HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-11 1 Town Board Meeting
June 11 , 1990
TOWN OF DANBY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting 8 : 00 P . M . June 11 , 1990
PRESENT :
Councilpersons : Dean Eckstrom , Rich Marisa , Mary Oltz
Supervisor Ric Dietrich
ABSENT :
Councilperson Joe Schwartz ( Excused )
OTHERS PRESENT :
County Representative - Frank Proto
Highway Superintendent - Pete Coddington
West Danby Water District Superintendent - Roy Casterline
Town Clerk - Carol Sczepanski
Town Bookkeeper - Mildred Miller
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC :
Edward Roberts , Pat Woodworth , Frank Darrow , Paul Viscuso , Joel
Gagnon , Bill Rappel , Robert Roe , Elizabeth Owens Roe , Mary
Casterline , Ray Axtel
Supervisor Dietrich called the Regular Meeting of the Danby Town
Board to order at 8 : 00 P . M .
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE :
Supervisor Dietrich led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the American flag .
Executive Session of Town Board
Supervisor Dietrich requested an Executive Session of the Danby
Town Board to . review the Fiscal Year 1988 Audit Report . The Town
Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8 : 05 P . M .
The regular meeting of the Danby town Board resumed at 8 : 30 P . M .
and Supervisor Dietrich stated to the public that a letter in
response to the 1988 Audit Report would be sent to the New York
State Comptroller and a copy of the Fiscal Year 1988 Audit Report
and a letter of response to the audit will be on file in the
Danby Town Clerk ' s Office .
Approval of May 14 , 1990 Town Board Minutes
A motion was made by Councilperson Eckstrom and seconded by
Councilperson Marisa to approve the May 14 , 1990 Town of Danby
Town Board Minutes as published .
Carried Unanimously
Approval of May 24 , 1990 Town Board Minutes
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
Councilperson Oltz to approve the May 24 , 1990 Town of Danby Town
Board Minutes as published .
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA :
Councilperson Eckstrom requested an item be added to the agenda
under New Business - Painting of the Town Hall - Discussion .
No Board member objected .
Tompkins County Board of Representatives Report
Representative Proto reported on the following :
1 ) Construction Management Committee postponed the landfill
capacity analysis item that was on their agenda until
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June 11 , 1990
Wednesday , June 12 , 1990 .
2 ) The Town of Danby submitted a grant proposal for New
York State Legislative Grant funds . Senator Seward has
informed the Town that we will receive a $ 3 , 000 . 00 grant
that will be processed through the Natural Heritage Trust .
3 ) Bus Service for Danby has been approved and should be
operating by October 1990 .
4 ) Tompkins County has won their appeal on the DR - 7
landfill site .
5 ) Psychiatric Unit at Tompkins Community Hospital is
scheduled to open in June or July 1990 .
6 ) Adult Day Care - Tompkins County is pursuing the issue
of adult day care for older citizens . ( Persons who need a
higher level of care than home health aides but do not need
nursing home care . ) A pilot program has been started at the
Reconstruction Home .
7 ) Central Processing Facility - Tompkins County has
purchased the land near Southwest Park for the Central
Processing Facility .
8 ) Neighborhood Protection Plan - Tompkins County has
purchased their first piece of property near the DR- 7
landfill site under the Landfill Neighborhood Protection
Plan .
9 ) Tompkins County Illegal Dumping Law has been revised and
a section for business and company partnerships has been
added .
10 ) Chemung Valley Arts Council - Arts funding is available
and application for workshops have been scheduled . The
d eadline for application is October 1990 . The Chemung Valley
Arts Council will hold application workshops for the 1990-
1991 Decentralization Grant Program . A workshop will be
held on June 13 , 1990 at the Tompkins County Court House
from 7 : 00 - 8 : 00 p . m . and additional workshops will be held
in August and September .
11 ) The Mortgage Tax receipts for the Town of Danby is
$ 20 , 662 . 69 .
D iscussion followed in regard to New York State and Tompkins
County regulations on burning .
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC :
Bus Service for Danby_
Ed Roberts of Bald Hill. Road addressed the Board and reported
t hat he knows of an individual interested in providing the bus
service for Danby .
Representative Proto responded that the provider of bus service
must be willing to serve both the Town of Danby and the Town of
L ansing .
