HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2024-02-15TB 2-15-24
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 15, 2024
Zoom Hybrid
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Spring Buck
Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez, Cl Christina Dravis
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
*Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
*Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to Supervisor
*Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper
*Indicates attendance via Zoom
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:04 p.m. and board members and audience recited
the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
465 NORTH ROAD
SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Ray Burger explained that this special use permit is for a retail business at 465 North
Road. The site plan was reviewed by the Planning Board at their January meeting and they
made a few recommendations. Those recommendations are reflected in the draft resolution
being considered tonight. It is a Type 2 action so there is no SEQR requirement. Both the
original and supplemental materials are available together with the most current site and
parking plans in the supplemental materials. There was no comment from the county in the
239 review.
Applicant Shana Karn said that she is looking to basically reopen her business, The
Second Knob, at this new location. She is aware of the recommendations of the Planning
Board. She will put up the parking signage and has ordered the signs.
There were no comments from the public, and the hearing was left open at 6:08 p.m.
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
Highway Superintendent Rick Young reported he had received a permit from DEC, has
a building permit, and will begin building a pole barn behind the highway barn.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
R Burger said numbers are low on his monthly report because it is not accounting for
all building permits and inspections. Next month it will have a complete picture for both
January and February.
With respect to the Safe Streets for All Program, Cambridge Systematics will begin an
engagement plan that will include holding meetings in the individual municipalities. Those will
be scheduled in March and April. He added it would be nice to have a representative of the
Town Board on that committee and Cl Dravis offered to do that.
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FIRE COORDINATOR
Chris O’Connor distributed a comparison of various town fire department and
ambulance protection models. We need more people in the departments, but compared to all
other towns in the county we are doing pretty well.
They are still waiting for the reactivation of the SAM account so they can access funds
from the Safer grant.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Recreation & Youth Commission Appointment - Julie McLean was previously
appointed to the commission, but the term expiration was listed incorrectly. A resolution is
needed to correct that.
RESOLUTION #49 (2024) – APPOINT J MCLEAN TO DRYC
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Julie McLean to the Dryden
Recreation & Youth Commission for a term to expire December 31, 2025.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Easements for Varna Sewer Project – These documents are needed to expand
easement areas along Route 366 for the project including Cornell apple orchards, Ivy Ridge,
Jim Ray Mobile Homes and the Tiny Timbers property at the intersection with Freese Road.
RESOLUTION #50 (2024) - ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF PROPERTY
FOR PHASE 2 OF THE VARNA WATER/SEWER PROJECT
Cl Dravis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town has identified the need to acquire certain easements to complete
portions of Phase 2 of the Varna Water/Sewer Project, said easements being from the listed
entities for portions of the lands identified below, as set forth in more detail in those certain
proposed forms of easements attached hereto and made a part hereof:
Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC - Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-2-5;
VTT Inc. - Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-2, 53.1-1-3, 53.1-1-4, 53.1-1-5, 53.1-1-
6, 53.1-1-7, 53.1-1-16, 53.-1-3.2 and 53.-1-3.7;
Jim Ray Mobile Homes, Inc. – Tax Parcel number 56.-5-4; and
Cornell University – Tax Parcel numbers 64.1-1-1, 64.-1-2.1, 65.1-5.5, 65.1-4.1, 53.-1-
9.2, 56.-2-2.2, 56.-5-1 and 56.-5-33; and
WHEREAS, the owners of said parcels are willing to donate said easements to the Town
of Dryden; and
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WHEREAS, environmental review of the Varna Water/Sewer Project, including the
potential acquisition of lands necessary for the same, was completed on April 22, 2021 by
Resolution #101 (2021) of the Town Board issuing a negative declaration;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden does
hereby accept the donation of easements from the listed entities for portions of the lands
identified below, as set forth in more detail in those certain proposed forms of easements
attached hereto and made a part hereof:
Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC - Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-2-5;
VTT Inc. - Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-2, 53.1-1-3, 53.1-1-4, 53.1-1-5, 53.1-1-
6, 53.1-1-7, 53.1-1-16, 53.-1-3.2 and 53.-1-3.7;
Jim Ray Mobile Homes, Inc. – Tax Parcel number 56.-5-4; and
Cornell University – Tax Parcel numbers 64.1-1-1, 64.-1-2.1, 65.1-5.5, 65.1-4.1, 53.-1-
9.2, 56.-2-2.2, 56.-5-1 and 56.-5-33; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town Supervisor, upon review and approval by the Attorney for the
Town as to form, is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to accept
said easement donations for the Varna Water/Sewer Project Phase 2.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Hunt Engineering Agreement – Hunt has submitted an agreement to continue work
for the broadband project. The Broadband committee will discuss this tomorrow and the
agreement will be reviewed by the town attorney. The previous agreement is still in effect.
There were no further comments on the public hearing for a special use permit for 465
North Road and Supv Leifer closed the public hearing at 6:21 p.m. The board reviewed the
conditions of approval.
RESOLUTION #51 (2024) - GRANTING SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND APPROVING SITE PLAN
FOR A RETAIL BUSINESS AT 465 NORTH ROAD, TAX PARCEL 27.-1-27.2
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. Shana Karn has applied for a Special Use Permit (SUP) and site plan approval for a
retail business to be located at 465 North Road, Tax parcel 27.-1-27.2. The application
included sketch plans, SUP worksheet, notice of ground disturbance and Short
Environmental Assessment Form. Supplemental materials submitted by the applicant
included responses to the subset of the site plan checklist, the expected number of vehicles
accessing the site, updated sketch plans and narrative and an updated parking plan.
B. The Town Planning Department considers the application complete and in conformance
with the requirements of the Code of the Town of Dryden (Code) §270-11 and §270-12, and
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C. The Tompkins County Planning Department has reviewed the application pursuant §239
–l, -m, and –n of the New York State General Municipal Law, and
D. In a letter dated January 30, 2024, the Tompkins County Planning Department
determined that the proposed action will have no significant county-wide or inter-
community impact, and
E. 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 15, 2024, determined the project is a type II action per 6 CRR-NY
617.5(18), which states, reuse of a residential or commercial structure, or of a structure
containing mixed residential and commercial uses, where the residential or commercial use
is a permitted use under the applicable zoning law or ordinance, including permitted by
special use permit, and the action does not meet or exceeds any of the thresholds in section
617.4 of this Part.
F. A public hearing was held on February 15, 2024, with public comments registered in
the meeting minutes and considered by this board, and
G. The Town Board has reviewed this application relative to the considerations and
standards found in Code §270-11 for site plan review and §270-12 for Special Use Permit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board approves the sketch plan documents, submitted with the application
and amended with supplemental submissions, as site plan for 465 North Road, conditioned
on the following:
a. Existing vegetation that partially screens the adjacent residences, and North Road, is
to remain undisturbed or manicured to maintain their size and visual screening.
b. Permanent bathroom facilities, a toilet and handwash sink, shall be installed within
6 months of SUP approval.
c. The applicant shall install the proposed sign in accordance with sign regulations
found in Code 270-9.4.
d. The applicant shall install a permanent sign stating no parking along the southern
side of the access driveway, as well as a permanent sign stating no parking closer to the
road, or similar language, on the eastern end of the parking along the north side of the
access driveway in order to ensure a 20-foot-wide driveway.
e. The applicant shall mark the parking spaces along the northern side of the driveway
with 4x4 posts, curb stops or similar method.
f. The applicant shall provide potable water for customers via a water cooler or similar
method.
2. The Town Board hereby finds that the considerations for approval of the requested
Special Use Permit listed in Code Section 270-12 have been met, specifically that:
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a. The proposed use is compatible with the other permitted uses in the Rural Agricultural
district and compatible with the purpose of this district as retail businesses are a
permitted use in this zone and given the nature of the business and expected traffic at
the site the proposed project is not expected to negatively impact surrounding
agricultural uses; other businesses have operated at this facility and farm operations
have continued in the area immediately surrounding the site;
b. The proposed use is compatible with adjoining properties and with the natural and
manmade environment, as this project will utilize an existing building with some
existing vegetative screening;
c. Parking, vehicular circulation, and infrastructure for the proposed use is adequate
provided the applicant installs the parking signs, and marks parking spaces as
conditioned as part of SUP approval to maintain at least a 20-foot-wide driveway;
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 expected volume of traffic associated with this
business, and the business is not expected to generate excessive noise, dust, odors or
release of harmful substances;
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 and conditions of the
SUP permit;
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 partially screened from residential uses by the existing landscaping, the proposed
sign is low to the ground with proposed plantings at the base, and the project will
utilize a developed site and as such no cutting and filling at the site is required.
