HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-09TB 2-9-23
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 9, 2023
Zoom Hybrid
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Loren Sparling,
Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez, Cl Christina Dravis
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper
Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor
Ray Burger, Planning Director
Chris O’Connor, Fire Coordinator
Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
FINANCIALS & HUMAN RESOURCES
RESOLUTION #41 (2023) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #2
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #2, as audited, general
vouchers #41 through #146 ($605,982.03) and TA vouchers #62 through #66 ($76,985.71),
totaling $682,967.74.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #42 (2023) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
END OF YEAR 2022
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the 2022 end of year budget
modifications attached.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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PRESENTATION BY CORNELL’S DESIGN CONNECT GROUP
NORTH STREET NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Ray Burger said this is the second time in recent years that Design Connect has done a
project for the town. This was developing a concept plan for the North Street neighborhood,
using both Village and Town properties. Cameron Howland and Ethan Ordower of the team
presented an overview of the plan that was developed after site visits, meeting with Dryden
High School and TC3 students, business owners and residents of the target area, as well as
members of the village and town planning boards.
Recommendations include:
• Pedestrian safety improvements along Route 13 including sidewalks and crosswalks.
• A passive park and trails between the high school and the 42 -acre lot to be developed
for housing.
• Developing the lot currently owned by NYSDOT for housing and a childcare facility.
• A community center at the site of the old Dollar Store.
• Community garden space near Little Creek Mobile Home Park.
• Encouraging collaboration with TC3 and its culinary program.
• A trail from TC3 to the North Street area.
The plan can be found on the town’s website at https://dryden.ny.us/wp-
content/uploads/2023/02/4a.-Dryden_Final_Report_Jan19-reduced.pdf.
The Village has applied for a NYForward grant and it was suggested that a group be
formed of town and village board members to move some of these ideas forward.
Members of the Town and Village Boards and Amy Kremenek, President of TC3,
thanked the students and commended them on their work.
COUNTY UPDATE
Mike Lane reported that Susan Currie, former director of the Tompkins County Public
Library, has filled the vacancy on the County Legislature.
With respect to the County’s recovery grants, the proposal by Second Wind in Newfield
was not getting a good reception from the community there. That money was set aside to see if
the differences could be resolved, and since then, Second Wind has decided that they want to
build six cottages instead of 12 encampment sites. The legislature is waiting for the committee
to decide whether they will allow that change in application.
The County Legislature passed the local law providing an property tax exemption for
volunteer fire and ambulance workers. They realize it does not help those who live in
apartments, but this is a start to supporting the volunteers. There is already a state income
tax credit of $200, and there is concern that volunteers understand which credit will benefit
them the most because they cannot claim both.
FIRE COORDINATOR REPORT
Chris O’Connor has submitted a report to the board (attached). He added that Varna
Fire Department is working on an agreement with Dryden Ambulance and will require their
EMTs to do 4-hour standbys with the ambulance.
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DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Town of Harford Agreement – Last year the board approved an agreement to for our
bookkeeper to provide accounting services for the Town of Harford. They would like to
continue that service this year.
RESOLUTION #43 (2023) – TOWN OF HARFORD ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town of Dryden Bookkeeper started in 2022 performing accounting
services for the Town of Harford.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board author izes the Town Supervisor to sign the
2023 Accounting Services agreement with the Town of Harford.
2nd Cl Dravis
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Price Change for Graybar Purchases – There have been some price changes since
purchase orders were approved. This resolution will clarify the actual cost.
RESOLUTION #44 (2023) – PRICE CHANGE FOR BROADBAND GRAYBAR
PURCHASE ORDERS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Dryden Town Board approved numerous purchase orders from Graybar
over the past 18 months for purchases for Broadband Capital Project.
Whereas, due to the price changes in the fiber equipment over the past year, the
Bookkeeper needs to adjust certain purchase order totals as of 12/31/2022 to reflect the price
changes.
