HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2025-01-16 attTB 1-16-25
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
January 16, 2025
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/DPW Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
*Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor
*Indicates attendance via Zoom
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Board members and audience recited the
pledge of allegiance.
RESOLUTION #39 (2025) – APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of December
12 and December 29, 2024.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PROPOSED LOCAL LAWS TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
FOR VETERANS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Supv Leifer opened the public hearings at 6:05 p.m. and reviewed them. There were no
public comments and the hearings were left open at 6:06 p.m.
PRESENTATION - Deconstruction and Reuse
Andrew Boghossian, Deconstruction Coordinator at Finger Lakes ReUse, Christine
O’Malley, Preservation Services Director at Historic Ithaca, and Jenni Minner, Director of
Graduate Studies & Associate Professor at Cornell University, presented the attached slide
deck. They represent CR0WD (Circularity, Reuse, and Zero Waste Development), a
collaborative network of community leaders and academics working to address the vast system
of building material waste within New York State. They explained the process of
deconstruction and reuse of materials in an effort to prevent waste from going to the landfill.
The board considered a resolution supporting deconstruction and reuse solutions.
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RESOLUTION #40 - (2025) SUPPORTING THE DECONSTRUCTION AND REUSE OF THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN THE TOWN OF DRYDEN
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden Town Board (“Town Board”) recognizes the benefits of
deconstruction, and is among a handful of other municipalities nationwide supporting these
measures; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes the value of reuse and preservation of its cultural
heritage by prolonging the lifespan of current building stock, its architectural features, and
building material as much as possible; and
WHEREAS, globally, buildings account for 39% of annual greenhouse gas emissions and more
than 50% of resource extraction; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board supports a circular economy approach to construction and
deconstruction in the built environment; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board supports the reduction of landfill waste through careful
deconstruction of buildings that have run their full course of use; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires as much material as possible to be reused in the
community; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires as much material as possible to be recycled that cannot be
easily reused; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes that the process of deconstruction, and not mechanical
demolition, will reduce the release of hazardous toxins into the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the
extraction and transportation of raw materials that make up our built environment; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, in supporting initiatives to preserve, protect, deconstruct, and
reuse rather than demolish, desires to provide opportunities for deconstruction and reuse
businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes that reused materials will still need to meet the Uniform
Code; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board considers this resolution to be in alignment with the circular
economy objectives of Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Dryden Town Board hereby affirms its
support of deconstruction and reuse solutions as outlined above.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued)
Supv Leifer asked if there were any questions or comments. He shared the proposed
local law for exemptions for persons with disabilities. There were no comments and the public
hearing on that matter was closed at 6:46 p.m.
RESOLUTION #41 – ADOPT LOCAL LAW PROVIDING A PARTIAL REAL ESTATE TAX
EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the following local law providing a
partial real estate tax exemption for persons with disabilities and directs the Town Clerk to file
the same with the New York State Department of State:
1. This local law is enacted pursuant to Section 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law of the
State of New York as most recently amended.
2. Real property located in the Town of Dryden, owned by one or more persons each of whom
is disabled and whose income is limited by reason of such disability or real property owned by
married individuals, or siblings one of whom is disabled and whose income is limited by reason
of such disability shall be partially exempt from taxation by said Town for the applicable taxes
specified in Section 459-c based upon the income of the owner or combined income of the owners.
Such partial exemption shall be to the extent set forth in the schedule following.
PERCENTAGE ASSESSED
VALUATION EXEMPT
ANNUAL INCOME FROM TAXATION
Equal to or less than $36,500 50 percent
$36,500 or more but less than $37,500 45 percent
$37,500 or more but less than $38,500 40 percent
$38,500 or more but less than $39,500 35 percent
$39,500 or more but less than $40,400 30 percent
$40,400 or more but less than $41,300 25 percent
$41,300 or more but less than $42,200 20 percent
$42,200 or more but less than $43,100 15 percent
$43,100 or more but less than $44,000 10 percent
$44,000 or more but less than $44,900 5 percent
More than $44,900 0 percent
3. The partial exemption provided by this law shall, however, be limited to such property
and persons as meet the conditions, qualifications, exclusions, and limitations set forth in
Section 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law. This local law shall be administered in accordance
with said sections of the Real Property Tax Law, as now adopted, and as they may be amended
from time to time, and the provisions of said section as provided in Section 459 -c, shall be
applicable to the effectuation of the exemption provided for in this local law.