3. The Town Board, finding that the applicant is in compliance with all other provisions of
the Code and other applicable ordinances, approves this Site Plan and Special Use Permit
for a retail business at 465 North Road with the Town of Dryden Standard Conditions of
Approval as amended August 14, 2008.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Mike Parker, Freeville Fire Chief – Said he is present with chiefs of the other
departments and they are here to talk about the proposed 2024 contracts. There has been no
progress to date in completing those contracts. They have spoken with an attorney and are
trying to get this resolved and move forward. Town of Dryden residents should be treated
equally with respect to fire and EMS response no matter which department’s coverage area
they are in. The contracts should be similar; that was agreed on before. Departments need to
be held accountable for how they respond. They have come up with a contract and will be
turning it in to the board for further discussion.
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The departments should have a copy of the financial information turned in, so they can
be sure it is correct. They are entitled to a copy.
The departments would like an explanation. They want it fair for everyone, for the
departments to be held accountable the same, and to protect the residents equally.
Mark Bell, Dryden Fire Chief, distributed a proposed revised contract for Neptune
Hose. He said the attorney they have been working with has done some research and
investigation. They could not answer his question regarding why the contract given to
Brooktondale was so different from the rest, when they all provide the same service to town
residents. The contract they propose is very similar in terms and conditions to the contract
proposed to Brooktondale. Other town departments should not have more terms and
conditions placed on them to do the same job.
Cl Lamb stated the Brooktondale contract is for considerably less money. M Bell
pointed out they are called on to provide the same service. Cl Lamb said he thought that after
meetings with the departments, they had agreed on the terms of the contracts as proposed. Cl
Lamb suggested Brooktondale could be provided with the same contract as the other
departments.
M Bell said the attorney felt the contract as proposed addressed more operational
aspects, and that if the town seeks to be indemnified from any wrongdoing on the part of the
departments, those terms are inappropriate. It can’t be both ways.
The contract they propose is not exactly as proposed to Brooktondale. Changes from
the version provided to them by the town to what they are proposing include financial
reporting. For Varna and Etna, they added that the town will provide the Volunteer Firefighter
Benefits Law (VFBL) coverage. Dryden and Freeville are covered by their respective villages.
There was a wording change regarding the audit requirement, changing it to September from
June as it was in prior contracts. June is a bit early to get the audit back from the auditors
sometimes.
Numbers 17 through 30 are gone from the original proposal. M Bell said the biggest
difference is a lot of extra reporting of trainings, call volumes, and a lot more reporting and
conditions. They have no issues providing it, but don’t feel it should be a contractual thing.
The liability falls on them to be sure their members are trained and certified to do the job they
are asked to do. They are not paid, but are professional in what they do. They don’t want
anyone hurt and so they demand the best for their firefighters. They are not necessarily
opposed to these new things in the contract, but in their world, things can change in the drop
of a hat. It is not always possible physically to respond to all calls; they may be called out a
couple of calls simultaneously. But contractually, it says they have to.
They already do reporting and would need to know the value of it and what the drive
behind the statistics is that are being asked for. It could be that they don’t always get good
communication about why certain reports are needed. It’s not easy and they can’t always get it
from their reporting software. They have to pull data from different reports and create a
spreadsheet. They need relief on some of the reporting, and don’t see it warranted as part of
the contract. The contract has gotten substantially longer over the last couple of years.
Cl Lamb said they were trying to improve the process because they felt there wasn’t
enough dialogue and understanding between the town as the contracting entity and with whom
they are contracting. They wanted more information given the amount of money about which
we are talking. The board has a duty to have information for the people we raise taxes from.
He is uncomfortable with this dynamic. Hours were spent on this and to now have the
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departments come back and say all those conditions are gone is a disappointment. A lot of
time has gone into this. He is concerned about the strategic planning being removed. M Bell
said they all saw value when it was discussed. Just because it isn’t in the contract, doesn’t
mean it won’t happen. M Bell said they put something together that they thought was fair.
M Bell said Neptune Hose provides a certified audit each year at their expense.
Cl Buck said the metrics are a way to share and be transparent with taxpayers. She
asked that as they work through their strategic planning efforts, it would be good to identify
what kind of data the town and taxpayers should know, and then work on ways to provide it
that is not a burden.
M Bell added that the provision regarding strategic planning was not in the first
contract presented to them, but added as a result of them being asked if they were open to
doing that and they responded positively. They did see the value of it.
Michelle Robinson and Linda Fenner represented the Etna Fire Department. M
Robinson said while the town has a fire protection district, the board members are not fire
commissioners. All towns in the state are required to contract for fire services. A fire service
can become a district or the town contracts for service. The departments are independent
contractors and that is stated in the contract. The level of stuff asked for in this contract
opens the town up to a level of liability that insurance contracts would not protect the town
from. Etna did not receive their proposed contract until December 29.
L Fenner said they are proposing a contract that they feel their department, their
volunteers, and all departments can adhere to. The contracts should be equal for all
departments. They distributed a copy of their proposed contract for Etna with their dollar
amount on it.
L Fenner asked the board if anyone has ever asked what is going on with fire tax
dollars. She offered a pager to board members so they could see if they could respond in a
timely manner every time.
Mason Jager, Varna Chief, said he appreciates the frustration of the board after the
meetings and discussions that were had, but none of their members are contract lawyers.
Departments may have agreed to the spirit of the contracts, but they are legally binding and
two lawyers have agreed that these agreements overstep what is normally accepted for fire
protection districts in the State of New York. They are happy to provide information on their
member number, call responses and numbers. He will try to attend more town board meetings
to talk about the department’s activities and service provided. Their attorneys’ concerns had
more to do with the operational elements and demands of the contracts. That is exposure on
the town’s behalf because the town is not allowed to have those firefighter operation elements
in the contract. The indemnification called for in the contract would be nullified by telling the
departments what to do. If something were to go wrong, the department could say the town
made them do it. For years that liability has been with the departments and the chiefs
specifically. The chiefs take responsibility for their department and their members and their
safety, and the safety of the residents of Varna very seriously.
M Jager said he wants to be clear that it wasn’t just the reporting aspect, but many of
the elements of the contracts were now instructing the departments how to do their job. He
can also sympathize about the time spent at the meetings; they were all volunteering their
time. He attends many meetings a month as a volunteer fire chief together with other meetings
and calls that take him away from work. He is relatively new to the fire service in the Town of
Dryden, but has seen a dramatic increase in communication between the town board and the
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departments as well as between departments. At a recent call, all departments were on site.
They do work very hard to provide the best service possible.
Mike Parker said he assumes the town attorney is looking at the contracts as they’ve
been adjusted and asked whether he addressed the difference in liability and whether he does
fire law. He said it isn’t about the money; it’s about the language in the contract. They should
have the same language because the service is the same no matter where that is. He doesn’t
think it is important that the town knows who is qualified to drive trucks in the department.
The town doesn’t provide liability insurance; the department does. That should not be a
condition of receiving their second check. It’s not up to the town; the town is not providing the
liability insurance. They are happy to report on their calls and other information, but some of
the items required in order to get the funding is another thing. It isn’t right, and the language
needs to be the same across the board. He appreciates the time and would like to have a few
meetings a year. The strategic planning is fine. He’d like to meet to discuss next year’s
contract and what they are looking to do, but not things like who is qualified to drive a truck.
The contract can be negotiated out, but some of the language needs to change.
Supv Leifer said the board will need an opportunity to review the contracts just
presented. M Bell said the intent was to get them to the board earlier, but it didn’t work out.
The departments did feel it was important to present them and make comments tonight.
Cl Lamb asked whether strategic planning was out of the contracts. M Bell said no,
that they saw value in it. M Parker and L Fenner both indicated they are willing to work this
out and get the contract to a place where they don’t have to do this again next year.
ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES
Ag Committee – Did not meet.
Recreation & Youth Commission - They are working with R Burger toward securing a
consultant to consider a development plan for the property behind the town hall.
Broadband Committee – Is meeting with attorneys on the structure of the contract
with Dave Makar because they need to expand that role now. They will bring him on as a
contractor, but then later perhaps as an employee. It would be similar to the way the sewer
plant in Ithaca operates. They hired a company as the chief operator because of labor
contracts and salary requirements.
Planning Board – They reviewed the 465 North Road SUP application and made
recommendations that were included in the special use permit conditions approved tonight.
They have received robust replies to their RFP for a consultant in connection with the
zoning update and have narrowed the number down to three. They are all very different and
we will end up with an extremely strong consultant to work with. They understand the goal is
to make zoning less of a stick and more of a carrot; a little more permissive rather than
negative or positive power. Cl Buck noted there is potential for business growth in the tech
corridor and we need to be sure environmental protections are in place. Supv Leifer said with
the infrastructure in place, Dryden is probably number one in the area. A subcommittee will
make a recommendation at their next meeting, then it will come to the Town Board.
Workforce & Affordable Housing – They had a guest, Holly Hutchinson, from
Sustainable Finger Lakes who discussed the experience they’ve had with heat pumps and
networking people through the Empower Program for weatherization and other programs. It
was useful because they are focusing on locating funding resources to help low-income
housing, and in particular mobile housing for weatherization and such. They learned about
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the challenges they face in recruiting people to become involved. They are hoping to have
options to move forward next month.