Original PO
Date Total
Purchases in
2022 Ending Value
New Prices as of
12/31/22 Change
7/22/2021
39,747.17
39,747.17 39,747.17 -
10/29/2021
50,207.96
16,412.29
33,795.67 34,360.03
564.36
11/3/2021
616,882.15
143,872.29
473,009.86
595,403.16
122,393.30
11/18/2021
1,969.00
244.00
1,725.00
1,725.00 -
12/1/2021
360,577.43
214,024.50
146,552.93
146,552.93 -
12/1/2021
189,662.79
181,333.90
8,328.89
8,328.89 -
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3/1/2022
19,488.07
10,848.13
8,639.94
8,639.94 -
4/11/2022
2,594.56
2,594.56
2,594.56 -
5/9/2022
526,052.50
237.05
525,815.45
477,032.90
(48,782.55)
8/4/2022
21,075.82
21,075.82 21,075.82 -
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves the changes in the 12/31/2022 Broadband
purchase order totals.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Code Enforcement Appointment – The Planning Department had budgeted for a part-
time code enforcement officer for 2023. William Knickerbocker has worked for 25 years for the
City of Cortland and has a wealth of experience. He will be working Tuesdays and
Wednesdays.
RESOLUTION #45 (2023) – APPOINT PART-TIME CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Planning Department needed a part-time Code Enforcement Officer,
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints William Knickerbocker to the
position of part-time Code Enforcement Officer with a start date of January 24, 2023, at a rate
of $27.00/hour that is effective through 12/31/2023.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Engagement Letter for IAWWTP Legal Services – Susan Brock has been the attorney
for the waste water treatment plant for years and the engagement letter needs to be approved
by each plant owner.
RESOLUTION #46 (2023) – RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ENGAGEMENT LETTER FOR
LEGAL SERVICES FOR IAWWTP
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, Susan H. Brock is the attorney retained by the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and
Town of Dryden to provide contractual legal services to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
Facility (IAWWTF), and
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WHEREAS, An Engagement Letter for Legal Services dated January 3, 2023 was received
indicating that as of January 1, 2023, Ms. Brock’s hourly rate for legal services would be
$270.00, and the Engagement Letter provided detailed information on other rate increases
including but not limited to any paralegal time, travel, services, disbursements, fees, and office
expenses, and
WHEREAS, The Municipal Partners retain the right to terminate Ms. Brock’s representation at
any time with or without cause with reasonable notice, and
WHEREAS, The Special Joint Committee of the IAWWTF (SJC) finds the rate increases and
terms outlined in the letter of January 3, 2023 reasonable and acceptable, and
WHEREAS, That the SJC recommends the Municipal Partners adopt and approve the January
3, 2023 Engagement Letter for Legal Services provided by Susan H. Brock.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Dryden Town Board adopts and
approves the January 3, 2023 Engagement Letter for Legal Services provided by Susan H.
Brock.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Approve Plant-to-Plant Agreement for IAWWTP – This agreement addresses
exchanges of waste and the cost of processing.
Resolution #47 (2023) - Approve of the Plant to Plant Agreement and Multijurisdictional
Pretreatment Agreement between the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and
Village of Cayuga Heights
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF), which is owned and
operated by the IAWWTF Owners, treats municipal wastewater originating from the City and
Town of Ithaca, as well as portions of the Town of Dryden, pursuant to a Joint Sewer
Agreement dated December 31, 2003, as it may be amended; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights Wastewater Treatment Plant (VCHWWTP), which is
owned and operated by the Village of Cayuga Heights, treats municipal wastewater from the
Village of Cayuga Heights as well as portions of the Towns of It haca, Dryden, Lansing, and the
Village of Lansing under the terms of individual agreements with the Village of Cayuga Heights
and their respective sewer use laws and ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the four municipalities believe that it is in their best interests to make full use of
existing community assets before building new or expanding existing facilities, provided any
proposed agreement makes allowance for future demands within those municipalities during
the agreement period, and that the costs are distributed in accordance with the benefits
received, including avoided costs; and
WHEREAS, because their mission is to serve the aforementioned municipalities, there is a
history of cooperation between the owners of the two wastewater treatment plants focused on
protecting the environment by cooperating in the treatment of sewage; and
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WHEREAS, the municipalities’ Intermunicipal Wastewater Agreement dated December 31,
2003, endorses the concept of the Village of Cayuga Heights’ utilization of excess IAWWTF
capacity to leverage the efficient treatment of waste without causing an environmental
emergency and/or to comply with DEC point discharge regulations; and
WHEREAS, the IAWWTF Owners must implement and enforce a pretreatment program to control
discharges from all IAWWTF industrial users pursuant to requirements set out in 40 CFR Part
403; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights agrees to adopt a sewer use law that subjects the
industrial users within its boundaries whose wastewater discharges are capable of flowing to the
IAWWTF to the necessary pretreatment controls, and to implement and enforce that sewer use
law, and
WHEREAS, the Special Joint Committee of the IAWWTF (SJC), at its meeting of January 11,
2023, voted to recommend to its municipal boards to approve the two agreements attached
hereto (including any non-substantive changes made for clarity by the SJC Chair and
Attorney): (A) Plant to Plant Agreement Between City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden
and Village of Cayuga Heights, and (B) Multijurisdictional Pretreatment Agreement Between
City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and Village of Cayuga Heights, contingent on
approval of both agreements by the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and Village
of Cayuga Heights with further recommendation that the effective date of the two agreements
be as of August 15, 2021,
Now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board hereby approves the two agreements attached hereto
(including any non-substantive changes made for clarity by the SJC Chair and Attorney): (A)
Plant to Plant Agreement Between City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and Village of
Cayuga Heights, and (B) Multijurisdictional Pretreatment Agreement Between City of Ithaca,
Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and Village of Cayuga Heights, contingent on approval of both
agreements by the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and Village of Cayuga
Heights; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the effective date of the two agreements be as of August 15, 2021.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
IAWWTP Boiler Replacement Project and Public Interest Order – The town’s share of
the cost of this phase of the boiler project is $5,049. The process for approval is to first adopt
the public interest order and then adopt the resolution setting the public hearing.
