HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2025-11-20 attTB 11-20-25
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 20, 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
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Director of Planning
*Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Board members and guests recited the
pledge of allegiance.
RESOLUTION #192 (2025) – APPROVE MINUTES
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of October 7,
9, 14, 16, 22, 2025.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PUBLIC HEARING
471 SNYDER HILL RD
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 6:05 p.m. R Burger explained this application
by T-Mobile is to put 8 antennas and 8 radios on an existing 100’ tower at 471 Snyder Hill
Road. Cullen Morgan, representing the applicant, explained they are installing their antennas
on a currently vacant tower. They will use the existing footprint and install their ground
equipment in the existing fenced compound. It will enhance existing coverage for T-Mobile
customers in the town. The tower height will not change.
The public hearing was left open at 6:23 p.m.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
The department report is available on the website. R Burger noted that the INHS project
at 5-9 Freese Road has been issued building permits and will be breaking ground for 54 new
dwelling units.
Cl Lamb noted there may be a bid for the rail trail bridge to consider for the next board
meeting. The bid opening is scheduled for December 4.
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DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Authorization for Dryden Fiber Executive Director – To help keep the project moving
along in a timely manner the board would like to authorize the executive director to execute
documents.
Resolution #193 (2025) - Authorize Dryden Fiber Executive Director to Execute
Documents and Agreements for Dryden Fiber
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Executive Director of Dryden
Fiber to execute all documents and agreements on behalf of the Town of Dryden dba Dryden
Fiber necessary to effectuate any Town Board approved projects or other authorized ac tions,
from the date of this resolution until such authority is rescinded, with the condition that the
Executive Director shall report all instances of his or her exercise of such authority to the Town
Board at its second monthly meeting subsequent to such exercise.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Caroline Hut Site Preparation – Bids have been received and reviewed for the shelter
site preparation for the Caroline Hut project for Dryden Fiber.
Resolution #194 (2025) - Award Shelter Site Preparation Contract for Dryden Fiber
Caroline Hut Project
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, four bids were received for the shelter site preparation for the Dryden Fiber
Caroline Hut project and were opened on November 19, 2025 and
Whereas, those bids were reviewed and evaluated by Vantage Point Solutions, who
provided the town with a recommendation dated November 20, 2025, now therefore, be it
Resolved, that this Town Board hereby awards the contract for the shelter site
preparation Dryden Fiber Caroline Hut Project to Cellsite Solutions, LLC for a total contract
value of $72,280.24 and authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the contract.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Introduction of Local Law to Regulate Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Facilities
The board has reviewed the draft local law (attached) and the resolution introducing it. The
board will declare itself lead agency and consider the environmental assessment form before
action on the law.
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RESOLUTION #195 (2025) – INTRODUCING A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW, SCHEDULING A
PUBLIC HEARING, AND DECLARING INTENT TO BE LEAD AGENCY
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, a local law entitled “A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 270 OF THE TOWN CODE
TO REGULATE DATA CENTERS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY FACILITIES” was presented to the
Town Board at this meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to hold a public hearing regarding the adoption of said local
law; and
WHEREAS, a Full Environmental Assessment Form (“FEAF”) has been prepared by the Town
Planner for review of this action, and the Town Board desires to address preliminary matters
concerning review of this action’s environmental significance;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board accepts the local law for introduction
as presently drafted; and be it further
RESOLVED, that a public hearing shall be held on December 18, 2025 at 6:05 p.m. or as soon
thereafter as may be heard by the Town Board regarding the local law’s adoption; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause public notice of said
hearing to be given as provided by law; and be it further
RESOLVED, that (1) the action’s preliminary classification is “Type I”; (2) the Town Board intends
to serve as lead agency with respect to environmental review and, in that capacity, will determine
if the proposed action will have a significant adverse impact on the environment; (3) a copy of
this resolution and the FEAF will be sent to involved and interested agencies as identified in the
FEAF; and (4) involved agencies shall be given an opportunity to challenge the Town Board’s lead
agency designation and to provide written comments on the FEAF; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately.
2nd Cl Dravis
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Supv Leifer closed the public hearing on a special use permit for a telecommunications
tower at 471 Snyder Hill Road at 6:22 p.m. and the board reviewed full environmental
assessment form for this project.
Draft Resolution #196 (2025) - Negative SEQR Declaration – Telecommunications
Equipment to be Located on Tower at 471 Snyder Hill Road, Tax Map Parcel 68.-1-5.
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. With the permission of the tower owner GTC Uno LLC, Centerline Communications/T -Mobile
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has applied to locate on a currently vacant tower eight (8) antenna, eight (8) radios, fiber
cables, hybrid cables, sector frames on the tower, and ground work including a 10 ft x 15 ft
concrete pad, ice canopy, two (2) cabinets, and cables for ground work ; and
B. Tower owner has remedied all specified deficiencies from a report issued by Allstate Tower
engineering firm in August 2025; and
C. Applicant has submitted a completed Full Environmental Assessment form; and
D. The proposed action is an Unlisted Action for which the Town Board of the Town of Dryden
is the lead agency for the purposes of uncoordinated environmental review in connection with
approval by the Town; and
E. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, in performing the lead agency function for its
independent and uncoordinated environmental review in accordance with Article 8 of SEQRA,
(i) thoroughly reviewed the Environmental Assessment Form (“EAF”), Part I and any and all
other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed action and its
environmental review, (ii) thoroughly analyzed the potential relevant areas of environmental
concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the
environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) completed the
EAF, Part 2.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, based upon (i) its thorough review of the EAF, Part I
and any and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed action
and its environmental review, (ii) its thorough review of the potenti al relevant areas of
environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse
impact on the environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) its
completion of the EAF, Part 2, including the reasons noted thereon (which reasons are
incorporated herein as if set forth at length), hereby makes a negative determination of
environmental significance (“Negative Declaration”) in accordance with SEQR for the above
referenced proposed action, and determines that an Environmental Impact Statement will not
be required; and
2. The Supervisor of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized and directed to complete and
sign as required the determination of significance, confirming the foregoing Negative
Declaration, which fully completed and signed EAF and determination of signific ance shall be
incorporated by reference in this Resolution.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #197 (2025) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
SITING OF EIGHT (8) ANTENNA, EIGHT (8) RADIOS, AND ASSOCIATED GROUNDWORK
AT 471 SNYDER HILL ROAD, TAX MAP PARCEL #68.-1-5.
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
A. RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopt the following Findings, Determination
and Conditions of Approval for the application of Centerline Communications/T -Mobile
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for a special use permit for eight (8) antenna, eight (8) radios, fiber cables, hybrid
cables, sector frames on the tower, and ground work including a 10 ft x 15 ft concrete
pad, ice canopy, two (2) cabinets, and cables for ground work for 471 Snyder Hill Road,
Tax Map Parcel #68.-1-5.
Background
Airian Eastman of the firm Centerline Communications/T-Mobile has submitted an
application, completed on September 24, 2025, on behalf of T-Mobile to co-locate T-Mobile
equipment on this existing telecommunications tower with associated groundwork at 471
Snyder Hill Road, Town of Dryden Tax Map Parcel #68.-1-5. Since the tower is not in current
use, this request has been changed to one for original location, requiring a
Telecommunications Special Use Permit.
