HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-21 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes/Transcript of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 21 September 2000 - 7 : 30 PM
Members , Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present
Monica Carey, Acting Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary
George Van Slyke Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor
*Van Travis Don Scheffler, Town Councilman
Barbara Clark Ellard Sovocool, Town Councilman
*April Scheffler (Resigned) Mark Gunn, Town CEO
Applicants & Public Present
Mahlon Perkins, Attorney for Kevin, Kathleen, & Duane Tillotson, Applicants; Brad Albro, Francis
Neville , Thomas Guihan, DeForest Hall, David M. Holle , and Mark Baxendell , Planning Board Member
Candidates.
The meeting was called to order at 7: 25 p.m. by Acting Chair Monica Carey,
M. Carey: Well, I'd like to welcome everybody. We've got quite a room full here . I'm Monica
Carey, Acting Planning Board Chairperson . And this is George Van Slyke, Barbara Clark, and Van
Travis.
Approval of Minutes - 7 August 2000 Special Meeting & 17 August 2000 Regular Meeting
M. Carey: Okay, the first thing on the Agenda is to approve the August minutes and we need to
do the Special Hearing minutes for the August 7th meeting . Would anybody like to make a motion.
V. Travis: I'll move their approval.
B. Clark: I second it.
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated aye .) Passed .
This becomes Action # 1 of this meeting.
M. Carey: And then we have the regular Board meeting of August 17th .
G. Van Slyke: I move we accept those as written .
B. Clark: I'll second it.
M. Carey: All in favor? (All but Van Travis indicated aye .) Opposed?
V. Travis: I'll abstain because I was absent.
M. Carey: Okay. Passed .
This becomes Action # 2 of this meeting.
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Kevin & Katherine Tillotson, ROs - 222 & 225 LaFayette Rd. - TM # 29- 1 - 13.2; Duane &_Kevin
Tillotson, ROs - LaFayette Rd - TM # 29- 1 -7, Duane L. Tillotson, RO - 188 LaFayette Rd. - TM
# 29- 1 - 15
M. Carey: The first thing I'd like to say is we've got a subdivision that's going to be coming before
us. Is Mr. Perkins here?
V. Travis: He is not here .
D. Tillotson: Duane Tillotson's here .
M. Carey: Are you Mr. Tillotson? Okay. Is Mr. Perkins going to come?
D. Tillotson: That's what he promised .
M. Carey: It's not 7 : 30 yet, so I guess we could wait a couple minutes. When we do the
subdivision, I'm going to ask -- this is an open meeting, but I'm going to ask that the public not make
any comments so that we can work on this subdivision.
V. Travis: And this is the aforementioned Mr. Perkins.
M. Carey: Come on in. I'm Monica Carey. W. Perkins, do you want to explain to us exactly
what we're doing here?
M. Perkins: Sure .
M. Carey: We've got three proposals before us .
M. Perkins: Well , I didn't know how to make out the applications, so I made three, one for each
parcel. And one of them actually pertains to two parcels, but I can show you that on this copy of the
tax map . I think you've probably -- I hope you all got a copy of a portion of this. And just to sort of
orient this, the proposal is to divide the Tillotson property. There are three parcels involved altogether.
One is 29- 1 - 13 .2 , one is 29- 1 - 15, and the other is 29- 1 -7 . There are other parcels that the Tillotsons
own which are not part of this proposal . They are located north of Davis Road . The proposal is to sell
the parcels which I've listed alphabetically to the individuals named there , and I've given you the
approximate number of acres from the survey maps which I think you all should have gotten a copy of
also .
V. Travis: We did.
M. Perkins: We can start up here along Davis Road . There's a -- I hope you can see it -- there's a
pole barn structure near the road and it's right across the street from the Hornyak(?) property. And the
proposal is to sell the 1 . 5± acre parcel to Duane's sister and her husband.
V. Travis: Who are the Hornyaks?
M. Perkins: Who are the Hornyaks yes .
J. Fitch: What letter is that parcel?
M. Perkins: That is letter G .
J. Fitch: Thank you .
M. Carey: Now, do Hornyaks already own around that?
M. Perkins: No, they own across the street.
M. Carey: Oh , across the street. Okay.
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M. Perkins : We would be taking out of this Parcel 29- 1 -7 this 1 . 5-acre parcel which would include
the pole barn . And we would be further subdividing the southern portion of it, if you will, which is
bounded on the east by Wolff. And the southern portion of that will be combined with the eastern
portion of part of 29- 1 - 13 . 2 . And that's labeled as Parcel B. And that' s going to go to Haines who
borders on the south . So Haines will be getting some road frontage along LaFayette Road and then a
field that comes back, and then access to another field, and then the southern portion of this Parcel
29- 1 -7.
M. Carey: So Haines is going to get part of this parcel right here? This one here, and this here,
and then back towards the road?
M. Perkins: Right. Not this part. This part is being retained by Tillotson .
M. Carey: Oh, okay. So we're just taking out -- G is just going to be a little piece coming out of
that?
M. Perkins: G is a little piece coming out of that, and part of B is this sort of square parcel over
here I've labeled it on your sketch as 40. 29 acres. That's part of 29- 1 -7 and that's going to be combined
with the property which is west of that which is part of 29- 1 - 13 . 2 .
M. Carey: And who owns this?
M. Perkins: This is Tillotson here which is part of 29- 1 - 13 . 2 .
M. Carey: And who owns this 29?
M. Perkins: This is Tillotson here .
M. Carey: This is all Tillotson.
M. Perkins : So Haines will be getting, if we start here on the road, a parcel that looks something
like this.
M. Carey: Okay. And then where does Haines' property hook onto this?
M. Perkins : Right here . This parcel which is proposed to be subdivided -- for working in the fields
and everything else -- this is great for them as they are there already.
