HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2026-02-12 att TB 2-12-26
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 12, 2026
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: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper
Ray Burger, Planning Director
*Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
Financials & Human Resources
RESOLUTION #48 (2026) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #2
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #2, as audited, general
vouchers #50 through #163 ($2,408,890.75), CDBG voucher #11 in the amount of
$221,956.69, and TA vouchers #6 through #11 ($90,281.21), totaling $2,721,128.65.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #49 (2026) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Cl Buck offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the attached budget modifications
for the 2025 fiscal year.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #50 (2026) – AUTHORIZE SIGNERS ON BANK ACCOUNTS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints and authorizes the following
individuals as signers on the Money Market and Recreation bank accounts at The First
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National Bank of Dryden: Jason Leifer, Bambi L. Avery, Allison Kjellander -Cantu, and Loren
Sparling.
2nd Cl Dravis
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
Highway Superintendent R Young has shared the proposed Snow and Ice Agreement
with Tompkins County for a term ending September 30, 2028. Under this agreement the town
and county swap roads for plowing purposes, and the town typically makes some money in the
process.
RESOLUTION #51 (2026) - APPROVE SNOW & ICE AGREEMENT
Cl Dravis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Snow & Ice Agreement with
Tompkins County for a term ending September 30, 2028.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Discussion/Action Items
Genung Road Bridge – The total cost of this replacement project has increased to
$1,721,450.00. $1,381,000 will be eligible for BridgeNY grant funds and the balance will be
funded by the town and county.
Resolution #52 (2026) - Update Genung Road Bridge Project Authorization
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town of Dryden approved the replacement of the Genung Road Bridge
(PIN 3756.95) in 2022, Resolution #146
Whereas, since the passing of the resolution, the updated design and construction
project budget has increased to $1,721,450. $1,381,000 will be eligible for Bridge NY grant
funds and the remaining will be town and county funded,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign
the new Supplemental Agreement with NYS DOT.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
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Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Streambank Stabilization Change Order – A change order has been presented that
provides for additional work to be done on the project with funds that are still available from
the grant award.
Resolution #53 (2026) - Streambank Stabilization Change Order Authorization
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town of Dryden awarded the contract to JB’s Excavation for work related
to the Streambank Stabilization Grant July 10, 2025, Resolution #115
Whereas, there were changes to the original contract. Also, there was additional work
that can be completed to finish the project and there are funds still available in the grant,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign
Change Order #1 for the Knollwood Dr Streambank Stabilization with an overall increase of
$172,360.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Caroline Hut Change Order – Due to changes in a provider and the scope of work, a
change order is necessary and has been prepared for this project.
Resolution #54 (2026) - Electrical Work for Caroline Hut Change Order Authorization
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town of Dryden awarded the contract to B&H Electrical Contractors for work
related to the electrical work for the Dryden Fiber Caroline Hut Project October 16, 2025,
Resolution #169
Whereas, due to necessary changes in the scope of work, there has been a change in the total
cost of the project,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Town Board authorizes the Dryden Fiber Executive Director,
David Makar, to sign Change Order #1 for the electrical contract with B&H Electrical
Contractors with an overall increase of $8,900.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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Danella Task Authorization – This resolution is for electrical make ready work for
parts of Dryden that were left off the original plan as well as Caroline’s MIP project.
Resolution #55 (2026) - Approve Danella Task Authorization for Dryden Fiber
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, Danella Power Services Inc had the lowest bid for billable work for multiple
Dryden Fiber pole permits:
DRY031
CAR004_CAOMIP
Therefore, be it resolved that the Town Board authorizes the Dryden Fiber Executive
Director, David Makar, to sign the task authorizations related to these permits.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Dryden Fiber Materials Purchase – This order is to have materials on hand in advance
of installations later this year.
Resolution #56 (2026) - Approve Purchase of Materials for Dryden Fiber
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, materials are needed for the construction materials for the Dryden Fiber
network.
