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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2024-12-12TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 1 of 17 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING December 12, 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/DPW Superintendent Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper Chris O’Connor, Fire Coordinator *Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor *Indicates attendance via Zoom Supv Leifer will be late. Deputy Supervisor Dan Lamb called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. and announced that the public comment portion of the meeting for items not listed on the agenda will be moved to just prior to item #4 on the agenda. Financials & Human Resources Abstract Approval RESOLUTION #186 (2024) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #12 Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #12, as audited, general vouchers #1231 through #1341 ($1,905,302.65), CDBG Acct voucher #4 ($112,490.11) and TA vouchers #55 through #58 ($8283.06), totaling $2,026,075.82. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Approve Water/Sewer Rates Resolution #187 (2024) - Amend Town 2025 Water Rate – SW8 Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the water districts served by Bolton Point (SCLIWC) are part of a single water district; and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden enacted the 2025 Budget on November 14, 2024; and WHEREAS, no revenues will be generated from property taxes or assessments for the consolidated water district for the 2025 budget cycle; therefore TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 2 of 17 RESOLVED, that effective January 1, 2025, this Town Board hereby establishes the Town of Dryden water rate at $8.65 per 1,000 gallons with a 5,000 -gallon minimum per unit for 2025 for water districts served by Bolton Point (SCLIWC). 2nd Cl Dravis Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Resolution #188 (2024) - Amend Town 2025 Yellow Barn Water Rate – SW7 Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden enacted the 2025 Budget on November 14, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden budgeted $103,529 in anticipated revenue from user rent, property tax, and interest; and WHEREAS, the water rate was last adjusted for the 2024 budget year; therefore RESOLVED, that effective January 1, 2025, this Town Board hereby establishes the Town of Dryden water rate at $16.84 per 1,000 gallons with a 5,000 -gallon minimum per unit charge for the units served by the Yellow Barn Water District. 2nd Cl Dravis Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Resolution #189 (2024) - Amend Town 2025 Sewer Rate – SS8 Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the sewer districts served by Bolton Point (SCLIWC) are part of a single sewer district; and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden enacted the 2025 Budget on November 14, 2024; and WHEREAS, no revenues will be generated from property taxes or assessments for the consolidated sewer district for the 2025 budget cycle; therefore RESOLVED, that effective January 1, 2025, this Town Board hereby establishes the Town of Dryden sewer rate at $7.22 per 1,000 gallons with a 5,000-gallon minimum per unit for 2025 for sewer districts served by Bolton Point (SCLIWC). 2nd Cl Dravis Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 3 of 17 Approve 2025 Pay Rates RESOLUTION #190 (2024) – APPROVE 2025 PAY RATES Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas certain employees’ salaries are not reflected on an exclusive budget line; and Whereas certain employees’ budget lines are estimated due to flex in number of hours worked; and Whereas annual payroll certification to Civil Service must show why employees receive a change in their rate of pay, be it therefore RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves 2025 pay rates for non-union Highway/DPW and Town Hall employees who work a varied number of hours per week as follows: Name Title Hire Date 2024 rate 2025 rate % Increase Town Hall Employees: John Arsenault PT Court Attendant 11/25/19 51.83 53.64 3.5 Derek Barr PT Court Attendant 05/03/21 51.83 53.64 3.5 Oscar Brotherton PT Rec Assistant 08/26/24 17.00 17.00 0 Cassandra Byrnes Confid Sec’y to Supv 11/19 /18 23.62 24.93 5.5 Regina Cassidy Planner 06/17/24 33.65 33.65 * *rate increase is pending 6 month anniversary performance review Marty Conger Rec Director 03/29/21 31.53 33.26 5.5 Sherri Crispell Senior Account Clerk 05/17/12 27.71 29.23 5.5 Luke Eshelman PT Rec Assistant 08/26/24 17.00 17.00 0 Daniel Johnson PT Court Attendant 10/23/24 51.83 53.64 3.5 William Knickerbocker Enforcement Officer PT 01/24/23 28.35 28.35 0 James Niemi PT Court Attendant 06/01/14 51.83 53.64 3.5 Peter Tyler PT Court Attendant 02/07/22 51.83 53.64 3.5 Highway/DPW Employees: Shawn Flynn MEO Seasonal/PT as needed 01/13/15 27.81 28.37 2 Martin Taylor MEO Seasonal/PT as needed 04/01/24 30.00 30.60 2 Richard TenKate MEO Seasonal/PT as needed 08/02/22 30.00 30.60 2 2nd Cl Dravis Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 4 of 17 Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes CITIZENS PRIVILEGE None. FIRE CONTRACTS Cl Lamb opened the public hearing at 6:11 p.m. Paul Pagliaro said he and his wife have lived on Brooktondale Road for 50 years. He has little to do with the town other than paying his dog license and property taxes. They are in the Ithaca school district, have an Ithaca mailing address and the Town of Caroline and Tompkins County take care of their roads. He understands his