M. Carey: Right,
M. Perkins: So they own the property on the south . And then also out of Parcel 13. 2 , and I'm
still east of LaFayette Road, we'd like to add a little bit of property to Kevin Tillotson's house parcel
which is 13 . 1 . We'd like to add an acre around that to make this a larger lot, and that was a condition
of the Purchase Agreement that they'd be able to get this sort of L-shaped piece if you will to get them a
little extra property. So what Tillotson would be retaining on LaFayette Road is about 21 .71 acres
and the barns, and on Davis Road they would be retaining this parcel which surrounds this. There's
still plenty of road frontage here .
M. Carey: He' s got road frontage down on LaFayette Road too.
M. Perkins : Yes. And then moving to the west side of LaFayette Road, still on Parcel 13 . 2, it's
proposed to sell approximately 8 . 29 acres to the neighbor next north, Converse . He's going to have a
parcel then that looks like this. And I understand that the reason this line is drawn here and doesn't
go all the way back is it just drops off very steeply back there. So that Parcel E would go to an
adjoining neighbor also. And then we have Parcel D which is the parcel surrounding the former George
Tillotson home , and there's a garage, a shop , and a sugar house. And we've proposed to carve out a
three-acre parcel there for sale . And that would go to C. and L. Fenner, the three-acre parcel there .
That would leave them , out of that parcel on the west side of the road, approximately 25, 14 acres with
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sufficient road frontage . And then moving a little bit farther south , still on the west side of LaFayette
Road, it's proposed to carve out a slightly over three-acre parcel which would include the Duane
Tillotson property for sale to another Fenner, leaving all of this property still in Duane' s name with
road frontages on both sides of the parcel to be sold.
V. Travis: What is this landlocked parcel back here?
M. Perkins: Just a landlocked parcel. Your parcel down here.
M. Carey: That's been sold off?
M. Perkins: That's been that way for years and years and years.
D. Tillotson: There's a spring there. Before dad bought it in '38 that had been deeded to his farm
from this other farm and enabled him to pasture cattle down there and have water for them . That was
the only water available which was from a neighboring spring.
V. Travis: So you're the owner?
D. Tillotson: Yes.
M. Carey: Which parcel does it go to , this one?
D. Tillotson: It goes to this parcel here. It was purchased from this parcel onto this parcel
sometime before 1938 .
G. Van Slyke: Okay. All right.
M. Perkins: This parcel isn't involved in anything we're proposing here. So that's pretty
straightforward .
M. Carey: Now this property that Haines is buying, I'm wondering if we could just do a
boundary change on that. What does the rest of the Board feel?
G. Van Slyke: This is at the line between the Haines and - -
M. Perkins: Right. This is the existing line between Haines and Tillotson , right here .
M. Carey: This piece and this piece?
M. Perkins: Yes. These are all contiguous. This is part of the same parcel. This part here is out
of a different title and a different deed, but they are all --
V. Travis: Monica, I thought about that. It appears everything is in order here and I guess my
sense - - I don't know what that saves. It actually creates a fourth action that we have to take. Why
not just approve what is being proposed here and then they take it and run with it because it seems to
be in good shape? I went up and looked at the property. I didn't walk it, but everything came together
and it looks good . It says Munson , and my one question, Mahlon , was going to be what was this? You
explained it was really going to be an addition to that and then they'll probably propose a boundary
change to us some night to include it in, but the name on it was Munson and the other name here is
someone else .
M. Perkins : See, 13 . 1 is not involved in this approval because it already exists that way. The
proposal is to take out of 13. 2 an acre which surrounds this. And this will all be sold together and
combined as one lot. That's the condition of the Purchase Agreement is that it be combined .
M. Carey: Now that would be a boundary change because we're just adding an acre onto that.
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V. Travis: The owner has to come and apply for a boundary change first.
M. Carey: No, they're selling it. I don't think so .
V. Travis: Okay. Someone other than - - who owns this?
M. Perkins: Kevin Tillotson. And he also owns this parcel .
V. Travis: Oh , he's selling this parcel also to Munson?
M. Perkins: Yes.
V. Travis: Okay, now you've cleared it up .
M. Carey: So he owns that whole parcel so it would just simply be adding onto his house lot
basically.
M. Perkins: That's right.
G. Van Slyke : Okay. You've got different owners on each one of these .
M. Perkins: Yes.
V. Travis: That's the three different applicants .
M. Perkins : Right. Kevin and Katherine own 13. 2 and 13. 1 ; Duane owns 15, and Duane and
Kevin own 7 . We weren't sure how to do it, so we just thought we'd do it by owner more than anything
else.
G. Van Slyke : Yes, that makes sense.
M. Perkins : Pretty much the same facts .
M. Carey: Right.
V. Travis: I don't have any other questions .
M. Carey. What about the rest of you?
G. Van Slyke: Mahlon, just one more time . Essentially we're looking at Kevin and Kay is it?
M. Perkins : Katherine, yes.
G. Van Slyke : Katherine . Okay, outline for me on your map what is the property we're looking at as
far as what they own?
M. Perkins: All right. They own two parcels . They own Parcel 13 . 1 which is where there home is
and that's a 1 .3 acre parcel. And they have a contract to sell that and an additional one acre
surrounding it out of property they also own.
G. Van Slyke: Okay. What I'm trying to figure out now because you've got brothers involved in it,
right, is are you saying now that they own this and they also own this? Who owns this parcel?
M. Perkins: Kevin and Katherine .
G. Van Slyke: Okay, that's what I want you to do . Show me the extent of what they own so we
know where we're coming from here.
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M. Perkins: Okay. We start right here and we come all the way back here . We go up here and we
go all the way down to the creek, along the creek, back here, and back there . Now there's two parcels;
that includes their house parcel plus this big longer parcel both sides of the road .
G. Van Slyke: The big thing?
M. Perkins : Right.
M. Carey: So they parceled off their house at some point?
M. Perkins : Yes, that's been done for many, many years.
M. Carey: As long as they own the house and they own this land, I would think that would be
just simply a boundary change on that.