Recreation Facility_/ Ice Rink
Mr . Roberts also said that he would like to see a facility in
Danby that could be used for recreation and for senior citizens
but not an ice rink . He stated that Danby does not need an ice
rink .
Councilperson F_ckstrom responded to the ice rink issue and stated
t hat the Board feels that they need to take a more comprehensive
look at the whole recreation program .
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June 11 , 1990
Recycling Center
Dorothy Roberts of Bald Hill Road reported that she was
disappointed when she went to the recycling center last Saturday
and found it closed at 2 : 45 with all the containers locked up .
Discussion followed in regard to the volume of recyclables
collected at the Danby Recycling Center and the need to have the
bins emptied more often . The volume of recyclable trash at the
Danby Recycling Center exceeds the projected amounts .
Brown Road - West Danby Closing
Highway Superintendent Coddington reported that it will be
necessary to close Brown Road in West Danby from mid July through
the Month of August for road repair . A notice will be sent to
the Danby Area News and other news media .
Raptor Heights Proposal for a Planned Development District
Bill Rappel of Muzzy Road reported that he has received a letter
from Liz Grisanzio indicating that she would like to meet with
citizens on Wednesday June 20 , 1990 at 6 : 30 P . M . on the Raptor
Heights site . Ms . Grisanzio is considering a new proposal for a
Planned Development District with a 30 % reduction of houses .
Councilperson Marisa reported that the developers for the Raptor
Heights Planned Development District have filed a law suit in
response to the Statement of Findings .
Mr . Rappel stated that it concerns him and he is irritated that
they want to meet with the neighbors after they have filed a law
suit against the Town .
Councilperson Eckstrom stated that the
purpose
claim for the law suit was to provide them " legal " backstop
against which they could always eventually test the merit of
their proposal . In one perspective that indicates that they have
the take it or leave it attitude .
Supervisor Dietrich reported that legally the Town is responsible
for making legal decisions that are right for the Town .
Speeding Traffic on Route 96B
Paul Viscuso of Heisey Road reported that the traffic on Route
968 to the City of Ithaca travels at unreasonable speed during
rush hour times and asked the Board if there was some way to have
the highway patrolled by police agencies during these times .
Supervisor Dietrich reported that the speeding traffic through
Danby has been reported to police agencies and calls of concern
from citizens to the Tompkins County Sheriffs Department and the
New York State Police might help increase patrols .
COMMUNICATIONS :
Municipal Youth Services P,_ g_Agreement_
Supervisor Dietrich reported that the Town of Danby
agreement for Municipal Youth Services with Tompkins County to
allow the Town to receive matching funds to provide youth
services .
Historic Ithaca - Preliminar E stimates
Supervisor Dietrich reported
preliminary estimates for necessary tt, repairs
Town has received
Hall from Historic Ithaca to bring the buildintou tho code Danby Town
re
1 . Rigging and Shoring ( jack up the building and crib :
on steel ) ;
2 . Excavate and remove the old foundation ;
3 . Pour new footers and build a 4 foot foundation ;
4 . Insulate foundation with rigid insulation ;
5 . Remove the old floor and structural system , replace it
with one designed for proposed use , and then install a
new finished floor .
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June 11 , 1990
new finished floor .
The total for this would be in the $ 35 , 000 to $ 50 , 000 range
pending architectural design and contractor bids .
Additional things the building needs as a result of deferred
maintenance is repainting and replacement of the entire roof .
Supervisor Dietrich reported that the Town would also pursue a
more efficient heating system for the Town Hall .
Discussion followed in regard to what the Town will do with the
building and what is it ' s future use if we build a new facility .
New York State Real Property Tax Law
Councilperson Eckstrom reported that the City of Ithaca has
requested to Tompkins County and to New York State Legislature to
alter the New York State Real Property Tax Law to change the
method of equalization computation in Tompkins County . The City
h as proposed that the current process be eliminated .
Councilperson Eckstrom explained the effects this proposal would
h ave on the taxpayers of Danby and other rural townships . The
Town Board is proposing that the State Legislature not alter the
law at this time .
Discussion followed in regard to the effects of the proposed
change in the New York State Property Tax Law on small rural
t owns especially those who do not have unified school districts .
