HomeMy WebLinkAboutRTTF 2024-04-15
Dryden Rail Trail Friends and Task Force
Minutes of the Monday, April 15, 2024 Meeting
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
(Hybrid Meeting)
Dryden Town Hall
93 East Main Street, Dryden
Barbara Caldwell Conference Room
Attendees:
Task Force Members: Susan Ashdown; Bob Beck; Rosalie Borzik; Tony Bretscher; Alice
Walsh Green; Judy Pierpont; Chris Tessaglia-Hymes, Steve Winans.
Town Board Liasions: Dan Lamb. Guests: Shaun Cobb, Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, Jacob
Yatsko, Dan Antonioli
Call to order at 7:04 p.m. by Bob Beck
Dan Antonioli is offering to write articles about the benefits of biking and sustainability. His
intention is not to speak for the DRT Task Force and is happy to have articles reviewed by the
Task Force prior to publication.
Route 13 bridge / TAP grant bat survey & update (Todd & Bob):
A repeat of the 2023 bat survey at the Rte 13 bridge site was performed on both sides of the
highway by Bob and Todd. Two aspen trees with potential bat roosting or nesting sites were
identified. Those trees were removed before the end of March to prevent construction delays.
According to Ray Burger, the Knickerbocker deed, Cornell property easement and survey maps
must be officially recorded with the County Clerk and forwarded to DOT in Syracuse. Dan Lamb
reported that Knickerbocker is ready to assist with whatever is needed. The Town Attorney
Nathan VanWhy will send the final documents to DOT. Upon DOT approval, the project will go
out to bid.
Added request from Albany for EPF ROW documentation (Bob):
The EPF State Parks request for a new ROW map set, data and photos
was approved by Albany one week after we submitted it.
Albany has now requested documentation providing assurance of perpetuity and maintenance
of those portions of the trail passing through the Villages of Freeville and Dryden. Both Villages
purchased the railroad right of ways (in 1980 & 1981). Bob will meet with the Village Trustees
and request permanent easements. Though this won’t delay EPF reimbursements, it could
delay closing of the grant.
Tompkins County Parks & Trails 2023 grant update and 2024 application (Bob, Todd,
Dan):
Work on the Hall Road Bellisario property has not begun. Reimbursement for grant project
expenses was supposed to be requested by the end of December, but the property
embankment placed next to the wetland must be cut back and wet ground conditions are
delaying work, and rick Young has to work with NYSEG to relocate the guy wire behind
Bellisario’s buildings. Bob has been in touch with the County grant administrator about the
delays.
The new 2024 grant application is due in April and will include a request for resurfacing the
stretch from the F.H. Fox Bridge to Monkey Run that is very wet at this time. Dan Lamb will
present a resolution for the new grant at the upcoming Town Board meeting.
DRT logo plagiarism update (Dan, Diane, Chris):
An email was received from the Mayor of Odessa that indicated Odessa Village had obtained
copyright for their trail signage. Somehow their approval was received two days prior to ours
even though ours was submitted first. We would have to hire a lawyer to sue to obtain the
details of their anonymous submission; however, we could initiate a FOIL request with the
Village of Odessa for information on their copyright request.
Memorial bench in Freeville for Arthur Marchese (Bob):
The Village of Freeville may cover the cost of a bench in memory of the late Justice Arthur
Marchese. The bench will be on the Freeville trail section, facing the marsh.
Agenda Addendum/Announcements:
“Spirit of Tompkins” book, which includes a photo of the DRT Task Force, is now available at
spiritoftompkins.com for $12.
Bob Beck’s 2013 book titled “The Journey at Malloryville Bog“ is newly available in hard cover
(with cover design by Diane Tessaglia-Hymes), and is available at Amazon.com and in local
book stores.
No Executive session was enacted.
Next scheduled meeting: Monday, May 20, 2024 at 7 p.m.; open to the public at the Dryden
Town Hall Caldwell Conference Room. Zoom participation requires preapproval.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Rosalie Borzik