Original tower owner American Community Cablevision was issued a one-year building permit
by the Town of Dryden on January 12, 1988, to build and extend a tower located on this parcel
owned by Margeret and Carl Sears. No further permits have been located. The tower and
environs were subsequently (date unknown) abandoned and all equipment removed.
Through a chain of purchases, GTC Uno, LLC purchased the entire parcel containing the
abandoned tower in January 2025 from EIP Holdings II LLC and contracted with Allstate Tower
Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group engineering firm to provide a report to the Town of Dryden on
its condition in September 2024. On August 19, 2025, Jason Peduto, representative of GTC
Uno LLC, submitted to the Town of Dryden a Project Close-Out report, created by Allstate
Tower Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group, dated August 9, 2025, confirm ing that all identified
deficiencies had been remedied. Therefore, GTC Uno, LLC was issued recertification to bring
the tower back into use for five years. (Town of Dryden Code requires that this recertification be
applied for every five years.)
Application materials submitted by Centerline/T-Mobile are comprised of: An application form;
a site plan with building specifications; a Full Environmental Assessment Form; tower owner
(GTC Uno, LLC) permission to place the equipment on the tower; a structural analysis report,
dated May 8, 2025; a Certificate of Liability Insurance; a Certificate of NYS Worker’s
Compensation Insurance Coverage; a Certificate of Insurance Coverage for NYS Disability and
Paid Family Leave Benefits; a letter from Centerline, acknowledging its responsibility to adhere
to Town Code requirements; and payment of a $1,000 fee.
These materials were reviewed by the Planning Department, detailed in a memo from Gina
Cassidy to the Town Board, dated September 23, 2025. A Town -contracted engineer has not
reviewed these submittals or those of GTC Uno LLC.
B. FINDINGS, DETERMINATION AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
In the matter of the Application of Centerline Communications/T -Mobile for a
Telecommunications Special Use Permit:
DETERMINATION
According to Town of Dryden Code §249.-8 Shared Use of Telecommunications Tower(s) (A)
Shared use of existing telecommunications towers shall be preferred by the Town, as opposed to
the proposed construction of new telecommunications towers . Therefore, the reuse of an existing
but currently vacant tower, as in this instance, is preferable to installing a new tower.
Environmental Review
The Tompkins County Department of Planning pursuant to its role under General Municipal
Law 239-1 and 239-m in a letter dated October 3, 2025, commented on the application,
determining that the project would have no significant county-wide or inter-community impact.
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The Town Board carefully reviewed the Full Environmental Assessment Form, including Part I
and has reviewed and completed Parts 2 and 3 of the EAF, and 1) determined that the project
would not have any significant adverse environmental impacts, 2) determined that an
environmental impact statement would not be required, and 3) made a negative determination
of environmental significance (Negative Declaration).
Based upon the record before it, the Town Board concludes and determines that upon the
following stated conditions, a Telecommunications Special Use permit granting the use of this
tower for the placement of telecommunications-related equipment by Centerline
Communications/T-Mobile is approved:
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval of this Telecommunications Special Use Permit include provisions
that:
1) The existing height of the Tower is not increased;
2) Centerline Communications/T-Mobile complies with Town of Dryden Code §249-12
Signage, by amending or replacing the current sign on the site to add the name(s) of the
…operator(s) of the antenna as well as emergency phone number…and… a sign displaying
the FCC registration number of the tower as required by law;
3) Centerline Communications/T-Mobile shall contact a Town of Dryden Building Code
Enforcement Officer to inspect and approve the intended siting of the concrete pad and
other ground equipment before placement;
4) If, at any time, the parcel, tower, or equipment were to transfer ownership or change
names, the holder of the Telecommunications Special Use Permit holder is to notify the
Town in writing as soon as the change has been confirmed;
5) If permit holder desires to exchange, add to, or remove equipment from the tower, the
Telecommunications Special Use Permit holder is to submit an application for
amendment of the Telecommunications Special Use Permit;
6) Centerline Communications/T-Mobile and its successors or assignees remain in
compliance with all Town of Dryden applicable codes, particularly those stated in §249;
7) Applicant and its successors or assignees observe the applicable Standard Conditions of
Approval, as amended August 14th, 2008.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
DRYDEN FIBER
Board members have received the October report. Executive Director Dave Makar said
October was a busy month with getting ready to bid out for work for the Caroline and greater
Dryden areas. Groundbreaking for Caroline was in October, and work began on the Freeville
extension zone in Dryden. There are 504 paying customers as of today. There are about 7000
potential customers possible in the town taking into consideration parcels with multiple
dwelling units. The project is currently accessing 1800 parcels. The goal is to have about a
70% take rate when the project is built out. Freeville work started on October 27 and will cover
about 900 parcels on named roads. Underground work has been completed on Meadow Drive
and Leisure Lane, and there are already 6 requests for service. The team is currently working
on Annee Lane and Walden Lane. The Freeville extension is expected to be completed between
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mid-February and mid-March. They will be bidding out work for the greater Dryden area, and
the bid will be awarded at a January town board meeting. They expect work to be completed in
2026. They will bid out the Caroline portion in January and begin work in February.
Work with the multiple dwelling units continues. Permission of the property owner is
needed to serve those in rental units. Those projects will be bid out individually.
The signed grant disbursement is expected soon from Empire State Development, and
once that is received the town will be able to submit a reimbursement in the amount of 1.9
million dollars.
The INHS project in Varna has chosen Dryden Fiber to provide broadband service for its
53 units. INHS will pay Dryden Fiber a flat fee for all units. If residents would like a higher tier
of service, they will have to arrange that directly with Dryden Fiber.
Danella and H Richardson & Sons (HRS) are the companies currently doing the make-
ready work. HRS also has a forestry division and people may see them doing some tree work.
People may also see Vantage vehicles in the area.
On October 27 there was a groundbreaking event in Caroline for the central office there.
It received a lot of media coverage, estimated to have reached about 500,000 people. There are
already over 100 people in Caroline signed up.
The marketing team would like to put an insert with the 2026 property tax bill s because
of its effectiveness last year. D Makar will get a draft to the board next week for consideration
at the next board meeting.
Public Meeting Room AV Quote – Three companies were contacted for a quote to
improve the audio-visual arrangement in the large meeting room. There was one response,
from Francis Audio-Visual, and that was higher than the board had anticipated. C Byrnes
pointed out that the size of the room presents some difficulties and there are components of
the quote that are optional. The board should also consider that multiple groups meet in the
room, and it should be a system that is easy for everyone to use. It was decided to contact at
least one of the original companies to see if they are willing to come out and provide a quote
and board members will reach out to other municipalities that have adequate systems as well
as individuals who may be familiar with our requirements.
ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES
Affordable & Workforce Housing – No action was taken at the meeting. There was a
conversation about the work being done by the Zoning Advisory Group and the RFP for HASIG
grant (with a due date of December 1). The Housing Committee will be recognized for its work
at the upcoming Town Gown Awards.
