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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB 2025-07-29 CB 2025-07-29 Final 1 CONSERVATION BOARD July 29, 2025 Hybrid Present: Gian Dodici (chair), *Steve Bissen, Anne Clark, *Andrew Miller, Nancy Munkenbeck (arrived late), Craig Schutt, *Naomi Cator-Szymanski (alternate) (arrived late) Absent: Jeanne Grace, Kate McKee, Tim Woods Liaisons: *Spring Buck (Town Board) Staff: Loren Sparling (Deputy Town Clerk) “*” denotes attendance via Zoom The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Review and Acceptance of Minutes RESOLUTION #7 – ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM MAY 27, 2025 C Schutt offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that the Conservation Board of the Town of Dryden hereby accepts the meeting minutes of May 27, 2025, as written. 2nd G Dodici Roll Call Vote G Dodici Yes S Bissen Yes A Clark Yes A Miller Yes C Schutt Yes G Dodici requested that the last paragraph of June’s draft minutes (regarding the DEC’s rehabilitation of the Dryden Lake Dam) be clarified to reflect that bids came in high and brought the project to a standstill. RESOLUTION #8 – ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 24, 2025 G Dodici offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that the Conservation Board of the Town of Dryden hereby accepts the meeting minutes of June 24, 2025, as amended. 2nd C Schutt Roll Call Vote G Dodici Yes S Bissen Yes A Clark Yes A Miller Yes C Schutt Yes Report: Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC) C Schutt reported that the AAC did not meet this month. Report: Environmental Management Council (EMC) CB 2025-07-29 Final 2 S Bissen was not able to attend the last EMC meeting, but noted they were planning for the near future. He added that, in the fall, the EMC will be presenting on the UNA (Unique Natural Area) border changes to the Town Board. Report: Climate Smart Communities Task Force A Clark briefly reported that the Climate Smart Communities Task Force is enthusiastic about a potential presentation by Gary Tabor and would like to be kept in the loop about this. Report: Town Board S Buck reported that the Rail Trail bridge project across Rte 13 is currently on hold. The lowest submitted bid was initially considered acceptable but has since come into question on a legal technicality. The Town Board is waiting to see if this bid can legally be accepted or if a re-bid is required due to this legal challenge. On the topic of the proposed ballfields between Town Hall and the DPW, a conceptual design was presented to the Town Board. The design was compliant with identified wetland buffers. The next step is to seek grant money for the creation of more formal plans. New Business: Tree Removal A Clark reported the complete logging of a diverse woodlot on the Beck property, along Hile School Rd. The area, previously a good bird habitat with a mix of large and small trees that provided for great horned owls and scarlet tanagers, is now bare. A new cow barn is being constructed nearby, and expansion is anticipated. N Munkenbeck arrived at 7:13 p.m. Concern was raised about the significant loss of trees from a client (i.e., bird) perspective. While the actions were identified as being above board (as there is not much restriction on logging and even less restriction on ag practices), Board members expressed sadness at the loss of habitat. New Business: Proposed Cornell Eagle Aviary The proposed aviary, funded by a large donation to the wildlife hospital, is intended for raptor rehabilitation. It will be located within Cornell’s Baker complex, where dilapidated buildings have since been removed in preparation for the project. N Cator-Szymanski arrived at 7:20 p.m. The Board generally supported the project, viewing it as much needed, given the increasing number of raptors requiring rehabilitation. (Once rehabilitated, the raptors will be released back where they were initially found.) It is not expected to impinge on significant forest areas. New Business: SUP Amendments – Expanding Infrastructure Triggers Stormwater Review? G Dodici raised a general concern about stormwater regulations and enforcement in the Town, specifically triggered by an amendment request for the expansion of a storage facility near the NYSEG intersection. He wondered whether or not special use permit (SUP) amendments trigger stormwater regulations, but has received no response from the Planning Department regarding this inquiry. From aerials of the site, he noted the apparent lack of CB 2025-07-29 Final 3 stormwater management for the existing storage facility, so why would there be stormwater management for an addition? There is uncertainty if underground storage is being utilized, but typically, large facilities use visible detention/retention basins (which are not apparent behind the storage facility and Dollar General buildings). The Board acknowledged the importance of stormwater facilities for managing flood flow and protecting downstream infrastructure (e.g., mobile home communities). G Dodici expressed continued frustration with the Town’s lack of concern about stormwater and water resource issues and suggested utilizing resources like the Soil and Water Conservation