HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-11 1 Town Board Meeting *?
March 11 , 1991
TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MEETING
Regular Meeting 8 : 00 P . M . March 11 , 1991
PRESENT :
S upervisor Dietrich
Councilpersons : Eckstrom , Marisa , Oltz , Schwartz
O thers
P lanning Board Chair - N . Weitzel
H ighway Superintendent - K . Coddington
County Representative - F . Proto
Town Clerk - C . Sczepanski
Members_of the _ Public : Edw . M . Roberts , Paul Viscuso , Roger Nile ,
Arthur Prentice , Patty Van de Bogart , Pat Woodworth , Herb Engman ,
Joel Gagnon , Deborah Fitzpatrick , Ray Axtel
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE : _
Supervisor Dietrich led all present to the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American flag .
Approval , of March 6 1991 Town Board Agenda Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Councilperson Eckstrom and seconded by
Councilperson Marisa to approve the March 6 , 1991 Town Board Agenda
Meeting Minutes .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
S chwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval of_. February_11_,, _1991 Town Board Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by, Councilperson Eckstrom and Seconded by
Councilperson Oltz to postpone the approval of the February 11 ,
1991 Town Board Meeting Minutes until April 1991 Town Board
Meeting .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
S chwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA__ Carried Unanimously
, 1 ) Supervisor Dietrich requested an addition to the Agenda under
New Business - ADP Payroll Systems - Resolution .
2 ) Supervisor Dietrich requested an addition to the Agenda under
New Business - Letter to Senator Seward and Assemblyman Luster
in regard to Division for Youth Service Monies - Resolution .
No Board member objected .
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March 11 , 1991
PRIVILEGE
OF . __ THE
__. FLOOR_:_
SeniorCiti, zen..... Housing
Councilperson Oitz would like the Town Board to schedule a meeting
to meet with Becky Bilderbeck , Frank Proto and a member of the
Senior Citizen Council from Danby in regard to senior citizen
housing for Danby .
Supervisor ' s Report
Councilperson Marisa expressed his appreciation to the Town
Supervisor and the accounting / bookkeeping staff for the much
improved presentation of the Supervisor ' s Report and accompanying
budget information for the Board .
Correction__ to__ _ Town_._ Tax._._Roll
Town Clerk , Carol Sczepanski reported a correction to the 1991 Town
of Danby Tax Roll . The Tax Roll has been reduced by $ 392 . 70 .
Tompkins Repre_sen_tat. ive Report
Representative Proto reported on the following :
1 ) Part 75A - NYS Sewage Regulations - - The sub - committee of the
B oard of Health has reviewed most of the NYS regulations for
sewage systems .
2 ) Tompkins County Airport Expansion - A proposal for the airport
expansion will be presented to Tompkins County Board of
Representatives in April 1991 .
3 ) NYS Budget Cuts - Tompkins County is looking at $ 900 , 000 in
N YS budget cuts .
. 4 ) Jobs Legislation - A new proposal for jobs legislation in
Tompkins County is possible that stipulates for jobs costing
$ 10 , 000 and over , fifty ( 50 ) per cent of all labor is to come
from the County .
5 ) NYS Real Property Tax Law - Representative Proto wrote to
Senator Seward and Assemblyman Luster suggesting that this
would be the appropriate time to meet with the Municipal
O fficers of Tompkins County to describe the impacts of the
proposed NYS Real Property Tax Law .
6 ) Solid Waste - Ric Dietrich , Julia Hughes , and Steve Uzman
were appointed as the Town of Danby representatives on the
H illview Road Citizen ' s Advisory Committee and Frank Proto as
a County Representative . Joel Gagnon has been appointed to
the Tompkins County Solid Waste Advisory Committee .
7 ) Reading Center - The Town of Danby Reading Center funds may
be cut $ 2 , 500 . Arrangements for book pick - up and delivery has
been arranged through the Finger Lakes Library System
beginning on April 5 , 1991 .