fire protection will change from the Brooktondale Fire Department to the Varna Department. He has a history of fire service and served with the Brooktondale Fire Department as fire police and is now a social member. He is captain of fire police at the Slaterville Fire Department. He is speaking for himself and is concerned with losing coverage from Brooktondale. He has great r espect for Varna but is concerned that it is 5.5 miles from the Varna fire house to his residence on unfriendly roads in the winter and a hazard for the engines traversing the hills. Brooktondale is a 2.5 mile straight shot to his house. He has a hard time believing it will get a better response time for Varna. He also understands the ambulance service will come from Dryden instead of Bangs and that is a concern. Good intentions can lead to trouble down the road. Nancy Pagliaro said none of the departments have enough people. All the departments are hurting for volunteers. The industry no longer has the people that it needs. Young people don’t go into the services like they used to. As a resident, she doesn’t like the way it was taken away from Brooktondale without public input from the community before the change was made. There wasn’t enough thought given to what needed to be done and how it should have been done. Vince Monticello said he has been a town resident for 37 years. During that time Brooktondale provided his fire coverage. He has found them to be very responsive, including times they had to respond to his in-laws whether for EMS or fire service. He heard through the grapevine about six weeks ago that Brooktondale wasn’t going to cover him and didn’t see anything publicly. He resides 2.2 miles from the Brooktondale fire station and 4.2 miles from Varna. He is concerned with Varna being twice the distance and having to navigate steep hills to respond to his neighborhood. He has respect for both departments as a retired first - responder himself and has gotten to know members from both departments. He has witnessed both departments in action and they have dedicated members. He is concerned there was no public discussion on the change. In researching the matter, he only found a Cortland Standard article. His search of the minutes did not reveal much of note. He subscribed to the town newsletter, and reviewed those, but could not find anything there. As a deputy police chief, he believes transparency is a must. He asked if there was any notification to the residents that this was changing, what data was used to make this decision and can this be done without some kind of public hearing to discuss it further. Cl Lamb said he regrets they feel there was no transparency. The board feels it was discussed in public and was not a secret. It was done after looking at data and having the Town Fire Coordinator Chris O’Connor talk with Brooktondale and then with Varna about their capabilities to take over that small portion of the town. He understands that in the past year there were about thirty calls to that part of town and it seemed that the $30,000 spent on the TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 5 of 17 Brooktondale contract could be better spent by giving Varna a little more resource and them making the commitment to cover that area. Varna is robust and well-staffed. He said regarding Dryden Ambulance, that area is part of their certificate of need and they are fully capable of getting there. If light rescue is needed, there is now light rescue situated in Caroline. That is part of the new county rapid medical response system to get an EMS responder to a scene in eight minutes or less. The goal is to offer service until an ambulance service can arrive. Varna also maintains a light rescue. Cl Dravis said she responded to questions on Next Door earlier. When a call comes in to Varna, there is already someone in the bunker program at the station, saving 3-5 minutes initially. They looked at data and ran distances from an address to Brooktondale and Varna. If there was a difference in response time, it was made up by those 3-5 minutes. This decision was made for the benefit of the community. Mason Jager, Varna Fire Chief, said he appreciates the concerns. Varna is pretty good at navigating the hill for their mutual aid calls to Brooktondale, Speedsville, and Slaterville. The response time for fire should remain the same due to mutual aid. Brooktondale will still be on their mutual aid, as will Varna for Brooktondale. Varna will be better prepared as first responder and Brooktondale will still respond. It should enhance the response. There are many EMTs at the station at any time with an average of 30 seconds to get out the door, and they are already covering EMS in neighboring areas. Supv Leifer arrived at 6:29 p.m. M Jager noted that they are not perfect, but have made 100% of calls. He added that their bunkers are required to be drivers and more than half are certified to drive any vehicle in the fleet, including the engines. They are out the door in just a couple minutes. Cl Buck noted that Varna is already responding to that area and is familiar with the territory. Cl Lamb said the board has thought this through and done their homework on this. They have a responsibility to provide service to the entire town, but understands this is a change. There is a fully capable department here that can answer any other questions that come up. Michelle Robinson and Linda Fenner of Etna Fire Department presented the following statement: We would like to address the board regarding the meeting notes from November 21, 2024. We do not agree with the proposed contract changes, we