Whereas, specific quotes are funded by the ConnectALL grant and the remaining is
funded with Town BAN Funds,
Whereas, there are two separate quotes for the materials:
Date Quote # Project name Amount
2/10/26 2001568032 Dryden Drop Cables 35,441.10
2/11/26 2001575308 Caroline Drop Cables 35,441.10
Total 70,882.20
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves the purchase of a variety of materials
from Graybar for a total of $70,882.20 as listed in quotes above.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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Dryden Fiber Hardware – D Makar explained that for over 80% of the total build they
are moving from 6M to 10M fiber strand. This is better for winds, heavy rain and ice and snow.
It is a higher gauge wire and requires special hardware to attach to the poles.
Resolution #57 (2026) - Approve Purchase of Materials for Dryden Fiber
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, materials are needed for the construction materials for the Dryden Fiber
network.
Whereas, specific quotes are funded by the ConnectALL grant and the remaining is
funded with Town BAN Funds,
Whereas, there are five separate quotes for the materials:
Date Quote # Project name Amount
2/6/26 2001550886 Freeville MIP 5/16”
Hardware
7,728.75
2/6/26 2001550938 Freeville Non-MIP 5/16”
Hardware
22,092.50
2/6/26 2001551225 Greater Dryden MIP
5/16” Hardware
48,418.75
2/9/26 2001552416 Greater Dryden Non-MIP
5/16” Hardware
64,415.00
2/6/26 2001550148 Caroline 5/16” Hardware 64,360.00
Total 207,015.00
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves the purchase of a variety of materials
from Graybar for a total of $207,015.00 as listed in quotes above.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Dryden Fiber Purchase – D Makar explained they are converting the three POPs and
the central office from AC power to DC power to accommodate the move to Calix equipment.
Resolution #58 (2026) - Approve Purchase of Materials for Dryden Fiber
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, materials are needed for the construction materials for the Dryden Fiber
network.
Whereas, specific quotes are funded by the ConnectALL grant and the remaining is
funded with Town BAN Funds,
Whereas, there are four separate quotes for the materials:
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Date Quote # Project name Amount
2/10/26 2001571313 Dryden CO - DC &
Battery Plant
14,481.40
2/10/26 2001568933 Freeville Cabinet – DC &
Battery Plant
3,590.35
2/10/26 2001570743 Pinckney Cabinet – DC &
Battery Plant
6,241.30
2/10/26 2001571203 Yellow Barn Cabinet –
DC & Battery Plant
6,241.30
Total 30,554.35
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves the purchase of a variety of materials
from Graybar for a total of $30,554.35 as listed in quotes above.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Award Contract for Caroline MIP Construction – Four bids were received and
reviewed for this construction project. The bids were very competitive, and Vantage Point
Solutions has recommended that the award be made to Syracuse Utilities. Syracuse Utilities
has done 100% of the construction for the entire fiber project so far.
Resolution #59 (2026) - Award Contract for Caroline MIP Construction
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, four bids were received for the Dryden Fiber Caroline MIP Construction
project and was opened on February 5, 2026 and
Whereas, the bids were reviewed and evaluated by Vantage Point Solutions, who
provided the town with a recommendation dated February 11, 2026 and
Whereas, this construction bid has all MIP grant funded locations, now therefore, be it
Resolved, that this Town Board hereby awards the contract for the Dryden Fiber Caroline MIP
Construction Project to Syracuse Utilities for a total contract value of $3,349,087.85 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
IAWWTF Capital Improvement Project – The board reviewed a change order for the
engineering agreement for the current capital improvement project. The adjusted amount is
$312,000 with additional work totaling $162,000. The town is responsible for two percent of
that amount.
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RESOLUTION #60 (2026) – APPROVE CHANGE ORDER FOR IAWWTF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Amendment No. 1 to the
Engineering Agreement for the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facilities Capital
Improvement (CIP) Project, increasing the total amount for engineering to $312,000.00.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Contract for Trail Work – A contract for concept design work has been presented for
the South Hill Recreation Way extension that runs through the towns of Ithaca, Dryden,
Danby, and Caroline to the county line. Each municipality will be responsible for its
proportionate share of the project. About a half mile of the trail runs through the town of
Dryden. All municipalities must approve the contract.