Conservation Board – The board has concerns about a conservation easement and has
suggestions on strengthening the language for future conservation easements. The Bob Beck
memorial tree planting was held November 8. The bench and plaque will be installed in the
spring. Discussion next month will include data centers and feedback on the potential zoning
law. There are concerns about animal control and welfare that have come up at other meetings
and a suggestion that the Dispute Resolution Center could be engaged to manage concerns
that are not town law.
Planning Board – The Zoning Advisory Group still meets and is starting to plan Phase 2
of the zoning law update. Phase 2 is basically about housing, and they had a session outlining
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the process. They are about one-third of the way through what they want to address in the
scope of Phase 2.
Climate Action Committee – They are beginning to plan a repair café for April.
Rail Trail Task Force – They went over details on the Route 13 bridge. They are hoping
to find a contractor and start construction as soon as possible. They are working on Phase 3 of
the trail and finding a design to complete the remaining section from Pinckney Road to
Freeville. The group is looking to apply for another TAP grant to fund Phase 3 in 2026. A lot of
great work is going on concerning the “NYSEG washout area” by the Cornell Engineering
Department and an innovative bridge is anticipated over that area.
Ag Committee - Did not meet this month.
Recreation & Youth Commission – They discussed the recent RFP award to CHA for
grant services.
TCCOG Update – Cl Lamb said he invited an expert on biosolids to a meeting who gave
a presentation. That resulted in unanimous consent from TCCOG to pass their resolution on
the matter on to the county legislature and the NYS legislature. The County acted and is
passing a local law to ban spreading of municipal sewage sludge.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Hilary Lambert said she attended tonight because she was interested in the data center
local law. She has been following what is going on in Lansing and is proud of Dryden for
seeing this coming and now working on a local law. She is grateful and feels Dryden exemplary
to a lot of other places.
Cl Lamb said Dryden was already updating the zoning and it was reasonable to address
crypto mining and data centers in the process.
An audience member asked about the rail trail and Cl Lamb explained how the trail
came to be and that when completed the trail will span the town.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
Final Draft November 2025
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TOWN OF DRYDEN LOCAL LAW NO. ___ OF THE YEAR 2025
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 270 OF THE TOWN CODE TO REGULATE
DATA CENTERS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY FACILITIES
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden as follows:
Section 1. Authority and Purpose
This Local Law is enacted pursuant to the authority and provisions of Section 10 of the Municipal
Home Rule Law of the State of New York and all other powers and authority vested in the Town
Board of the Town of Dryden to regulate and control land use and to protect the health, safety and
welfare of its residents.
It is the purpose of this Local Law to regulate data centers and cryptocurrency facilities, as herein
defined, to protect the order, conduct, safety health and well-being of the residents of the Town
who are faced with heightened risks associated with cryptocurrency facilities and data centers.
Section 2. Amendment of Section 270-3.2
Section 270-3.2, entitled “Definitions” is amended by adding the following in the appropriate
alphabetical locations of such section:
ACCESSORY DATA CENTER USE – A building, or structure, or partial use of a building or
structure, used to store, manage, process or transmit digital data for business uses, including
computers, network equipment, systems, servers, and other associated components related to the
digital data storage and operations that is secondary, subordinate and customarily incidental to and
located on the same lot as the principal use of a property. Such a use cannot dominate the property
or operate as an independent principal use.
DATA CENTER – An industrial use facility that is primarily used for the storage, management,
processing, and transmission of digital data, and which houses computer or network equipment,
systems, servers, appliances, and other associated components related to the digital data storage
and processing as a principal land use on a parcel. Equipment and accessories customary to data
centers including but not limited to air handlers, power generators, water cooling and storage
facilities, utility substations, and other associated utility infrastructure shall also be considered part
of a data center. Accessory structures or rooms that house equipment and staff to serve an on-site
business or office shall also be considered a data center.
CRYPTOCURRENCY – A digitally generated currency secured in a manner making it difficult
to counterfeit or double spend.
CRYPTOCURRENCY DATA MINE – A specific type of data center using a facility or use of
land, buildings, or structures where computing equipment is used to solve complex mathematical
algorithms in connection with verifying and adding transactions to a blockchain or other
distributed ledger, commonly known as cryptocurrency mining. For purposes of this law, a
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cryptocurrency data mining operation shall be considered a distinct land use, different from a “data
center” as defined in this section.
SENSITIVE RECEPTOR - Schools, preschools, day care centers, in-home daycares, health
facilities such as hospitals, long term care facilities, retirement and nursing homes, community
centers, places of worship, playgrounds, parks (excluding trails), campgrounds, dormitories, and
any residence where such residence is not located on a parcel with an existing industrial,
commercial, or unpermitted use.
UNREASONABLE NOISE - Any sound, which by reason of its volume, pitch, frequency,
duration, repetition, character of the area, or time of occurrence is excessive or unwanted or sound
that interferes with the normal use and enjoyment of property, and which annoys, disturbs, injures
or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of a reasonable person of normal
sensitivities, or which causes injury to animal life or damage to property or business. Unreasonable
noise includes, but it not limited to, continuous or tonal sounds, impulsive or intermittent noises,
and low-frequency vibrations. Unreasonable Noises are further regulated by Town of Dryden
§270-13 (Sound Performance Standards).
Section 2. Amendment of Section 270-5.2(C)(2)
Subsection (C)(2) of Section 270-5.2, entitled “Allowable Use Groups Chart” is amended to read
as follows:
In the LIO and MC Districts, any use that includes a structure larger than 20,000 square feet
requires a special use permit. In the LIO and LIO-A districts, data centers shall not exceed 5,000
square feet and shall not utilize more than 1 MW without a variance.
Section 3. Amendment of Section 270-5.2 Table
The Use Table within Section 270-5.2 shall be amended to include the following in the appropriate
alphabetical locations of such section:
and
Cryptocurrency
Data Mine (See
also §270-
District
with
SUP
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Section 4. Amendment of Section 270-6.1 Table
The Area and Bulk Table heading within Section 270-6.1 shall be amended to include a footnote
as follows:
(1) See §270-13.13 for area and bulk standards specifically related to Data Centers and
Cryptocurrency Data Mines.
Section 5. Amendment of Section 270-13.7(C)(2)
A new subparagraph (i) is added to the definition of “Industrial Use” within Subsection (C)(2) of
Section 270-5.2, entitled “Sound Performance Standards” as follows:
Any activity and its related premises, property, facilities or equipment involving the construction,
operation, repair and maintenance of Data Centers, Cryptocurrency Data Mines and Accessory
Data Center uses.
