HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWTF 2026-08-06Town of Dryden Sewer and Water Task Force
August 6, 2026 via Zoom
Minutes
Unanimously approved on August 24, 2026
Present: Scott Holmes, Miles McCarty, Martha Robertson, David West
Ex officio: Ray Burger
Public: Chuck Geisler
Introductions
Martha called the meeting to order and explained that the Chair of the Town’s Affordable and Workforce Housing Committee, Leonardo Vargas-Mendez, had asked her to chair this Task Force
(TF). She asked everyone to introduce themselves:
Scott Hopkins, retired mechanical engineer, Pall Corporation
Miles McCarty, Village of Freeville Mayor
Martha Robertson, Dryden Affordable and Workforce Housing Committee, retired Tompkins County Legislator
David West, Tompkins County Planning and Sustainability Housing and Community Development Director
Ray Burger, ex officio, Town of DrydenDirector of Planning
Additional members not available for this meeting:
Jordan Betts, Town of Dryden DPW
Paul Sabin, Village of Dryden DPW
Kate Supron, Campus-Community Liaison at Cornell University
Martha reviewed the purpose of the group: to evaluate current water and sewer infrastructure and plan for development that supports housing development through infill and densification.
An initial report will be presented to the Town Board in January 2027, with a goal of advising on possible funding opportunities for such investments.
Resources
Martha noted that Tompkins County has awarded the town a grant of $4,992 to be used to bring in engineers who have worked on infrastructure for the villages or town, as needed. She thenreviewed
the documents that Ray had sent TF members previously:
Resolutions establishing the Task Force (from Town Bd. and AWHC)
2020 Water and Sewer Evaluation Update (T.G. Miller)
Consolidated Water Map
Consolidated Sewer Map
Dryden DFA – NYS Rt. 366/Pinckney Road Feasibility Study
Nodal Development: What is a Development Focus Area?
David shared a powerpoint presentation on nodal development, which prioritizes growth in specific areas rather than allowing random development throughout the town. He explained how
higher-density development in pedestrian shed areas (approximately quarter-mile radius) generates significantly more tax revenue per acre while requiring less infrastructure investment
than low-density suburban development.
David emphasized the importance of maintaining different types of development patterns with appropriate densities, and outlined five development focus areas in the Town of Dryden: two
“established” nodes (the Village of Dryden and Varna hamlet), one “emerging” node (the NYSEG intersection) and two “rural centers” (Etna and the Village of Freeville). Expansion of nodes,
in particular addition of housing units, can be accomplished by infill development, denser use of existing parcels, and/or expanding outward.
The group examined current infrastructure challenges:
Hanshaw Village Manufactured Home Park,which needs sewer and water extensions.
Capacity limitations at existing treatment plants in the Villages of Freeville and Dryden.
Potential upgrades needed to meet new DEC regulations on nitrates and phosphorus.
Miles highlighted that Freeville will needto replace its pumping stations.
The discussion also touched on the potential for integrated heating and cooling systems using ground source heat pumps when new water and sewer infrastructure is installed.
Question: Long term, should we keep investing in the two village plants or consider tying into the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment plant?
Next steps
Martha
Excerpt the relevant sections of the 2020 Water and Sewer Evaluation Update document that pertain to the town and villages to make it easier for the task force to review.
Reach out directly to Jordan, Kate, and Paul to ensure they watch the recording of this meeting and to coordinate their participation in future meetings.
Follow up to schedule and confirm the next meeting, eitherAugust 24 or 31 in the morning.
Ray - Send the recording of the meeting to all task force members.
David - Send his slides on nodal development to the group.
Future meeting topics
Obtain a briefing from Camden Group on the current status, challenges, and future plans for the wastewater treatment plants in Freeville, Dryden, and Ithaca.
Engage with DPW staff (Paul Sabin and Jordan Betts) to understand practical maintenance issues and insights for future planning.
Consider inviting representatives from Cornell (e.g., Jeremy Thomas) to discuss potential housing development opportunities on Cornell-owned land near Hanshaw Road.
Invite Bolton Point representative to understand their system.
Explore the possibility of including heating/cooling infrastructure (e.g., ground source heat pumps) in future development plans.
Martha emphasized the need for the task force to understand current challenges and plans for the facilities to maintain current capacities, in addition to possible enhancements and expansions
to support future housing development.The group acknowledged they have significant work ahead to prepare a coherent report for the town board by January, and agreed to schedule their
next meeting for either August 24th or 31st, depending on availability.
Submitted,
Martha Robertson
August 21, 2026