District for assistance. S Buck requested that she be copied on any future emails that may be sent to the Planning Department, so that she could follow up if no response is received. Old Business: Dryden Reservoir A meeting occurred earlier this month between representatives of the Town (Jason Leifer, Dan Lamb, and Rick Young) and the DEC (including its regional director). C Schutt and two Planning Board members also attended. The DEC had proposed rehabilitating the Dryden Lake Dam this summer, but bids came in at $3.4 million, significantly exceeding their allocated $1-$1.1 million. The DEC regional director stated a number of times that the DEC would simply like to transfer ownership of the lake to the Town, citing its listing as a multi-use area and the DEC’s limited focus on such areas. But if the lake is to be kept, something needs to be done about the dam. The dam failed inspection a few years ago, leading to the gates being kept wide open, which has lowered the water level on the lake. Any new or repaired dam would need to meet state regulations. Dam removal would significantly lower the water level (by 30% of the current volume), making it really shallow. A DEC fisheries representative expressed concern that fish might not be able to winter in such shallow conditions, despite a past study indicating a diversity in the population and size of fish there. This option would lead to massive public outcry. Construction of a weir was proposed as an alternative. Described as a rock structure that the water would just flow over, the weir would not be classified as a dam yet would not hold back as much water as it does now. The DEC was pretty adamant that they would not approve of the Town building a less expensive dam if it did not meet state regulations. The Town lacks the $4 million needed to fix the dam. The DEC did not outright reject the idea of contributing their $1 million if the Town took ownership, but it remains an open question. Mention was made of applying for state grants and contacting State representatives as suggested funding sources. N Munkenbeck proposed engaging Cornell engineers to develop an innovative, cheaper design to meet DEC’s standards. C Schutt strongly suggested a public meeting be held to inform residents, gather their input, and potentially identify new funding or ideas. The Board agreed on the need for greater public awareness, as silence is never good. It was suggested that the Board really champion how to move forward. S Buck will ask other Town Board members at its next meeting if there are specific action items for the Conservation Board to undertake regarding the Dryden Lake Dam. Old Business: West Lake Rd CB 2025-07-29 Final 4 Nothing has changed in the West Lake Rd triangle, save for weeds growing. In conversation with the landowner a few weeks earlier, it was suggested to C Schutt that the Town fill in the wetland across the road (in Dryden Lake Park). Old Business: Zoning Rewrite It was noted that the Zoning Advisory Group did not meet in July and would not meet in August. Old Business: Outreach As the Board’s outreach coordinator, N Cator-Szymanski is leading the effort to establish a stronger social media presence so as to increase public engagement, encourage community participation, and educate residents about general conservation issues and the specific work of the Board. Given the choice of either creating a dedicated Conservation Board social media presence or funneling content through the existing general social media account, Board members stated their preference for a separate identity in order to be more visible as a Board and more relatable to people. Content can be cross-posted to the Town’s general account. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s website was suggested as a content resource, so as not to feel the need to constantly create new content. Posts should be super simple, with clickable links to trusted resources. N Cator-Szymanski has started drafting a logo to serve as the profile picture for the Board’s social media account. Board members recommended that the logo be simple (e.g., in two colors) and contain easily recognizable natural elements (e.g., a cattail). The Climate Smart Task Force (who have high school student involvement) and potentially the Varna Fire Department (who have college student involvement) were cited as possible groups with whom to collaborate. It was further put forth that the Board explore ways to qualify social media-promoted events for volunteer hours in order to attract younger participants (i.e., high school and college students). Old Business: Newsletter Submissions The deadline for newsletter submissions is approaching. A Clark will attempt to write something on milkweed diversity (as it is monarch butterfly season). An updated fundraising reminder for the von Engeln planting project in honor of Bob Beck (with a target date of October or November) will also be included. Other brainstormed ideas focused on local species, invasive species, native plants, and educational guides. There being no further business, on motion made by G Dodici, seconded by S Bissen, the meeting was adjourned at 8.16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Loren Sparling Deputy Town Clerk