G. Van Slyke: Okay. And so we're going to take B, E, and D?
M. Perkins: That's correct. B , D , and E will all be sold.
G. Van Slyke: Okay. So you're really going to divide -- that's going to count as a subdivision , right?
We can do the one as a boundary change, but the rest of it is going to be a subdivision, right?
M. Carey: Right. Except this guy that's adding onto his property here -- that would be a
boundary change too.
G. Van Slyke: Oh , okay. Wait a minute .
M. Carey: Because it's going to the same --
M. Perkins: He's buying this to give himself a bigger lot, right.
G. Van Slyke: So we're really looking at what, then? We're looking at this thing being sold and this
thing being sold --
M. Carey: And this being sold --
G. Van Slyke: Well, I'm not even worried about that right now. That's a different owner, right?
M. Perkins : Right.
G. Van Slyke: Okay. I'm just worried about K. and Katherine.
M. Perkins : K and K. yes.
G. Van Slyke: Okay. So we're really working with their property here, so the only thing that's going
to be sold in reality out of this whole boundary change business is D . right?
M. Perkins : Actually, B also.
M. Carey: B is going to Haines.
M. Perkins: B is going to Haines who is an adjoining owner.
G. Van Slyke: Why couldn't that be a boundary change?
M. Perkins: I don't care how we get there .
G. Van Slyke: I'm just asking.
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V. Travis: What's the advantage to us or to them?
G. Van Slyke : I don't know.
V. Travis: Why not take the proposal, do the Environmental Impact Statement, and approve it
and it's out the door`?
G. Van Slyke: Okay.
V. Travis: Otherwise, we're making motions until we're blue in the face and then the question is
whether we've got them right or not.
G. Van Slyke : Yes, that's true . Okay.
V. Travis: And then we'll have to do an EIS on every boundary change, right?
G. Van Slyke : Right.
V. Travis: I think they've got it together here .
G. Van Slyke: Okay,
M. Carey: Right.
G. Van Slyke : I just got confused because of all the mass of paper here.
M. Carey: I think we all did.
M. Perkins : We took the most conservative approach we thought we could so that you'd have
everything. And if you don't need it, don't use it.
V. Travis: Shall we share the burden tonight? Do you want me to go first?
M. Carey: Okay. We might as well.
V. Travis: Okay, this is the Short Environmental Assessment for Kevin and Katherine Tillotson
regarding Tax Parcel 29- 1 - 13 . 2 .
Board Member Van Travis then read aloud Part lI of the Short Environmental
Assessment Form. Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part H.
Therefore, it was determined by the Planning Board, upon the motion made by
Member George Van Slyke, seconded by Member Travis, with all members present
voting in favor, that the action , based on the information submitted, will not
cause any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a negative
declaration.
This becomes Action # 3 of this meeting.
M. Carey: Now, would somebody like to make a motion to pass the subdivision of K. & K.
Tillotson?
V. Travis: I will move that.
B. Clark: Second .
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated aye . ) Passed .
This becomes Action # 4 of this meeting.
M. Carey: That's one down .
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V. Travis: Do you have to sign these, Monica?
M. Carey: Yes. Thank you . I might as sign it when we read it. Okay, which one do we want to
look at now?
V. Travis: Your choice .
M. Carey: Doesn't matter to me . Let's go with the one that has the two parcels, G and B .
B. Clark: This is the Environmental Assessment for Duane and Kevin Tillotson, Parcel 29- 1 -7.
Board Member Barbara Clark then read aloud Part H of the Short Environmental
Assessment Form . Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part H.
Therefore , it was determined by the Planning Board, upon the motion made by
Member Van Slyke, seconded by Member Travis, with all members present voting
in favor, that the action, based on the information submitted, will not cause any
significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a negative declaration.
This becomes Action # 5 of this meeting.
V. Travis: I'll move the passage of the subdivision.
B. Clark: I'll second.
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated aye . ) Passed .
This becomes Action # 6 of this meeting.
M. Carey: And the last one -- George? Just for the people here, we have to do these
Environmental Assessment Forms on any action that we take on this Board . So you will learn it like
everybody else has over the years.
G. Van Slyke: Okay, Part II Environmental Assessment for 29- 1 - 15, Duane Tillotson.
Board Member Van Slyke then read aloud Part H of the Short Environmental
Assessment Form . Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part H.
Therefore , it was determined by the Planning Board, upon the motion made by
Member Travis , seconded by Member Van Slyke , with all members present voting
in favor, that the action, based on the information submitted, will not cause any
significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a negative declaration.
This becomes Action # 7 of this meeting.
V. Travis: I move that we approve this subdivision as requested.
G. Van Slyke : Second .
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated ayeJ Passed .
This becomes Action # 8 of this meeting.
M. Carey: I'd like to interject that we did not discuss having a Public Hearing on any of these .
Am I assuming that?
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V. Travis: I would move that we waive having a Public Hearing with respect to each of these
three previously passed subdivisions.
G. Van Slyke : I'll second that.
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated aye . ) Passed .
This becomes Action # 9 of this meeting.
M. Perkins: Procedural question. Do you have a stamp or something that you use?
M. Carey: You'll have to bring them in to the Clerk's Office tomorrow and she'll stamp it and
she's got copies of my signature to put on. Okay? Thank you for coming.
V. Travis: Did we take care of everything that was on your list of requests?
M. Perkins: I believe so. I think the applications speak for themselves . Thank you very much.
Resignation of Planning Board Member April Scheffler
M. Carey: Okay, we'll move on . I'd like the Minutes to show that April Scheffler has handed in
her resignation from the Board, so this now gives us three openings on our Board. The letter is dated
September 15 , 2000 and is effective immediately.