Conservation Board – Chair Gian Dodici asked if anyone would be interested serving
as Chair, but he will remain as such. They discussed opportunities for engagement and
activities by the Conservation Board, and they may be reaching out to DRYC to offer support in
deciding how best to utilize the land north of town hall. That may be an opportunity for
modeling pollinator friendly plantings or wetland education and things like that. They are
interested in providing feedback on the zoning rewrite and are very interested in pollinator
friendly language. Tompkins County Environmental Management Council will soon be sending
updated UNA maps to municipalities.
Climate Smart Task Force – The committee is promoting heat pumps. A webinar
entitled Saving Energy and Money in Your Home will be held March 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
The webinar will provide a user-friendly overview of the steps to tighten up your home and
move to more sustainable heating sources. It will also dive into some of the rebates and
incentives that can help pay for these upgrades. This online webinar is geared towards
homeowners in Tompkins County and is hosted by the Energy & Climate Change Team at
Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County. The event is free and open to the public.
In lieu of their regular monthly meeting, they held an Extreme Weather Scenario
Workshop on Tuesday evening in the Town Hall and via Zoom. Approximately two dozen folks
were in attendance. They broke into groups to discuss potential action steps during four
scenarios: severe storms, drought, extreme heat, and flooding. This feedback will be
incorporated into our Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan (CCARP) by Jerry Sheng from
Cornell Cooperative Extension that we continue to work on.
The town of Dryden is currently at bronze level and trying to get to silver. We are still
the number two town in the state.
Future agenda items: There is an application to fill the vacancy on the Ag Committee
that the board will act on next month.
There will probably be news on South Hill Trail soon. There have been ongoing
discussions with NYSEG to get this done, but they are getting close.
There will be more items for approval for the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
and the infrastructure work that is being done.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
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DONATION AGREEMENT
This Donation Agreement is made this _____ day of 2023, by and between
the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the laws of the State of New York having
offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, acting on behalf of the Dryden Sewer Benefit
District SS8, and such additional sewer districts as may be formed within the Town of Dryden
(collectively, the “Donee”), and Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company under the
laws of the State of Delaware and having offices at 83 Warren Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 (the
“Donor”).
RECITALS
Donor is the owner of certain parcels of land identified as Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-2-
5, all located along New York State Route 366 in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New
York, (the “Premises”).
Donee is presently in the planning, design and construction of a water and sewer project (the
“Project”) that requires acquisition of an easement over the Premises.
Donor desires to donate an easement over a portion of the Premises, as described in Exhibit A (the
"Donation Easement"), to Donee, to facilitate and incorporate into the Project. Donor is doing so
with full knowledge of its rights to receive just compensation for the Donation Easement, along
with an appraisal of the Donation Easement’s value, and has by signing this Donation Agreement
affirmatively waived its rights to the same.
Donee agrees to accept the donation of the Donation Easement in accordance with the terms of
this Donation Agreement to benefit the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties intending to be legally bound by the terms of this
Donation Agreement, and for the purposes herein set forth, do hereby declare and agree as follows:
SECTION 1: Donation
A. The Donor's donation of the Donation Easement shall include only those rights and
obligations as set forth in the recorded easement document, the form of which is attached
as Exhibit B.
B. Donor makes no representations and warranties whatsoever regarding the Donation
Easement, which is being donated “as is, where is” and “with any and all faults.”
C. Donor and Donee have each been given a full and complete opportunity to conduct their
own investigation as to any matter, fact or issue that might influence the respective parties’
decisions regarding Donor's donation of the Donation Easement.
D. Donor acknowledges that Donor could have obtained an appraisal of, and could have
required compensation for the Donation Easement, and Donor has determined not to obtain
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an appraisal and not to require compensation because Donor desires to donate the Donation
Easement to Donee with no receipt of compensation of any kind.
E. Donor agrees to provide all information and documentation as may be reasonably requested
by the Donee and/or Donee’s attorney.
SECTION 1A: Obligations
A. Closing Costs. Donee shall pay all costs associated with the transfer of the Donation
Easement, including but not limited to attorney fees to review and edit this Donation
Agreement, the easement agreement, abstracting fees, agents’ fees (if any) and recording
costs (the “Closing Costs”).
B. Post Closing Requirements. Donee will as part of the Project, include in the design and
construction installation of water and sewer infrastructure as generally shown (subject to
reasonable modification in light of construction conditions) within Exhibit A. Such work
shall be done in coordination with Donor’s representative to minimize disruption to
Donor’s operations to the extent reasonably possible.
C. Transfer. Donor agrees to donate the Donation Easement to Donee, and Donee agrees to
accept the Donation Easement from Donor on the terms and conditions set forth herein. In
consideration of Donor’s transfer of the Donation Easement to Donee, Donee shall perform
all of Donee’s obligations hereunder including but not limited to the release and indemnity
set forth in Sections 3 and 4 of this Donation Agreement.
D. Title. Title shall transfer on the Closing Date, as defined in Section 2 of this Donation
Agreement, via easement and ancillary transfer documents to be prepared by Donee’s
attorneys. Risk of loss shall remain with the Donor until the Closing.
E. Further Assurances. Donee and Donor agree to execute all instruments and documents and
to take all actions reasonably necessary and appropriate to consummate the transfer and
donation of the Donation Easement and shall use their best efforts to close in a timely
manner.
SECTION 2: Closing
A. This transaction shall be closed and the easement delivered as soon as reasonably possible
(the “Closing Date”).
SECTION 3: Acknowledgments, Release and Indemnity.
Donee acknowledges that it is accepting the Donation Easement solely in reliance on Donee’s own
investigation, and the Donation Easement is in “as is, where is” condition with all faults and
defects, latent or otherwise. Donee expressly acknowledges that, in consideration of the agreement
of Donor herein, and except as otherwise specified herein, Donor makes and has made no
representations or warranties, express or implied, or arising by operation of law, including, but not
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limited to, any warranty as to condition, merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose,
with respect to the Donation Easement or any matter related thereto, or (without limitation) to any
of the following matters:
A. Soils, etc. Soils, seismic, hydrological, geological and topographical conditions and
configurations.
B. Artifacts. Archeological, prehistoric and historic artifacts, remains and relics.
C. Endangered Species. Endangered plant, animal and insect species.
D. Hazardous Materials. Hazardous or toxic materials and other environmental conditions,
including without limitation, volatile organic compounds, petroleum products of any form
or nature, lead-based paint, asbestos and mold.
E. Physical Defects. Physical and mechanical defects in or on the Donation Easement,
including without limitation, the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems
and the roof, floor, ceilings, walls and other internal structural components of any buildings
or improvements.
F. Land and Floor Area. The area of the land and the square footage contained in any buildings
or improvements.
G. Utilities, Schools, Etc. Availability of adequate utilities, water, schools, public access, and
fire and police protection.
H. Assessment Districts. The status and nature of any assessment districts.
I. Planning, Zoning and Compliance with Law. Present, past or future conformity of the
Donation Easement with planning, building, zoning, subdivision, development and any
other statutes, ordinances, regulations and permits, or any general plan or specific plan of
any governmental authority having jurisdiction.
J. Development Fees. The character and amount of any fee, charge or other consideration
which must be paid by Donee to develop the Donation Easement.
K. Title. The condition of title to the Donation Easement, including but not limited to the
existence of any easement, license, lease, encumbrance or encroachment whether or not a
matter of public record, and whether or not visible upon inspection of such Donation
Easement.
L. Owner’s Association. The financial condition of any owner’s association, including,
without limitation, the adequacy of any reserves held by any owner’s association.
M. Other Matters. Any other matter relating to the Donation Easement or to the acquisition,
ownership, use, management, conveyance, encumbrance, development or operation of the
Donation Easement, including, but not limited to, value, feasibility, cost, governmental
permissions or entitlements, marketability and investment return.
SECTION 4: Release and Indemnity
A. Release. Donee fully releases and discharges Donor from and relinquishes all rights,
claims and actions that Donee may have or acquire against Donor which arise out of or are
in any way connected with the terms of this Donation Agreement or the condition of the
Donation Easement, including without limitation (A) any matter set forth in Section 3
above, (B) the presence of hazardous materials on, under or about the Donation Easement
(including but not limited to any undiscovered hazardous materials located beneath the
surface of the Donation Easement), and (C) violations of any hazardous materials laws
Page 4 of 9
pertaining to the Donation Easement or the activities thereon. This release applies to all
described rights, claims and actions, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen,
present or future.
B. Effectiveness. The provisions of this section shall be effective as of the Closing Date and
shall survive the Closing Date or termination of this Donation Agreement.
SECTION 5: General Provisions
A. The “Effective Date” shall be the date that the last of the parties to this Donation Agreement
executes below.
B. Successors and Assigns. This Donation Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the successors and assigns of the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Donee
may not transfer, assign, or encumber Donee’s right under this Donation Agreem ent
without Donor’s prior written approval.