RESOLUTION #48 (2023) – ADOPT PUBLIC INTEREST ORDER IAWWTF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS FOR BOILER REPLACEMENT – PHASE 3
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that Dryden Town Board hereby adopts the following Public Interest Ord er
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In the Matter
of
the Proposed Boiler Replacement Project
Pursuant to Town Law §202-b for the
Wastewater Treatment Plant in the City of
Ithaca serving the Town of Dryden known as
the Boiler Replacement Capital Project – Phase
3
PUBLIC INTEREST ORDER
WHEREAS, on January 11, 2023, the Special Joint Committee (SJC) resolved to
recommend, pursuant to Town Law § 202-b, that the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and Town of
Dryden (Owners), that the Owners authorize and construct at their jointly owned and
management wastewater treatment facility known as the Ithaca Wastewater Treatment Facility
(IAWWTF), located in the City of Ithaca, a project known as Capital Project ___________ Boiler
Replacement – Phase 3, in an amount not to exceed $255,000.00 (Capital Project), such
improvements to be constructed and owned by Owners, and
WHEREAS, the SJC thereby recommended authorization of this project contingent upon
action by Owners committing their percentage of reimbursement shares to the Joint Activity
Fund allocated per the Joint Sewer Agreement as follows:
Municipality Percentage Project Cost
City of Ithaca 57.14 $145,707
Town of Ithaca 40.88 $104,244
Town of Dryden 1.98 $5,049
=============
TOTAL: $255,000.00
=============
WHEREAS, MRB Consultants, a duly licensed engineering firm, has prepared a plan and
report in such manner and detail as required by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden,
Tompkins County, New York, about the Capital Project, which provides wastewater treatment
services for portions of the Town’s Consolidated Sewer Districts; and
WHEREAS, said plan and report are on file in the office of the Town Clerk, where they are
available for public inspection, and
WHEREAS, the maximum proposed to be expended for the improvements is $255,000.00
of which Town of Dryden’s share is $5,049, with the proposed method of payment being that the
Town will reimburse the City of Ithaca for the former’s share pursuant to a contract between the
Town and the City of Ithaca. The Town will not issue or co-issue any bonds but pay its share of
expenses from sewer rents and charges from the Consolidated Sewer District, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden adopted an Order on February 9, 2023
calling a public hearing upon said plan and report and the question of providing said Capital
Project, and the question of executing any related agreement, and to hear all persons interested
in the subject thereof, all in accordance with the provisions of Town Law §202-b and applicable
provisions of the General Municipal Law and Local Finance Law, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk of the Town of Dryden, Tompkins, County, New York, caused
a copy of the said order to be published once in the official newspaper of the Town, and also
posted a copy thereof on the Town signboard maintained by the Clerk, not less than ten (10) nor
more than twenty (20) days before the day designated for the hearing as aforesaid;
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WHEREAS, said public hearing was duly held on March 9, 2023 at the time and in the
manner set forth in said Order and all persons interested in the subject thereof were heard
concerning the same, and
WHEREAS, the Capital Project has heretofore been determined to be a "Type II Action"
pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the implementation of
which as proposed, the Town Board has determined, will not require any environmental review
for the following reasons: the Capital Project includes the purchase of equipment; replacement
in kind of facilities on the same site; maintenance or repair involving no substantial changes in
an existing structure or facility; and construction of accessory/appurtenant non-residential
structures or facilities involving less than 4,000 square feet of gross floor area and not involving
a change in zoning or a use variance and consistent with local land use controls ; and
WHEREAS, it is now desired to authorize the Capital Project to be known as IAWWTF
Capital Project 423j Boiler Replacement – Phase 3,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden,
Tompkins County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. It is hereby determined that it is in the public interest to make the Capital
Project hereinafter described and such improvement is hereby authorized.