Education Meetings Scheduled: Ag Data Statement & Planning Federation
M. Carey: Also, on September 26th there's going to be a meeting in Montour Falls on Ag District
Laws on the Ag Data Statement. I 'm planning on attending . I don't know if anybody else will go. I'm
riding with Debbie Teeter who's works with Cooperative Extension.
G. Van Slyke: What's the time?
M. Carey: I believe it's at 7 o'clock.
V. Travis: It was in our materials that were mailed to us with the Minutes of the Public Hearing ,
M. Carey: Right. Seven o'clock. That's it. I spoke to Debbie and she's going over. I know
Debbie so I thought I'd ride over with her.
V. Travis: I will not be able to attend.
M. Carey: Okay,
G. Van Slyke: When is that - - that's a --
M. Carey: Next Tuesday,
B. Clark: I'm not sure.
M. Carey: Okay, that's fine . And also , the annual Planning Federation meeting is at the Nevele
in Ellenville on October 16th, 17th , and 18th . And I'm hoping to be able to attend those . I don't know
if there is anybody else who would be interested . I called and made reservations for myself the other
day. We usually get materials on it and we didn't get any materials on this this year. Usually it's in
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that Town Talk paper. You've got it in that. In the Planning News. Okay. I probably won't go down
until Monday morning because I've only got a room for Monday and Tuesday nights .
Be Clark: Where's Ellenville?
M. Carey: In the Catskills. It's about two and a half hours .
V. Travis: Down Route 17 and duck up into the mountains a little bit.
Be Clark: I don't think I'll be able to go .
M. Carey: I figured -- because of your job .
G. Van Slyke: Do you have to stay all three days?
M. Carey: No, you wouldn't have to stay the whole three days .
G. Van Slyke: I'll have to check those dates; I don't know for sure. I'm retired, but not that far
retired.
M. Carey: I take my vacation time . I was going to use it on other things, but I didn't.
Comprehensive Plan Review - Chapters 6 & 7
M. Carey: I'd like to postpone the discussion of the Comprehensive Plan for Chapters 6 and 7.
With all the applicants we have here tonight, I figure that' s something we could work on another night.
Does anybody else have anything to come before the Board before we start discussion with the
applicants?
G. Van Slyke: I have nothing.
V. Travis: I have nothing.
Be Clark: I have nothing.
Interviewing of Candidates for Planning Board Members
M. Carey: Now to the applicants. In case you didn't know, I'm Monica Carey. Then there's
George Van Slyke, Barb Clark, and Van Travis. This is Joan Fitch our secretary for the Board. Mark
Gunn is our Zoning Officer. Everybody know Glenn Morey, our Town Supervisor? Donald Scheffler
and Louie Sovocool. And I guess we need to know your names.
D. Holle: David Holle.
M. Baxendell: Mark Baxendell.
Be Albro: Brad Albro.
F. Neville: Francis Neville .
T. Guihan: Tom Guihan .
D. Hall: DeForest Hall .
M. Carey: Okay, thanks. I'd like to give a brief overview of the Planning Board. First of all, we
meet every month on the third Thursday at 7 : 30, and some months we have an extra meeting to hold a
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public hearing or conduct other business that comes before our Board. It's the third Thursday at 7:30
is when we've been meeting for quite a few years now. As you can see, this is supposed to be a seven-
member Board and right now we have three vacancies that we need to fill. We are paid a $25 fee per
meeting, up to $300 per year. We were talking about training sessions here . The Town Board requires
that we attend one training session once a year so that we can stay on top of all the new developments
and keep on top of things. As you noticed when we went through the subdivision, we have a Land Use
& Development Code that we must follow when we're making all of our decisions. Right now we are
currently looking over the Comprehensive Plan to bring us more up to date, and then we will work on
the Ordinance and , eventually, we will have a committee between the Town Board, the Planning Board ,
ZBA and the public that will work on this and come up with some final plans. And to lead into this
more, this will require extra meetings every month . So what we're looking for are Board members who
have the time and energy to spend working on rewriting the Comprehensive Plan and the ordinances.
That's about all I have to say. Does anybody on the Board have anything they'd like to add to that?
G. Van Slyke: You did pretty good there.
M. Carey: Why thank you . Now this is kind of tough because we have such a small space. I
was hoping we'd have the court room tonight, but that's occupied . So what I'd like to do is have little
short interviews with all of you applicants, and I guess the best thing to do, and I hate to do this, is
ask everybody to leave and we'll start in alphabetical order, unless somebody would like to volunteer.
D. Holle: What I was going to say is I think I'm going to withdraw my application. It's
something I've always wanted to do, but I work six days a week and my days off rotate , and I have five
kids who all attend school, and I do some things at church, and I don't think I can give the time and
effort at this time .
M. Carey: Well, that's understandable . That's one of the reasons I brought that up is because
we will be having extra meetings, not right away hopefully, but in the next two to three years there will
be several extra meetings a month . It's going to take extra time and energy from everybody to become
involved. We thank you for applying and keep us in mind .
D. Holle: Thanks .
V. Travis: So we'll start with Mr. Albro, is that right?
M. Carey: Yes.
Brad Albro
M. Carey: As long as I'm Chairperson, I guess I get to ask the first question. Brad, what came to
my mind as I looked over the applications is what led you to apply for the position on our Board?
B. Albro: I don't know. It kind of starts with the school and getting involved over there as I
drive transportation for Groton, and I've done some community things here in Town . I would just like
to see something happen. We've been in a positive thing for the last few years with everything that's
been going on and it would kind of be nice to keep it going in that direction.
M. Carey: Okay. Any of you guys want to ask questions? Go ahead and ask.
V. Travis: What is your understanding of what it is that the Planning Board does and what
particular skills do you see yourself bringing to that process?
B. Albro: Probably at this point I'm not sure exactly what it is you all do, but I know it's
development and like that. And as far as my skills, I was a builder in construction, and although some
of the codes have changed, I know a lot of the codes from the past. I've been in the field of building and
planning, construction, things of that nature . And I've watched a lot of things around here; I've been
here 14 years and I've watched a lot of changes.
