HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2024-10-10TB 10-10-24
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
October 10, 2024
Zoom Hybrid
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Leonardo Vargas-
Mendez, Cl Christina Dravis, Cl Spring Buck
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Rick Young, Highway Superintendent
Jules Ravo, Town Justice
Other Town Staff: *Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor
Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper
Nicole Knapp, Court Clerk
*Indicates attendance via Zoom
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Financials & Human Resources
RESOLUTION #149 (2024) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #10
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #10, as audited, general
vouchers #1000 through #1109 ($671,113.98) and TA vouchers #42 through #50 ($50,941.51)
totaling $722,055.49.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PUBLIC HEARING (continued)
ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS FROM
VILLAGES OF DRYDEN AND FREEVILLE
FOR DRYDEN RAIL TRAIL
Supv Leifer announced that this public hearing for rail trail easements will be
continued in November because an agreement has not yet been reached with the Village of
Freeville. There were no comments and at 6:19 p.m. the hearing was left open.
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW TO EXCEED THE TAX LEVY CAP
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 6:19 pm. He displayed the proposed local law
and explained this does not mean there is an intent to exceed the levy cap, but because all
funds are considered in the calculation, including special districts, it is done as a
precautionary measure. Further, not all budgets have been set, including the Ithaca Area
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Wastewater Plant that is looking at some major increases, which will have an impact on the
town’s budget.
Mike Lane stated it is good government to go ahead and pass this every year. It makes
sense to do this early and not be stuck because if you end up exceeding the cap, it could result
in a penalty by the state.
There were no further comments and the hearing was left open at 6:24 p.m.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Rick Young said he has not yet heard from Finger Lakes Land Trust on their request for
assistance in repairing their parking lot for the Roy H Park Preserve. He has done some
cleanup there. Supv Leifer will let them know they can expect labor assistance when they are
ready.
Cl Lamb said an environmental review for the Freese Road Bridge Project will be done
next week. R Young has spoken with Todd Bittner about a place for the old bridge and there
may be a place on the trail for it.
R Young has been working on a serious issue at the intersection of West Lake Road and
Chaffee Road.
COUNTY UPDATE
Mike Lane thanked Rick Young for his efforts and success in getting a streetlight
installed at the intersection of Livermore & State Route 392.
He reported that county budget meetings continue. Not everyone is happy with the
results and there may be more changes. As it is currently, they have a total tax levy amount of
$55,203,509, an increase of 3.29% on the levy, and a county wide average tax rate of $4.82 per
thousand. There can be more amendments up until the final vote after public hearing. They
had to raise salaries because of inflation and contracts and employees need some relief. There
is a huge increase in health insurance expenses of about 14% and there will be an increase in
the pension amounts. The county is looking at a couple of capital projects, an office building
downtown and improvements to the jail or a new jail. They have to think about shelter for the
homeless and other people. There will be a temporary code blue shelter in the old Key Bank
building, a warming shelter for when temperatures go below 32 degrees. Some money will be
available from the state toward that. A new shelter of some kind is needed because we have a
larger homeless population.
A new county administrator will start in January. Korsah Akumfi is currently the
county administrator in Schoharie County. He comes with broad experience, and went to
school in Binghamton and England.
PUBLIC HEARING – Proposed Local Law
Supv Leifer closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. and the board passed the following
resolution.
RESOLUTION #150 (2024) – ADOPT LOCAL LAW TO EXCEED THE TAX LEVY CAP
Supv Leifer offered the following local law and asked for its adoption:
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RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the following local law and directs the
Town Clerk to file the same with the Secretary of State of the State of New York:
A Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in
General Municipal Law §3-C
Section 1. Legislative Intent: It is the intent of this local law to override the limit on
the amount of real property taxes that may be levied by the Town of Dryden, County of Tompkins
pursuant to General Municipal Law §3-c, and to allow the Town of Dryden, County of Tompkins
to adopt a town budget for (a) town purposes, (b) fire protection districts, and (c) any other special
or improvement district, and Town improvements provided pursuant to Town Law Article 12-C,
governed by the Town Board for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December
31, 2025 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by
General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 2. Authority: This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General
Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes the Town Board to override the tax levy limit by
the adoption of a local law approved by vote of at least sixty percent (60%) of the Town Board.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override: The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, County
of Tompkins is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2025 that requires a real
property tax levy in excess of the limit specified in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability: If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of
this Local Law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance,
shall be adjusted by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such
order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be
confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local
Law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly
involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective date: This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with
the Secretary of State.
2nd Cl Dravis
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Discussion/Action Items
PILOT with Freeville Housing Group – Supv Leifer explained this PILOT agreement
would be the same formula as the previous one with Freeville Housing Group that runs the
Lehigh Crossing complex in the Village of Freeville. They provide housing to senior citizens
and low-income people and this agreement will keep the building as affordable housing. Cl
Lamb said the town needs to do its part as a municipality to break the barriers.
RESOLUTION #151 (2024) - AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF
TAX (“PILOT”) AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE TOWN OF DRYDEN, FREEVILLE
HOUSING GROUP, L.P. AND FREEVILLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND CORP.