8 ) Solid Waste Committee - A resolution was drafted urging
Tompkins County to consider exploration of alternate sites for
solid waste disposal on a temporary basis in the event that
it is necessary to trade trash .
9 ) Bus Service - The County Bus Service ( Tom Tram ) to Danby will
start soon .
10 ) Old County Jail - The County is looking at uses for the
building .
11 ) Septic Charges for Haulers - The City of Ithaca has increased
septage fees to haulers to $ 58 . 00 per thousand pounds and will
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March 11 , 1991
✓ esult in higher pumping fees .
12 ) Amended Consent Order - Tompkins County has passed a
✓ esolution giving James Mason authority to sign the Amended
Consent Order that states Landstrom Landfill will close on
December 31 , 1991 and permission to negotiate any other terms
n ecessary .
Discussion followed on the Amended Consent Order .
13 ) Senior Citizens Housing - Representative Proto presented
materials to the Board for a Housing and Community Development
Program for Rehabilitation and Improving existing housing .
Members of the Public :
Roger of 72 Traver Road reported that a resident on Traver
Road has not attempted to clean up trash that is unsightly .
West _ Danby Methodist Cemetery
Mr ...._ J . Arthur_Prentice ,___ Investigator for NYS Division of Cemeteries
addressed the Board with a resolution from the West Danby Methodist
Cemetery Association requesting the Town of Danby to assume the
maintenance and administrative duties of the cemetery due to lack
of funds . Mr . Prentice explained the procedure necessary to convey
the cemetery to the Town .
Joel _ Ga_gnon _., of West Danby Road reported that as a result of his
, appointment to the Tompkins County Solid Waste Advisory Committee
he can no longer serve as the Town Representative on the Tompkins
County Planning Board . Joel plans to submit his resignation to the
Planning Board March 20 , 1991 .
COMMUNICATIONS
Dog_ Control
1 ) 1990 SPCA Activities Report for the Town of Danby .
2 ) Letter to Supervisor Dietrich from the SPCA in regard to the
services provided to Tompkins County and our Dog Control
Officer .
3 ) Letter from Town Court in regard to how violations and
penalties are addressed in the Town of Danby .
4 ) Letter to Town Board from Community Council in regard to grant
application sent to New York State Division for Youth monies
for renovation of the Old Town Barns on Bald Hill Road .
Other _Report_s
EMC
Herb Engman from Tompkins County Environmental Management Council
reported on the following :
1 ) The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council will
celebrate their 20th Anniversary of existence this year and
they are looking for ways to celebrate this occasion .
2 ) The EMC is planning to write a " State of the Environment
Report " for Tompkins County this year .
3 ) The second draft of the study of the Plant and Animal Life
of the DR - 7 Landfill Site is nearing completion .
Community Council __Report :
Supervisor Dietrich reported that Community Council has asked the
Town Board to accept the grant proposal for renovation of the Old
Town Barns on Bald Hill Road for a youth recreation center . ,
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Community Council has asked the Town Board for a resolution in
support of the grant proposal . Supervisor Dietrich read a letter
to the Town Board from Community Council dated February 15 , 1991
in regard to the Grant Proposal Application , programs that are run
by Community Council , program costs and anticipated revenues for
the year 1991 .
D iscussion followed :
P atty Van de Bogart addressed the Board and reported that Community
Council is asking the Town of Danby Town Board for their
e ndorsement of the Division for Youth Grant Proposal for renovation
o f the Town Highway Barns on Bald Hill .
Councilperson Eckstrom stated that he believes Community Council
h as the endorsement from the Town Board .
S upervisor Dietrich referred to Town Board Minutes of February 11 ,
1991 and the motion to table further discussion on the request from
Community Council to formally accept the Division for Youth Grant
Proposal to renovate the old Town Highway Barns on Bald Hill Road .
Supervisor Dietrich stated that it is his understanding that there
are two ( 2 ) issues : 1 ) Community Council is asking for Town Board
support for the grant proposal ; 2 ) can the Town Board and
Community Council meet to discuss long term relationship in terms
of where we are going .