4. Application for such exemption must be made by the owner or all of the owners of the
property on forms prescribed by the State Board to be furnished by the Tompkins County
Assessment Department and shall include the information and be executed in the manner
required or prescribed in such forms, and shall be filed in the said Assessment Department office
on or before the appropriate taxable status date.
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5. Any conviction of having made any willful false statement of the application for such
exemption shall be punishable by a fine or not more than $100 and shall disqualify the applicant
or applicants from further exemption under this local law for a period of five (5) years.
6. This local law shall be applicable to the Town tax for assessment rolls based on taxable
status dates occurring on and after January 1, 2025 and the provisions of said local law shall
govern the granting of an exemption under Section 459-c, notwithstanding any contrary
provisions of that section.
7. This local law 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
There were no questions or comments on the proposed local law increasing the
maximum exemption allowable under the alternative veterans exemption. Supv Leifer closed
the public hearing at 6:47 p.m.
RESOLUTION #42 – ADOPT LOCAL LAW INCREASING THE MAXIMUM EXEMPTION
UNDER THE ALTERNATIVE VETERANS EXEMPTION
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the following local law increasing the
maximum exemption under the alternative veterans exemption, and directs the Town Clerk to
file the same with the New York State Department of State:
Introduction
1. Chapter 477 of the laws of 1996 permits towns to increase the maximum exemptions
allowable under Real Property Tax Law §458-a (2) (a), (b), and (c).
Increase of Exemption
2. The maximum exemptions allowable under Real Property Tax Law §458 -a (2) are hereby
increased as follows
§458-a (2)(a) $21,000
§458-a (2)(b) $14,000
§458-a (2)(c) $70,000
Effective Date
3. This local law shall take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State and shall apply to
assessment rolls prepared on and after the taxable status date March 1, 2025.
2nd Cl Dravis
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
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Supv Leifer Yes
Supv Leifer noted that these exemptions will be available in 2026.
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
Highway Superintendent Rick Young has provided a proposed §284 agreement at a total
cost of $3,040,000.00 for drainage, paving, shoulder work and general repairs. He said it is
subject to change once winter is over and they have assessed the damage.
RESOLUTION #43 (2025) – APPROVE §284 AGREEMENT
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the 2025 §284 Agreement with the
Highway Superintendent.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Board members signed two copies of the agreement.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Ray Burger reported his monthly update is posted on the web. The Planning Board had
an introduction of a project for a planned unit development on a lot that stretches from the end
of Cardinal Drive and Hanshaw Road. The lot is approximately eight acres and they are
proposing more than 20 single family homes to be built. This will come back to the Planning
Board and Town Board and each will hold a public hearing.
There will be another annexation proposal in the future for the empty dollar store
building.
DRYDEN FIBER
Executive Director David Makar reported that he has requested the town enter into an
intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Caroline to solidify the relationship between the
towns for the fiber project. He has also requested the supervisor to execute a grant
disbursement agreement between the town and New York State through Empire State
Development that will allow the town to submit requests for reimbursement for the Dryden
Fiber project, particularly the 8.9-million-dollar grant.
He reviewed the Executive Summary of his monthly report (attached). The Town of
Caroline approved the intermunicipal agreement last night. Caroline will be using their funds
for the parts that occur in Caroline and Dryden will do the same. This is a reimbursement
grant and Caroline’s parts of the project will be funded by their own funds or their own bonds
or bond anticipation notes. Dryden will do the same. Dryden will pay bills on behalf of the
Town of Caroline per the agreement with funds provided by Caroline. When the reimbursement
comes from the state, Caroline will receive their portion of what was applied for. Dryden will
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function as a pass-through. New York State did not want to have a second relationship; they
only wanted a relationship with Dryden Fiber as lead on the project.
D Makar reviewed the grant disbursement agreement and provided a description of how
reimbursement works and reports that are necessary. It has been reviewed by bond counsel,
the Dryden Fiber attorney and the town attorney, as well as members of the broadband
committee and by representatives of the Town of Caroline. The town bookkeeper has reviewed
it. Hunt Engineers has reviewed it as to whether buildout can occur as necessary. The first
reimbursement request will be made soon and payment is expected i n May or June.