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Be Clark: I'd like to inject that Brad is a collector of antiques and Groton is his specialty. And
he probably has more memorabilia of Groton and the surround area than anyone in this area. He's
very interested in Groton and has an extensive collection.
M. Carey: George , any comments?
G. Van Slyke: No. I'm at a loss for words.
M. Carey: I guess so.
Be Albro: I love what you're doing with your house , though. It's very nice .
G. Van Slyke : Thank you very much .
Be Clark: Timewise , Brad, would this fit into your schedule with the third Thursday?
Be Albro: I think, as it stands right now, yes. I do do antique shows, but they are normally on
the weekends. The only time there might be a conflict is the third week in August when I'm away for a
week to a show.
V. Travis: I'm away the third week in August, also, every year. And the third week in March.
Be Albro: So as it stands right now, that's not going to be a problem.
M. Carey: What would you like to see for the Town's future?
Be Albro: As far as the Town and keeping it growing -- you know, like the fish deal kind of
thing. That was a good thing . I don't know exactly what's happened with that, but it's in a lull or it's
stalled. You know, something that's going to bring in more -- because the area around us Lansingway
is growing and we're not. We're right here as far as that goes.
M. Carey: We're basically a bedroom community here.
Be Albro: But I'm sure there's something that could be done to bring a little more of that this
way, just a few more miles. It's just a matter of figuring out what it is.
M. Carey: Right. Anybody else have any questions?
V. Travis: I guess we might ask if he has any questions of us.
Be Albro: At this point, probably not. Like I said, you get in and then you get your feet wet and
find out exactly.
M. Carey: It will take you awhile to learn the ordinance and basically you'll kind of sit here like
a bump on a log for a few months. Once you get the hang of things and understand how things work
and understand the ordinance a little better, it does come easier.
Be Albro: It was interesting watching you with the subdivision, seeing what your inquiries
were.
M. Carey: That was one of our purposes for having you folks here was that we had a
subdivision come before us and you could see how we have to work together as a Board and talk these
things over to make sure that we all are in agreement when we come to the final decision.
V. Travis: And I would just say that the Code is really very good in terms of helping you to
prepare for a meeting. Agendas go out well in advance so you know what it is. This didn't just come
flying in the door, and we do get detailed materials. I usually go and drive and look at the property
that's involved and that sort of thing. So it's really possible to learn fairly quickly.
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M. Carey: We do ask that people try and figure out where the properties are that are coming
before us so that they have a general idea of the layout of the land and the neighborhood and
everything like that.
B. Albro: Yes, like on the subdivision I was familiar with most of that.
V. Travis: I don't walk the property, but I go up and eyeball it and get oriented and my maps
squared away and that sort of thing so that when you come in you can discuss it.
B. Albro: And you know pretty much what you're going to do.
V. Travis: Right.
M. Carey: Well, if no one else has any more, we'll be in contact with you in the next couple of
weeks. Thank you for coming in, we appreciate it.
Mark Baxendell
M. Carey: You're in the hot seat. Well, I think you're kind of familiar with what we've done .
You were here a couple of months ago and went through a Public Hearing with us .
V. Travis: And you've had us do a number on you.
M. Baxendell: I've done that when we first moved out here -- I've also did the same thing, so I know
the procedures and what's going on and what you need to do.
M. Carey: Well, one of my questions is what led you to apply for this position other than the
fact that we were short of people at the Public Hearing?
M. Baxendell: Well, we're here to stay. We moved into Groton and we're not moving anywhere else .
V. Travis: Mark, what do you see as the role or the kinds of things that a Planning Board can
do that are positive toward development of the Town, and what particular skills do you see yourself
bring to that?
M. Baxendell: The Planning Board can make opportunities for businesses to come in. And it keeps
track of land usage. The big thing is that I'd rather see it here than in Dryden . And we're the gem of
Tompkins County. And everyone I talk to -- and this is my third school district in three years to teach,
and I've already talked to others who want to move somewhere in Tompkins County. I said Groton's a
good place . We've got good schools, it's a small community, and it's a nice place to raise a family, so it
works for me . And the Planning Board has a lot to do with that. You know what's going on and the
regulations. And they make it attractive .
V. Travis: And your particular skills?
M. Baxendell: I'm a people person. I deal with kids, I deal with adults, I deal with parents in my
teaching profession. And, since I was a general contractor and still kind of am, I've always dealt with
the public in those type of situations. So when someone brings in a site review or plans like you saw
tonite , I put those together a lot of times too . We have done in-house plans from a 1 ,000 SF house up
to a 2500 SF houses. I have an architect that reviews it. You pay them a thousand dollars and he
does what he's supposed to do. Most of this is done in-house . And I also do my own development. It's
important that the drainage is right, that this is right. And you get that when you're in the business.
So in terms of subdivisions, maps it's not a problem.
V. Travis: I see our form does not ask what your occupation is. You're a school teacher I
gather?
M. Baxendell: School teacher, general contractor.
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V. Travis: And where are you teaching now?
M. Baxendell: This year it's Trumansburg. I just applied for a job in Groton -- closer to home . I
teach music in Trumansburg . I have a K- 12 degree in music, vocal/ instrumental, and a K- 12 Masters
degree in reading, so I'm a reading specialist which is what they're looking for here .
G. Van Slyke: I guess what my question is, now that you mention your teaching, this time of year
your construction business is not booming. With regard to the time element, do you feel that you
would be willing to spend the time to come to the meetings?
M. Baxendell: It's not much time . When you talk school teacher, you know -- just because the kids
leave doesn't mean you're done . There's open houses, concerts, fundraisers, booster clubs, PTOs.
Be Clark: With all that you'll still have time?
M. Baxendell: I'm part-time at Trumansburg, so I'm not a full-time person . I have the advantage . I
teach four hours a day. And chances are I'll remain at Trumansburg. If you're concerned about the
time, yes, I have the time to do it.