are willing to adjust our capital reserves to a reasonable amount, but the Town will be putting Etna in the same boat as Freeville, due to not allowing us to save properly to fund future truck purchases. We do not appreciate that any time a fire department attends a board meeting, the Town Fire Coordinator never has anything to say. He has continued to give the Town Board false reports regarding Etna. It seems evident from the beginning that the Town Fire Coordinator has made a constructive effort to drive out the Etna Volunteer Fire Department. The most recent example is from an article in the Tompkins Independent Newspaper dated November 27, 2024, pointing out where a specific member of our department lives, and that Etna has not responded to 80% of calls. The article further states that O’Conner is confused as to why Etna needs $90,000 to operate for the next 6 months, according to him, since Etna has hundreds of thousands of dollars saved. The artic le also states O’Conner saying the Etna department is dysfunctional and nonfunctional. I would like to remind the Town Board that an TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 6 of 17 employee’s false statements and accusations are a representation and reflection of the Town. We would like to point out to the board, Chris O’Conner has not visited, spoken to, or met with anyone from the Etna Fire Department in over a year. Our Dept has never had an 80% no response rate. We have made significant improvements over the last year. We know we are not perfect, but our overall percentage of missed calls is 17% from 1/1/2024 to 11/30/2024. The Town Fire Coordinator states he is acting in the best interest for everyone in the Town, however not contracting with Etna will affect the Town with the loss of almost 6,000 gallons of water, as well as affect the ISO Public Protection Classification. ISO assigns a Public Protection Classification for each community. The ratings range from Class 1 (representing exemplary fire protection) to Class 10 (representing less than the minimum recognized protection). Insurance companies use ISO Public Protection Classification information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance — generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection. We respectfully request the Town Board to provide us with our original budget amount submitted at $248,500 which was a 3.1% increase from our 2024 contract. Linda Fenner added that amount is within the parameters they were given. The board can decide to contract with them or not, but they are a volunteer agency and do the very best they can for their community. Mike Parker of Freeville Fire Dept said they are looking to get the budget they need to maintain their capital reserves, to replace, replenish, buy equipment, and to run operations. They have been asking for little for so many years and now have a deficit and need to catch up and maintain their capital reserves. If they can get their budget where it needs to be, then hopefully NYClass will maintain the growth and they won’t need to be asking for more. They ran 31 more calls this month and have had an average of over seven people per call with enroute times of 3 minutes 37 seconds. Like Varna, they have made 100% of their calls. He would like their original amount restored. Ann Marie Sheridan said regardless of what firefighters say at these meetings, they have always been respectful of each other on scene. Mutual aid is the foundation of volunteer fire departments which are the backbone of New York State emergency services, as we know from the fires downstate and in Lansing, and she is surprised that people forget that. It has been previously stated by a board member that Etna wasn’t active. She would like a qualification on that. They have responded to calls in their fire district, had 9 -10 on will call in Lansing committed. They have had crews committed to downstate fires and have increased membership drives as well as membership. They’ve had trainings to prepare medical staff. They are responsive to the concerns of the board and moved money to higher interest- bearing accounts and have participated in strategic planning activities. Last December the Fire Coordinator applauded Freeville for considering a bunker program, and E tna has started acting on that. She wonders if any of these things ever make it to the board. All they read are negative comments about them in the newspaper that surprise them. It makes them wonder what the residents of their district think about them. They have investigated a bunker program to the point of looking at floor plans. Talk of redistricting their department puts a stop on that, and now their innovative leadership has a 6-month lease on an apartment for a bunker. They are doing this to respond to the needs, but none of it is reflected in what they see publicly or coming from the fire coordinator. She is concerned with a pattern in decision making that makes her wonder what they are not seeing. She would like to put on record that she would call on the board to participate in oversight activities such as conflict disclosure process and external board memberships. If TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 7 of 17 that has been done, they would like to know. Part of these d ecisions are in response to what she sees reflected in the minutes and something that happened last December. There were incorrect statements made by Coordinator O’Connor that she requested be corrected. Supv Leifer told her she was not allowed to and she should address it privately with Coordinator O’Connor. These patterns of behavior, patterns of