Section 5. Adoption of Section 270-13.13
Section 270-13.13 is hereby adopted and added as follows:
§270-13.13 Data Centers, Cryptocurrency Mines, and Accessory Data Center Use
A. Authority. This section is adopted pursuant to the powers granted by §261 and §263 of the
Town Law of the State of New York, which authorize the Town of Dryden to adopt zoning
provisions that advance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
B. Statement of Purpose. This section is adopted to advance and protect the public health,
safety, and welfare of the Town of Dryden. The purpose of regulating data centers,
cryptocurrency mines and accessory data center uses is to ensure that their location, design,
scale, and operations are compatible with the Town’s long-term goals, as expressed in the
Comprehensive Plan, community character, infrastructure capacity, and environmental
resources. The Town recognizes the benefits of data centers, cryptocurrency mines and
accessory data center uses, but also that they can be significant consumers of electricity
and water, place significant demand on local energy infrastructure, generate noise from
cooling and backup systems, and require substantial physical security and building
infrastructure. These local regulations are intended to:
(1) Protect infrastructure capacity by ensuring that electrical, water, and wastewater
systems can reliably meet the needs of these facilities without compromising service to
other users.
(2) Limit environmental impacts, heat discharge, stormwater runoff, and adverse effects
on air and water quality.
(3) Prevent nuisance conditions such as excessive noise, vibration, and light pollution that
could impact nearby residences, businesses, or agricultural operations.
(4) Preserve community character by requiring appropriate siting, design, and screening to
mitigate visual impacts and avoid incompatible land use conflicts.
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(5) Direct development to areas in Dryden away from prime agricultural lands, sensitive
environmental resources, and established residential neighborhoods and to areas that
do, or could, have the infrastructure to support data center uses.
C. Applicability. The requirements of this section shall apply to all data centers,
cryptocurrency mines, and accessory data center uses proposed for the Town of Dryden.
All data centers, cryptocurrency mines, and accessory data center uses as defined in §270-
3.2 shall require both Site Plan Review and approval pursuant to Article XI, and a Special
Use Permit review and approval pursuant to Article XII of the Town of Dryden Zoning
Code.
D. Design and Siting Standards. In addition to the Site Plan considerations (§270-11) and
Special Use standards (§270-12), the following design and siting standards shall be met by
all data centers, cryptocurrency mines, and accessory data center uses:
(1) Building Placement and Siting.
a) Data Centers, cryptocurrency mines and accessory data center uses that
visually approximate a commercial office building are encouraged.
b) No container storage structures such as but not limited to shipping
containers, shall be used to house a data center.
c) There shall be no blank, windowless wall facing any private or public
street.
d) All mechanical equipment shall be shown on any proposed site plan and
must be fully screened on all sides with a design, materials, details, and
treatment compatible with those used on the principal façade of the
building.
e) No ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be located in any
required front yard.
(2) Off-street Loading Areas. Loading bays are permitted to be located on only 1 façade
but shall not be located on the front façade.
(3) Area and Bulk Standards for Data Centers in the LIO and LIO-A Districts
a) Only one data center or cryptocurrency mine shall be allowed in each of
the town’s two LI districts.
b) The minimum required lot size shall be 2 acres.
c) The maximum height shall not exceed 35 feet.
d) The minimum road frontage shall be 150’.
e) All buildings and structures associated with data centers or
cryptocurrency mines shall maintain a minimum 100-foot setback from
all property lines.
(4) Parking. There shall be one parking space for each employee per shift. All other parking
requirements of §270-9.3 shall be met. All ADA requirements shall also be met.
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(5) Lighting. All exterior lighting, whether building mounted or pole mounted, shall be
designed and constructed with cutoff and fully shielded fixtures that direct light
downward and into the interior of the property and away from adjacent roads and
properties. No outdoor lighting used for the data center shall create light that exceeds
0.1 footcandle at any adjacent residential property, or 0.5 footcandle when adjacent to
any non-residential use. No light pole shall exceed 18’ in height. Except for safety
lighting, lighting for parking areas shall be automatically turned off by 10:00 pm. All
other lighting requirements pursuant to §270-9.11 shall be met.
(6) Fencing. If security fencing is provided, such fencing shall be effectively screened
using vegetation placed outside the fence and outside of the road right-of-way. Security
fencing shall not exceed ten feet in height. See also (8) below.
(7) Signage. All sign regulations of §270-9.4 shall be met except that data centers shall
have one building-mounted and one ground-mounted sign. There shall be a maximum
total sign area of 32 square feet. Additionally, a sign listing all 24-hour contact
information shall be provided on site in a location easily accessible to emergency
responders.
(8) Screening
a) Screening shall be required whenever a data center, cryptocurrency mine,
and accessory data center uses is adjacent to a residential use or a
residential zoning district. The Planning Board may waive the screening
when the data center is not adjacent to a residence or a residential district.
b) Use of existing vegetation for landscaping and screening is strongly
encouraged and may be substituted for new berms and plantings when
approved by the Planning Board.
c) When fencing has been provided, screening shall be a minimum depth of
8 feet of vegetation when the data center abuts residential properties or a
residential zoning district.
d) All fencing provided along road frontage shall be landscaped.
e) All requirements for landscape buffers pursuant to §270-9.10 and §270-
9.12 shall be met for data center, cryptocurrency mine and accessory data
center uses.
E. Performance Standards.
(1) Noise and Heat
a) An acoustical study prepared by a professional acoustical engineer shall
be required as part of the site plan and special use application that
demonstrates that the use, including all its components, will not create
unreasonable noise as defined in §270-13.7 and shall meet sound level
limits pursuant to 270-13.7 (D).
b) On property adjacent to existing residential development, or to a zoning
district permitting residential uses, all mechanical equipment associated
with data center, cryptocurrency mine, and accessory data center uses
located on the property, whether on a roof top, on the ground level, or
Final Draft November 2025
6
elsewhere on the exterior of the property, shall be fully screened on all
four sides by an acoustical barrier using methods including but not limited
to louvers, enclosures, fan selection and speed controls, use of restricted
generator testing hours, or changing equipment yard orientation.
c) The Planning Board and/or Town Board may require additional sound
mitigation if the acoustical study indicates potential impacts to sensitive
receptors, and when increases in ambient noise in excess of 3 dB are likely
to occur.
(2) Infrastructure (Water, Sewer, Electricity)
a) Electricity.
1. Verification. Prior to approval of a site plan and special use permit,
the application shall provide written verification from NYSEG to
prove adequate electrical capacity is available that it can safely
accommodate the proposed data center use, and that such use does
not adversely impact other electrical needs and users in the area. The
applicant shall further show that the use will not cause electrical
interference or fluctuations in line voltage on and off the premises.
2. Underground wiring shall be used to the maximum extent feasible.
3. Data centers, cryptocurrency mines, and accessory data center uses
may use dedicated fossil fuel generators for emergency power when
the public utility is not available, but not for normal use power.
b) Water.
1. Neither public water norprivate well water shall be used for direct
single pass or evaporative cooling to limit water usage requirements.
2. The applicant shall provide data showing adequate water capacity
for the facility. If no public water service is available, the applicant
shall conduct well pump tests to ensure that no adjacent wells are
adversely affected by the data center water use.
3. Any public water service area extension to provide water to a data
center shall be fully evaluated by the Planning Board and Town
Board for cumulative and growth inducing impacts.