RESOLUTION #44 (2025) – APPROVE INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH TOWN OF
CAROLINE REGARDING DRYDEN FIBER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Intermunicipal Agreement with
the Town of Caroline regarding the Dryden Fiber project and authorizes the Town Supervisor to
execute the same.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #45 (2025) – APPROVE GRANT DISBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH NEW
YORK STATE FOR DRYDEN FIBER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Grant Disbursement Agreement
with New York State for the Dryden Fiber project and authorizes the Town Supervisor to
execute the same.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
D Makar reported that inventory issues experienced last month have been resolved.
They are well stocked and keep track of the supply chain. Demand for service continues to be
very strong.
Dryden Fiber is now available in 27% of the town (1,579 parcels). They expect to add
about 1576 parcels between now and March 31, meaning that over 50% of the town will be
reached by Dryden fiber. A year ago, we had 28 customers. As of January 15, 2025, there are
272 customers live on the platform and we are adding four customers a day. 1,017 customers
are estimated by the end of 2025. D Makar credited the Dryden Fiber flyer sent out with the
property tax bills with a 100% increase in requests for service. General interest requests have
also increased. 35 tenants have requested service and are waiting for their landlords to agree
to access for Dryden Fiber.
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DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Employee Assistance Program Contract – This employee benefit is offered through the
Consortium.
Resolution #46 (2025) Approve Employee Assistance Program Contract
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Greater Tompkins County Health Insurance Consortium contracted with ESI
Employee Assistance Group to provide affordable Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for
member municipalities;
Whereas, the Town of Dryden has decided to participate and provide to all full and part time
employees the opportunity to utilize the EAP;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the 2025 EAP
Contract with ESI Employee Assistance Group.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Rail Trail Task Force Appointment –
RESOLUTION #47 (2025) – APPOINT RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE MEMBER - FUNICELLI
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Sue Funicelli to the Rail Trail Task
Force.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES
Affordable Housing – Leonardo Vargas-Mendez was reappointed as chair. They had a
conversation about the zoning report and will be providing comments to the Planning Board in
the next month.
Conservation Board – They have not met since the last report.
Climate Smart – They will meet next week.
Planning Board – Tony Salerno was reappointed as chair. Cl Lamb said he is surprised
by the comments and concern the planned unit development project on Hanshaw Road has
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received. We need to look at all concepts for affordable housing and we want people to be able
to afford starter homes. He is eager to see proposals for affordable housing using more
affordable construction and footprints.
Ag Advisory Committee – The meeting was cancelled this month. Last month they
discussed zoning.
Recreation & Youth Commission – They meet next week and are trying to schedule a
kickoff mtg with CHA.
Rail Trail Task Force – They will meet next week.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
David Lampman said he is concerned that the Town Board is reaching out to resident’s
employers about what they say at town board meetings and encouraging retaliation against
them. Cl Lamb asked him to provide some verification.
Debra Eichholtz thanked the Highway Department for their work over the past two
weeks. She has to leave early for work and drive over a giant hill and the roads in town are
good.
She asked for clarification on the strategic plan for the town and asked if it is
completed. Supv Leifer said the board had been given an outline by the fire coordinator and
the board has to pick it up from there. The departments have done their own and the town will
do one.
She asked what the minimum performance standards are in the fire contracts. Supv
Leifer said there are none. When the town attempted to do that, the departments pushed back.
D Eichholtz will forward an article on response times in rural areas. It is difficult to hit 10% in
rural areas.