Section 2. The maximum proposed cost to be expended for the Capital Project is
$255,000.00 of which Town of Dryden’s share is $5,049, with the proposed method of payment
being that the Town will reimburse the City of Ithaca for the former’s share pursuant to a contract
between the Town and the City of Ithaca. The Town will not issue or co-issue any bonds but pay
its share of expenses from sewer rents and charges from the Consolidated Sewer District.
Section 3. That this Order is subject to a permissive referendum in the manner provided
in Town Law Article 7 and Town Law Section 209-q.
Section 4. That the permission of the State Comptroller is not required because the Town
of Dryden does not propose to finance the cost of the Capital Project by the issuance of bonds,
notes, certificates, or other evidences of indebtedness of the Town.
Section 5. That pursuant to subdivision 6(d) of Section 209-q of the Town Law, the Town
Clerk is hereby directed and ordered to cause a certified copy of this Order to be duly recorded
in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Tompkins within ten days of the date t his Order
becomes effective pursuant to Town Law Section 91, which when so recorded, shall be
presumptive evidence of the regularity of the proceedings and action taken by the Town Board
in relation to the aforesaid Capital Project.
Section 6. This order shall take effect immediately.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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RESOLUTION #49 (2023) – ADOPT PUBLIC INTEREST ORDER IAWWTF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS FOR BOILER REPLACEMENT – PHASE 3
Supervisor Jason Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that Dryden Town Board hereby adopts the following Public Interest Order
In the Matter
of
the Proposed Improvement Project Pursuant to
Town Law §202-b for the Wastewater
Treatment Plant in the City of Ithaca serving
the Town of Dryden known as the Boiler
Replacement Capital Project – Phase 3
ORDER CALLING
PUBLIC HEARING
WHEREAS, on January 11, 2023, the Special Joint Committee (SJC) resolved to
recommend, pursuant to Town Law § 202-b, that the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and Town of
Dryden (Owners), that the Owners authorize and construct at their jointly owned and
management wastewater treatment facility known as t he Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
Facility (IAWWTF), located in the City of Ithaca, a project known as Capital Project 423j Boiler
Replacement – Phase 3, in an amount not to exceed $255,000.00 (Capital Project), such
improvements to be constructed and owned by Owners, and
WHEREAS, the SJC thereby recommended authorization of this project contingent upon
action by Owners committing their percentage of reimbursement shares to the Joint Activity
Fund allocated per the Joint Sewer Agreement as follows:
Municipality Percentage Project Cost
City of Ithaca 57.14 $145,707
Town of Ithaca 40.88 $104,244
Town of Dryden 1.98 $5,049
=============
TOTAL: $255,000.00
=============
WHEREAS, MRB Consultants, a duly licensed engineering firm, has prepared a plan and
report in such manner and detail as required by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden,
Tompkins County, New York, about the Capital Project, which provides wastewater treatment
services for portions of the Town’s Consolidated Sewer Districts; and
WHEREAS, said plan and report are on file in the office of the Town Clerk, where they are
available for public inspection, and
WHEREAS, the maximum proposed to be expended for the improvements is $255,000.00
of which Town of Dryden’s share is $5,049, with the proposed method of payment being that the
Town will reimburse the City of Ithaca for the former’s share pursuant to a contract between the
Town and the City of Ithaca. The Town will not issue or co-issue any bonds but pay its share of
expenses from sewer rents and charges from the Consolidated Sewer District, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden,
Tompkins County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. A public hearing is scheduled for March 9, 2023 at 6:05 PM via Zoom and in-
person at the Town Hall, located at 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, to determine whether
it is in the public interest to approve the Capital Project, as recommended by the SJC. Access
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details for the Zoom meeting shall be posted on the Town of Dryden website at www.dryden.ny.us
not less than 24 hours prior to the date of the hearing. In addition to participation in the public
hearing via Zoom or in-person, all members of the public wishing to submit written comments
on this proposal may do so in writing addressed to the Town Clerk at 93 East Main Street,
Dryden, NY 13053 or by email to townclerk@dryden.ny.us
Section 2. The Town Clerk of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized and directed to
cause a copy of this order to be published once in the Ithaca Journal and also to post a copy on
the Town website and notice boards not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty (20) days before
the date of the hearing.