4. Any public water service area extension, when approved, shall be
provided at the applicants cost.
c) Sewer. A data center, cryptocurrency mine, or accessory data center use
shall be connected to a sewer service area whenever such infrastructure is
present. When such facility is not located in a sewer service area, an on-
site wastewater system shall be provided that meets all local, County and
New York State Department of Health requirements for on-site
wastewater treatment.
d) All NYS Stormwater Pollution Prevention requirements shall be met
pursuant to the NY State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(SPDES). The New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual,
most up-to-date version shall be used in the design. In no circumstance
shall heated water be discharged into any wetland or waterway.
Final Draft November 2025
7
(3) Safety
a) An active, clean agent fire protection system shall be provided and
maintained in good working order within any structure which contains a
data center, cryptocurrency mine or an accessory data center use. High-
sensitivity smoke detectors shall be installed and operational in order to
activate this clean agent fire suppression system.
b) There shall be an emergency electricity termination switch installed
outside of any containment structure used as a data center, cryptocurrency
mine or an accessory data center uses.
c) Containment space. The equipment used in any data center,
cryptocurrency mine or an accessory data center uses shall be housed in
an individually metered, electrically grounded structure with a fire rating
designed to resist an internal electrical fire for at least 30 minutes. The
containment space shall contain baffles that will automatically close in the
event of fire independent of a possible electric system failure.
d) All building and site elements shall be designed by a New York State
licensed engineer and in accordance with all applicable codes and
standards.
e) An operations plan shall be submitted and approved by the Planning
Board and Town Board that provides a 24 hour emergency contact for the
facility.
f) The applicant shall coordinate with the Town of Dryden and local police
and fire departments to ensure there are adequate mechanisms in place for
contact with and for providing fence and building access to emergency
service providers. Where fencing is provided, a Knox Box shall be
required.
(4) Renewable Energy Expectations. To promote energy efficiency, data centers,
cryptocurrency mines, and accessory data center uses are encouraged to:
a) Use waste heat recovery for nearby uses.
b) Install continuous monitoring and reporting systems to track and publicly
disclose real-time energy use and efficiency metrics.
c) Identify and implement greenhouse gas offsets.
d) Use renewable energy such as on-site generation, power purchase
agreements, green energy sourcing, or co-location with renewable
projects.
F. Accessory Data Center Use. Accessory Data Center Uses shall be allowed as an accessory
use to any commercial use in the LIO, LIO-A Light Industrial/Office, and MC Districts.
All Accessory Data Center Uses shall be subject to review and approval with a Special Use
Permit (Article XII) and Site Plan Review (Article XI). All standards of this Section 270-
13.13 shall be met except that Accessory Data Center Uses shall have a maximum square
footage of 500 square feet.
Final Draft November 2025
8
G. Site Plan and Special Use Permit Application Requirements for Data Centers,
Cryptocurrency Mines and Accessory Data Center Uses. In addition to other submission
requirements of Article XI and XII, an application for such facilities shall also include the
following:
(1) A narrative description of the nature of the on-site activities and operations, including
the market area served by the facility, the hours of operation of the facility, the total
number of employees on each shift, the times, frequencies, and types of vehicle trips
generated, the types of materials stored and the duration period of storage of materials.
(2) A site plan of the property that indicates the location of proposed improvements, flood
plains, wetlands, streams, and cultural and historic resources on the property and within
500 feet of the boundaries of the property.
(3) Data that clearly articulates water needs, use, availability, recycling and/or release
procedures, and local and regional impacts on water resources.
(4) Data that clearly articulates electrical needs and sources.
(5) An evaluation of the potential impacts of the proposed use, both positive and negative,
upon:
a) Emergency services and fire protection,
b) Sewage disposal
c) Solid waste disposal
(6) A narrative description of any environmental impacts that are likely to be generated
(e.g., odor, noise, smoke, dust, trash, glare, heat islands, vibration, electrical
disturbance, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, etc.) and specific measures employed
to mitigate or eliminate any negative impacts. The applicant shall further furnish
evidence that the impacts generated by the proposed use fall within acceptable levels,
as regulated by applicable laws and ordinances.
(7) The Planning Board or Town Board may require submission of a decommissioning
plan to address infrastructure created for the data center.
Section 6. Severability
If any provision of this law is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity
shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. Effective Date
This law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the New York State Department of State.
DRYDEN FIBER
MONTHLY REPORT
for October 2025
TOWN OF DRYDEN BROADBAND COMMITTEE MEETING on Nov. 7, 2025
And
DRYDEN TOWN BOARD on Oct. 20, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY –11/7/2025
▪We have 487 paying customers (+11 in October);We had 98 in-bound requests
o Monthly Revenue (October 2025): $26,620
▪We added 0 new parcels,we remain at 1,815 parcels (30.9% of the Town of Dryden)
▪Freeville Extension RFP has been awarded (Sept. 18), work started Oct. 27
o 900+ new parcels; 25+ miles of fiber; 60 business day build plan estimated
▪Empire State Development (ESD) Board approved increase to project: $11.6M of a
$12.6M expansion will be paid by the state (reimbursable)
▪Network Audit is 50%+ complete: Assessment and Documentation of Network
▪Account Management and Inventory Findings:
o 147 inbound records were open / no visible status; working to follow -up close these
o Inventory management had many gaps: we've done a physical inventory and are working to
align what we have with what we need for construction and installs
MIP Scoreboard –November 2025
As of November 1, 2025
Months to go:
5.1
----------
147
(3.4%)
MIP Miles Completed*
258
----------
2,711
(9.5%)
# of Parcels Reached
4
----------
470
(0.9%)
# of Unserved Reached
1
----------
74
(1.4%)
# of Underserved Reached
53
----------
400
(13.3%)
# of MIP Installs
14
--------
30
(47%)
MIP Scoreboard – November 2025
As of November 1, 2025
405
DAYS TO GO
(13 months, 1 weeks)
141.9 miles to build
Municipal Infrastructure Program Grant must be completed by 12/31/26
Goals for 2025
▪As of 11/1/25, we have 487
customers live on the platform
▪Current estimates:
o 10 more each month 2025
(Nov-Dec)
o 507 total by 12/31/25
(510 lower than initial goal)
▪Note:Demand is speeding
up: 1,564 sign-ups on the
online form: 644+ are not yet
in green zone
Month Projected
New
Goal
Totals
Actual
New
Actual
Totals Diff
December 65 240 65 240 0
January 62 302 54 294 -8
February 65 367 42 336 -31
March 65 432 28 364 -6
April 65 497 22 383 -114
May 65 562 22 402 -157
June 65 627 30 432 -195
July 65 692 20 452 -240
August 65 757 +20 472 -285
September 65 822 +8 476 -346
October 65 887 +11 487 -400
November 65 952
December 65 1017
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): 147
Total Locations Served:2,711
ConnectALL Grant Amount: $ 11,641,537.00
Local Contribution: $ 906,321.00
Total Project Investment: $ 12,547,858.00
MIP SUMMARY – 11/7/2025
▪The Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) Updates:
o Sept. 18, 2025, 9:30am -Empire State Development (ESD) board met and approved the expansion of our grant from
$8.9M to $11.6M
o October 2025 – TBD Date: October ESD Public Hearing
o October 15, 2025, 2pm -Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) Hearing
o Wait: 3-4 weeks for billable amount of public hearings (< $500)
o November 5 to 12 – Dryden Town Supervisor signs Grant Disbursement Agreement
o Upon GDA receipt, we can sign, and submit our first reimbursement request, which we estimate to be around $2M in
project expenses from June 16, 2024 through August 31, 2025. We expect to receive this payment in early Q1 2026.