Councilperson Schwartz said that he endorses the grant proposal
but at this point he has a lot of questions and needs more
information on long term liabilities .
Councilperson Marisa said if Community Council were owner / operator
of the building the insurance liability could make the financial
aspects of program inviable . It is possible that the building may
have to be a Town building ( Town property ) under the Town insurance
umbrella to be affordable . Who will own and operate the building
if it is renovated has not been decided .
Debbie Fitzpatrick reported that there has been no communication
o r interaction between the Town Board and Community Council .
Councilperson Eckstrom stated that he has spent a lot of time and
e ffort in the preparation of budgets for Community Council for a
number of years .
Supervisor Dietrich responded to Community Council members that the
✓ elationship between the Town and Community Council has a lot of
holes in it but does have strengths . The Town has supported
Community Council for a number of years and the Town must have the
Community Council budget in line in such a way that it meets our
auditors approval .
Councilperson Schwartz stated that what he is hearing / understanding
is a history of misunderstanding and miscommunication between
Community Council and the Town Board . It is obvious to him that
we need to formalize a relationship between Community Council and .
the Town Board .
Councilperson Eckstrom stated that he feels the Town Board does
support the project but realize there are numerous issues involved .
He also feels that Community Council must take steps to become
incorporated .
Debbie Fitzpatrick stated that some of these issues and questions
should have been addressed before now .
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March 11 , 1991
Councilperson Marisa suggested that it may be possible for the Town
with proper legal structure to retain the insurance and lease the
building to Community Council at favorable rates . This would be
considered if Community Council is Incorporated with a Board of
Directors and through a legal contract .
Councilperson Eckstrom said that an alterative is that we form a
Danby Youth Board under formal direction of the Town Board with all
income and expenditures through our bookkeeping system .
Councilperson Marisa referred to a petition being circulated by
Community Council in support of the proposed project . He said that
if the Town receives the grant we will move forward but we need to
find the proper management structure .
Herb Engman said he would be astounded if the State of New York
gave money to an inappropriate body as they do not give money to
individuals , they give money to entities and corporations . Unless
Community Council is incorporated the Town would be the only legal
recipient of those funds . When you are the legal recipient
have all legal responsibilities under that you
them off to any other grant and connot push
Y group in the community . Herb said he is not
concerned about the money to put up the building but with the
maintenance and operational costs . How much money has been set
aside for these expenses ?
Supervisor Dietrich responded that this was a unique opportunity
for the Town .
Councilperson Eckstrom read the transmittal letter sent to New York
State attached to the grant proposal .
Councilperson Schwartz said that he feels Community Council must
formalize itself and , we as a Town Board , set up a meeting with
them to discuss issues of concern .
Discussion followed in regard to the condition of the old highway
barns building and property .
The Town Board will meet with Community Council on April 10 , 1991 .
Highway Report ;
Highway Superintendent Coddington reported on the following :
1 ) Road
Grader _ - has been ordered and should arrive by the
end of March or the first of April ;
2 ) Bridge on LaRue Road - The bridge on LaRue Road to the
Speech Clinic was posted today ( March 11 , 1991 ) with a
three ( 3 ) ton weight limit as recommended by New York
State . The Spencer and Danby Fire Departments will be
notified . An engineering study will be done on the
bridge .
Discussion followed .
April___ 8._,_ _ 1991 _ _Town__Board__Meeting_
The April 8 , 1991 Town Board Meeting will be held at the New Town
Highway Barns , 93 Hornbrook Road , Ithaca , New York at 8 : 00 P . M .
Senior Citizen Report :
Ed Roberts reported that the Senior Citizens would like to know
the status of housing in the Town for senior citizens .
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Code EnforcementFebruary __1991_Report
The Town of Danby Building Department issued three ( 3 ) Certificates
of Occupancy for the month of February 1991 . No building permits
were issued .
Dog _Control Officer Report :_ No Report
Planning_ Board Report
Chairperson Weitzel reported that on February 20 , 1991 the Planning
Board held a Public Information Meeting on the new proposed Town
Zoning Map .