Section 3. This order shall take effect immediately.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Appointments
RESOLUTION #50 (2023) – APPOINT DRYC MEMBER – MCLEAN
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Julie McLean to the Dryden
Recreation and Youth Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2024.
2nd Cl Sparling
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #51 (2023) – APPOINT PLANNING BOARD ALTERNATE – WILL
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adopt ion:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Bradley Will as an alternate for the
Planning Board for a term to expire December 31, 2023.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #52 (2023) – APPOINT PLANNING BOARD ALTERNATE – MORRISSEY
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
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RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Chris Morrissey as an alternate for
the Planning Board for a term to expire December 31, 2023.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Next week there will be a public hearing on a local law to provide for a property tax
exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. The board will also discuss
increasing the income limits for the senior exemption and persons with disabilities. The board
will also consider an amendment to the site plan for Scottie’s garage.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
2022 Budget Year Budget Modification by Fund
A Fund
Reason
(130.77)A1660.401 Office Supplies 130.77 A1620.402 Buildings ‐ Utilities Due to higher utility cost
From To
Fire Coordinator Report to Dryden Town Board 16 FEB 2023
Yesterday I received the exciting news that for the first time fire departments can band together and
submit a regional grant for SAFER (Staffing For Adequate Fire & Emergency Response) funding for a
comprehensive Recruitment and Retention program. I have been in consultation with Nancy Ten Kate,
the CFO of Ten Kate Grant Services of Dryden several times, making plans for submitting a well written
application so we have the greatest chance of being awarded a sizeable grant. I have also secured a
verbal commitment from three of the four fire chiefs of the fire departments which will be a part of this.
Preparing and submitting the application will cost $3000, so each departments share will be only $750.
The grant application window closes 17 MARCH, so the fire departments, the Ten Kates, and I will have
to work fast in order to gather all the necessary information and come up with a comprehensive and
year long recruitment plan that will meet the needs of all four fire departments that have very different
needs and target audiences. I’m somewhat familiar with the process of getting SAFER funding; during
my time with the City of Ithaca Fire Department we received hundreds of thousands of dollars in SAFER
funding so that IFD could hire additional firefighters. The Ten Kates are very familiar with both all of the
Town fire departments and how best to get word the SAFER application.
This possibility comes at a very opportune time in that all of the fire departments and I are in complete
agreement that our first priority is to both keep the Town’s active fire/EMS volunteers from reducing
the their activity level or quitting altogether, coupled with a tremendous need to recruit and train new
volunteers. All of the fire departments in the Town of Dryden have enough money, apparatus, and
equipment to do the job. The one component that they all need, desperately, is many more well trained
people.
As of now the Town has in hand signed contracts from the Brooktondale, Etna, and Varna fire
departments. I believe the only thing that is holding up the receipt of the others is that the affected
villages have not yet had their regularly scheduled meetings so that the mayors can sign off on the
contracts.
I wish to thank the Town Board for scheduling a public hearing regarding the Town joining Tompkins
County in allowing the Town’s volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to get a 10 % break on their
property taxes. I am in full support of the proposal, even though I think we are all cognizant of the fact
that only a small percentage of our hard working and invaluable volunteers are in a position to file for
the exemption. Nevertheless, passing the resolution sends a positive signal, and helps set the stage for
the possibility of new legislative moves which will help even more. It is my understanding that the NYS
Governor has forwarded a proposal to spent ten million dollars on direct stipends to the State’s
firefighters both for completing certain core training courses and for putting that training to use by
responding to emergency calls. In my opinion the awarding of stipends like that will have the greatest
impact on the recruitment and retention of volunteers. It’s past time that those who devote so much of
their free time to protecting their communities can’t even be reimbursed for the gasoline they have use
going to the hundreds of trainings, work details, and calls that they go to every year.
Chris O’Connor
Town Fire Coordinator