Linda Fenner said she has sent an email to the board and is still interested in talking
to other board members to see if there can be a resolution. She has data to prove 2024 was
Etna’s best year for their call response. She would like to continue conversations and try to
come up with a resolution so that the town does not lose the 5,000 gallons of water Etna can
offer to assist at fires. She understands Freeville and Varna came on their EMS calls, but they
did not come on fire calls and service calls. Putting that added burden on their crews and
back-to-back calls will eventually burn out their crews. All departments need to work together
and she hopes the board reconsiders their contract. She is willing to meet with board members
and go over the numbers she has.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
DRYDEN FIBER
MONTHLY REPORT
for DECEMBER 2024
DRYDEN TOWN BOARD on January 16th, 2025
And
TOWN OF DRYDEN BROADBAND COMMITTEE MEETING on JANAURY 17th, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY –1/16/2025
▪The Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP)Updates:
o Caroline has passed the Inter-Municipal Agreement between Town of Dryden and Town of Caroline on 1/15/25
▪This agreement specifies the relationship between the two towns: funding, placing orders, invoicing, payments, reimbursements
▪Requesitng the Dryden Town Board to move a motion to authorize town supervisor Leifer to sign the IMA
o The Grant Disbursement Agreement (GDA) has been finalized
▪Requesting the Dryden Town Board to move a motion to authorize town supervisor Leifer to sign the GDA
o A signed GDA allows us to begin to submit milestone details (construction), receipts and cancelled checks (proof of
payment) and request reimbursements from CAO
o Permitting (29 for MIP) is "moving faster than expected"
▪Last month: Inventory Issues
o Drop Cables –We now have a comfortable number and are continuing to order and secure more
o ONUs –We now have over 500 on hand (these are needed at each home)
o Construction: Ran out of 24 count fiber, more has been ordered, 15-30+ day delay in construction
▪We are now able to serve 1,579 parcels (27% of the Town of Dryden)
▪We have 270+ paying customers (+65 in Nov.);We had 77 in -bound requests December 1 -28; and since
12/31/24 through 1/15/25 we've had 158 in -bound requests (5,500 tax mailers)
▪As of today: 272 installs; +35 scheduled; +27 need to be scheduled; +35 tenants: waiting for agreements
Draft Goals for
2025 –1/16/2025
▪As of 1/15/25, we have
272 customers live on the
platform
▪Current estimates:
o 30 more in January
o 65 more each month 2025
o 1017 total by 12/31/25
Month New Total
December 65 240
Jan 1-15 32 272
Jan 16-31 30 302
February 65 367
March 65 432
April 65 497
May 65 562
June 65 627
July 65 692
August 65 757
September 65 822
October 65 887
November 65 952
December 65 1017
Draft Goals for
2025 –1/16/2025
▪As of 1/15/25, we have 272
customers live on the platform
▪Current aggressive estimates:
o 30 more in January
o 80 in February
o 100 in March
o 120 per month April to
December
o 1562 total by 12/31/25
Month New Total
December 65 240
Jan 1-15 32 272
Jan 16-31 30 302
February 80 382
March 100 482
April 120 602
May 120 722
June 120 842
July 120 962
August 120 1082
September 120 1202
October 120 1322
November 120 1442
December 120 1562
Project Highlights
Project Name:Dryden Fiber Expansion
for Towns of Dryden and Caroline
Applicant and Partner(s):Town of
Dryden dba, Dryden Fiber and Town of
Caroline
Construction Miles (Fiber): 124.6
Total Locations Served:2,674
ConnectALL Grant Amount:$ 8,995,979.00
Local Contribution:$ 906,321.00
Total Project Investment: $9,902,300.00
Team Reports
▪Customer Base – Amanda, Town of Dryden Bookkeeper
▪Construction Permitting Updates – Hunt Engineering
▪Construction Implementation Updates – Hunt,Syracuse Utilities,Lightspeed
▪Installations – Clarity Connect, Netegrity, Gleamon
▪Sales Operations – Gleamon
▪Finance – Amanda,Town of Dryden Bookkeeper
▪Customer Service - Netegrity
▪Marketing – Exec. Dir. Dave Makar
▪Facilities and Grounds - Department of Public Works
Customer Base
As of January 1st, 2025 (billing date is 1st of month)
Speed Number of
subscriptions
Billed Monthly
Revenue
Net Change
from Prior
Month
Average
Monthly
Revenue
Residential
- Silver ($45)400 Mbps 186 $8,370 +48 / -1
- Gold ($75)700 Mbps 29 $2,175 +6
- Platinum ($90)1 Gbps 17 $1,530 +1
- Static IP ($20)1 $20 +1
232 $12,095 +63 $52.13
Commercial
- Standard ($75)500 Mbps 10 $750 +3
- Preferred ($150)1 Gbps 4 $600 +1
- Enhanced ($250)2 Gbps 1 $250 No Change
15 $1,600 +4 $106.67
Total (ALL customers)247 $13,695
Construction Permitting Updates
As of January 1st, 2024▪DOT: Total Permits: 23
o 22 Issued Permits
o 0 Permits under review awaiting approval
o 0 Permits pending either drawings or survey
▪Utility Pole Permits: Status of the pole permitting including Electrical Make-Ready Construction. Attachments can
only be made when Electrical Make-Ready is complete and there is room in the communications space.