▪Caroline Central Office construction begins next week
o Gravel, pad, conduit pipes for utilities
o Bids opened September 5 for construction of Hut at Caroline Town Hall
o Groundbreaking in Caroline slated for October 27, 2025 at 12:30pm (awaiting governor confirmation)
▪Permits and Contractors for Electrical Make Ready Are moving forward
o We've awarded 20 bids for electrical make ready (moving attachments on poles, replacing poles)
o H. Richardson & Sons (HRS) reported on 9.4.25 that they will have 7 crews working on the project at once
Construction Status Report
New Process:
1.Step 1: Design Book to winning bidder for all
construction and splicing
2.Step 2: Construction Partner builds (constructs)
3.Step 3: Construction Partner splices
4.Step 4: Construction Partner documents changes
from the field (As Built)
5.Step 5: Engineering Firm updates files as needed
(final accurate digital representation of what has
been constructed and spliced)
6.Step 6: Engineering Firm shares information with
installation partners (ready for installs)
*Splicing can be subcontracted out if the construction
partner chooses to do so.
Project 1
Dryden-
MIP-North
Project 2
Dryden-
MIP-South
Project 3
Caroline-
MIP-
West
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Steps and Statuses:
1.Green - Started / On-Going
2.Yellow - Delayed
3.Red - Stopped
4.Blue - Not Yet Started
5.Black - Completed
Team Reports
▪Customer Base – Amanda, Town of Dryden Director of Finance and Personnel
▪Finance – Amanda,Town of Dryden Director of Finance and Personnel
▪Customer Service - Netegrity
▪Sales Operations –
▪Installations – Clarity Connect, Netegrity, Exec. Dir. Dave Makar
▪Inventory Management - Exec. Dir. Dave Makar
▪Marketing – Exec. Dir. Dave Makar
▪Construction Permitting Updates – Vantage
▪Construction Implementation Updates – Vantage
▪Facilities and Grounds - Department of Public Works
▪Network Operations - Netegrity
▪HR, Admin, and Insurance – Dave Makar, Amanda Anderson
▪Legal and Policy – Dave Makar
Customer Base
As of November 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 366 16,470 +10 / - 4
Gold ($75)700 Mbps 60 4,500 4
Platinum ($90)1 Gbps 40 3,600 + 1 / -1
Total Residential Customers 466 24,570 10 52.73
Commerical
Standard ($75)500 Mbps 16 1,200 1
Preferred ($150)1 Gbps 4 600
Enhanced ($250)2 Gbps 1 250
Total Commerical Customers 21 2,050 1 97.62
Total of ALL Customers 487 26,620 54.66
Financial Reporting
as of October 31, 2025
Revenue and Expenses Balance Sheet
Oct-25 2025 to date 2021 to 2024 10/31/2025
Revenue Assets
Customer Subscriptions 26,360.00 215,598.00 62,500.45 Cash -
Grants and ARPA funds 624,614.00 1,278,067.17 Accounts Receivable 905.50
Other Revenue Sources 40,000.00 44,758.48 233,326.49 Grants Receivable - MIP 1,574,168.60
Total 66,360.00 884,970.48 1,340,567.62 Total Assets 1,575,074.10
Expenses
Construction 220,548.72 3,534,513.13 8,710,189.87 Liabilities
Installation 11,274.40 298,908.42 687,482.12 Accounts Payable (est)450,000.00
Operations 27,658.48 238,115.00 306,365.23 BAN 9,460,000.00
Total 259,481.60 4,071,536.55 9,704,037.21 Loan from Town 1,733,695.13
Total Liabilities 11,643,695.13
Customer Service
As of November 1st, 2025 (billing date is 1st of month)
Helpdesk Call Report October 2025
•Bandwidth Complaint (Speed Concerns)
•1
•Billing Related Call
•7
•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)
•20
•Outage
•1
•Install Orders / Create Service
•15
•Router Issue
•4
•PC / Laptop Issue
•0
•Sporadic Connection
•4
•Streaming Related Issue
•0
•User Error / Education
•10
•Wireless
•8
Tickets: 73 Customers: 487 June: 83/402 July: 90/402 Aug: 93/451
Sept: 84/476
Ticket / Customer Ratio: 15%June: 21% July: 21% Aug: 21% Sept:
18%
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
Installations
As of November 1, 2025 (billing date is 1st of month)
▪October 2025 Install Summary
o Number of installations completed this month: 11
o Number of installations scheduled (as of November 1st): 7!
o Installation blockers / questions:
▪Construction pause leads to installation slow down (early adopters propel growth)
▪MDU work requires substantial information and engineering planning:
▪Getting enough fiber to the location (having enough fiber to reach 100% of tenants)
▪Determining how to get fiber from the property line to the units (mobile homes)
▪Determining how to get fiber from the building to the individual units (apartment buildings)
Sales Operations – MDUs – Mobile Home Parks -As of: November 1, 2025
Current
Task
Owner
MDU Name
And Zone (Green,
Yellow, Orange:
Could be)
Initial
Property
Owner
Outreach
Property
Owner
Paperwork
signed
Engineering
Design
Complete
Eng. Plan
approved by
property
owner
Construction
Scheduled
Construction
Completed
Residents
Notified
Unit
Count
Notes
Dryden
Fiber /
Mktg
Ithaca Estates Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 14 / 74 Needs additional
marketing (signage, door
hangers)
Dave Shady Grove
MHP (Pinckney)
Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 / 17 We have asked them to
sign the property owner
paperwork
Dave Mott Road Mobile
Home Park
Yes Yes Yes No No No No 24 Reggie sent diagrams
and we need engineering
Brad /
VPS
Fall Creek Parke
(Etna)
Yes Yes DRAFTING No No No No 38 Karel Westerling's
property; poles needed
Brad /
VPS
Little Creek MHP
(North Road)
Yes Yes;
however new
signature
needed
No No No No No 100 Poles likely needed
Dave County Acres MHP
(McLean); Vista
Management (Fall
Creek Rd./Rt. 366)
Yes No No No No No No 102 Poles potentially
needed but there are no
poles on site at this
time
Dave Pleasant View
(Southworth Rd.)
No No No No No No No 50 Poles potentially
needed again no poles
on site atb this time
Dave Country Manor
Estates (Wood Rd.)
Yes No No No No No No 14 Karel Westerling's
property; Unknown need;
yellow zone
Dave Hanshaw Village
(Hanshaw Road)
Yes No; needs
engineering
review first
No No No No No 149 This is now owned by the
same group as Little
Creek and they want to
see a plan before signing
Brad /
VPS
Cook Street
(Freeville)
Yes No No No No No No 12+Poles potentially needed
Dave Hillside Acres*Yes No No No No No No 150+*Low priority, due to not
likely to be built to until
2027 (Poles potentially
needed)
Sales Operations – MDUs – Apartments -As of: November 1, 2025
Current
Task
Owner
MDU Name Initial
Property
Owner
Outreach
Property
Owner
Paperwork
signed
Engineering
Design
Complete
Eng. Plan
approved
by property
owner
Construction
Scheduled
Construction
Completed
Residents
Notified
Unit
Count
Notes
Brad / VPS 1062 Dryden Rd.