decision making, and allegations toward Etna from paid officials of the town are inappropriate. There is a chance to respond and talk on the record and hopefully people are recording this meeting. Rebekah Moore, Treasurer for Freeville Fire Department, said there have been lots of meetings and different conflicting opinions on data interpretation. They believe they have made a case that they have fulfilled and gone above and beyond their contract. They understand that everyone is feeling the pinch of inflation and there are a lot of dynamics forced on all of them and they have had to make wise decisions. As a member of the board and active volunteer and EMS, she believes they have made a strong case based on the data presented and meetings held, that their original budget request be considered. Mike Hall, past Chief of the Dryden Fire Department and still a member said he is speaking as a resident. He is quite disgusted with the current back and forth between the departments in the town. There has always been some contention between departments, but he feels that it has become about expanding area. Everyone has lost the true goal of providing a service to the community. He’s heard a lot about the departments wanting more money, but no discussion about how to improve going forward, bringing in new members, and training new members. Varna has done an excellent job over the last few years. Several years ago they were in a position of needing help from the other departments. N o one can do it by themselves. The town needs to put their foot down and say the departments need to work together , stop pointing fingers at each other, and work together as one service for the town of Dryden. In Onondaga County the departments work together to staff one truck and they rotate departments throughout communities and the county to cover calls during the day when departments are struggling. Every volunteer organization struggles during the day. There is no planning like that taking place. It is sad to see neighboring departments at each other instead of working together. He’s met over time with many people about improving community services. It has moved backward over the years. It is sad to read in the newspaper that there is a push to close a department in the town. When it comes time to go to the polls, you don’t want that on your resume. It would be a terrible decision and he implored the departments to work together. At the end of the day the job is to provide service to the community. It needs to stop. There were no further comments from the public present or on zoom, and the public hearing was closed at 6:51 p.m. RESOLUTION #191 (2024) – VARNA FIRE CONTRACT Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board approves a contract with Varna Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. in the amount of $440,000. 2nd Supv Leifer Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 8 of 17 RESOLUTION #192 (2024) – NEPTUNE HOSE CONTRACT Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board approves a contract with Neptune Hose Company No. 1 of Dryden, Inc. in the amount of $595,503. 2nd Cl Dravis Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes RESOLUTION #193 (2024) – WB STRONG FIRE CONTRACT Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board approves a contract with WB Strong Fire Company of Freeville, Inc. in the amount of $397,448.00. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Supv Leifer offered a resolution to approve a contract with Etna Volunteer Fire Company in the amount of $173,500. There was no second to the motion. Supv Leifer said there will be other work to do. The board will need to decide what to do with the amount that was not allocated. For the moment it will reside in the fire district reserve. There are a couple different issues to address, unless there is more negotiation in the next week or so, including coverage issues for Etna’s territory. That is not something that can be done right now. Cl Lamb said coverage will be maintained through the end of the year and no resident will go unserved. L Fenner asked whether it was the board’s intent to not contract with Etna in the new year. Supv Leifer said right now that is what’s happening. If they want to talk more, they can. What was passed in the budget was the total amount for the fire protection district and the contract amounts have to get approved. HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT The board reviewed a proposed resolution to purchase three vehicles. Rick Young said one will be for the Code Department, one for Highway, and one cargo van for the Recreation Department. The total for the vehicles is roughly $185,000. There is a NYSERDA grant that will cover $175,000. The excess will be paid from A1490.2. After looking at possibilities for use of that grant funding, the Climate Smart committee adopted this suggestion. RESOLUTION #194 (2024) – AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF THREE ELECTRIC VEHICLES Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 9 of 17 RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of three new Town vehicles that will be funded by $175,000 Clean Energy Grant from NYSERDA. • Truck – 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV, Quote $94,859.43 • Code vehicle – 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, Quote $50,189.43 • Cargo van – 2023 Ford Transit Connect, Quote $39,198.43 Total to be approved not to exceed $185,000 The vehicles will be used by the highway, code enforcement, and recreation staff for transportation of people or materials as needed. Any cost above the amount of the grant reimbursement will be charged to A1490.2. The purchase of these vehicles is expected to happen in 2025 and will be applied to the 2025 budget. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Supv Leifer shared the resolution from Climate Smart that will authorize the town to spend the grant award of $175,000. A resident asked if it is typical for the board to conduct its business in whispers during public meetings. It is very hard to hear what is being discussed, and the public that is present should be able to hear what the town board is discussing. RESOLUTION #195 (2024) - AUTHORIZING THE TOWN TO SPEND A $175,000 GRANT FROM THE NYS ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NYSERDA) ON THE PURCHASE OF THREE ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR THE TOWN FLEET Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS the Town of Dryden has been registered as a NYS Climate Smart Community since 2016, and this summer has been newly recertified at the Bronze Climate Smart level, and WHEREAS that recertification also earned the Town points in NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Community (CEC) Program, bringing it to the Advanced 7000-point level, and qualifying the Town for a $175,000 grant, and WHEREAS the grant recognizes the Town’s achievement of 19 high impact actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since joining the Clean Energy Community program in 2018, and WHEREAS this new grant brings the total grants earned by the Town in the Clean Energy Communities program to more than $325,000, with earlier grants earmarked for projects such as insulation and electrification of the DPW office building, and adding a plug -in hybrid vehicle (EV) to the town fleet, and WHEREAS Clean Energy grants can only be spent on actions that can reduce GHG emissions, and WHEREAS the Town of Dryden Climate Action Plan, adopted as part of the 2022 update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, calls for a reduction of GHG emissions from municipal operations; and TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 10 of 17 WHEREAS replacing gas powered vehicles with EV’s can assist the town to reduce its energy use and GHG emissions, and WHEREAS, the $175,000 grant will enable the Town to purchase an electric pickup truck for the highway department, an electric van for the recreation department, and an electric, all - wheel-drive SUV for the code enforcement office, and WHEREAS the Town has already received a $10,000 grant to fully fund installation of an in - house EV charging station at the highway barn, now THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dryden Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into a contract with NYSERDA to spend the $175,000 grant on the purchase of three new all electric vehicles for the Town fleet. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes FIRE COORDINATOR Chris O’Connor said he is still working on the strategic plan, and will talk about it next week. COUNTY BRIEFING Mike Lane said with respect to the continuing issue of the homeless population, particularly in the city of Ithaca, the county has announced that they are about to purchase a piece of land that has two buildings on it on Cherry Street in the city. They are spending about $1.2 million on that with the intent to build a temporary housing assistance shelter there. They are pressing the state for funding for that through the Department of Social Services. It will be 1-2 years before it can be ready. Since losing the contract with St Johns for shelter, the County has had to hire and train people and provide shelters in other locations, including a temporary code blue shelter in the old Key Bank building. Other folks are being housed in motels. You can’t house everyone together. There are all kinds of people with different kinds of problems and issues that can’t necessarily be together. T hey are trying to do their best for those in need and the people in the neighborhoods. With respect to the proposed center of government building on Tioga Street, they are close to announcing a contract with the architects and engineers that have been narrowed down. They will hold some special meetings and expect the project will be moving along. They expect to spend about $5 million in 2025 on schematic design, soil testing and other things that go along with building a large county office building. Many departments are bursting at the seams needing office space. He expects a contract with the architects will be announced soon. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS Purchase Materials for Dryden Fiber - Board members reviewed a proposal from GraybaR in the amount of $53,487.50 for materials for the Dryden Fiber buildout. RESOLUTION #196 (2024) – APPROVE PURCHASE FROM GRAYBAR TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 11 of 17 Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the purchase of materials from GraybaR as detailed in their quote #0147613643 in the amount of $53,487.50. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Appoint Executive Director for Dryden Fiber – Amanda Anderson said this is a position that was discussed at budget time. David Makar has been being paid from funds that are not included in the public budget, but are in the project budget. Because we now have a civil service job description, we need to include a pay rate moving forward. The board needs to determine the total salary to be paid as an employee beginning in January, though that salary will be paid from grant funds, the Town of Caroline, and the Town of Dryden. Cl Lamb said this is a 25-million-dollar project and Makar could be doing this elsewhere for a lot more money than we will offer. He is putting the project in good shape to be successful and without him we would not have received the 9 -million-dollar grant from the state. The amount discussed was $100,000 plus benefits and based on an agreement made with the Town of Caroline, they will subsidize a portion of the salary. If we had to replace him, it would probably cost double. RESOLUTION #197 (2024) – APPOINT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR DRYDEN FIBER FOR 2025 – MAKAR Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints David Makar as Executive Director for Dryden Fiber for fiscal year 2025 at a salary of $100,000 plus benefits. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Tax Bill Insert – The board reviewed a document for Dryden Fiber to be inserted with the 2025 property tax bills and suggested edits of adding a date and reference to the service map online. RESOLUTION #198 (2024) – APPROVE TAX BILL INSERT Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the insert to be mailed with the 2025 property tax bills as amended and attached hereto. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 12 of 17 Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Dryden Fiber Agreements – Supv Leifer explained these agreements are in draft and not ready for approval. One is an Intermunicipal Broadband Network Deployment and Operations Agreement with the town of Caroline. Because Dryden is the lead, this will clarify how Caroline will pay for its portion, and the agreement will be provided to the ConnectAll office. Caroline will have to do a revenue anticipation note to have the working capital available and will then reimburse Dryden. The grant disbursement agreement with state dictates how the town gets reimbursed for the work it is doing. Both of these agreements are being reviewed by the town attorney and it is expected they can be approved for next week. Property Tax Exemptions – The town has the ability to increase the income levels for three property tax exemptions as the county legislature recently did. One can be accomplished by resolution and two by local laws. The board reviewed the proposed resolution for the senior exemption. RESOLUTION #199 (2024) – ADOPT RESOLUTION INCREASING PARTIAL TAX EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS OVER SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, Real Property Tax Law §467 permits the Town Board to adopt a resolution partially exempting from taxation by the Town certain real property within the Town owned by persons sixty-five (65) years of age or over, and WHEREAS, the Real Property Tax Law provides an option for the Town to set the income eligibility levels, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN BOARD AS FOLLOWS: 1. Real property owned by one or more persons each of whom is 65 years of age or over, or real property owned by married individuals, one of whom is 65 years of age or over, shall be exempt by taxation by the Town of Dryden to the extent set forth in the following formula: 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 2. Any exemption provided in this resolution shall be computed after all other TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 13 of 17 partial exemptions allowed by law have been subtracted from the total amount assessed. 3. The real property tax exemption on real property owned by married individuals, one of whom is 65 years of age or over, once granted, shall not be rescinded solely because of the death of the older spouse so long as the surviving spouse is at least 62 years of age. 4. No exemption shall be granted: (a) If the income of the owner or the combined income of the owners of the property for the income tax year immediately preceding the date of making application for exemption exceeds the amounts set forth in the formula in this resolution. Income tax year shall mean the twelve month period for which the owner or owners filed a federal personal income tax return, or if no such return is filed, the calendar year. Where title is vested in either one of the married individuals, their combined income may not exceed such sum. Such income shall include social security and retirement benefits, interest, dividends, total gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset which may be offset by a loss from the sale or exchange of a capital asset in the same income tax year, net rental income, salary or earnings, and net income from self-employment, but shall not include a return of capital, gifts or inheritances. In computing net rental income and net income from self-employment no depreciation shall be allowed for the exhaustion, wear and tear of real or personal property held for the production of income; (b) Unless the title of the property shall have been vested in the owner or one of the owners of the property for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the date of making application for exemption, provided, however, that in the event of the death of either married individual in whose name title of the property shall have been vested at the time of death and then becomes vested solely in the survivor by virtue of devise by or descent from the deceased spouse, the time of ownership of the property by the deceased spouse shall be deemed also a time of ownership by the survivor and such ownership shall be deemed continuous for the purposes of computing such period of twelve (12) consecutive months. In the event of a transfer by either married individual to the other spouse of all or part of the