Resolution #61 (2026) - Approve Contract with MJ Engineering for Trail Work
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Towns of Ithaca, Danby, Dryden, and Caroline have each secured
Easements for a Public Trail to extend the South Hill Recreation Way Trail from Burns Road to
the Tompkins County Border; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca Planning Department issued an RFP for Engineering and
Landscape Architecture Services for Concept Level Design and Construction Cost Estimates for
the section from Burns to Banks Roads with proposals due November 24, 2025; and
Whereas, MJ Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Land Surveying,
P.C. was selected as the winning bidder by the Town of Ithaca at $34,336; therefore be it
Resolved, the Dryden Town Board approves the selection of MJ Engineering for this
project and authorizes the Town of Ithaca to execute a contract with MJ Engineering for this
work.
2nd Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Etna & Neptune Fire Departments Proposed Merger
Mark Bell and Linda Fenner presented a proposed merger agreement between Neptune
and Etna Fire Departments. Town board members have received the document. M Bell
explained that Neptune wanted a simple agreement to avoid complications moving forward.
Etna’s attorney drafted an agreement and Neptune’s board has approved it as written. It
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outlines how procedures will go. Etna members are welcome to join Neptune and will be added
to their cancer policy. Etna members’ years of service and life members will carry o ver and be
honored by Neptune. They are trying to be respectful to Etna’s members and respect Etna’s
heritage.
L Fenner said that everyone in their department and their board has approved the
document.
M Bell said they have been in communication with the Freeville and Varna
departments, and collectively they all support building up the training center and making
upgrades to the existing building to be able to have classroom settings. The plan is to ask for
two or three people from each department to oversee the buildout of the training center and
how that proceeds collectively. The funds and assets will come into Neptune, but Neptune will
keep those funds separate and they will be specifically designated for buildout of the training
center. The apparatus will be evaluated, and the members’ expertise will be recognized in that
regard. Trucks could be loaned to another department if needed. Varna and Freeville are
supportive. They have been in constant communication moving this forward. They are trying to
help Etna get the dissolution accomplished but cannot go any further without the town’s
approval. This is a win for firefighters because Tompkins County does not have a training
facility, and this would be at no additional cost to taxpayers. The apparatus would stay within
the community. They may put the trucks in service for mutual aid service.
Cl Dravis thanked them for coming up with the best possible solution to a situation that
has been going on for over a year. It is exciting to see the building back in community use.
Cl Lamb appreciates the work that went into this and said this is a big change in the
structure. The town would like to shift to a fire district, and he would like to combine this with
the effort to form a fire district. The board is prepared to move forward to get through the
process before the end of the summer. He would like to make the two efforts complimentary. A
meeting to learn about forming a district has been scheduled for next month. He described how
he imagined the district may function. An option is to not act on this merger and have the
commissioners do it. He suggested approving the merger document with two new clauses that
relate to the fire district’s role.
Supv Leifer said he wants the district to start with resources and expressed concern
that the sequestered Etna funds would not be available for distribution to Freeville and Varna
for capital needs. Etna’s funds may not reach other departments if there is no district formed.
The other departments should benefit from Etna’s assets also. He added that the agreement
mentions everything the board is looking for, but if for some reason discussions start out
strongly and the district does not happen, there should be an equitable distribution to all
departments.
Cl Dravis feels these are two separate issues. L Fenner agrees and said they don’t know
when the district will get started. Do we want to take the chance that the Attorney General says
send everything to auction?
Cl Dravis believes the proposal is equitable because all departments will benefit from
having a training center/tower. It is something she heard was lacking before she was on the
town board. The town and surrounding area will benefit from it.
L Fenner said any changes in the document would have to go back to their boards.
M Bell reiterated that he and his board wanted the agreement to be kept as simple as
possible. They feel the district conversation should be kept separate because it is a concept at
this point. He hopes they have built a relationship with the board over the last many years,
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and they are not going to yank the rug out from under anyone. The departments have worked
together, and the relationship is stronger than it has been in decades. They have been working
and training together and trying to build as if they are one department, yet keep everyone
independent. The idea is that the funds will fund the training center for years to come. If
distributed there may not be enough funding. There is no additional expense to the taxpayers.