G. Van Slyke: Like Monica was saying, in the next few years we will be taking extra time meeting to
do the Comprehensive Plan and like that.
M. Baxendell: If you've got questions and stuff, where I come from is Penfield, NY. My father is the
Town architect, designer, landscaper, the whole nine yards. They are a bigger Town, but there are
amendments and policies that they've run into over the years that you may find useful in similar
situations. I have access to all that.
M. Carey: What would you like to see for the Town's future? I know that's a tough question.
M. Baxendell: You want to see it prosper, basically. You want to see people come into the area and
grow to have a financial base for our County . But you don't want to go hog wild and destroy
everything. You've got the EIS, you've got the State regs, so you're pretty well safe . Use common sense .
We all live in the Town .
Be Clark: Do you have any questions of us?
M. Carey: Well, okay. We'll be in touch with you over the next week or two . Thank you .
Tom Guihan
M. Carey: We're not going to be tough .
T. Guihan: We use to travel together; you're not tough .
M. Carey: That's true . Well, my first question is what led you to apply for this position?
T. Guihan: I'm building a house out on LaFayette Road, and we'll either go up this year or next
year for sure. I should have never left Cornell. I've never worked so hard in my life on that six acres. I
have six acres out there and I'm putting up a house . And I noticed that there's kind of a sprawl going
out there . A lot of little places are coming up - - HUD houses, modulars. And I'd like to be in on some
of that. I was at the Village Planning Board -- still am - - this is my third term. My credits are up to
date . I just believe in planning.
M. Carey: Van?
V. Travis: What particular skills do you feel you will bring to the planning process. Obviously,
one is prior Planning Board experience .
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T. Guihan: Experience . I've had a lot of experience with the Village Board from when we were
down in the cellar. We finally got up to the Board Room. I get my credits every year. I go down to
Nevele or wherever they go and take all the courses and keep up to date with the new laws, regulations ,
etcetera. I just enjoy it and like to be part of the community, to be part of the development where I live -
- where I'm going to live.
M. Carey: Now you're retired?
T. Guihan: Yes, ma'am. Ten years.
M. Carey: So you have plenty of time for our Board?
T. Guihan: Oh, yes .
J. Fitch: Do you still do your honey?
T. Guihan: Well, I'm slowing down . I use to run 50 to 80 hives . Can't do that anymore . It's too
much physical work, but I made money at it. Now I would have to hire someone and you can't make
any more at it.
M. Carey: Anyone else have any questions? (No response . ) And what would you like to see for
the future of the Town? Have you given any thought to that?
T. Guihan: Yes, I noticed that a sprawl is occurring out in our area. And I think the direction we
should go is to have planning so that we have a plan that would let people know what would be
expected of them. I don't think you should put a limit on the value of what goes up, but I think that
you need codes so that everybody is happy.
V. Travis: Do you have any questions of us?
T. Guihan: No .
M. Carey: Well, we'll probably be making a decision in the next couple of weeks and we'll be in
touch with you . Thank you for coming. We appreciate it .
T. Guihan: Good night, now.
DeForest Hall
M. Carey: Well, you've been to several of our meetings over the years so I think you basically
know about what we do here and everything. What I'd like to ask is what led you to apply for the
position?
D. Hall: Well, I've always wanted to, over the years, get on the Board -- this Board or else the
Town Board, but I guess I didn't realize I had to go through a certain formality to do that. I thought
you just went to the Town Supervisor and they just automatically put my name on a list and when
they needed somebody, they select from there .
M. Carey: I don't know how they did it before. We were always put on the Board.
G. Van Slyke: Mine was by Immaculate Conception.
M. Carey: I think three of us were.
V. Travis: DeForest, what do you see as the role of the Planning Board and what you think it
ought to be doing, and what particular personal skills do you bring to the process?
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D. Hall: I've written a little bit of stuff down here . I don' t know whether this is proper or not,
but it will give you some idea of what I was up against when I come before you . I think this Smart
Growth program, sort of a plan to save the open land, some of it, and not have it all roads and
blacktopped areas. Along with this whole concept, I think that we ought to try to preserve what the
Lord has given us and not destroy it by all this sprawl that we're getting with housing and whatever
going up. Wherever it's possible , I'd like to see the maintaining of the size of houses or trailers or
modular homes and whatnot that's going in and I understand that you only have limited control of
that. People that got the money and spending it. But the man that's selling the property I guess he
can designate so many square foot buildings to go on that property, with that understanding. As far
as industrial and commercial growth, is it going to lower our tax base or is it just going to be a small
development that isn't going to make any difference in the growth of the community or County-wise or
Town-wise? I guess the last thing that I would like to iterate into it is do we want to be a booming
community like we were when Smith Corona was here, or do we want to maintain the status quo or
small community type of situation? Sometimes you can get too big and it still doesn't amount to too
much,
V. Travis: And what particular skills do you feel that you would bring to the Board to pursue
those kinds of objectives?
D. Hall: I guess, like Monica says, being in some of the meetings and just listening in and
knowing what has to go on and what does go on and what I hear on the radio about other
communities. I try to keep up with what's going on around Town and surrounding areas.
M. Carey: What would you like to see for the future of our Town? I know that's a hard
question. Would you like to see it preserved as mainly an agricultural community, or would you like to
see more business built up -- something in that respect?
D. Hall: Well, this has always been a question to me and I know you were talking about going
to this meeting over to Montour Falls, I believe. I thought about going to that meeting. I guess it's a
public meeting.
M. Carey: Yes,
D. Hall: They have this agricultural thing, district, but it doesn't amount to too much . When
the owner gets ready to sell the land , he sells the land and doesn't protect the agricultural in the long
run very much . The first thing you know he's hard up for money, or she is, and they start selling
building lots off. And this has always been a concern to me. Why is this happening other than that?