title to the property, the time of ownership of the property by the transferor spouse shall be deemed also a time of ownership by the transferee spouse and such ownership shall be deemed continuous for the purposes of computing such period of twelve (12) consecutive months. Where property of the owner or owners has been acquired to replace property formerly owned by such owner or owners and taken by eminent domain or other involuntary proceedings, except a tax sale, the period of ownership of the former property shall be combined with the period of ownership of the property for which application is made for exemption and such periods of ownership shall be deemed to be consecutive for purpose of this section. Where a residence is sold and replaced with another within one (1) year and both residences are within the state, the period of ownership of both properties shall be deemed consecutive for purposes of this resolution. Where the owner or owners transfer title to property which as of the date of transfer was exempt from taxation under the provision of this resolution, the reacquisition of title by such owner or owners within nine (9) months of the date of transfer shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph that the title of the property shall have been vested in the owner or one of the owners for such period of twelve (12) consecutive months. Where, upon or subsequent to the death of an owner or owners, title to property which as of the date of such death was exempt from taxation under such provisions, becomes vested, by virtue of devise or descent from the deceased owner or owners, or by transfer by any other means within nine (9) months after such death, solely in a person or persons who, at the time of such death, maintained such property as a primary residence, the requirement of this paragraph that the title of the property shall have been vested in the owner or one of the owners for such period of twelve (12) consecutive months shall be deemed satisfied; TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 14 of 17 (c) Unless the property is used exclusively for residential purposes, provided, however, that in the event any portion of such property is not so used exclusively for residential purposes but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this section; (d) Unless the real property is the legal residence of and is occupied in whole or in part by the owner or by all of the owners of the property, provided that an owner who is absent while receiving health-related care as an inpatient of a residential health care facility, as defined in Section 2801 of the Public Health Law, shall be deemed to remain a legal resident and an occupant of the property while so confined and income accruing to that person shall be income only to the extent that it exceeds the amount paid by such owner, spouse, or co-owner for care in the facility; and provided further, that during such confinement such property is not occupied by other than the spouse or co-owner of such owner. 5. The Town shall notify or cause to be notified, each person owning residential real property in the Town of the provisions of this resolution. This may be met by a notice or legend set on or with each tax bill to such persons reading "You may be eligible for senior citizen tax exemptions. Senior citizens have until (month) (day) (year) to apply for such exemptions. For information please call or write , followed by the name, telephone number and/or address of a person or department selected to explain the provisions of this resolution. Failure to notify, or cause to be notified any person who is, in fact, eligible to receive the exemption provided by this resolution or the failure of such person to receive the same shall not prevent the levy, collection and enforcement of the payment of the taxes on property owned by such person. 6. Application for such exemption must be made by the owner, or all of the owners of the property, on forms prescribed by the Office of Real Property Services and shall furnish the information and be executed in the manner required or prescribed in such forms, and shall be filed in such assessor's office on or before the taxable status date. 7. At least sixty (60) days prior to the taxable status date, there shall be mailed to each person who was granted an aged exemption on the latest completed assessment roll an application form and a notice that such application must be filed on or before the taxable status date and be approved in order for the exemption to be granted. Within three (3) days of the completion and filing of the tentative assessment roll, notice by mail shall be given to any applicant who has included with their application at least one self-addressed, pre-paid envelope, of the approval or denial of the application; provided, however, that upon the receipt and filing of the application there shall be sent by mail notification of receipt of the same to any applicant who has included two (2) of such envelopes with the application. Where an applicant is entitled to a notice of denial such notice shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board of Equalization and Assessment and shall state the reasons for such denial and shall further state that the applicant may have such determination reviewed in the manner provided by law. Failure to mail any such application form or notices or the failure of such person to receive any of the same shall not prevent the levy, collection and enforcement of the payment of the taxes on property owned by such person. 