There is no guarantee that future commissioners will have the same vision. The departments
do not know who the commissioners will be or their background in fire service. A district would
need to be approved by the departments. M Bell said his strong belief is that the best use of
the money is to fund the training center moving forward. The three departments know best
what they need for a training center and what it takes to make that successful. He is asking
the board to trust them to build that out and maintain the apparatus, the building and build
out the training center.
Brad Pinsky, attorney for Etna Fire Department, said he understands the town’s
concerns. Under the law, a town can own trucks but cannot own fire buildings. The town
should not want, for the benefit of the taxpayers, the fire district to own the training center.
Prevailing wages are 32% higher in cost any time repair is needed to a building. The funds that
are used should be dedicated to the training center. When a district is formed, the assets do
not automatically transfer to the fire district from the fire companies. The companies are
autonomous not-for-profit corporations. Under the law, the fire companies would have to ask
their members and their boards and then the Attorney General to be able to transfer the
assets. When he forms fire districts, he always tells them to rent the buildings, not to own
them. As a fire instructor/fighter, one of the biggest liabilities to the fire service is when they
are training. That is when more injuries happen. While there is Workers Compensation for
some of that, there are other liabilities, and do we want the town/district to become liable for
injuries and accidents that are not covered? He would leave the liability on the not-for-profit
corporations. The district will not have funds starting in September, and even if you started
transferring some funds today, it would take well past September for all the approvals. You
can’t even make a request for funds until the district exists.
He said he started working with the town on behalf of Etna on a different plan that
started distributing everything, but Neptune is the perfect host for the assets and funds. If they
don’t need the vehicles, sell them. But the thing is the taxpayers benefit immediately. The town
is already saving by not paying Etna. The money to fund the training center does not have to
be raised by the taxpayers. They have the Attorney General ready and waiting. He is asking
the Town to approve this plan; departments are in agreement. If they can get this plan
approved, then they can work with district commissioners when the district is formed on how
to administer it. Let’s not start to fund an asset that they may not want to have. It is cheaper
for Neptune to fix and repair and own the training center rather than a district. He thinks the
board should deal with what they have today and let future commissioners negotiate with the
fire companies and let the fire companies decide what they are going to do with the assets
because that is the law. You can’t take anything from the fire companies.
Cl Dravis asked how much money it takes to get a district up and running. The
response was that initially there are legal fees. If it was formed by September, they don’t need
any money initially. They would form policies and such and then are funded in the coming
year. But the commissioners can’t create a budget without talking with each department and
determining what they need. It takes a lot of time to negotiate with the companies, and they
still have their firehouses, fire trucks, etc. It takes time. He would put the actual formation off
until 2028. There needs to be a plan, procedures, budgets, and it takes time.
Cl Buck asked for a clause that would allow a way that Freeville and Varna do not lose
anything.
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B Pinsky suggested a clause that says if Neptune desires to sell or dispose of assets, the
other companies get the right of first refusal, to make sure all the assets stay here. If the
district comes to be, it would have a right of first refusal to make sure assets stay here.
Linda Fenner said all departments have already agreed that all the assets that Etna has
are going to fund the training center, the building, maintain the current apparatus and
hopefully it can be used for backup.
Mike Parker, Freeville Chief, said Freeville is fully on board with the way this is written.
Dryden has been upfront. Freeville is fortunate now to have a state fire instructor. They also
have a McNeil Insurance instructor on their staff. They are excited to have this opportunity and
this training center. All the departments are on board and are happy with the arrangement. It
meets the Attorney General requirements. The plan puts everything to rest, and Etna is doing
exactly what was asked of them. The district has not yet been formed, and the departments
have not been included in conversations.
Cl Lamb would like to add a couple of clauses to the document and the reference the
formation of a district. Fire personnel will have to take it back to their boards if that happens,
potentially adding a couple of months to the process.
M Bell wants to focus on the merger plan and the funds to be earmarked for the
training center to benefit all. They are fortunate to have state and national fire instructors who
can consult on the training center and get it started. Taxpayers have already funded this.
Julia Baumgarten, Varna Asst Chief, spoke on behalf of their Chief Mason Jager and
the company as a whole. She said there are no insecurities between the companies. They trust
each other, and that goes for the funds as well. This training center will benefit all the
departments. They currently do not have correct facilities to train firefighters to the extent they
would like to. It benefits the taxpayers and all departments equally.