Application Status ECD Location
DRY001 Attached Complete Freeville (V)
DRY002 Attached Complete Dryden (V)
DRY003 Attached Complete Dryden (V)
DRY004 Attached Complete Etna Area, Ithaca Estates
DRY005 Attached Complete Caswell Rd.
DRY006 Elec make-ready in process.2/05/2025 Bone Plain Rd.
DRY007 Telco make -ready in process.1/30/2025 SR 38 North
DRY008 Final ELEC Design Input 1/30/2024 Peruville Rd
DRY009 Attached 12/6/24 Fall Creek &Ed Hill Rd
DRY010 Attached Complete North Rd &SR 13 North
DRY011 Final ELEC Design Input 1/30/2025 Gulf Hill, Sweetland &Bradshaw Rd
DRY012 Attached Complete SR 366,Dryden Rd &Turkey Hill Rd
DRY013 Final ELEC Design Input 3/14/2025 Etna Rd, Hanshaw, Nemi Rd
MIP Pole Permitting Updates
As of January 1st, 2025
Application Breakdown
•There are 29 total MIP applications
•26 apps have been submitted to Avangrid
•1 Application is in MR construction
•2 Applications are out to Bid
•Total Miles Aerial 137.69
App#Updates
DRY013_CAO-MIP RFB Sent
DRY014_CAO-MIP RFB Sent
DRY015_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
DRY016_CAO-MIP Telco Recon
DRY017_CAO-MIP Telco Recon
DRY018_CAO-MIP MR Construction
DRY019_CAO-MIP Awaiting MRP
DRY020_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
DRY021_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
DRY022_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
DRY023_CAO-MIP Telco Recon
CAR001-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR002-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR003-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR004-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR005-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR006-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR007-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR008-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR009-PH3_CAO-MIP Final NYSEG Design Input
CAR010-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR011-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR012-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR013-PH3_CAO-MIP Final Design edits
CAR014-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR015-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
CAR016-PH3_CAO-MIP Final Design edits
CAR017-PH3_CAO-MIP Final Design edits
CAR018-PH3_CAO-MIP Frontier Bill Outstanding
Construction Permitting Updates
As of December 1st, 2024
App #Status Location
DRY004 Complete Etna Area, Ithaca Estates
DRY005 Complete Caswell Road
DRY006 Telco Make-Ready Bone Plain Rd.
DRY007 Telco Make-Ready State Route 38 North
DRY008 Verizon Review Peruville Rd.
DRY009 Complete Fall Creek / Ed Hill Rd.
DRY010 Complete North Rd &SR 13 North
DRY011A EMR Bidding Gulf Hill, Sweetland &
Bradshaw Rd.
DRY011B EMR Bidding Etna Road / Hanshaw Rd.
DRY012 Complete SR 366 is done, Dryden Rd. &
Turkey Hill RD are not yet
complete
In Construction = Dryden Fiber finishing work.
Telco Make-Ready = Spectrum or Verizon moving their cable.
EMR Bidding = Review from Telco complete, bidding underway or imminent.
NYSEG Review = Utility is reviewing bid cost.
Verizon Review = Verizon split applications between tax zones and is reviewing and will
approval.
Items of Note:
1.Highland/Hilton/Goodrich underground fiber has been installed and splicing will begin the week of 1/27/2025.
2.Cable has been placed on 8 of 12 pole applications that will complete the north half of the Town.
3.Caswell (~70 locations) being spliced now (1/15/25)
Next Two Weeks
1.Underground construction will continue on Scenic Way, Chelsey Cir, Bear Cir.and Hanford Dr.
2.Splicing & Testing of aerial work on Dryden Rd. (Varna: F.H.Fox bridge to Mirabito), Fall Creek Rd, Ed Hill Rd, Hile School Rd, Rt 13 (Simms Hill
Rd. Northeast toward Gulf Hill)
3.Aerial cable installation on Rt. 38 and W. Dryden Rd. (north and west of village of Freeville)
Address Availability Updates
As of January 1st, 2024
Coverage Parcels Households
New (November 1, 2024)+67 +67
Total w/ coverage 1,579 1,568
Total 5,832 6,036
Coverage %27% (+5.6%)*26% (+2.6%)*
New Fiber Aerial Underground
New (January 1, 2024)+8 miles +.2 mile
Total 47.25 miles 26.7 miles
Construction Update
Route Name Status ECD App #Notes
Village Buildout
Village of Dryden Underground*80% complete, two sub-divisions
remaining.