OLD BUSINESS :
Dog _..Control _:_
Councilperson Eckstrom reported that the Town of Danby is satisfied
with how dog control is handled by our dog control officer .
Supervisor Deitrich explained that the Town receives many of the
services provided through Tompkins County SPCA in addition to
services of our own dog control officer .
Councilperson Eckstrom said that the Town Board received a
communication from Town Court that explained how violations are
handled .
NEW BUSINESS :
RESOLUTION. # 23_._OF _ 1991. .
AWARD OF _FIRE _AND
ALARM
SYSTEM CONTRACT - NEW HIGHWAY BARNS
By Councilperson Eckstrom : Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz
WHEREAS , the Town of Danby has requested and received quotes for
the purchase and installation of fire and alarm systems y for the
Town Highway Barns , and
WHEREAS , the Town Board of the Town of Danby has reviewed the
proposals for the purchase and installation of a fire and alarm
system , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , That the Town of Danby Town Board awards the contract for
installation of a fire and alarm system to OMEGA Systems for their
low bid in the amount of $ 3 , 525 . 00 .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
RESOLUTION # 24 OF 1991
THANK
-.-YOU
TO _ FRED_ M . THAYER , VOTING MACHINE CUSTODIAN
B y Councilperson Eckstrom : Seconded by Councilperson Oltz
WHEREAS , the regular meeting of the Town of Danby Town Board was
h eld on March 11 , 1991 at the Danby Town Hall , Town of Danby ,
County of Tompkins , New York , and
WHEREAS , Fred M . Thayer has served for many years as Voting Machine
Custodian for the Town of Danby and has submitted his resignation
and will no longer be able to serve , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , That the Town Board of the Town of Danby accepts , with
regret , Fred M . Thayer ' s resignation as Voting Machine Custodian
and thanks him for his dedicated service to the Town .
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March 11 , 1991
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
S chwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Proposed School_ Tax--_Equaliz.ation _ Le-gislation
In regard to the Proposed School Tax Equalization Rate change
Councilperson Eckstrom presented the following resolution ; .
RESOLUTION # 25 OF 1991
P ROPOSED
- _NYS
._EQUALIZATION AND _ASSESSMENT
B y Councilperson Eckstrom : Seconded by Councilperson Oltz
WHEREAS , The City of Ithaca and the Tompkins County Board of
Representatives have requested 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
D istrict tax levy , and
WHEREAS , The Tompkins County Assessor ' s Office has been conducting
a countywide revaluation for the past several years which was
completed in 1990 . There exists insufficient data to justify the
equalization equity of the recently completed revaluation , and
WHEREAS , The NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment periodically
conducts Equalization reviews for all NYS school districts and is
the accepted and designated authority on equalization issues in New
York State , and
WHEREAS , The NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment has conducted
an interim equalization review in 1990 which indicated wide
deviations in equalization rates . Variations in equalization on
the order of 250 % were not uncommon . While this information was
based on 1986 housing sales , it is indicative that the revaluation
methodology may be flawed and may require periodic third party
oversight and review . The NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment
is scheduled to conduct a complete review later in 1991 , and
WHEREAS , The Town of Danby passed a resolution opposing this change
in June 1990 and no additional evidence supporting this change has
been provided since the original draft legislation was proposed in
February 1990 . Meanwhile there are now several indications that
this revaluation may not have been conducted in a completely
uniform fashion , and
WHEREAS , The School Board of the Ithaca City School District
decided that it was unwise to institute this change for the 1990 -
91 school year and specifically chose not to apply for
certification in 1990 , and
WHEREAS , It is becoming increasingly evident that the Governor and
the legislature will incorporate an increased burden on local
property taxes as part of a solution to their budgetary problems .