M Parker commented that the departments have a great working relationship. An
unfortunate situation has now become one that is working for all the departments.
Pete Tyler said the departments already pretty much function as a district; they are
training and firefighting together. Collectively they have spent a lot of time discussing this
proposal that benefits all the fire companies in the town of Dryden. It is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity, and it is an incredible opportunity. If the proposal is approved, a committee will
be formed ASAP to oversee it, and they should be able to be training in the facility by the end of
the year. It is likely to be the gem of central New York. Signing this document tonight does not
preclude discussions about a district in the future.
Cl Lamb would like to be sure the departments are on board with the vision of creating
a fire district.
M Bell said the Chiefs are not empowered to say what their board is or is not willing to
do. He suggested that when the town board is ready to discuss what a fire district may look
like, that it be done in good faith. The departments are asking that this merger be approved so
it can be presented to the Attorney General so they can build up what they are excited about
for the future.
Comments during further discussion:
• Neptune will separately hold the assets and funds.
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• It is difficult for trainers to find space for training events. Not having space here, the
departments may be out of town for training event they are needed in town when they
are needed in town to respond to a call.
• Departments are now working together for a common purpose.
• The boards of Varna and Freeville have confirmed their approval of this merger.
• Neptune has been very diligent in their responsibilities for their organization and are
adamant that Etna’s funds and assets will remain separate from Neptune’s normal
business.
• A board consisting of representatives from all departments will have input on the
training center and it will be as independent as possible.
• Ownership can be addressed with amendments to the merger document.
• The town would like to turn this over to commissioners who want to do this work.
• Indications are that departments are open to learning more about a district.
• Etna’s assets will be held by Neptune and separately accounted for.
• Any reference in the document to a fire district would require the document to go back
to the department boards for approval.
• The district will need some funds to get up and running ; those reasonable expenses
would be anticipated in the last few months of this year.
• Etna Fire Department bought the training building with their own funds and only once
asked the town for any funds toward its maintenance. This proposal makes sense for
the town and the taxpayers.
• With the proposed model there will be no expense to the taxpayers for many years.
• There are funds in the fire protection district to cover start up expenses for a district.
• All the departments have committed to working together on this, as they do, and as a
young firefighter, this is embarrassing.
• The attorney speaking here is not working for the town, so he has no duty or obligation
to act on the town’s behalf. He is acting in Etna’s best interest.
• Neptune would keep the funds in a separate account, audited separately. A business
plan will be developed to maintain and operate the facility without assistance from the
town or taxpayers. They may be able to do that in perpetuity.
• The departments have made a good case. There is a once in a lifetime opportunity in the
current plan. Long term, this should be self-sufficient.
• A good plan and business model has been developed.
• The departments will not be coming to the town for funds to support the training
facility.
• Proceeds from the sale of any assets will go back into funding the training facility. A
clause to that effect can be added to the document.
• Certified audits will be available every year.
Cl Dravis made a motion to accept the merger document with the modification
discussed, seconded by Cl Vargas-Mendez. M Bell said that amendment would not have to go
back to the department boards because that clause clarifies the intent.
Cl Lamb asked that the departments come with an open mind next month to talk about
the formation of a fire district. He does not think it is in the best interest of the town and way
too contentious. M Parker said they are working with the town and are open to seeing what the
structure will look like.
Cl Vargas-Mendez said this proposal came through and from the community
firefighters, the people who know what they do on an everyday basis to help protect our
community from fires or other issues of public safety. That is the strength of it. They know
what they are doing, are working collaboratively and came with a proposal that is clear. There
has been an hour of discussion, and a lot of that discussion has had to do not with the
proposal, but with a new model of administering fire protection service. That is coming up. He
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knows that as we agree to do something that is major in terms of resources, that the
departments will talk with the board when it is ready to discuss the possibility of a fire district.
Cl Buck said she agrees and the departments working together to manage their
business will be important when the fire district comes up, because the town board is not an
expert on fire service.