Apts. (Varna)
Yes No Yes Meeting
Scheduled
No No No 21 VPS to make plan
Owner: Wawak
Brad / VPS 12-14-16 Lake
Street (Dryden
Village)
Yes No Drafting No No No No 20 VPS to make plan
Brad / VPS Willow Brook
Apartments
Yes No No No No No No 50 VPS to make plan
Brad / VPS Dryden Village 4
Corners
( Some )No No No No No No 35+Splitting into 9 projects
Dave 194 Lower
Creek Road
(Apartments)
Yes No No No No No No 28 Tim Foote, lives at 190
Lower Creek Road
Not yet in green
Dave Creekwood
Apartments at
200 Lower
Creek Rd.
No No No No No No No 20-40 Not yet in green
Dave Freeville
Cottages
Yes No No No No No No 12 Main Street Freeville;
owned by Bruno Schickel
In Green zone
Brad / VPS George Junior
Republic
Yes N/A (no
tenants)
Yes No No No No 1 Requested service July
2024
Dave 1279 Dryden
Road (Wawak)
607.533.8888
Yes No No, TBD N/A No No No No 18 New Construction, need
to design to utility room
and to apartments
Dave 1 Etna Lane Yes No No No No No No 8+Owner is Mark Golfarb
and he would like to meet
to discuss a plan
Marketing: Inbound Requests; Website
As of November 1st, 2025 (billing date is 1st of month)
9/1/23 6/1/24 9/1/24 12/1/24 3/1/25 6/1/25 7/1/25 8/1/25 9/1/25 10/1/25 11/1/25
Total Under
Contract
22 44 (+12)
Mar-
May
91 (+47)
Jun-Aug
180 (+89)
Sept.-
Nov.
336
(+156)
Dec.-
Feb.
402
(+22,-3)
May
432
(+30)
June
452
(+20)
July
472
(+20)
August
476
(+8)
Sept
487
(+11)
October
Requests
(since 1/1/23)
174
(+11)
429
(+66)
638
(+209)
875
(+237)
1217
(+332)
1314
(+22)
1345
(+31)
1395
(+50)
1430
(+35)
1455
(+23)
1553
(+98)
Available 38 87 172 (+85)292 (+120)425
(+133)
500 (+17)517 (+17)535 (+18)563
(+28)
574
(+11)
595
(+21)
Not Available 136 342 466 579 792 815 828 860*550*567*644*
Serviceable Live 76.3%51%
(44/87)
53%
(91/172)
62%
(180/292)
79%
336 / 425
80%
402/500
83.5%
432/517
84.4%
452/535
83.8%
472/563
83%
476/574
82%
487/595
Website Visits 8/25-9/7 5/1-5/31 8/1-31 9/1-30 Feb. '25 May '25 June '25 July '25 Aug. '25 Sep. '25 Oct. '25
Users 226 516 661 713 866 503 579 1.1K 494 538 1.4K
New Users 211 471 567 619 760 418 498 1.1K 418 464 1.3K
Sessions 324 739 1104 1110 1323 884 959 1,497 837 902 1,859
Engagement
(secs.)
0m 46s 58 s 1m 13s 1m 10s 1m 14s 1m 30s 1m 10s 3m 27s 1m 31s 1m 01s 42s
Caroline Groundbreaking
Re: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Dryden Fiber Expansion in the Town of Caroline
On behalf of the Dryden Fiber project and our expansion to the town of Caroline, we are excited to invite you to our
groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 12:30pm at the Caroline Town Hall (2670 Slaterville Rd.,
Slaterville Springs, NY).
We cordially invite you to join us as we break ground on the next phase of community -owned broadband in our region. This
historic event marks a milestone in bringing reliable, affordable, high -speed internet access to more of our neighbors.
Event Details
▪Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
▪Time: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
▪Location: Caroline Town Hall, 2670 Slaterville Rd, Slaterville Springs, NY 14881
▪Dress Code: Business casual / outdoor-appropriate attire (event will be held outdoors on a construction site; sturdy
shoes recommended).
▪Format: Standing event with limited seating available for dignitaries and guests requiring accommodation.
Video and Photography Shared
Tompkins County
Caroline Groundbreaking Tiger Team
Team: Dave Makar, Mark
Witmer,Cassie Byrnes
Guest Speakers:
▪Execute director Dave Makar
▪Town supervisor Jason Leifer
▪Town supervisor Mark Witmer
▪Rose Olsen, Governor Kathy Hochul's
regional representative
Name Organization
Governor Kathy Hochul*New York State
Chuck Schumer*US Senate
Anna Kelles*NY State Assembly
Josh Breitbart*Connect All Office / ESD
Dryden Town Board
Town of Dryden
Dan Lamb, Ray Burger, Cassie
Byrnes
Caroline Town Board
Town of Caroline
Tim Murray
Kate Kelley-Mackenzie
Michelle Brown
Jonathan Bates
Dryden Broadband Committee
Town of Dryden
Tony Salerno
Graham Dobson
Marketing
As of August 1st, 2025
▪We want to hyper engage our customer base via an email blast, we now have 472+ customers
and potentially 1300 more (in the green zone)
▪Topics:
o Sign-up for Automatic Billing
▪Goal <1% with non-autopay
o “Refer a neighbor and both of you get $25 off your next bill.”
▪Goal: Tap into the 1300+ locations in the green zone
o Post a sign in your yard
▪Goal: Tap into the 1300+ locations in the green zone
o Remind Customers about 24/7/365 Customer Service
▪Goal: Make sure 100% of our customer base is happy and able to use the service as they desire
▪Goal: "Are you 100% happy with every aspect of your Dryden Fiber experience?"
▪We have the best customer service for internet service providers in Dryden
▪Please make use of our customer support team for all things Dryden Fiber related
▪Sent: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Marketing
As of August 1st, 2025
▪Request 2: Refer a friend
o “Refer a neighbor and both of you get $25 off your next bill.”
▪If they sign-up and enter your name in the request service form; and get installed
by December 31: we'll give you a $25 credit off your next bill for each person who
signs up and mentions your name
▪New customers can only attribute referral to a single existing customer
▪New customer requests only (within the 9.5.25 service areas)
o Update to Request Service form during campaign (ending 12/31/25)
o Update first invoice process to give credits when a name in the "referral name"
matches an existing customer during setup between 9/15 and 12/31/25
Marketing
As of August 1st, 2025
▪Request 1:Sign-up for Automatic Billing: Goal <1% with non -autopay
o 5.7% (27 customers) do not have automatic billing setup (through our portal)
o Why we recommend autopay:
▪Operational Efficiency: less manual work with opening, logging, depositing checks; fewer errors;
reliability outside of USPS
▪Financially: predictable cash flow; reduced late payments (and collections); lower fees (bounced
checks)
▪Customer Benefits: Convenience (no need to remember due dates, stamps, trips to mailbox);peace
of mind (no accidental missing of payments);Digital records (easier to track online)
▪Strategic Value for Dryden Fiber: modern, digital first, scalability (5,000 customer goal), free staff time
▪“Sign up for autopay and be entered into a drawing for a free month of service.”