C. Entire Agreement. This Donation Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
parties concerning the Donation and conveyance of the Donation Easement, and supersedes
all prior written or oral agreements concerning the subject matter hereof between the parties
to this Donation Agreement. No addition to or modification of any term or provision shall
be effective unless in writing, signed by both Donor and Donee.
D. Partial Invalidity. If any portion of this Donation Agreement shall be declared by any court
of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that portion shall be
deemed severed from this Donation Agreement and the remaining parts shall remain in full
force as fully as though the invalid, illegal or unenforceable portion had never been part of
this Donation Agreement.
E. Governing Law. The parties intend and agree that this Donation Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
F. No Third Party Benefits. No person other than Donor and Donee, and their permitted
successors and assigns, shall have any right of action under this Donation Agreement.
Beneficiaries specifically shall have no claims or rights of action against either Donor or
Donee in connection with this gift.
G. Waivers. No waiver by either party of any provision shall be deemed a waiver of any other
provision or of any subsequent breach by either party of the same or any other provision.
H. Captions. The captions and Section numbers of this Donation Agreement are for
convenience and in no way define or limit the scope or intent of the Sections of this
Donation Agreement.
I. Counterparts. To facilitate execution, this Donation Agreement may be executed in as
many counterparts as may be convenient or required. It shall not be necessary that the
signature of, or on behalf of, each party, or that the signature of all persons required to bind
any party, appear on each counterpart. All counterparts shall collectively constitute a single
instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this instrument to produce or
account for more than a single counterpart containing the respective signatures of, or on
behalf of, each of the parties hereto. Any signature page to any counterpart may be detached
from such counterpart without impairing the legal effect of the signatures thereon and
thereafter attached to another counterpart identical thereto except having attached to it
additional signature pages.
Page 5 of 9
J. No Presumption. All the parties hereto and their attorneys have had full opportunity to
review and participate in the drafting of the final form of this Donation Agreement and all
documents attached as exhibits. Accordingly, such documents shall be construed without
regard to any presumption or other rule of construction whereby any ambiguities within
this Donation Agreement would be construed or interpreted against the party causing the
document to be drafted.
K. Notices. Any notices or other communication required or permitted under this Donation
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be (a) personally delivered, or (b) sent by certified
or registered United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (c) by
overnight delivery by a reputable courier to the address of the party set forth in this Section.
Such notice or communication shall be deemed given (i) if sent by personal delivery or
overnight courier, when delivered in person, or (ii) in the case of mailed notice, forty-eight
(48) hours following deposit in the United States mail. Notice of change of address shall
be given by written notice in the manner detailed in this Section.
If to the Donee:
Town of Dryden
Attn: Ray Burger
93 E. Main Street
Dryden, NY 13053
With a copy to:
Nathan VanWhy, Esq.
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP
99 Corporate Drive
Binghamton, NY 13904
Email: NVanWhy@cglawoffices.com
If to the Donor:
Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC
Attn: Adam Slutsky
83 Warren Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
Page 6 of 9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto agree to the terms and have caused this Contract
to be executed in their names by their duly authorized officers.
DONEE: DONOR:
TOWN OF DRYDEN ITHACA IR HOLDINGS, LLC
______________________________ ______________________________
By: Jason Leifer, Supervisor By:_______________, _____________
Adam Slutsky, manager of North Beacon Capital, its manager
Page 7 of 9
State of )
County of ) ss.:
On the ______ day of _______________ in the year 2023 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared _______________, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_______________________________________
Notary Public
State of New York )
County of Tompkins ) ss.:
On the ______ day of ______________ in the year 2023 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Jason Leifer, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_________________________________
Notary Public
Page 8 of 9
EXHIBIT A
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Ithaca, County of Tompkins
and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-2-5, all as more
particularly bounded and described as follows:
BEGINNING at the intersection of the north line of New York State Route 366 with the west line
of the Town of Dryden Easement recorded in the Tompkins County Clerk’s office at Liber 486,
Page 912; proceeding thence westerly along said north line for a distance of 105.4+/- feet to a point
at the boundary of the lands owned by Cornell University; proceeding thence north for a distance
of 12+/- feet along the boundary line of the lands owned by Cornell University; proceeding thence
easterly along a line parallel to the north line of New York State Route 366 to the said west line of
the Town of Dryden Easement; proceeding thence south 12+/- feet to the point or place of
beginning.
Page 9 of 9
EXHIBIT B
PERMANENT SEWER LINES EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY
THIS INDENTURE is made this _____ day of 2024, by and between
the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the laws of the State of New York having
offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, acting on behalf of the Dryden Sewer Benefit
District SS8, and such additional sewer districts as presently exist or may be formed within the
Town of Dryden (collectively, the “Grantee”), and Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC, a limited liability
company under the laws of the State of Delaware and having offices at 83 Warren Avenue, Boston,
MA 02116 (the “Grantor”).
Grantor is the owner of certain parcels of land identified as Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-
2-5, all located along New York State Route 366 in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New
York, (the “Premises”).
NOW WITNESSETH, that Grantor, in consideration of One Dollar and other good and
valuable consideration paid by Grantee, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by Grantor and Grantee, grants to Grantee permanent easements and rights of way
to clear, trench, lay, construct, maintain, operate, repair and at its pleasure, remove, sanitary sewer
collection lines, mains, force mains, and other ancillary infrastructure for the use, operation and
maintenance of sanitary sewer systems in, on and beneath the below-described parcels of land,
together with the rights of free ingress and egress in, over, across, upon, and under the below -
described parcel of land, and including the right to trim and/or remove trees, shrubs and other
obstructions as necessary to exercise the foregoing rights except as otherwise expressly limited
herein, upon that portion of the Premises as more particularly bounded and described as follows:
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Ithaca, County of
Tompkins and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-2-5,
all as more particularly bounded and described as follows:
BEGINNING at the intersection of the north line of New York State Route 366 with the
west line of the Town of Dryden Easement recorded in the Tompkins County Clerk’s office
at Liber 486, Page 912; proceeding thence westerly along said north line for a distance of
105.4+/- feet to a point at the boundary of the lands owned by Cornell University;
proceeding thence north for a distance of 12+/- feet along the boundary line of the lands
owned by Cornell University; proceeding thence easterly along a line parallel to the north
line of New York State Route 366 to the said west line of the Town of Dryden Easement;
proceeding thence south 12+/- feet to the point or place of beginning.
RESERVING unto Grantor all rights accruing from Grantor’s ownership of fee title to the
Premises, except to any extent that exercise of such rights and Grantor’s use of such property
conflict with the terms of this easement. Without limiting the foregoing, Grantor expressly
reserves:
(1) the right to use and install improvements (except buildings with foundations) on, in and
under the surface and subsurface of the Easement Area, to cross and re-cross the Easement Area,
and to grant future easements in the Easement Area, provided that any construction of
2
improvements within, or any other use of, the Easement Area by Grantor shall not interfere with,
obstruct, or affect any rights of the Town under or with respect to this Easement, cause injury or
damage to the Town’s infrastructure, or otherwise affect such infrastructure’s physical integrity or
function; and
(2) the right to relocate said easement and right of way and the facilities located thereon,
in whole or in part, at Grantor’s sole expense, in accordance with plans and specifications approved
by Grantee. In considering approval, Grantee may consider the effects of the proposed changes
on the sanitary sewer system’s operation and costs.
AND FURTHER, all equipment, materials, infrastructure, and other property belonging to
Grantee, its agents or contractors, stored or located on the Premises, including the sanitary sewer
mains, laterals, collectors, lines and pipes, and other and related appurtenances and devices, shall
remain the property of and shall be under the control and supervision of Grantee, and which
Grantee shall repair and maintain at its own cost and expense.
GRANTOR COVENANTS AND AGREES:
1. No building or structures (except for roads, buildings and other structures to be
constructed, used and maintained on or beneath the surface of the Premises in accordance with
permits and/or approvals issued by Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent
easement) shall be constructed or placed within the aforesaid permanent easement and right-of-
way which will in any way interfere with complete access by Grantee, its successors, assigns,
employees and agents to excavate, install, lay, construct, operate, make observations of, inspect,
maintain, alter, improve, repair, remove, replace or change the size of any sanitary sewer mains,
laterals, collectors, lines and pipes, and other and related appurtenances and devices.
2. Except for trees or other plants presently installed or to be installed and maintained
on or beneath the surface of the Premises in accordance with permits and/or approvals issued by
Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent easement, no trees or other plants will be
planted or cultivated that may interfere with the said easement and right-of-way.
3. Except to the extent necessary for the construction, use and maintenance of
buildings and other improvements on the Premises in accordance with permits and/or approvals
issued by Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent easement, it will not permit or
conduct any mining, excavation, construction or blasting within said easement and right-of-way.