T Jinnat, Varna Fire Department, said she thinks the discussion has gone into the
weeds with discussion of a fire district. The suggested amendment was implicated by the rest
of the document and something their department understands. Using the term fire district in
this document would require the departments to go back to their boards and membership
because it is a new term not already used in the document and something they did not
understand when supporting it. She believes that what this document does is important
enough to be voted on today. What is being done with the training center and the assets is
important enough.
M Parker said he appreciates the effort here with this merger, the openness and phone
calls. There is nothing self-serving in any of these departments. They have looked out for the
assets and properly set aside what is needed. They have all worked together on it. It needs to
go as it is, and they are looking out for the taxpayers. When discussions come up, they talk
about the taxpayers because they are taxpayers. They volunteer their time, hundreds to
thousands of hours, and they are still looking out for the taxpayers. That says a lot; they know
what they are doing. He appreciates the board’s discussions on this. Their job is the safety and
security of the taxpayers. They are using the funds to make them better able to serve the town.
They have accomplished that and he is proud of the people he works with.
M Bell said it has been his privilege over the last three years to work with the board,
and he has many years of service prior to that. Through all the negotiations with budgets and
other things, there are items that the departments and board agree to disagree on. There are
items that each side feels strongly about, but there have been good conversations and at the
end of the day he thinks everyone has walked away from the table believing they each got
something in return and they are doing something that is in the best interest of the town of
Dryden. He said as much as the board feels like they may not know the business, they have
done a good job with the fire and EMS service for the town of Dryden. They are the pillar of all
the other communities around us, and the board has set the bar high by allowing them to do
what they do. Working through the issues together has made them stronger over the last t hree
years.
Cl Lamb said he agrees that the board and the departments have the community’s
interest at heart.
RESOLUTION #62 (2026) – APPROVE MERGER OF ETNA VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT, INC. AND NEPTUNE HOSE COMPANY NO. 1 OF DRYDEN, INC.
Cl Dravis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the merger document between Etna
Volunteer Department, Inc. and Neptune Hose Company No. 1 of Dryden, Inc. as presented,
with the addition of 5 B (7) essentially stating that the proceeds from the sale of any assets
disposed of will be put into the account established to support the improvement, repair and
maintenance of the training center.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
TB 2-12-26
Page 13 of 14
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Neptune Hose reported 55 calls, with an average of 8 firefighters per call, average
enroute time 3 minutes 8 seconds.
Freeville Fire reports about 90 calls.
Board Appointments
RESOLUTION #63 (2026) – APPOINT RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE MEMBER
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Chip MacAlpine to the Rail Trail
Task Force.
2nd Cl Dravis
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #64 (2026) – APPOINT PLANNING BOARD MEMBER
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Thomas Jordan to the Planning
Board for a term to expire December 31, 2027.
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Next week’s agenda will include a public hearing on a proposed local law to add
definitions related to data centers to the town code and the introduction of a special use permit
application for 53 Pinckney Road.
Supv Leifer reported that the Ag Advisory Committee met last night and will be meeting
again next week to develop a resolution proposing a moratorium o n development on certain soil
types. They are looking at this as a way to preserve farmland.
The board moved to executive session at 8:28 p.m. to discuss the employment history of
a particular individual. The board came back to regular session at 8:45 p.m. and made the
following resolution.