1/20/2025 Underground Hilton/Goodrich and Lee Rd pathway and fiber
is installed, not spliced. Delay due to inventory
issues.
Phase 2 Expansion
Lower Creek Rd. / Etna Square / Ithaca Estates 75% Complete 1/24/2024 DRY004 Cable is installed and 75% has been spliced.
Wood Rd and Upper Creek are not yet
spliced. Delay due to inventory issues.
Caswell Rd Complete 12/13/2024 DRY005 EMR Complete on DRY005, cable has been
attached to all poles with a small underground
section scheduled for first week in November.
Permit change from overhead to underground
resulted in a delay.
North Rd, SR 13N, Gulf Hill Rd, E. Malloryville Rd.,
Dutcher Hill Rd, Fall Creek Rd (Partial)
80% Complete 1/31/2025 DRY010 Cable has been placed and a majority is
spliced and activated. SR13N, Lower Dutcher
Rd and Livermore Rd still need to be spliced.
W. Dryden Rd & SR 38 North Electrical Make -Ready / Telco 1/27/2025 DRY007 EMR is 90% complete, TELCO make-ready
was delayed by snowstorm.
Bone Plain Rd, North Wood Rd, Sheldon Rd.Elec Make-Ready 2/14/2025 DRY006 Electrical make-ready was delayed by the
snowstorm.
Fall Creek Rd/ Ed Hill Rd/W. Malloryville Rd, Morris
Rd
Elec Make-Ready 1/17/2025 DRY009 Electrical make-ready was completed
11/15/24, cabling began 11/18 and will be
complete 12/6, splicing planned for the week
of 12/9.
Gulf Hill Rd, Sweetland Rd, SR 13N (Partial)Telco Design 2/28/2025 DRY011 App in Verizon's review.
Dryden Rd, Turkey Hill Rd Telco Make -Ready 1/24/2025 DRY012 EMR Complete on DRY012, splicing and
activation of Rt 366 is complete. Dryden Rd
and Turkey Hill are still in make-ready
construction.
Multi-Dwelling Units and Mobile Home Parks
Location Name/Address Village/Hamlet Type
Owner
Agreement Status
1062 Dryden Rd Etna MDU Yes Syracuse Utilities will provide a pathway to an existing conduit system
on the property. Clarity will run a single drop to each building and
terminate to a NID. Clarity will also terminate and test the Cat5e cabling
to the individual units. The Ciena team is working on specifying the
electronics needed to uplink via fiber and provide service via Ethernet.
14 Lake Street Dryden MDU Yes The existing communication services originate at the pole in front of 12
Lake St and enter the property underground. There appears to be a
mechanical space at the end of each building where gas meter and
exhaust vents were observed. There is a sidewalk in between the pole
and mechanical space, we recommend the mechanical space/utility
entrance be evaluated, a wall penetration at ground level may be an
acceptable solution if the mechanical space provides a pathway to the
individual units.
Mott Road Dryden MHP No Underground, not started. Property owner not responsive to request.
Little Creek MHC Dryden MHP Yes In construction, part of DRY010, ready for Dryden Fiber’s construction
on 11/11/24. Waiting for spring 2025 to begin.
Fall Creek Parke Etna MHP No Lower Creek Road Etna, 38 mobile home units. Dave, Eric, and Tracy
met with Karel Westerling on 1/13/25. The space is tight between the
mobile homes.
8-12 units are probably accessible from Lower Creek Rd. The remaining
30 units will probably be reached by poles installed by Dryden Fiber in
the park.