Some people say it's all right. I don't think hiring ten people to a business or twenty people to a
business is going to make or break a community one way or the other. It isn't going to lower your taxes
very much ; you're not going to have that much of a tax base. Other than that, I'm pretty much
interested.
M. Carey: Barb , do you have any questions?
B. Clark: No,
M. Carey: Well, we'll be making our decision in the next couple of weeks, so we'll be in touch
with you. Thank you for coming. We appreciate your coming.
D. Hall: Thank you .
Francis Neville
M. Carey: Well, I think you know everybody here on the Board . You've lived in the Town for --
F. Neville: I know everybody but this woman here .
M. Carey: Joan lives in McGraw.
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J. Fitch: I'm an import. I'm not a member of the Board, I just take the Minutes.
M. Carey: My first question is, what led you to apply for the position openings that we have?
F. Neville: Well, I saw an ad in the Shopper that you need some help , and I thought there was a
possibility I could help them out.
V. Travis: Francis, what do you see as the role of the Planning Board? What do you think it
ought to be doing to promote the Town of Groton and hopefully improve it, and what particular skills
do you feel that you would bring to the Board to help accomplish that?
F. Neville: Well, I think that the Planning Board has done a fairly good job . I think there is still
lots to be done out there . We've got -- in the near future I'm sure we're going to have some industry in
the Town of Groton, and I think with a little help it can be brought in. Not like Preble and
Cortlandville, driving everything out.
V. Travis: And your own particular skills? That was the second part of the question .
F. Neville: Just what do you mean?
V. Travis: Well, in terms of what particular skills that you feel that you personally have that
would make you an effective member of the Board.
F. Neville: Well, I think I've got some contacts that I could bring in to the Board.
M. Carey: You saw us go through the subdivision tonight, and how we have to talk through
everything and come to a final understanding between all the members of the Board . When we do this,
everybody has their own opinion when we first start. Then we look it over and discuss it and
everything like that, but we do have to follow the laws in the books here . What would you like to see
going on with the future of the Town? I mean we looked at this subdivision tonight, and we had quite
a few parcels that were being divided off this farmland. What is your idea to see what develops in the
Town in the future?
F. Neville: Well, I think for one thing we've got to keep what few farmers we've got and keep that
land here . And I think there's plenty of land out there for development, for houses or whatever.
M. Carey: Anybody else have any questions?
Be Clark: You're retired now so you have time to - -
F. Neville: Partially,
G. Van Slyke: It is not what it means, is it.
F. Neville: I still own a dairy farm, so I haven't retired from that.
Be Clark: But you'd have time for the meetings and all.
F. Neville: Oh, I'm sure I could attend most of them.
Be Clark: Okay,
M. Carey: Do you have any questions for us?
F. Neville: No, I guess not.
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M. Carey: Okay. Well, we'll probably be making our decision in the next couple of weeks and
we'll be in contact with you . And we appreciate your coming and meeting with us and seeing how we
work here.
F. Neville: Glad to come down and see somebody's working.
M. Carey: Thank you. That was it, right?
Discussion of Planning Board Candidates
M. Carey: Well, I guess we could discuss this. I could just kind of give you guys phone calls
next week.
G. Van Slyke : I don't think I need to do any discussing at all. I got my three picked.
M. Carey: Well --
G. Van Slyke: Well, do you want to know who they are?
M. Carey: It would be kind of nice. I'm not a mind reader.
G. Van Slyke : I was very impressed by the first three -- Brad Albro, Mark Baxendell and Tom
Guihan . I thought that they really -- I think they have a lot to offer. Not only in their expertise, but
just in being able to work with them. They appear to be the guys that would be of benefit to this
Planning Board. So those are the ones I picked.
B. Clark: Tom -- would he still be -- he wouldn't be on the Village --
M. Carey: No, he'd have to resign that.
G. Morey: It's the one thing I'd be concerned about because of his being in the Village . They are
not supposed to be members of the Town because they have their own municipality and Planning
Board. And I don't know if Tom would be eligible until he does move to LaFayette Road,
V. Travis: Did you call Fran Casullo?
G. Morey: Not yet. That's why David Holle I was worried about him and I talked to Monica
about that. But I thought Tom had the house built and he was just going to move, but tonight he said
that he hadn't - -
G. Van Slyke: He said he was in the process.
B. Clark: Another year and maybe two years is what he said.
M. Carey: Has he got the permit? Is he building?
M. Gunn: He's been talking to me about it for three years now.
V. Travis: Glenn , do you live in the Village or do you live in the Town?
G. Morey: I live in the Village .
V. Travis: But you hold a Town office.
G. Morey: Yes, because I live in the Town also . So does Louie .
V. Travis: How is that different from Mr. Guihan?
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G. Morey: The reason why is they have their own separate rules and regulations, so he'd have to
serve in the Village , which he does, and not in the Town. The Village can't tell the Town what to do ,
but the Town can tell the Village what to do.
G. Van Slyke : So the stipulation should be if you made him a member of this Planning Board is
that he would have to give up his position on the Village Planning Board, correct?
G. Morey: He'd also have to live in the Town.
M. Gunn: It doesn't matter that he has property and that business up there?
V. Travis: He does live in the Town , doesn't he?
M. Carey: He lives in the Village .
V. Travis: But isn't the Village of Groton a part of the Town of Groton?
M. Carey: Yes,
G. Morey: But they have their own separate municipality.
V. Travis: Oh, I understand that. Where you're losing me is I'm not understanding why you can
live in the Village and be a Town Supervisor, and why he lives in the Village and cannot be a member of
the Town Planning Board -- given that he would resign from the other Planning Board ,
G. Morey: What I think is they have their separate rules and regulations for the Planning Board
there . And the Village cannot tell us how to plan our --
V. Travis: But I'm assuming he would resign.
G. Van Slyke: If he gave up -- I guess that's my point too. If he gave up the Village Planning Board,
he resigned from it, that would open him up where he would be the same as the two of you . You're
living in the Village, but you're Town officials. That's not a good thing as far as I'm concerned to say to
the guy because you live in the Village, you can't hold a position in the Town .