RESOLUTION #65 (2026) – AMEND PAY RATE SCHEDULE
TB 2-12-26
Page 14 of 14
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby amends the pay rate schedule adopted
November 6, 2025, by raising the 2026 hire rate for Planner to $35.00 per hour and changing
the current Planner’s pay rate to $36.00 per hour, retroactive to the first pay period of 2026.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Buck Yes
Cl Dravis Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
2025 Budget Year Budget Modification for Fund
A Fund
Reason
(485.04)A1990.4 Contingency 485.04 A1010.4 Town Board - Contractual Underbudgeted contractual line
(6,871.52)A1110.102 Court Clerk 1 159.40 A1110.1 Justice payroll accrual adjustment
(1,630.64)A1110.105 Court Security 20.00 A1110.101 Justice payroll accrual adjustment
8,322.76 A1110.103 Court Clerk 2 salary change due to new title
534.24 A1220.101 Dir of Finance and Personnel payroll accrual adjustment
(1,723.94)A1220.103 Senior Account Clerk 1,189.70 A1220.102 Conf. Sect. to Supervisor worked more hours than budgeted
1,910.51 A1220.450 Supervisor - Contractual Underbudgeted contractual
(2,338.31)A1220.454 Supervisor - Travel 427.80 A1220.451 Supervisor - Office Supplies Underbudgeted contractual
372.17 A1330.100 Receiver of Taxes payroll accrual adjustment
(1,350.67)A1320.4 Independent Audit 293.74 A1330.101 Dpty Receiver of Taxes payroll accrual adjustment
93.26 A1330.4 Receiver of Taxes - Contractual Underbudgeted contractual
296.76 A1410.100 Town Clerk payroll accrual adjustment
294.74 A1410.101 Dpty Town Clerk payroll accrual adjustment
6,321.10 A1420.402 Legal Underbudgeted legal expense
(10,397.44)A1990.4 Contingency 4,076.34 A1430.1 General Time Underbudgeted for vacation and health ins payouts
(91.37)A1460.401 Records Management - Contractual 91.37 A1460.1 Records Management - Personnel payroll accrual adjustment
(9,179.01)A1490.1 Public Works 169.18 A1490.101 Dpty Supt of Public Works payroll accrual adjustment
9,009.83 A1490.111 Public Works - Benefit time Underbudgeted staff benefit time
(618.10)A1490.4 Public Works - Contractual 618.10 A1490.41 DPW Fuel Underbudgeted fuel exp
613.81 A5010.100 Supt of Highways payroll accrual adjustment
(1,623.92)A5010.4 Contractual 411.26 A5010.101 Dpty Supt of Highway payroll accrual adjustment
598.85 A5010.102 Secretary payroll accrual adjustment
(6,619.99)A1620.202 Buildings - DPW/Equipment 6,619.99 A1620.402 Buildings - Utilities Underbudgeted utilities
(996.29)A1680.401 IT - Service Contracts 996.29 A1670.401 Office Postage Underbudgeted postage expenditures
(1,312.75)A1680.402 IT - Website 1,312.75 A1910.4 Unallocated Insurance Increase in insurance expenditure
(860.13)A3510.402 Dog Control - Kennel Lease 860.13 A3510.405 Dog Contral Vet and Supplies Additional supplies needed at kennel
From To
(2,000.00)A5132.4 Garage - Contractual 4,478.14 A5020.4 Highway Engineering - Contractual Increase in engineering expenditures
(2,478.14)A5182.4 Street Lighting - Contractual
20,554.65 A7110.1 Rail Trail Personal Serv Town employee time for rail trail
(46,092.23)A7310.4 Youth Services - Contractual 738.62 A7110.412 Trail Maintenance higher than budgeted maintenance on trails
24,798.96 A7110.414 Rail Trail Grants Contractual expenses related to expansion of rail trail
(7,000.00)A2009 Rail Trail Grants and Donations 7,000.00 A7110.411 Dryden Rail Trail Entry for grants receivable
(1,437.31)A7320.101 Summer Camp Staff 1,437.31 A7330.4 Community Recreation - Contract Underbudgeted contractual
(3.88)A7989.402 Community Music 3.88 A7510.1 Historian - Personnel payroll accrual adjustment
(25,000.00)A8020.420 Transportation - Safe Streets
(25,000.00)A599 Fund Balance 50,000.00 A8668.401 Community Housing Dev Fund Commitment to County Housing initiative
(1,261.29)A9030.8 Social Security 1,261.29 A9010.8 Retirement Underbudgeted retirement expenditure