4. Except during the construction or maintenance of buildings, foundations and other
improvements to be constructed, used and maintained on or beneath the surface of the Premises in
accordance with permits and/or approvals issued by the Grantee that explicitly reference the
aforesaid permanent easement, it will not engage in any conduct, directly or indirectly, that blocks,
obstructs, or interferes with the ingress and egress rights of Grantee, its successors, assigns,
employees and agents.
3
5. It will place the following provision in all conveyances of the property or portions
thereof covered by this easement, or any rights therein:
“Subject to a sanitary sewer easement and right-of way to convey rights to the Town
of Dryden to clear, trench, lay, construct, maintain, operate, repair and at its
pleasure, remove, sanitary sewer collection lines, mains, force mains, and other
ancillary infrastructure for the use, operation and maintenance of sanitary sewer
systems in, on and beneath the below-described parcels of land, together with the
rights of free ingress and egress in, over, across, upon, and under the below-
described parcel of land, and including the right to trim and/or remove trees, shrubs
and other obstructions, all of which rights are (1) set forth in said permanent
easement and right-of-way granted to the Town on [date] and recorded in the
Tompkins County Clerk’s Office on [date] as Instrument No. _________, the terms,
obligations and conditions of which are expressly incorporated herein, and (2)
assignable by the said Town to any successor or assign, or to any improvement
district(s) now existing or hereafter to be formed.”
GRANTEE COVENANTS AND AGREES:
1. Grantee shall give Grantor advance reasonable notice of the intended times when
work is to be performed within the Easement Area and shall coordinate with Grantor in the
performance of such work. In the event work is required on an emergency basis, the Town will
provide notice as soon as reasonably practicable after commencement of such emergency work.
2. Grantee will at all times, at Grantee’s expense, when it enters the Premises for any
purpose related to the permanent easement granted by this instrument, leave the Premises in a neat
and presentable condition, returning the Premises as nearly as practicable to its condition before
such entry, including grading, reseeding, and repaving as applicable, as well as replacing any trees
with the same or similar species of tree, of a size not less than one and a half inch caliber measured
at diameter breast height, and also replacing any fencing removed or damaged, subject to any
changes in the Premises permitted by the exercise of the rights granted by this easement.
3. Grantee shall be responsible for maintaining asphalt cut repairs for a period of two
years after repavement to account for potential future settlement.
4. Grantee shall not allow any claim, lien or other encumbrance arising from its use
of the easement area to accrue against or attach to the easement premises o r any other portion of
Grantor’s property, but if any lien or notice of lien is so filed, the responsible party shall promptly
bond and discharge any lien or notice of lien that may be so filed. Grantor shall send to Grantee
timely written notice of any lien so filed of which Grantor itself has notice, and Grantee shall send
to Grantor timely written notice of any lien so filed of which Grantee itself has notice.
5. Grantee has evaluated title to the Premises without reliance on any representation
or warranty of title from Grantor.
4
6. This easement shall be recorded by Grantee at its own expense in the real estate
records of the Tompkins County Clerk.
7. Grantee, by accepting this easement, agrees it shall indemnify Grantor, Grantor’s
trustees, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnified
Parties”), and hold them harmless from any claims, demands, actions, suits, liabilities, losses,
injuries, costs, or judgments (collectively, “Claims”) that arise out of or result from (in whole or
in part) the use of the Premises or the exercise of Grantee’s rights hereunder by Grantee, its
employees, contractors, agents, or invitees, including (without limitation) reasonable investigatory
and legal costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Indemnified Parties are negligent
or act with willful misconduct, Grantee’s duty to indemnify them shall not extend to the proportion
of loss attributable to the Indemnified Parties’ negligence or willful misconduct.
AND THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE:
1. Grantee and its successors and assigns are hereby expressly granted the right to
assign this easement, or any part thereof, or interest therein, without any prior consent and without
prejudice or recourse.
2. The easements and related rights-of-way (except for those areas marked on the
Survey as construction or temporary easements) shall at all times be deemed to be and shall run
with the land, be permanent and perpetual, and inure to and be binding upon the successors, heirs,
legal representatives and assigns of the parties named in this easement.
3. The parties acknowledge the existence of 8” water and sanitary sewer mains within
or adjacent to the Easement Area. These mains are the property of Grantee and are not known to
be subject to any easement agreement, and are marked on the survey as being abandoned in place.
Grantee shall have the same maintenance obligations regarding such mains as if they were subject
to this easement, and shall be responsible for any required environmental remediation associated
with any water main, sewer main, or other ancillary infrastructure marked on the Survey as being
abandoned in place on the Premises, unless and until such main or infrastructure is removed.
(Signature page follows)
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their
duly authorized representatives on the day and year following each signature.
ITHACA IR HOLDINGS, LLC TOWN OF DRYDEN
By:_____________________ By: _____________________
Adam Slutsky, manager of North Beacon Jason Leifer, Town Supervisor
Capital, the manager of Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC
Date: _____________________ Date: _____________________
State of )
County of ) ss.:
On the ______ day of _______________ in the year 2024 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Adam Slutsky, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_______________________________________
Notary Public
State of New York )
County of Tompkins ) ss.:
On the ______ day of ______________ in the year 2023 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Jason Leifer, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satis factory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_________________________________
Notary Public
CERTIFICATE OF AGENCY AND AUTHORITY
The undersigned, being the duly authorized agent of Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC, a limited liability
company under the laws of the State of Delaware and having offices at 83 Warren Avenue, Boston,
MA 02116 (“ITHACA IR”), certifies to the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the
laws of the State of New York having offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden NY 13053, acting
for itself and on behalf of the Dryden Sewer Benefit District SS8, and such additional sewer
districts as may currently exist or will be formed within the Town of Dryden (the “Town”), as
follows:
1. I have been duly authorized pursuant to the operating agreement of ITHACA IR and/or by
action of its members to execute that certain Permanent Sewer Lines Easement and Right
of Way (the “Easement”) that grants an easement in favor of the Town over the property
identified as Tax Parcel numbers 56.-2-6 and 56.-2-5, all located along New York State
Route 366 in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York (the “Property”), as more
specifically set forth therein, as made on or around the date of my signature to this
Certificate of Agency and Authority.
2. The execution of all those documents necessary to effectuate the Easement is deemed to
be in the name of and on behalf of ITHACA IR. Such execution further does not violate
any restriction, prohibition or obligation contained within the Property’s chain of title,
and/or consents and releases by those parties with rights to the Property have been obtained
and provided to the Town.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this _______ day of
________________________, 2024.
ITHACA IR HOLDINGS, LLC.
By: _______________________
Adam Slutsky, manager of North Beacon Capital, the manager of Ithaca IR Holdings, LLC
STATE OF NEW YORK )
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS.:
On the _____ day of ___________________, 2024 before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public
in and for said State, personally appeared James W. Ray, Jr., personally known to me or proved to
me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is(are) subscribed
to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in
his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the
individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
___________________________________
Notary Public
PERMANENT WATER AND SANITARY SEWER LINES EASEMENT
AND RIGHT-OF-WAY
THIS INDENTURE is made this _____ day of 2024, by and between
the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the laws of the State of New York having
offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, acting on behalf of the Dryden Consolidated
Water Benefit District SW8 and the Dryden Consolidated Sewer Benefit District SS8, and such
additional water and sewer districts as may be formed within the Town of Dryden (collectively,
the “Grantee”), and Cornell University, an education corporation chartered by the State of New
York and having offices at Day Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853 (the “Grantor”).
Grantor is the owner of certain parcels of land identified as Tax Parcel numbers 64.-1-1,
64.-1-2.1, 64.-1-2.2, 65.-1-5.5, and 65.-1-4.1, all located along New York State Route 366 in the
Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, and Tax Parcel numbers 53.-1-9.2, 56.-5-1, and
56.-5-33, all located along New York State Route 366 in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County,
New York (the “Premises”).
NOW WITNESSETH, that Grantor, in consideration of One Dollar and other good and
valuable consideration paid by Grantee, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by Grantor and Grantee, grants to Grantee permanent easements and rights of way
to clear, trench, lay, construct, maintain, operate, repair and at its pleasure, remove, water and
sanitary sewer collection lines, mains, force mains, and other ancillary infrastructure for the use,
operation and maintenance of potable water and sanitary sewer systems in, on and beneath the
below-described parcels of land, together with the rights of free ingress and egress in, over, across,
upon, and under the below-described parcel of land, and including the right to trim and/or remove
trees, shrubs and other obstructions as necessary to exercise the foregoing rights except as
otherwise expressly limited herein, upon that portion of the Premises as more particularly bounded
and described as follows:
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Ithaca, County of
Tompkins and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 64.-1-2.1, 64.-1-2.2,
65.-1-5.5, and 65.-1-4.1, and the parcels situate in the Town of Dryden, County of
Tompkins and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 53.-1-9.2, 56.-5-1,
and 56.-5-33, all as more particularly bounded and described on the maps entitled “Town
of Dryden Varna Water and Sewer Easements, Schedule A, Permanent Easement Map,
Sheets 1 and 2,” dated September 6, 2023, and the maps entitled “Town of Dryden Varna
Water and Sewer Improvements (Contract C), Utility Plan, Sheet C301 and Demolition
Plan, Sheet C201,” dated September 6, 2023, each prepared by T.G. Miller P.C., Engineers
and Surveyors (the “Survey”), incorporated herein by reference, a copy of which maps are
intended to be filed in the Tompkins County Clerk’s office concurrently herewith, provided
however that the Easement Area shall be centered on the as-constructed mains and in the
widths shown on the attached survey maps, and provided further that the boundary line
nearest to Route 366 for each portion of the Easement Area shall be the state highway
boundary, and each portion of the Easement Area shall not extend farther from the highway
2
boundary than the listed width of the easement, regardless of where the water or sanitary
sewer mains are actually constructed.