Upcoming Workshops
Supervisor Dietrich reported he has received notice of the
following workshops : 1 ) SEOR . 2 ) Yard Waste Management ,
3 ) Chemung Valley Arts Council .
Community Council
Councilperson Marisa reported on the following Community Council
activities .
1 ) Summer Recreation Program will begin on July 2 , 1990 and
will run through July 27 , 1990 and will be held at the Danby
Area Church . A registration form for the program will be in
the July -August issue of the Danby Area News . Applications
for camp scholarships which are partially funded through
Community Council will be accepted through June 15 , 1990 .
2 ) The Danby Motor Development Program has ended for this year
and was a very successful program .
3 ) Swimming lessons will be given at Danby pond this year in
addition to the regular swimming . Lessons for beginning
swimmers will begin the second week of July .
4 ) Community Council sent a delegation to Whitestown Community
Center near Utica as part of the community recreation center
investigation on June 7 , 1990 . They met with managers of
the Whitestown and the Town of New Hartford recreation
facilities . Both facilities were multipurpose buildings .
Councilperson Marisa reported that they have also looked at
other facilities . Top priority at the present time is a
suitable site for a multipurpose building and possible
funding through the New York State Bonding Act of 1986 .
Highway Department Report
Highway Superintendent Coddington reported on the following :
1 ) CHIPS roads are ready to oil and stone .
2 ) A load of sand has been delivered to the Danby Pond .
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5 Town Board Meeting
June 11 , 1990
3 ) Trash bins from the pond will be delivered to the Town
Highway Barns for pickup on Saturdays .
4 ) Construction on the new Town Highway Barns has been started .
5 ) CHIPS funds have been cut 1 . for 1990 .
6 ) There will be a new driver licence procedure next year for
highway personnel . Every professional driver ( bus driver ,
truck driver , etc . ) must pass a written test to obtain a
Federal License .
Senior Citizens Report
Ed Roberts reported that the Senior Citizens will be going on a
trip on Thursday , June 14 , 1990 and have planned a trip to Auburn
in August . The Senior Citizens have met with Mr . Frandson from
Spencer in regard to Senior Citizen housing in Danby . The Danby
Senior Citizens Committee will be send a letter to the Town
Board in regard to housing for seniors in Danby .
Code Enforcement Officer Report
Supervisor Dietrich read the following report from Doug Staley ,
Code Enforcement Officer for May 1990 .
Permits were issued for - 1 three -car garage , 1 pole barn , 2
alterations / renovation and 1 deck . Total building permit fees
collected was $ 627 . 00 with a construction value of $ 366 , 880 .
There were 2 Certificates issued for the month of May 1990 .
Dog Control Report
Supervisor Dietrich read the following Dog Control Officer
reports :
April 1990 - 3 complaints , 1 lost dog , 5 dogs found , 3 dogs
impounded , 1 adoption , 2 dogs redeemed by owners , 1 dog is
available for adoption and 1 dog was euthanized . Total income
for April 1990 was $ 30 . 00 ( $ 10 . 00 from adoptions , $ 20 . 00 from
redemptions ) .
May 1990 - 13 complaints , 7 lost dogs , 5 found dogs , 19 dogs
impounded , 1 adoption , 1 redeemed by owner , 8 dogs available for
adoption and 3 euthanized . Total income for May 1990 was
$ 30 . 00 ( $ 10 . 00 for adoptions , $ 20 . 00 for redemptions ) . One
summons was served .
Planning Board Report
Chairperson Weitzel reported that the Danby Planning Board held a
Public Hearing on the Proposed Bailey Homes request for
additional units . She reported that there were no objections
from neighbors but the project must have Tompkins County Health
Department approval for septic / sewage before Planning Board
approval .
OLD BUSINESS :
Resolution # 53 of 1990
Distribution of Town and County Tax Monies to Fund the Danby Fire
District By Councilperson Oltz : Seconded by Councilperson Eckstrom
WHEREAS , the Town of Danby Fire District has requested in writing
that a more equitable system of paying tax monies due the
district be adopted by the Town of Danby in order that the Danby
fire District obligations can be met without necessitating
borrowing monies to do so ; and
WHEREAS , the Fire District budget is completely funded by the
Town of Danby Town and County tax receipts ; and
WHEREAS , the official records of the Town have been researched
and the information obtained indicates that there is no
consistent or equitable system used to fund the Danby fire
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June 11 , 1990
District budget ( see attached results of research to be made a
part of this resolution ) ; and
WHEREAS , the Town bookkeeper has stated that she is unaware of
the needs of the Fire District at any point in time and has not
developed a systematic procedure of funding their budget ; and
now therefore , it is hereby
RESOLVED , That the Danby Fire District budget be funded by tax
monies received by the Town in the following manner : 50% of the
amount due in February and 50 % or the balance in March of the
year being funded .
