mature and are visible • Soil testing is underway with Cornell University for the soil on the eastern side of the site to identify any nutrient deficiencies to be addressed • Mulch/soil with fertilizer will be added to the trees on the eastern side • Trees that have not survived along the eastern side will be replaced. Currently investigating replacement trees, such as a small willow tree, with more resiliency for the wetter conditions • Given ongoing soil sampling and impending winter weather, replacement trees to be planted in the Spring Solar Landscaping Update Report for the Town of Dryden True Green Capital Management LLC October 2022 Cascadilla Community Solar Farms @ Cornell University Current Tree Health Issues and Challenges Identified • Three of the 14-16ft burkii juniper and red maple trees along Dodge Road have died and will be replaced • ~200 trees have died, higher than expected for transplanting • Many of the trees are healthy, but appear to be stunted in growth • Trees were planted too close to the positioning of a small drainage channel between the solar project and Dodge Road. The tree roots were water-logged and the trees did not survive. • Natural vegetation mix of grasses and weeds grew quickly and substantially around the planted shrubs to the east of the project along Turkey Hill Road and to the South of the system along Dodge Road Maintenance Steps • Mowing must take place multiple times throughout the warm seasons to ensure plantings, particularly those along Turkey Hill, have enough room to mature and are visible. We are working with Cornell University for vegetation maintenance and have established a new schedule to prioritize mowing in these areas multiple times per year. • The trees that were planted too close to the drainage channel will be replaced and the positioning will be shifted approximately 3-5 feet away from the drainage channel. For the portion of the tree line on the east of the channel, these will shift slightly further east, and for those on the west of the channel, these will shift slightly further west. • Trees that have not survived will be replaced. Currently investigating replacement trees, such as a small willow tree, with more resiliency for the wetter conditions. Given ongoing soil sampling and impending winter weather, replacement trees to be planted in the Spring • Soil testing is underway with Cornell University to identify any nutrient deficiencies. This may help the trees that appear healthy but stunted in growth. Good evening! My name is Rebecca McDonald, I grew up in Romulus NY, about an hour away on the other side of the lake. I am in the Master of Public Administration degree program at Cornell, focusing on Public and Nonprofit Management. I am currently working with a group of students in my program in partnership with the Tompkins County Council of Governments, and their EMS task force. We have been commissioned to focus on updating previous reports, on how EMS response times have only continued to increase in the last few years in rural areas as volunteer-based agencies close, as well as compare different EMS models, and their varying levels of sustainability and impact, and looking more broadly for solutions to the long term challenges faced by EMS providers and Ambulance Agencies in Tompkins County and other rural New York communities. One key conversation that has come up multiple times in our research, is the vital need for legislative attention and action to address the truly critical shortfalls of rural emergency services. Operation costs, response times, and response area coverage are only predicted to continue increasing, leaving residents of rural communities at much higher risk of negative health outcomes if they have an urgent need for medical help. Senate Bill S3503C, which establishes a task force specifically looking into New York State rural emergency medical services, has already passed the assembly and senate, and is only waiting on the governor's signature. This task force will be looking for real and actionable solutions to a true healthcare crisis, and our conversations with several senator’s offices have illustrated the bi-partisan support for the bill and addressing rural emergency healthcare shortages throughout New York State. We are hoping that petitions and letters from ambulance networks and associations, as well as affected rural districts will help push the Governor to sign the pending legislation. I truly encourage you to pass a resolution requesting that the Governor sign the bill, so that the task force can begin their work as soon as possible. Thank you for having me.