Together with a temporary construction easement over portions of Tax Parcel number 65.-
1-5.5, as shown on and identified on the Survey as a “Temporary Construction Easement
for Boring Advancement Pit”, and a temporary construction over portions of Tax Parcel
number 64.-1-1, as shown and identified on the Survey as a “Temporary Construction
Easement” by the “Proposed Apple Orchard PRV Building”, which temporary easements
shall terminate on September 30, 2025, or upon Grantee’s notification to Grantor of
successful revegetation of the temporary construction easement area, whichever is earlier.
RESERVING unto Grantor all rights accruing from Grantor’s ownership of fee title to the
Premises, except to any extent that exercise of such rights and Grantor’s use of such property
conflict with the terms of this easement. Without limiting the foregoing, Grantor expressly
reserves:
(1) the right to use and install improvements (except buildings with foundations) on, in and
under the surface and subsurface of the Easement Area, to cross and re-cross the Easement Area,
and to grant future easements in the Easement Area, provided that any construction of
improvements within, or any other use of, the Easement Area by Grantor shall not interfere with,
obstruct, or affect any rights of the Town under or with respect to this Easement, cause injury or
damage to the Town’s infrastructure, or otherwise affect such infrastructure’s physical integrity or
function; and
(2) the right to relocate said easement and right of way and the facilities located thereon,
in whole or in part, at Grantor’s sole expense, in accordance with plans and specifications approved
by Grantee. In considering approval, Grantee may consider the effects of the proposed changes
on the water and sanitary sewer system’s operation and costs.
AND FURTHER, all equipment, materials, infrastructure, and other property belonging to
Grantee, its agents or contractors, stored or located on the Premises, including the water and
sanitary sewer mains, laterals, collectors, lines and pipes, and other and related appurtenances and
devices, shall remain the property of and shall be under the control and supervision of Grantee,
and which Grantee shall repair and maintain at its own cost and expense.
GRANTOR COVENANTS AND AGREES:
1. No building or structures (except for roads, buildings and other structures to be
constructed, used and maintained on or beneath the surface of the Premises in accordance with
permits and/or approvals issued by Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent
easement) shall be constructed or placed within the aforesaid permanent easement and right-of-
way which will in any way interfere with complete access by Grantee, its successors, assigns,
employees and agents to excavate, install, lay, construct, operate, make observations of, inspect,
maintain, alter, improve, repair, remove, replace or change the size of any water or sanitary sewer
mains, laterals, collectors, lines and pipes, and other and related appurtenances and devices.
3
Grantee agrees that this provision shall not prevent Grantor from construction a multiuse path in
the Easement Area upon Grantee’s approval of the plans for the path, such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld.
2. Except for trees or other plants presently installed or to be installed and maintained
on or beneath the surface of the Premises in accordance with permits and/or approvals issued by
Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent easement, no trees or other plants will be
planted or cultivated that may interfere with the said easement and right-of-way.
3. Except to the extent necessary for the construction, use and maintenance of
buildings and other improvements on the Premises in accordance with permits and/or approvals
issued by Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent easement, it will not permit or
conduct any mining, excavation, construction or blasting within said easement and right-of-way.
4. Except during the construction or maintenance of buildings, foundations and other
improvements to be constructed, used and maintained on or beneath the surface of the Premises in
accordance with permits and/or approvals issued by the Grantee that explicitly reference the
aforesaid permanent easement, it will not engage in any conduct, directly or indirectly, that blocks,
obstructs, or interferes with the ingress and egress rights of Grantee, its successors, assigns,
employees and agents.
5. It will place the following provision in all conveyances of the property or portions
thereof covered by this easement, or any rights therein:
“Subject to a water and sanitary sewer easement and right-of way to convey rights
to the Town of Dryden to clear, trench, lay, construct, maintain, operate, repair and
at its pleasure, remove, water and sanitary sewer collection lines, mains, force
mains, and other ancillary infrastructure for the use, operation and maintenance of
potable water and sanitary sewer systems in, on and beneath the below-described
parcels of land, together with the rights of free ingress and egress in, over, across,
upon, and under the below-described parcel of land, and including the right to trim
and/or remove trees, shrubs and other obstructions, all of which rights are (1) set
forth in said permanent easement and right-of-way granted to the Town on [date]
and recorded in the Tompkins County Clerk’s Office on [date] as Instrument No.
_________, the terms, obligations and conditions of which are expressly
incorporated herein, and (2) assignable by the said Town to any successor or assign,
or to any improvement district(s) now existing or hereafter to be formed.”
GRANTEE COVENANTS AND AGREES:
1. Original construction of the work permitted by this easement (the “Project”) shall
be done substantially in accordance with the Survey, and the Town of Dryden Varna Water and
Sewer Improvements, Schedule C, Demolition Map,” dated September 6, 2023, prepared by T.G.
Miller P.C., Engineers and Surveyors. Grantor shall have the right to approve any substantive
4
changes reflected in final Project plans for work being performed on the Premises, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
2. Grantee shall give Grantor advance reasonable notice of the intended times when
work is to be performed within the Easement Area and shall coordinate with Grantor in the
performance of such work. In the event work is required on an emergency basis, the Town will
provide notice as soon as reasonably practicable after commencement of such emergency work.
One of the two driveways that provide access to the McGowan Farm Barn at 791 Dryden Road
will remain accessible and open at all times during any work performed in the Easement Area.
3. Grantee will at all times, at Grantee’s expense, when it enters the Premises for any
purpose related to the permanent easement granted by this instrument, leave the Premises in a neat
and presentable condition, returning the Premises as nearly as practicable to its condition before
such entry, including grading, reseeding, and repaving as applicable, as well as replacing any trees
or fencing removed or damaged, subject to any changes in the Premises permitted by the exercise
of the rights granted by this easement.
4. Grantee shall be responsible for maintaining asphalt cut repairs for a period of two
years after repavement to account for potential future settlement.
5. Grantee shall not allow any claim, lien or other encumbrance arising from its use
of the easement area to accrue against or attach to the easement premises or any other portion of
Grantor’s property, but if any lien or notice of lien is so filed, the responsible party shall promptly
bond and discharge any lien or notice of lien that may be so filed. Grantor shall send to Grantee
timely written notice of any lien so filed of which Grantor itself has notice, and Grantee shall send
to Grantor timely written notice of any lien so filed of which Grantee itself has notice.
6. Grantee has evaluated title to the Premises without reliance on any representation
or warranty of title from Grantor.
7. This easement shall be recorded by Grantee at its own expense in the real estate
records of the Tompkins County Clerk.
8. Grantee, by accepting this easement, agrees it shall indemnify Grantor, Grantor’s
trustees, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnified
Parties”), and hold them harmless from any claims, demands, actions, suits, liabilities, losses,
injuries, costs, or judgments (collectively, “Claims”) that arise out of or result from (in whole or
in part) the use of the Premises or the exercise of Grantee’s rights hereunder by Grantee, its
employees, contractors, agents, or invitees, including (without limitation) reasonable investigatory
and legal costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Indemnified Parties are negligent
or act with willful misconduct, Grantee’s duty to indemnify them shall not extend to the proportion
of loss attributable to the Indemnified Parties’ negligence or willful misconduct.
AND THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE:
5
1. Grantee and its successors and assigns are hereby expressly granted the right to
assign this easement, or any part thereof, or interest therein, without any prior consent and without
prejudice or recourse.
2. The easements and related rights-of-way (except for those areas marked on the
Survey as construction or temporary easements) shall at all times be deemed to be and shall run
with the land, be permanent and perpetual, and inure to and be binding upon the successors, heirs,
legal representatives and assigns of the parties named in this easement.
3. The parties acknowledge the existence of 8” water and sanitary sewer mains within
or adjacent to the Easement Area. These mains are the property of Grantee and are not known to
be subject to any easement agreement, and are marked on the survey as being abandoned in place.