Discussion followed in regard to the proposed two payment Town
and County Tax system .
Tabling Resolution of Resolution * 53 - Distribution of Town and
County Tax Monies to Fund the Danby Fire District
Resolution * 54 of 1990
By Supervisor Dietrich : Seconded by Councilperson Eckstrom
RESOLVED , That the Town of Danby Town Board table Resolution # 53
- Distribution of Town and County Tax Monies to Fund the Danby
Fire District until such time that the Town Board can evaluate
the two payment system .
A roll call vote on the resolution is as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
NEW BUSINESS :
Resolution 4 55 of 1990
Redistribution of City and School Tax Monies
By Councilperson Eckstrom : Seconded by Councilperson Marisa
WHEREAS , The City of Ithaca and the Tompkins County Board of
Representatives have requested by resolution , the NYS
Legislature to alter the NYS Real Property Tax Law , changing the
currently adopted method of property tax equalization used to
apportion the Ithaca City School District tax levy ;
WHEREAS , The NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment
periodically conducts Equalization reviews for practically all
NYS school districts and is the accepted and designated authority
on equalization issues in New York State ;
WHEREAS , The Tompkins County Assessor ' s Office has been
conducting a county - wide reassessment for the past several years ,
which was completed less than three months ago , and that there
exists insufficient data to justify the equity of the recent
reassessment ;
WHEREAS , The Ithaca City School District comprises eleven
municipalities and two counties . The proposal , as stated , would
reapportion school district taxes in a manner which would benefit
City of Ithaca taxpayers at the expense of taxpayers in virtually
every other municipal district including those in the Town of
Danby ;
WHEREAS , The City has forwarded the proposal in a manner which
h as not facilitated input from the affected municipalities , nor
h as there been opportunity for public input , nor adequate time
for analytical review .
THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , That the Town Board of the Town of
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June 11 , 1990
Danby requests the NYS Legislature to :
( i ) Delay any action on the proposed amendments to NYS Real
Property Tax Law until such time that affected
municipalities can adequately review the proposal , and
until a public hearing can be conducted ;
( ii ) That any alteration to the current method of
equalization computation be considered only at a point
in time when adequate data is available to indicate
that the County Assessor ' s Office can fairly conduct
county wide assessments and through substantive
quantitative data can prove that equalization , as
conducted by NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment
is no longer needed ;
FURTHER , BE IT RESOLVED , That the Town Board of the Town of Danby
requests the Town Supervisor ;
( i ) To convene a meeting of the Tompkins County members of
the Association of Towns to discuss these issues ;
( ii ) To forward copies of this resolution to Senator Seward ,
Assemblyperson Luster , NYS Board of Equalization and
Assessment , and the Ithaca City School District .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Town and County Taxes in Installments - Tompkins County Proposed
Local Law No . 5 of 1990
Tompkins County is proposing a local law which would afford
virtually all taxpayers the option to split their Town and County
tax bill into two equal installments . The first payment would be
due on January 15 , and the second six months later on July 1 .
Tax collectors would be required to make a return on or about
February 1 of those taxpayers who chose the installment option .
The County would be the collecting agent for the second
installment and a return would be made for all non - installment
payers on about June 1 , as is currently the practice .
Resolution ## 56 of 1990
Proposed Town and County Taxes in Installment Local Law
By Supervisor Dietrich : Seconded by Councilperson Eckstrom
WHEREAS , The Town of Danby is a small one person office not
equipped to handle an increased volume of tax activity during the
month of January , and
WHEREAS , it would be necessary to hire extra help to put together
a tax return by February 1 , and
WHEREAS , the delay in tax receipts would result in a loss on
investment and penalty revenue for the Town ; now , therefore be
it
RESOLVED , That the Town of Danby Town Board does not support the
Tompkins County Proposed Local Law # 5 of 1990 providing for Town
and County Taxes to be paid in installments .