(156,371.97)Total 156,371.97 Total
B Fund
Reason
3,254.08 B1430.1 General Time Underbudgeted vacation buyout
(8,173.16)B3620.101 Code Enforcement Officer 1 396.88 B3620.102 Code Enforcement Officer 2 payroll accrual adjustment
575.28 B3620.106 Keyboard Specialist payroll accrual adjustment
3,946.92 B3620.108 Code Enforcement Officer - PT increase in hours worked in year
656.40 B8020.101 Planning Director payroll accrual adjustment
(894.60)B1990.4 Contingency 238.20 B8020.102 Planner - Personnel payroll accrual adjustment
(1,099.59)B8020.412 Planning - Legal & Engineering 1,099.59 B8020.401 Planning - Contractual Underbudgeted contractual
(500.30)B9030.8 Social Security 500.30 B9010.8 Retirement Underbudgeted retirement expenditure
(1,400.00)B8040.412 Legal/Engineering 1,400.00 B8020.201 Planning Equipment new laptop
(1,200.00)B8040.412 Legal/Engineering 1,200.00 B3620.401 Contractual increase training for new code enforcement
(13,267.65)13,267.65
DA Fund
Reason
From To
From To
(2,100.35)DA5120.1 Bridges - Personal 2,100.35 DA1430.1 General Time Underbudgeted for vacation and health ins payouts
27,140.44 DA5130.1 Machinery - Personal Serv Underbudgeted personnel exp
(48,474.49)DA5140.1 Misc - Personal Serv 21,334.05 DA5140.111 Misc - Personal Serv Benefit Underbudgeted benefit time
(97,637.55)DA2665 Sales - Machinery 97,637.55 DA5130.2 Machinery - Equipment Underbudgeted equip purchase, offset with sales
(15,076.89)DA5130.4 Machinery - Contractual 15,076.89 DA5142.110 Snow Removal - Overtime Underbudgeted overtime expenditures
(20,586.33)DA5120.4 Bridges - Contractual 20,586.33 DA5142.4 Snow Removal - Contractual Increase in salt prices
(3,502.36)DA9030.8 Social Security 3,502.36 DA9010.8 Retirement Underbudgeted retirement expenditure
(187,377.97)187,377.97
DB Fund
Reason
(2,100.34)DB5110.1 Street Maint - Personal Serv 2,100.34 DB1430.1 General Time Underbudgeted for vacation and health ins payouts
21,334.05 DB5110.111 Street Maint - Benefit Time Underbudgeted benefit time
(72,938.59)DB5112.21 Road Improvments - Non-Equip 51,604.54 DB5112.1 Road Improvements - Personal Underbudgeted personnel exp
(489,505.28)DB3501 State Aid - CHIPS 489,505.28 DB5110.4 Street Maint - Contractual Increased CHIPS spending and revenue
2,358.30 DB9010.8 Retirement Underbudgeted retirement expenditure
(4,276.24)DB9060.8 Medical Insurance 1,619.77 DB9030.8 Social Security Underbudgeted payroll exp
298.17 DB9089.8 Medicare Underbudgeted payroll exp
(568,820.45)568,820.45
SS1 Fund
Reason
(3,737.62)SS1-599 Fund Balance 3,737.62 SS1-8130.4 Treatment/Disposal - Contractual increase in rate mid year
SS8 Fund
Reason
128.76 SS8-8110.1 Adminstration - Personnel payroll accrual adjustment
(160.55)SS8-8110.4 Admin Contractual 31.79 SS8-8110.101 Adminstration - DPW Deputy payroll accrual adjustment
24,538.56 SS8-8120.4 Sanitary Sewer - Contractual emergency repairs
From To
From To
From To
(64,060.59)SS8-599 Fund Balance 39,522.03 SS8-8130.4 Treatment/Disposal - Contractual 2024 debt payment paid in 2025
SW7 Fund
Reason
(77.39)SW7-8310.4 Water Adminstration - Contractual 77.39 SW7-8310.1 Water Adminstration - DPW Deputy payroll accrual adjustment
(2,197.09)SW7-8320.4 Source of Supply - Contractual 2,197.09 SW7-8340.1 Trans/Distr - Personal Serv increased personnel exp due to repairs
(16,271.66)SW7-599 Fund Balance 16,271.66 SW7-8340.4 Trans/Distr - Contractual increased expenditure for repairs
SW8 Fund
Reason
(7,250.20)SW8-8340.1 Personal Services (DPW)
(2,524.47)SW8-8340.4 Contractual 9,774.67 SW8-8320.4 Source of Supply - Contractual increased expenditure for repairs
128.76 SW8-8310.1 Adminstration - Personnel payroll accrual adjustment
(160.55)SW8-8310.4 Admin Contractual 31.79 SW8-8310.101 Adminstration - DPW Deputy payroll accrual adjustment
From To
From To