Grantee shall have the same maintenance obligations regarding such mains as if they were subject
to this easement, and shall be responsible for any required environmental remediation associated
with any water main, sewer main, or other ancillary infrastructure marked on the Survey as being
abandoned in place on the Premises, unless and until such main or infrastructure is removed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their
duly authorized representatives on the day and year following each signature.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY TOWN OF DRYDEN
By:_____________________ By: _____________________
Jeremy E. Thomas Jason Leifer
Sr. Director, Real Estate Town Supervisor
Date: _____________________ Date: _____________________
State of New York )
County of Tompkins ) ss.:
On the ______ day of _______________ in the year 2024 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Jeremy E. Thomas, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_______________________________________
Notary Public
6
State of New York )
County of Tompkins ) ss.:
On the ______ day of ______________ in the year 2024 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Jason Leifer, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_________________________________
Notary Public
CERTIFICATE OF AGENCY AND AUTHORITY
The undersigned, being the duly authorized agent of Cornell University, an education corporation
chartered by the State of New York and having offices at Day Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853
(“CORNELL”), certifies to the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the laws of the
State of New York having offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden NY 13053, acting for itself and
on behalf of the Dryden Consolidated Water Benefit District SW8 and the Dryden Consolidated
Sewer Benefit District SS8, and such additional water and sewer districts as may be formed within
the Town of Dryden (the “Town”), as follows:
1. I have been duly authorized by Cornell to execute that certain Permanent Water and
Sanitary Sewer Lines Easement and Right of Way (the “Easement”) that grants an
easement in favor of the Town over the property identified as Tax Parcel numbers 64.-1-1,
64.-1-2.1, 64.-1-2.2, 65.-1-5.5, and 65.-1-4.1, all located along New York State Route 366
in the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, and Tax Parcel numbers 53.-1-9.2,
56.-2-2.2, 56.-5-1, and 56.-5-33, all located along New York State Route 366 in the Town
of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York (the “Property”), as more specifically set forth
therein, as made on or around the date of my signature to this Certificate of Agency and
Authority.
2. The execution of all those documents necessary to effectuate the Easement is deemed to
be in the name of and on behalf of Cornell. Such execution further does not violate any
restriction, prohibition or obligation contained within the Property’s chain of title, and/or
consents and releases by those parties with rights to the Property have been obtained and
provided to the Town.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this _______ day of
________________________, 2024.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
By: _______________________
Jeremy E. Thomas, Sr. Director, Real Estate
STATE OF NEW YORK )
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS.:
On the _____ day of ___________________, 2024 before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public
in and for said State, personally appeared James W. Ray, Jr., personally known to me or proved to
me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is(are) subscribed
to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in
his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the
individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
___________________________________
Notary Public
Exhibit A
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Ithaca, County of Tompkins
and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-2, 53.1-1-3, 53.1-1-4,
53.1-1-5, 53.1-1-6, 53.1-1-7, and 53.1-1-16, all as more particularly bounded and described as
follows:
BEGINNING at the intersection of the northerly line of New York State Route 366 and the
centerline of Freese Road; proceeding thence northeasterly along the northerly boundary of New
York State Route 366 as of October 10, 2023 to a point at the boundary of lands owned by Cornell
University (Book ____ Page ____), known as Tax Map No. 53.-1-9.2 in 2023; proceeding thence
north westerly along the westerly boundary of said lands owned by Cornell University for a
distance of 10+/- feet to point; thence proceeding south westerly along a line parallel to the
northerly boundary of said of New York State Route 366 to a point in the centerline of Freese
Road; thence south easterly 10+/- feet to the point or place of beginning.
Also including ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Ithaca,
County of Tompkins and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-
15 53.1-1-16, 53.-1-3.7, and 53.-1-3.2 all as more particularly bounded and described as follows:
BEGINNING at the intersection of the northwesterly boundary of New York State Route 366 with
the centerline of Freese Road; proceeding thence easterly along the northerly boundary of said
New York State Route 366 for a distance of 40 feet to a point; proceeding then northwesterly along
a line parallel to the centerline of Freese Road to a point at the boundary of lands owned by
Weinstein/Stark (Book ____ Page ____), known as Tax Map No. 53.1-3.5 in 2023; proceeding
thence southwesterly along said boundary line a distance of 40+/- feet to the centerline of Freese
Road; proceeding thence northeasterly along the centerline of Freese Road to the point or place of
beginning.
Together with a temporary construction easement over portions of Tax Parcel number 53.1-1-7,
and 53.1-1-16 as shown on and identified on the Survey as a “Temporary Construction Easement
for Boring Advancement Pit”, which temporary easement shall terminate on Grantee’s notification
to Grantor of successful revegetation of the temporary construction easement area.
Said parcels of land are shown more particularly on a map entitled “Town of Dryden Varna Water
and Sewer Easements Dryden Road” dated October 10, 2023, prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C.,
Donald Martin Harner NYSLPE No. 096947 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
PERMANENT STORM, WATER AND SANITARY SEWER LINES
EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY
THIS INDENTURE is made this _____ day of 2024, by and between
the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the laws of the State of New York having
offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, acting on behalf of itself and all water and
sewer district currently formed or as may be formed within the Town of Dryden (collectively, the
“Grantee”), and VTT, LLC, a limited liability company under the laws of the State of New York
and having offices at 41 Oak Brook Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 (the “Grantor”).
Grantor is the owner of certain parcels of land identified as Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1,
53.1-1-2, 53.1-1-3, 53.1-1-4, 53.1-1-5, 53.1-1-6, 53.1-1-7, 53.1-1-15, 53.1-1-16, 53.-1-3.2 and 53.-
1-3.7, all located along New York State Route 366 in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County,
New York, (the “Premises”).
NOW WITNESSETH, that Grantor, in consideration of One Dollar and other good and
valuable consideration paid by Grantee, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by Grantor and Grantee, grants to Grantee permanent easements and rights of way
to clear, trench, lay, construct, maintain, operate, repair and at its pleasure, remove, storm, water
and sanitary sewer collection lines, mains, force mains, and other ancillary infrastructure, for the
use, operation and maintenance of storm, potable water and sanitary sewer systems in, on and
beneath the below-described parcels of land, together with the rights of free ingress and egress in,
over, across, upon, and under the below-described parcel of land, and including the right to trim
and/or remove trees, shrubs and other obstructions as necessary to exercise the foregoing rights
except as otherwise expressly limited herein, upon that portion of the Premises as more particularly
bounded and described as follows (altogether, the “Easement Area”):
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Ithaca, County of
Tompkins and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-2,
53.1-1-3, 53.1-1-4, 53.1-1-5, 53.1-1-6, 53.1-1-7, and 53.1-1-16, all as more particularly
bounded and described as follows:
BEGINNING at the intersection of the northerly line of New York State Route 366 and the
centerline of Freese Road; proceeding thence northeasterly along the northerly boundary
of New York State Route 366 as of October 10, 2023 to a point at the boundary of lands
owned by Cornell University (Book ____ Page ____), known as Tax Map No. 53.-1-9.2 in
2023; proceeding thence north westerly along the westerly boundary of said lands owned
by Cornell University for a distance of 10+/- feet to point; thence proceeding south westerly
along a line parallel to the northerly boundary of said New York State Route 366 to a point
in the centerline of Freese Road; thence south easterly 10+/- feet to the point or place of
beginning.
Also including ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of
Ithaca, County of Tompkins and State of New York, being part of Tax Parcel numbers
53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-15 53.1-1-16, 53.-1-3.7, and 53.-1-3.2 all as more particularly bounded
and described as follows:
2
BEGINNING at the intersection of the northwesterly boundary of New York State Route
366 with the centerline of Freese Road; proceeding thence easterly along the northerly
boundary of said New York State Route 366 for a distance of 40 feet to a point; proceeding
then northwesterly along a line parallel to the centerline of Freese Road to a point at the
boundary of lands owned by Weinstein/Stark (Book ____ Page ____), known as Tax Map
No. 53.1-3.5 in 2023; proceeding thence southwesterly along said boundary line a distance
of 40+/- feet to the centerline of Freese Road; proceeding thence southeasterly along the
centerline of Freese Road to the point or place of beginning.
Together with a temporary construction easement over portions of Tax Parcel number 53.1-
1-7, and 53.1-1-16 as shown on and identified on the Survey as a “Temporary Construction
Easement for Boring Advancement Pit”, which temporary easement shall terminate on
Grantee’s notification to Grantor of successful revegetation of the temporary construction
easement area.
Said parcels of land are shown more particularly on a map entitled “Town of Dryden Varna Water
and Sewer Easements Dryden Road” dated October 10, 2023, prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C.,
Donald Martin Harner NYSLPE No. 096947 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
RESERVING unto Grantor all rights accruing from Grantor’s ownership of fee title to the
Premises, except to any extent that exercise of such rights and Grantor’s use of such property
conflict with the terms of this easement. Without limiting the foregoing, Grantor expressly
reserves:
(1) the right to use and install improvements (except buildings with foundations) on, in and
under the surface and subsurface of the Easement Area, to cross and re-cross the Easement Area,
and to grant future easements in the Easement Area, provided that any construction of
improvements within, or any other use of, the Easement Area by Grantor shall not interfere with,
obstruct, or affect any rights of the Town under or with respect to this Easement, cause injury or
damage to the Town’s infrastructure, or otherwise affect such infrastructure’s physical integrity or
function; and
(2) the right to relocate said easement and right of way and the facilities located thereon,
in whole or in part, at Grantor’s sole expense, in accordance with plans and specifications approved
by Grantee. In considering approval, Grantee may consider the effects of the proposed changes
on the water and sanitary sewer system’s operation and costs.