8. Any conviction of having made any willful false statement in the application for such exemption shall be punishable as set forth in Real Property Tax Law Section 467(7). 9. This resolution 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 resolution shall govern the granting of an exemption under Section 467 notwithstanding TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 15 of 17 any contrary provisions of that section. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Supv Leifer introduced the two local laws (set forth below) and set the public hearings for January 16, 2025, at 6:05 p.m. Exemption for persons with disabilities - Proposed Local Law No. ___ 20 A local law increasing the partial tax exemption for real property owned by persons with disabilities whose incomes are limited by reason of such disabilities. 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 TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 16 of 17 required or prescribed in such forms, and shall be filed in the said Assessment Department office on or before the appropriate taxable status date. 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. Veterans Exemptions - Proposed local law increasing the maximum exemption allowable under the alternative veterans exemption 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. Empire Access Reciprocal Make-Ready Rearrangement Agreement – This agreement allows an entity to move another’s fiber at no charge. One entity would be responsible for repairing any damage to the other’s property. The purpose is to shorten the time of the work. It has been reviewed by our town attorney and agreed to by Empire Access. The agreement was shared online. RESOLUTION #200 (2024) – AUTHORIZE MAKE-READY AGREEMENT Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Empire Access Reciprocal Make - Ready Rearrangement Agreement and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute the same. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes TB 12-12-24 D R A F T Page 17 of 17 Supv Leifer Yes Supv Leifer noted that the board may be able to authorize David Makar to execute some of these types of agreements in the future, but anything that was financial the board would need to approve. Dog Control Officer – Two proposals were received in response to the town’s RFP. Cl Buck and Cl Dravis will conduct interviews next week and bring a recommendation for discussion and vote on the appointment next week. Next week’s meeting will include a public hearing for a special use permit at 27 Dutcher Road and one for a special use permit at 1814 Hanshaw Road. R Burger said next week he will have information on an EPA grant opportunity for a solid waste center, a reuse center. He will forward the application to the board, noting that it is due on December 20. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk Town of Dryden 93 E. Main Street Dryden, NY 13053 607-844-7800 DrydenFiber.com Dear Dryden Taxpayer, Happy New Year! On behalf of the entire team at Dryden Fiber, thank you for helping to make 2024 a banner year for Dryden Fiber. We constructed nearly a hundred miles of fiber optic line across town, installed at over 250 homes, and were selected by New York State as a recipient of a $8.9M grant to expand our network to all unserved and underserved homes in the Town of Dryden. Our construction and installation teams are at work every day making Dryden Fiber the first municipal owned and best fiber optic company in New York State. We’re expanding to new neighborhoods and will continue through 2025, 2026, and into 2027. If you are an existing customer, thank you! If you are in the “green zon e,” where we currently have fiber in front of your house or bordering your property, please sign–up and schedule your installation today. Our prices are competitive, and our speeds are multiples faster than any other internet provider around. Silver Gold Platinum 400 Mbps (up and down) 700 Mbps (up and down) 1 Gbps (up and down) $45 / month $75 / month $90 / month If your home or business is not yet in the green zone, please be patient. We do ask that you submit a request for service so we can best manage installations. Once service is available to your address, our team will reach out to you to get you on the schedule. You only have to request service one time. If you have any questions or suggestions about the service, please visit DrydenFiber.com, email me at dave@drydenfiber.com. For support needs, please contact our 24/7/365 support team at 607-844-7800 or support@drydenfiber.com. Take care and happy 2025! David Makar Executive Director Dryden Fiber Town of Dryden 93 E. Main Street Dryden, NY 13053 607-844-7800 DrydenFiber.com Dryden Fiber is a Municipal Internet Service Provider operated by the Town of Dryden, New York. The mission of Dryden Fiber is to provide reliable, affordable, high -speed, fiber-based internet access for residents and businesses. Dryden Fiber offers state-of-the-art technology and unmatched customer service. Launched in the spring of 2023, Dryden Fiber is now constructing the network across the towns of Dryden and Caroline and is adding new homes and businesses customers to the platform every day. Customers have no long-term contract and will find speeds to be 5x to 10x of other providers. For more information, visit www.drydenfiber.com . This project is funded by the Capital Project Fund (CPF) under New York State’s award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The following information pertains to the federal award: Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN): CPFFN0191; Unique Entity Id entifier (UEI): QU6JCVSYRNK5; Assistance Listing Number (formerly CFDA Number): 21.029.