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
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WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden (the “Town”) desires to encourage a sufficient supply of
adequate, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations properly planned for senior citizens with
low incomes; and
WHEREAS, Freeville Housing Development Fund Corp.., a New York Private Housing
Finance Law Article XI New York Private Housing Finance Law corporation and a New York not-
for-profit corporation (the “Housing Development Fund Company”), and Freeville Housing Group,
L.P., a New York limited partnership (the “Partnership”), have identified a certain improved parcel
of real property, located at 15 Cook Street, Village of Freeville, Town of Dryden, County of
Tompkins, State of New York (the “Property”), for the purpose of maintaining on the Property a
housing project for senior citizens of low income to be commonly known as Lehigh Crossing
Apartment;
WHEREAS, the HDFC was formed for the purpose of providing residential rental
accommodations for senior citizens of low-income; and
WHEREAS, the HDFC has fee title to the Property, as nominee for the Partnership, and
has, or will, convey its equitable and beneficial interests in the Property to the Partnership in
furtherance of the development of the Project; and
WHEREAS, the HDFC’s and the Partnership’s plan for the use of the Property constitutes
a “housing project” as that term is defined in the Private Housing Finance Law of the State of
New York (“PHFL”); and
WHEREAS, the HDFC is a “housing development fund company” as the term is defined
in Section 572 of the PHFL and Section 577 of the PHFL authorizes the Members of the Town
Board to exempt the Project from real property taxes; and
WHEREAS, the HDFC is a general partner of the Partnership; and
WHEREAS, the Partnership and the HDFC are willing to enter into a PILOT Agreement
whereby they will make annual payments in lieu of taxes to the Town as set forth in the PILOT
Agreement presented to this Town Board for approval, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Members of the Town Board hereby
exempt the Project from real property taxes to the extent authorized by Section 577 of the PHFL
and approve the proposed PILOT Agreement among the Town, the Partnership and the HDFC, in
substantially the form presented at this meeting, providing for annual payments as set forth in
such agreement.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Supervisor of the Town is hereby authorized to execute and
deliver the foregoing PILOT Agreement on behalf of the Town.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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Dryden Fiber Purchase – Materials need to be purchased for the broadband project.
Board members have reviewed the purchase order.
Resolution #152 (2024) - APPROVE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FOR DRYDEN FIBER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, to continue to build the Dryden Fiber network, more materials need to be purchased
from our supplier, Graybar.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves the purchase of a variety of materials from
Graybar for $25,429.00 as listed in Quote #0247197344 dated October 8, 2024.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Volunteer Board Application – Naomi Cator-Szymanski has applied for appointment to
the Conservation Board.
RESOLUTION #153 (2024) – APPOINT CONSERVATION BOARD MEMBER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Naomi Cator-Szymanski as a
member of the Conservation Board for a term to expire December 31, 2024.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Budget Workshop
Department heads have been asked to present their budget requests to the board.
Town Court - Court Clerk Nicole Knapp reported that she had completed an application
for a JCAP grant to cover the purchase of items needed to be purchased or replaced for the
court including tables, chairs, a standing workstation, new copier for the courtroom, and other
items. There is a resolution that is necessary from the town board and the supervisor will need
to sign the application.
Town Justice Jules Ravo reviewed the budget submitted for his department as prepared
and submitted by Town Justice Christopher Clauson. He said with the closing of the court in
the Village of Freeville, Dryden’s Justice Court workload would increase and made a case for
increasing the clerks’ pay by ten percent. He talked about how well the clerks operate the
court and the amount of work they do. The case load in the town of Dryden is one of the
largest in the County. Taking on the Freeville case load will make it similar to the Ithaca City
Court. During discussion, the board asked what wages were paid for that position in
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municipalities with similar work loads. That information will be collected and shared with the
board.
RESOLUTION #154 (2024) – AUTHORIZE JCAP GRANT APPLICATION
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, Town of Dryden Justice Court is in need of certain equipment for its offices
and has made the Town Board aware of a grant opportunity to cover the expense of that
equipment, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden hereby authorizes the Dryden
Town Court to apply for a JCAP grant in the 2024-25 grant cycle up to $30,000.00.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Recreation Department – Marty Conger reviewed the budget request for her
department. There is a $500 increase for software upkeep for registration systems and a slight
increase in summer camp staff. There will be one summer camp in 2025. A7330.4 contractual
decreased by $5,000 and there is an expected increase in the town’s share of the recreation
partnership. The breakdown for the rec partnership is available if board members would like
that. The supervisor determined her salary increase. Cl Lamb asked whether she saw a need
for a grant writer. That writer could provide services to other departments. She is considering
how they might scale up in light of the increased population and current restrictions of
available space for programs.
Highway Department – Highway Superintendent Rick Young presented his budget
request for 2025. It was noted that NYClass interest earned is being put in equipment reserves
and is now $120,000. The price of equipment has accelerated since covid and it is now
$355,000 for a ten-wheel truck. He will order new trucks when the budget is approved.
Beginning January 1 manufacturers must sell at least 20% electric vehicles before they can
order diesel trucks. The cost of repairs is up and some of his vehicles have required a lot of
front-end work. He said that not a lot has changed in his budget. Cl Lamb noted some
adjustment may need to be made for work on the Freese Road Bridge in 2025.
Town Supervisor – Supv Leifer reviewed the request for his department. It contains a
3% increase for the town board with the contractual staying the same, resulting in a total
increase of 2.4% for the Town Board. The supervisor’s department stays the same except for
increases in staff salaries of 5%. He noted that the fiber project has increased everyone’s
workload. The amount budgeted for independent audit has been increased to accommodate
the anticipated single audits that will be required. Legal expenses remain the same. IT
expenses were reduced slightly. A small increase is expected in dog control. There was
discussion about putting out an RFP for dog control.
Town Clerk – The town clerk presented her budget noting that the equipment line has
been eliminated and the funds combined with the contractual line because the equipment that
may be purchased would be classified as supplies. The budget provides for a full-time clerk
and two full-time deputies. One deputy will be assisting the bookkeeper with Dryden Fiber
responsibilities about 25% of the time. The board was urged to consider retention when
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reviewing the salaries for the deputies and compensation that is comparable to similar
municipalities for these positions as well as other positions in the town.
Supv Leifer said the town can expect that its share of expenses for the Ithaca Area
Wastewater Treatment facility will increase.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