AND FURTHER, all equipment, materials, infrastructure, and other property belonging to
Grantee, its agents or contractors, stored or located on the Premises, including the water and
sanitary sewer mains, laterals, collectors, lines and pipes, and other and related appurtenances and
devices, shall remain the property of and shall be under the control and supervision of Grantee,
and which Grantee shall repair and maintain at its own cost and expense.
GRANTOR COVENANTS AND AGREES:
1. No building or structures (except for roads, buildings and other structures to be
constructed, used and maintained on or beneath the surface of the Premises in accordance with
3
permits and/or approvals issued by Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent
easement) shall be constructed or placed within the aforesaid permanent easement and right-of-
way which will in any way interfere with complete access by Grantee, its successors, assigns,
employees and agents to excavate, install, lay, construct, operate, make observations of, inspect,
maintain, alter, improve, repair, remove, replace or change the size of any water or sanitary sewer
mains, laterals, collectors, lines and pipes, and other and related appurtenances and devices.
2. Except for trees or other plants presently installed or to be installed and maintained
on or beneath the surface of the Premises in accordance with permits and/or approvals issued by
Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent easement, no trees or other plants will be
planted or cultivated that may interfere with the said easement and right-of-way.
3. Except to the extent necessary for the construction, use and maintenance of
buildings and other improvements on the Premises in accordance with permits and/or approvals
issued by Grantee that explicitly reference the aforesaid permanent easement, it will not permit or
conduct any mining, excavation, construction or blasting within said easement and right-of-way.
4. Except during the construction or maintenance of buildings, foundations and other
improvements to be constructed, used and maintained on or beneath the surface of the Premises in
accordance with permits and/or approvals issued by the Grantee that explicitly reference the
aforesaid permanent easement, it will not engage in any conduct, directly or indirectly, that blocks,
obstructs, or interferes with the ingress and egress rights of Grantee, its successors, assigns,
employees and agents.
5. It will place the following provision in all conveyances of the property or portions
thereof covered by this easement, or any rights therein:
“Subject to a water and sanitary sewer easement and right-of way to convey rights
to the Town of Dryden to clear, trench, lay, construct, maintain, operate, repair and
at its pleasure, remove, water and sanitary sewer collection lines, mains, force
mains, and other ancillary infrastructure for the use, operation and maintenance of
potable water and sanitary sewer systems in, on and beneath the below-described
parcels of land, together with the rights of free ingress and egress in, over, across,
upon, and under the below-described parcel of land, and including the right to trim
and/or remove trees, shrubs and other obstructions, all of which rights are (1) set
forth in said permanent easement and right-of-way granted to the Town on [date]
and recorded in the Tompkins County Clerk’s Office on [date] as Instrument No.
_________, the terms, obligations and conditions of which are expressly
incorporated herein, and (2) assignable by the said Town to any successor or assign,
or to any improvement district(s) now existing or hereafter to be formed.”
GRANTEE COVENANTS AND AGREES:
4
1. Grantee shall give Grantor advance reasonable notice of the intended times when
work is to be performed within the Easement Area and shall coordinate with Grantor in the
performance of such work. In the event work is required on an emergency basis, the Town will
provide notice as soon as reasonably practicable after commencement of such emergency work.
2. Grantee will at all times, at Grantee’s expense, when it enters the Premises for any
purpose related to the permanent easement granted by this instrument, leave the Premises in a neat
and presentable condition, returning the Premises as nearly as practicable to its condition before
such entry, including grading, reseeding, and repaving as applicable, as well as replacing any trees
with the same or similar species of tree, of a size not less than one and a half inch caliber measured
at diameter breast height, and also replacing any or fencing removed or damaged, subject to any
changes in the Premises permitted by the exercise of the rights granted by this easement.
3. Grantee shall be responsible for maintaining asphalt cut repairs for a period of two
years after repavement to account for potential future settlement.
4. Grantee shall not allow any claim, lien or other encumbrance arising from its use
of the easement area to accrue against or attach to the easement premises or any other portion of
Grantor’s property, but if any lien or notice of lien is so filed, the responsible party shall promptly
bond and discharge any lien or notice of lien that may be so filed. Grantor shall send to Grantee
timely written notice of any lien so filed of which Grantor itself has notice, and Grantee shall send
to Grantor timely written notice of any lien so filed of which Grantee itself has notice.
5. Grantee has evaluated title to the Premises without reliance on any representation
or warranty of title from Grantor.
6. This easement shall be recorded by Grantee at its own expense in the real estate
records of the Tompkins County Clerk.
7. Grantee, by accepting this easement, agrees it shall indemnify Grantor, Grantor’s
trustees, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnified
Parties”), and hold them harmless from any claims, demands, actions, suits, liabilities, losses,
injuries, costs, or judgments (collectively, “Claims”) that arise out of or result from (in whole or
in part) the use of the Premises or the exercise of Grantee’s rights hereunder by Grantee, its
employees, contractors, agents, or invitees, including (without limitation) reasonable investigatory
and legal costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Indemnified Parties are negligent
or act with willful misconduct, Grantee’s duty to indemnify them shall not extend to the proportion
of loss attributable to the Indemnified Parties’ negligence or willful misconduct.
AND THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE:
1. Grantee and its successors and assigns are hereby expressly granted the right to
assign this easement, or any part thereof, or interest therein, without any prior consent and without
prejudice or recourse.
5
2. The easements and related rights-of-way (except for those areas marked on the
Survey as construction or temporary easements) shall at all times be deemed to be and shall run
with the land, be permanent and perpetual, and inure to and be binding upon the successors, heirs,
legal representatives and assigns of the parties named in this easement.
3. The parties acknowledge the existence of 8” water and sanitary sewer mains within
or adjacent to the Easement Area. These mains are the property of Grantee and are not known to
be subject to any easement agreement, and are marked on the survey as being abandoned in place.
Grantee shall have the same maintenance obligations regarding such mains as if they were subject
to this easement, and shall be responsible for any required environmental remediation associated
with any water main, sewer main, or other ancillary infrastructure marked on the Survey as being
abandoned in place on the Premises, unless and until such main or infrastructure is removed.
(Signature page follows)
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their
duly authorized representatives on the day and year following each signature.
VTT, LLC. TOWN OF DRYDEN
By:_____________________ By: _____________________
Jason Leifer, Town Supervisor
Date: _____________________ Date: _____________________
State of New York )
County of Tompkins ) ss.:
On the ______ day of _______________ in the year 2024 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared __________________ personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of
satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within
instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their
capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the
person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_______________________________________
Notary Public
State of New York )
County of Tompkins ) ss.:
On the ______ day of ______________ in the year 2024 before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Jason Leifer, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which
the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
_________________________________
Notary Public
CERTIFICATE OF AGENCY AND AUTHORITY
The undersigned, being the duly authorized agent of VTT, LLC, a corporation under the laws of
the State of New York and having offices at 41 Oak Brook Drive, Ithaca NY 14850 (“VTT”),
certifies to the Town of Dryden, a municipal corporation under the laws of the State of New York
having offices at 93 East Main Street, Dryden NY 13053, acting for itself and on behalf all water
and sewer districts currently formed or as may be formed within the Town of Dryden (the “Town”),
as follows:
1. I have been duly authorized pursuant to the operating agreement of VTT and/or by action
of its Members to execute that certain Permanent Storm, Water and Sanitary Sewer Lines
Easement and Right of Way (the “Easement”) that grants an easement in favor of the Town
over the property identified as Tax Parcel numbers 53.1-1-1, 53.1-1-2, 53.1-1-3, 53.1-1-4,
53.1-1-5, 53.1-1-6, 53.1-1-7, 53.1-1-15 and 53.1-1-16, all located along New York State
Route 366 in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York (collectively, the
“Property”), as more specifically set forth therein, as made on or around the date of my
signature to this Certificate of Agency and Authority.
2. The execution of all those documents necessary to effectuate the Easement is deemed to
be in the name of and on behalf of VTT. Such execution further does not violate any
restriction, prohibition or obligation contained within the Property’s chain of title, and/or
consents and releases by those parties with rights to the Property have been obtained and
provided to the Town.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this _______ day of
________________________, 2024.
VTT, LLC.
By: _______________________
Nickolas Bellasario
STATE OF NEW YORK )
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS.:
On the _____ day of ___________________, 2024 before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public
in and for said State, personally appeared Nickolas Bellasario, personally known to me or proved
to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is(are) subscribed
to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in
his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the
individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.
___________________________________
Notary Public