Installations
As of January 1st, 2025 (billing date is 1st of month)
▪December Install Summary
o Number of installations completed this month: 68
o Number of installations pending (as of January 1st): 40
o Installation blockers / questions:
▪Drop cables
▪Drop cables may be an issue
▪Frozen ground: leaving on ground and completing install post-thaw
▪DLX (2 customers): Yellow Barn neighborhood
Finance – Capital Project
As of December 31, 2024
Balance Sheet as of 12/31/2024 2024 Year to
Date
Total Project to
Date Project Budget
Assets
- Cash -0-Inflows 125,466.53 1,511,393.66
- Due from Grants 624,614.00 Expenses
- Due from MIP 672,871.90 Professional Fees 619,324.10 1,077,334.92
Total Assets 1,294,485.90 Incidental Const. Exp 5,695.28 71,986.38
Liabilities and Equity Equipment Purchases 506,904.24 2,388,289.67
- Due To Town
General Fund
1,703,172.29 Subcontractor Costs 1,977,165.04 4,399,751.30
- Accounts Payable 269,691.14 Pole and Permit Cost 1,023.884.37 1,594,850.77
- Bond Anticipation
Note
5,840,000.00 Interest Payment 146,840.97 168,641.73
Equity -6,518,377.53 Total Expenses 4,279,814.00 9,700,854.77 18,947,089.00
Total 1,294,485.90 Budget Remaining 9,246,234.23 49%
Finance -Operations
As of December 31, 2024
Dec 2024 Year to Date
Residential 8,685.00 41,629.50
Balances as of 12/31/24 Commercial 1,075.00 10,010.00
Accounts Receivable 371.50 Misc Fees 190.00 3,260.00
Accounts Payable 19,575.40 Outage Credit -771.00 -2,013.50
Total Revenue 9,189.00 52,886.00
Expenses
Parcels Serviceable 11/30 1,266 Credit Card Fees 345.85 2,336.79
+ New Parcels added in Dec 0 Billing Program -2,320.92
Total Parcels available 12/31 1,266 Utilites 7,564.13 87,905.02
*does not include MDUs Subscriptions 8,858.22 100,064.93
Total Addresses Served by 12/31 1,787 Insurance/Misc fees -2,864.02
Total Expenses 16,768.20 195,491.68
Profit/Deficit -7,579.20 -125,837.48
Sales Operations
As of December 1, 2024 (billing date is 1st of month)
▪Worked with Syracuse Utilities and Clarity Connect and Graybar to make sure we have inventory stock to continue moving forwar d with the
project
▪Multi-Use Development –working on getting agreements with Mobile home parks throughout the town
•Ithaca Estates (was Congers) - We have started installing customers at this location with 9 connected and 2 pending
•1062 Dryden Road (Pineridge / Wawak) - Had conversations with Ryan and Ciena toward a solution
•Lower Creek Park (Etna); Wood Rd Park (Wood Road, Etna) Owner is Karel Westerling Had conversation with him and we are trying to coordinate
schedules to meet
•Little Creek Manufactured Home Community – North Rd./Village of Dryden These folks have signed an agreement But we will need to wait til spring to
proceed
•Mott Road – Have had multiple conversations with the owner Reggie Blomfield -Brown He is open and ready to have us serve his Park. Ju st wants to
meet for assurance and he is currently south
•8 Library St - 4 tenants waiting for approval from the landlord to have service. Agreement was sent but it is a board of directo rs
▪Renters – We now have 22 signed agreements and 5 more that have been approved and we are waiting for return
▪Prospects - We had 17 new installs and 50 scheduled. Also 30 signups that have been contacted and we are waiting for a response
▪Have been working with Paul Simonet on a project to expand and extend Wellsley Dr to the south and east
▪Met with Tony Palumbo, the owner of the apartments on Deibler Dr
▪Met with Phil Yeager and Alex Perkins from George Junior Republic to assess getting them connected
Customer Service
As of January 1st, 2024 (billing date is 1st of month)
Helpdesk Call Report November 2024
•Bandwidth Complaint (Speed Concerns)
•2
•Billing Related Call
•16
•Downed Drop (Damaged Service Line)
•0
•Email (Calls related to email difficulties)
•0
•No Connectivity
•3
•ONT / Power Cycle (Calls related to the
ONT where unplugging or rebooting
equipment was necessary)
•0
•Other / Unrelated (Calls looking for
unrelated departments or information)
•41
•Outage
•0
•Install Orders / Create Service
•52
•Router Issue
•6
•PC / Laptop Issue
•0
•Sporadic Connection
•0
•Streaming Related Issue
•0
•User Error / Education
•31
•Wireless
•1
Sum: 152
Note:
Install Orders denote an
incoming install scheduling
request – not a completed install
One caller can generate
numerous tickets for a single
issue (i.e. calls in 5x for same
problem)
Support@drydenfiber.com
607-391-3500 (direct support
number)
User Error / Education:
User Error / Education:
Service inquiry (non-green)
Hardware Q's
Range Extenders
Marketing
As of October 1st, 2024 (billing date is 1st of month)
9/1/23 12/1/23 3/1/24 6/1/24 7/1/24 8/1/24 9/1/24 10/1/24 11/1/24 12/1/24
Under Contract 22 28 (+6)
Sept-
Nov
32 (+4)
Dec-Feb
44 (+12)
Mar-May
54 (+10)
June
66 (+12)
July
91 (+25)
August
126
(+35)
Sept.