G. Morey: I pay Town taxes and he does pay Town taxes.
G. Van Slyke: Right. So that's my point. I think that's what you're getting at, Van. I don't think
anybody should be penalized because they live in the Village that they can't - -
G. Morey: I 'll check with Fran . But if that's going to be your recommendation - -
G. Van Slyke: You know, they stood out as the best ones as far as I was concerned .
M. Carey: Do you agree on that, too , Van?
V. Travis: I agree on that. Those are the three that I selected .
D. Scheffler: The definition of domicile is intent. He really is serious about moving ; his intent is to
live outside the Village . But, again, he hasn't even broken ground. If he had a foundation, or was
putting the walls up , it looks more like he intends to live there .
V. Travis: My contention is that the residents of the Village of Groton are also residents of the
Town of Groton. My other contention is that there are people who are residents of the Village of
Groton who presently hold Town office, and that what we have is an applicant here who is seeking to
do the same. And while I would not feel comfortable with him maintaining his Village of Groton
Planning office, I'm not even certain if legally that's enforceable . So I guess I would urge you , Glenn , to
get legal counsel on it as he seems to be a qualified man. Obviously, I have never worked with him.
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And I mean if someone stood up and said hey, you know, he's impossible to work with , a nice guy but, I
would listen to whatever it is that you have to say about it. But if its a technicality, then I think we
ought to investigate the technicality .
G. Van Slyke: I was just going to ask you the question then, when you were on the Village Planning
Board, was there a reason that maybe you felt like the Village would be trying to -- if he was on our
Planning Board , his Village ideas would try to control the Town ideas, or - -
G. Morey: No, no . He's a hard worker. As you can see, he did go to Nevele for years and years.
He takes extra steps, and believe it or not, we use to meet until 11 or 12 o'clock at night doing the
Village plan . He's always there . He's never sick, and he gets involved with everything, and he's a lot of
fun to work with .
V. Travis: What is his professional background? I think I heard him say he worked at Cornell.
G. Morey: He worked at the synchrotron -- some administrator there . He was in charge of the
building construction and stuff like that.
G. Van Slyke: He can't be too bad a guy, he graduated from Oswego .
M. Carey: Well that qualifies him now.
G. Van Slyke: Well, I don't know. I guess our job is done here . It's going to come down to -- I don' t
know how you want us to approach this . If you want us to make a motion about who we
recommend—
D. Scheffler: I think we would like your recommendation .
G. Morey: Yes, definitely.
J. Fitch: You should make a motion to recommend to the Town Board that they appoint
blank, blank and blank to the Planning Board .
G. Van Slyke: I would like to do that then . I would like to make the motion that the Groton Town
Board appoint Brad Albro, Mark Baxendell, and Tom Guinan to the Town Planning Board, contingent
upon the Town Attorney's determination that Mr. Guihan is eligible for same .
D . Scheffler: How about a third one if - -
M. Carey: Neville.
G. Van Slyke : Francis Neville would be the one if Guihan was ineligible .
V. Travis: I second .
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated aye .) Passed .
This becomes Action # 10 of this meeting.
G. Morey: By the way, thanks a lot for going through this.
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•(T) Groton Planning Board Regular Meeting Transcript 21 September 2000
Receipt of Town ZBA's Working Session Report
G. Van Slyke: I didn't want to bring this up before, but we all got this from the Town of Groton
Zoning Board of Appeals Working Session Report?
V. Travis: Yes, we did.
G. Van Slyke: Man , I'm looking over these findings and I'm going man, we must have been looking
at different sets of rules than these guys have been looking at.
M. Carey: I was talking with Mary Decker, we had lunch together the other day, and I
understand that she said these findings were going to your Board that they shouldn't have come to our
Board to begin with . Am I right?
G. Morey: I called him about it and basically what he looked into whether our Comprehensive
Plan - - because he was very ambiguous you know -- needs a lot of work, needs a lot of work. He took
notes and said when we have the committee to go over the Comprehensive Plan , to go back and
research this.
M. Carey: Okay.
G. Morey: We didn't have all the brand new stuff in this Comprehensive Plan . One thing was
the mission statement. He didn't think that was clear enough for everybody.
G. Van Slyke : Okay, that' s finding number four? Okay, then, you know I think one of the things
that needs to be done is this will be done by committee won't it?
M. Carey: Yes,
G. Van Slyke : Okay. So no longer does anybody get hung out to dry . You know what I mean .
G. Morey: We're going for zero mistakes now.
G. Van Slyke: Okay. All right. Because I certainly -- when we did this before, the Comprehensive
Plan and the whole thing, Lyle was with us through a lot of it. And now I'm thinking -- I was reading
this thing and I'm going -- hmmmm, he's sitting here with us and he goes along with it, and now, all of
a sudden, things are looking different to me here . And I don't -- maybe in the eight years that have
transpired that much has changed in the Town of Groton . But I don't really know that that much has
changed. So this kind of threw me a little bit and I thought I'd just bring it up here because I think we
need to address it.
M. Carey: Well, I looked at it and I thought gosh , they got more out of one paragraph than we
got out of five chapters .
G. Van Slyke: So, you know, but as long as down the road when this thing all gets put together
that we do have representation of all the boards G. Morey: My plan is in 2003 , is to have two members of the Planning Board, two members from
the ZBA, two members of the Town Board, and two members from the community at large .
G. Van Slyke: Terrific ,
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Adjournment
G. Van Slyke : Well , I've kept you long enough . I now move that we adjourn this meeting.
B. Clark; I'll second the motion .
M. Carey: All in favor? (All members present indicated in the affirmative . )
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Joay X. Fitch
Red rding Secretary
io/ 10/ 00
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