If this is to be done , to do so without assuring equity and
uniformity in the distribution of local tax levies would be
extremely imprudent , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , That the Town of Danby Town Board opposes this change in
the Real Property Tax Law and urges its NYS Legislators to consider
changes in real property tax law more carefully in the face of the
changing fiscal environment of NYS , and be it further
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March 11 , 1991
RESOLVED , That the Equalization review scheduled to be conducted
in 1991 in Tompkins County is seriously jeopardized by budget
reductions . We urge our legislators to fund the NYS Board of
Equalization fully in order to preserve fairness and Equity in the
Real Property Tax system .
Discussion followed in regard to the unfairness of proposed change
in Real Property Tax Law to rural communities .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
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Schwartz Aye .
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Representative Proto requested that a copy of the Proposed NYS
Equalization and Assessment Resolution be sent to the Tompkins
County Board of Representatives .
Supervisor Dietrich will set up a meeting of Tompkins County
Municipal Officers and invite Senator James L . Seward and
Assemblyman Martin Luster as guests .
Tompkins_ County___.Economip __Opportunity Corporation_Appointment__
Tompkins County Economic Opportunity Corporation has requested the
Town of Danby appoint a representative of the Town to . serve on
their Board of Directors . Councilperson Marisa will place as
notice in the April 1991 Danby Area News of the vacancy on the EOC
Board . The term of appointment is for one year beginning April 1 ,
1991 thru March 1992 .
RESOLUT_ION # 26 OF „_.1991.
p y.LSION .__FOR_ YOUTH_. _MONEY
B y Councilperson Dietrich : Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz
RESOLVED , That the Town of Danby Town Board in full knowledge that
N ew York State is undergoing a financial crisis , respectfully asks
our State Legislators to do everything they can to keep youth
serving monies in tact for our County and our Town .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Town of Danby_. Payroll . : .
Councilperson Marisa reported that he has corresponded with the
ADP ( Automatic Data Processing ) in regard to the Town payroll .
ADP has requested confirmation in writing of their proposal to
provide the Town with payroll services beginning in April 1991 .
Discussion followed and a meeting with ADP is scheduled for
March 25 , 1991 at 4 : 00 P . M .
Mot_ion. _ _,tpprove___ Automatic Data Processing __for . Town Payroll.
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
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March 11 , 1991
Councilperson Eckstrom that the Town Board authorize Supervisor
Dietrich to write a letter to Leslie Glynn , District Manager of
Automatic Data Processing ( ADP ) to initiate payroll services for
the Town of Danby to begin April 1991 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
Dietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval. Warrants :
Corrections
._ of January _ 1991_ Warrants,
There are corrections to the General Fund and Highway January 1991
Warrants . Corrections will be submitted next month .
Approval
.._. of.__General _Fund Warrant _ # 3 of.__ 1991
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
Councilperson Eckstrom to approve the General Fund Warrant # 3 of
1991 in the amount of $ 10 , 122 . 68 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval
ofWest Danby Water District Fund Warrant # 2 _of _ 1991
A motion was made by Councilperson Oltz and seconded by
Councilperson Marisa to approve the West Danby Water District Fund
Warrant # 2 of 1991 in the amount of $ 137 . 75 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval _. o_ f_. Hi_ghway Fund Warrant__# 3 of 1991
A motion was made by Councilperson Eckstrom and seconded by
Councilperson Schwartz to approve the Highway Fund Warrant # 3 of
1991 in the amount of 11 , 736 . 58 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
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Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval of _the
__ Supervi. so_rs_. . February 1991 Report :
A motion was made by Councilperson Marisa and seconded by
Councilperson Schwartz to approve the February 1991 Supervisor ' s
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March 11 , 1991
Report as submitted .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O 1tz Aye
S chwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
Approval February. 1991 Report
A motion was made by Councilperson Eckstrom and seconded by
Councilperson Oltz to approve the February 1991 Town Clerk ' s Report
as submitted .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
E ckstrom Aye
Marisa Aye
O ltz Aye
Schwartz Aye
D ietrich Aye
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the Town Board Meeting adjourned at 11 : 00 P . M .
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Carol W . Sczep s 1 , Town Clerk
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