▪New and existing customers are included
▪Setup autopay by October 20th
▪Goal: Increase automatic billing to 99%+
Engineering Updates
▪Electric Make Ready Update
▪Outage Concerns
▪25 KVA Transformers
▪Construction Update
▪UG Construction Commenced
▪Aerial / Splicing Work Update
▪Design Update
▪Light Audit -> Clarity Connect
▪Caroline Hut
▪Civil Bids
▪MDU Project Update
HR, Admin, and Insurance
November 2025
▪Insurance
▪Insurance policy has been ordered! The coverage will include coverage for property, inventory, cyber security for
specific ISP risks, umbrella, and flood insurance. Many of thises coverages are required for the MIP grant
agreement.
Human Resources
▪Amanda and Dave are starting to work on a new job description for an account manager position. The Account
Manager will be the primary relationship builder between Dryden Fiber and our residential, business, and
institutional customers. This role combines customer engagement, sales, and community outreach to drive
adoption of our services, strengthen customer satisfaction, and ensure Dryden Fiber continues to deliver
measurable value to the Town of Dryden and surrounding communities.
▪Drafting Subcontractor Role for Sales Rep based on last month's job activities and compensation
Legal Update – October 2025
o Construction
▪Contract Bid Document for Major Projects pieces (from Vantage) -70 page document – Approved for
use
▪Master Service Agreement (MSA) with an electrical make ready (EMR) provider – Approved by Town
Board
▪This will make it possible to use them for any and all future EMR bids they win
▪Auditors for MIP Project financials – Approved by Town Board (Aug. '25)
▪Caroline Hut Construction Bid – Bid awarded, approved by town board (Sept. 11, '25)
▪Audit of Network Bid Process and Contract – Approved by Town Board (Sep. '25)
▪Empire Access Overlash Agreement (6 miles of fiber) – Ready for Empire Access
▪Empire Access Reciprocal Agreement (EMR moves) – Exec. Dir. Reviewing
Operations
▪DigSafe Monitoring Contract and TBD on bid requirements – with Vendor
▪Point Broadband IRU (Indefeasible Rights of Use) - 10 year lease – Approved by Town Board (Aug. '25)
▪Dryden – Caroline IMA (Intermunicipal Agreement) for project – Exec. Dir. Drafting Edits
▪Networking Maintenance and Repair Agreement and Bid Process – with Broadband Attorney
▪Easement for Hillside Drive connecting Ringwood to Phantom Drive – with Property Owner
Discussion Topics
October 2025
▪Map Updates
▪We have an updated map for review for the website
▪Signs
▪Ciena, Calix, and AdTran
▪Ciena is moving from FTTH to AI
▪Calix has a proposal
▪Stronger single unit WiFi devices, Focus on FTTH improvements. Widely Accepted
▪AdTran – We have hardware pricing, waiting on services pricing
▪Plume and Calix
▪Single Plume Pods are "ok", but meant for mesh networks
▪Plume has 140 other devices that work with their cloud services
Discussion Topics
New Map - November 2025
▪https://www.drydenfiber.com/dryden-fiber-service-areas
Discussion Topics
New Signs - November 2025
Sales Activation / Call-to-Action
Used where service is newly available or expanding:
▪“Now Available on Your Road!”
▪“Fiber Internet Now in Your Neighborhood!”
▪“Construction Complete — Sign Up Today!”
▪“Fast. Local. Live.”
Customer / Social Proof
▪Used at homes or businesses already connected:
▪“Another Happy Customer of Dryden Fiber”
▪“Proudly Powered by Dryden Fiber”
▪“Connected to Community-Owned Fiber”
▪“This Home Runs on Dryden Fiber”
▪“Locally Owned. Locally Connected.”
Community / Awareness
▪“Brought to You by the Town of Dryden”
▪“Your Community-Owned Internet Provider”
▪“Built for Dryden, by Dryden”
▪“Keeping Our Community Connected”
▪“Publicly Owned. Locally Controlled.”
Discussion Topics
Ciena: Switch/Route and ONU - November 2025
On September 4, fiber industry news publication Fierce Network published the following article about the
change in direction of Ciena from broadband to AI. This is a substantial change in the direction
of Ciena and is all the more reason to make a change. We are currently reviewing Calix as a primary
provider for our fiber to the home (FTTH) services, including wifi devices, ONUs, and switches in the
POPs.
The Problems:
▪Ciena is moving away from the FTTH networking
▪The Freeville POP is out of ports, which will limit expansion (splicing new build into network)
The Options:
▪Ciena, still offering licensing and hardware
▪Calix,widely adopted, available and affordable comparably
▪AdTran, Also widely adopted,affordable, TBD on availability
d
Discussion Topics
Calix
Discussion Topics
Calix
Discussion Topics
Calix
Discussion Topics
Calix v. Adtran
Discussion Topics
Plume Wifi Devices - November 2025
We use Plume for included WiFi
▪We have a licensing deal
▪We use Plume Pods
▪Here's what we've learned
o 140 options
o Mesh network
o Cloud services rate ($.90)
▪Testing to Come with alternative devices
APPENDIX A
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
Financial Reporting
Review of Construction Costs from beginning of project
Subcontractors (Syr. Util., Lghtspd, etc.), 50%Equipment Purchases, 28%
Professional Fees (Leg.,
Eng., etc.), 13%
Permit and Pole
Applications, 5%
Loan
interest,
2%
Misc
Constru
ction
Exp, 1%
Construction Costs 1/1/21 to 12/31/24
Subcontractors (Syr. Util., Lghtspd, etc.)
Equipment Purchases
Professional Fees (Leg., Eng., etc.)
Permit and Pole Applications
Loan interest
Misc Construction Exp
Permitting Steps
1.Final Design Edits = Survey has occurred and Prelim in is design edits
2.Prelim Sent = Sent to Engineering Firm (VPS) to review/approve and then to NYSEG/Frontier to review
3.Final NYSEG Design Sent = NYSEG reviewing final design before sending the Final Make Ready Package
4.Telco Recon = Telco Review prelim design
5.Frontier Billing Outstanding = Frontier awaiting payment to proceed
6.RFB = Request for Bid sent to contractors
7.MR Construction = Make Ready Contruction - Moves are in progress
Other Statuses (from slide 8):
▪Attached – definition...
▪Elec make-ready in process – definition...
▪Telco make-ready in process – definition...
▪Final ELEC Design Input – definition...
▪Avant Grid is NYSEG
Permitting Map Colors
1.Green = Conditional license to attach
2.Yellow = non-billable quote approved, quotes back from electrician sub-
contractors (i.e. HRS, Davella), when NYSEG gives ok, this moves to Green
3.Red = Design submitted to joint pole owner
4.Orange = make ready work package approved, heading to bid
5.Pink = out for make ready construction
6.Purple = design input (LaBella)