165
(+39)
Oct.
180
(+15)
Nov.
Requests
(since 1/1/23)
174
(+11)
274
(+100)
363
(+89)
429
(+66)
494 (+65)552
(+58)
638
(+86)
681
(+43)
760
(+79)
875
(+115)
Available 38 44**TBD 87 110 (+23)137 (+27)172 (+35)197 (+25)241 (+44)292 (+51)
Not Available 136 226 TBD 342 384 415 466 484 515 579
Serviceable
Live
76.3%72%TBD 51%
(44/87)
49%
(54/110)
48%
(66/137)
53%
(91/172)
64%
(126/197)
68%
(165/241)
62%
180/292
Website Visits 8/25-9/7 11/17-11/30 2/1-2/29 5/1-5/31 6/1-30 7/1-31 8/1-31 9/1-30 10/1-31 11/1-30
Users 226 140 392 516 820 935 661 713 808 801
New Users 211 115 346 471 755 868 567 619 727 707
Sessions 324 194 617 739 1221 1373 1104 1110 1424 1281
Engagement
(secs.)
0m 46s 42s 1m 30s 58 s 1m 14 s 1m
3 s
1m 13s 1m 10s 1m 25s 1 m 21s
▪Total Yard Signs posted: 57+
▪Tax Bill Introductory Letter drafted, ready for Town Board approval
▪Social Media Posts about Map Expansion
▪Phone Number - 607-844-7800
▪Truck Magnets (3) provided to Syracuse Utilities (aerial and underground
crews)
▪Caroline Newsletter
▪Business Tier
o Postcard – just waiting on phone number
Marketing
As of December 1st, 2024
Support During November 22nd Snowstorm
▪Yellow Barn POP (cabinet): Installed temporary generator on 11.23.24;
returned four times to refuel generator until NYSEG restored power
▪Freeville POP (cabinet), Pinckney Road POP (cabinet), Dryden Central
Office (hut) - No DPW support needed during storm
Other DPW Support Projects 2024
▪Setup of Conex #2 in the DPW Yard on East Main Street
o Cleaned out, electricity setup, ready for equipment
▪Electrical Inspections and certifications of cabinets and CO
▪Electrical repair during installation(s) when electric lines were damaged
Facilities and Grounds
As of December 1st, 2024
Meeting Schedule
▪Dryden Fiber Public Broadband Committee – Public reporting on project
o 1st and 3rd Friday morning, 10:30am-11:30am (except July and August, 2nd and 4th
Friday morning)
▪Dryden Fiber Operations Team Meeting – Construction and Install Collaboration
o Every other Wednesday, 10am-11:15am
▪Dryden Fiber MIP Status Call – Meet with Connect All Office to stay on track
o Every Tuesday, 1pm-1:45pm
▪Dryden Fiber MIP Steering Committee – Implementation of the Grant
o Monthly (Town of Dryden, Town of Caroline)
▪Dryden Fiber Policy Committee – Advise and Recommend on Policy
o Monthly
Item Description Quantity
on hand
(12/1/24)
Re-order
Threshold
Lead
Time
(weeks)
Notes
Ciena ONU's Ciena devices needed for each customer
at their home
300 50 6 We are installing 50 per
month. Growth plan has
us reaching 75 per month
NITs NITs needed for each customer at their
home
XXX XXX X See above for installs per
month
Plume Devices Optional Wifi Routers for each customer 100 35 X See above, note: 75% of
customers take a plume
device
Drop Cables (25ft-199ft)Used by installation team from MST/MSP
to home.
50 25 2 See above for installs per
month
Drop Cables (200ft+)Used by installation team from MST/MSP
to home.
50 25 4 See above for installs per
month