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B Town Board Meeting
June 11 , 1990
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Neighborhood Watch at Jennings Pond.
Councilperson Marisa reported on the problems with undesirable
traffic and activities in the Jennings Pond area during the night
hours . The neighborhood has formed a neighborhood watch group
and they are asking the Town of Danby Town Board to support
their request to the New York State Park Police for an automatic
motion or activity sensing light for the park area .
Letter to New York State Park Police Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
Supervisor Dietrich to send the following letter from the Town of
Danby Town Board to the New York State Park Police .
Dear Lt . Murray :
The Town Board has received communications from the neighbors of
J ennings Pond in the Town of Danby regarding unusual traffic and
activities at the Park . The neighbors have formed a Neighborhood
Watch , met with law enforcement officers ( including Officer
J imenez on your department ) and explored strategies for
d iscouraging the unwanted activities .
In addition to the posting Neighborhood Watch signs , the group
h as been advised that automatic ( motion or activity sensing )
lighting at the pond would discourage unwanted nighttime visitors
t o the Pond parking lot . The light will also help the neighbors
monitor the Park , reporting suspicious activity as appropriate .
The Danby town board supports the request of the Neighborhood
Watch group for automatic lighting at the pond .
We greatly appreciate the efforts of your department in meeting
with neighbors and instructing them on the operations of law
enforcement agencies , reporting procedures and home safety .
Working together , we hope to keep the park and its surroundings a
pleasant and safe place , year ' round .
Sincerely ,
cc : Mr . Jessie Miller , Senior Engineer
Ms . Lori Niland , Jennings Pond Area Neighborhood Watch
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
Oltz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Space for Community Council Supplies Storage
Supervisor Dietrich reported that Community Council needs more
space to store supplies used for their summer recreation program
and the after school program . They have asked permission to
secure a space by placing a railing in the front of the Town Hall
meeting room to use as a storage space and to secure the
stairway .
The Town Hoard approved in concept the request for more space for
Community Council storage and requested Community Council to
submit a design of the proposed renovation before final approval .
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9 Town Hoard Meeting
June 11 , 1990
Painting of the Town Hall
Councilperson Eckstrom reported that it is necessary to have the
Town hall painted . The Town will seek bids for the stripping ( if
necessary ) and painting of the Town Hall .
Discussion followed in regard to replacing the roof of the Town
Hall and other repairs to the structure .
Approval of Warrants
General Fund Warrant *6 of 1990
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
Councilperson Eckstrom to approve , the General Fund Warrant #6 of
1990 in the amount of $ 7 , 071 . 20 as presented .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Eckstram Aye
O1tz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Highway Fund Warrant to of 1990
A motion was made by Councilperson Eckstrom and seconded by
Councilperson Marisa to approve the Highway Fund Warrant # 6 in
the amount of $ 11 , 707 . 85 as presented .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously "
West Danby Water District #6 of 1990
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
Councilperson Eckstrom to approve the West Danby Water District
Warrant # 6 of 1990 in the amount of $ 85 . 56 be approved as
presented .
Discussion followed in regard to a request from the auditor for
an itemized mileage form ( by trip ) to be submitted showing exact
odometer readings as well as destination for reimbursement .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Chips Warrant #2 of 1990
A motion was made by Councilperson Oltz and seconded by
Councilperson Eckstrom to approve the Chips Warrant # 2 of 1990
in the amount of $ 9 , 999 . 20 as presented .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval of the May 199OTown Clerk ' s , Report
A motion was made by Councilperson Oltz and seconded by
Councilperson Marisa to approve the May 1990 Town Clerk ' s
report as submitted .
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10 Town Hoard Meeting
June 11 , 1990
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye .
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval of the May 1990_Supervisor's _Report
A motion was made by Counciiperson Eckstrom and seconded by
Councilperson Oltz to approve the May 1990 Supervisor ' s Report
as presented .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Eckstrom Aye
Oltz Aye
Marisa Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the Town Board Meeting adjourned at 11 : 40 P . M .
Respectfully submitted
09441
_________±2k/Carol W . Sczef� li , Town Clerk