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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-12 392 TOWN OF DANBY • TOWN BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting 8 : 00 P . M . December 12 , 1994 PRESENT : Supervisor Mary Oltz Councilpersons : Roger Hi. le , RosaLee Johnson , Joseph Schwartz , 4 r Howard Steiner Others Present : County Representative - Frank Proto Town Clerk - Carol Sczepanski Code Enforcement Officer - Susan Beeners Members of the Public : N ancy Weitzel , Joel Gagnon , Terry Soyring , Roy Casterline , E lizabeth Owens - Roe , Mary Lou Hardesty S upervisor Oltz called meeting to order at 8 : 00 P . M . and led all present to the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag . Approval of Minutes : November 9 , 1994 Public Hearing and Special Meeting Minutes : A motion was made by Councilperson Steiner and Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz to approve the Town Board November 9 , 1994 P ublic Hearing , and Special Meeting Minutes as written . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H ile Aye J ohnson Aye Schwartz Aye S teiner Aye O ltz Aye Carried Unanimously Approval of the November 14 , 1994 Town Board Minutes was postponed until the next meeting of the Town Board . PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR : Tompkins County Representative Report County Representative Proto reported on the following : 1 ) Rural Affairs Committee - the committee held four ( 4 ) public sessions , one for public officials throughout the County and o ne in each of the Towns of Enfield , Caroline , Newfield and L ansing . Residents at the town meetings reported concerns with the following issues : handling of solid waste , importance of public works and public safety , deer population t hat are eating shrubs and plants in the Cayuga Heights area and cats licensing in Lansing . In all municipalities ✓ esidents reported that they want the County to keep the ✓ ecycling centers open . 2 ) County 1995 Budget - has been set at $ 87 , 000 , 000 . With the application of funds of over $ 800 , 000 . 00 for an adjustment in t he insurance , retirement , and workmen ' s compensation payments , the County was able to apply a return to the t axpayer , rebuild part of the general fund and to return a portion to the employees for their share . 3 ) Out of County Transportation - A committee was appointed t hrough the Department of Social Services to look into the cost of transportation by taxi for clients to out of the county facilities for medical treatment , etc . A report will be made to the County in February 1995 . 4 ) Cat Licensing - is on the agenda for a special meeting of the County Health Committee . 5 ) E - 911 Oversight Committee - The E - 911 Task Force has been d issolved and a E - 911 Oversight Committee has been formed . 393 2 Town Board Minutes December 12 , 1994 6 ) Town Roads List - Representative Proto requested the County P ublic Works Department prepare a list of County Roads that t hey have worked on in the Town of Danby over the last ten ( 10 ) years . A copy of the list will be sent to the Town . Members of the Public : J oel Gagnon - 2353 Spencer Road - reported that the West Danby Community Association will host a Christmas Social at the West D anby Methodist Church on Saturday , December 17 , 1994 at 7 : 30 P . M . • Terry Soyring - 477 Nelson Road - reported that he purchased a small house and property on Station Road in West Danby . His house shares a common driveway with an adjacent property that houses a trailer behind his house . The tenant on that property is operating what is almost a salvage yard . He believes the activity on the adjacent property is making it difficult to rent or sell his residence . Mr . Soyring asked the Town look into this situation and to enforce the clean - up of this property . Discussion followed : The Code Enforcement Officer reported she has made attempts to explain the Town regulations to the tenant and he has not responded well . Mary Lou Hardesty - 50 South Danby Road - gave an update on the Hil _lview Road Mobile Home Park Expansion Project and reported that the roads are in at , sewer lines are laid and that cable , electric and telephone line work started . She responded to the salvage problem in West Danby and said that a New York State License is required to operate a salvage yard . She thinks a license is something the operator should look into if it is a business operation . Supervisor Oltz reported on the following : 1 ) A Facilities Committee was appointed in January 1994 to evaluate the space needs of the Town . The Committee has submitted a report and have recommended that the Town Hall Building be renovated , an addition to it be constructed and that the vacant parcel immediately adjacent to the Town Hall be acquired . The Committee also recommended that the Town look into the application of a New York State Environmental Protection Grant and other grants . 2 ) Due to the resignation of the bookkeeper , the Supervisor will be doing the bookkeeping for the Town . Adds have been placed in the Danby Area News and the Ithaca Journal to fill this position . 3 ) Town Justice James Herson will not take a medical leave this ® winter . 4 ) The Cat Licensing Task Force will be meeting on Wednesday , December 14 , 1994 at 7 : 00 P . M . Supervisor Oltz reported that the Task Force would like people from all areas to attend . 5 ) Tompkins County Solid Waste Division is asking if our municipality would be interested in sponsoring a community w ide re - use event such as a garage or yard sale , rummage sale o r curbside set out event next spring , summer or fall . 6 ) Tompkins County Solid Waste Division has offered the Town an o pportunity to participate in an illegal dumping clean - up pilot program . The Town would have $ 219 . 00 available for the disposal of approximately four ( 4 ) tons of illegally dumped material . 7 ) Workers Compensation - the Town of Danby share of the Mutual 3. 94 3 Town Board Minutes December 12 , 1994 S elf Insurance Plan is $ 60 . 02 . 8 ) Apportionment of Mortgage Tax - the Town of Danby share is $ 22 , 753 . 00 . • The Town Clerk reported on the following communications received : 1 ) The Tompkins County Solid Waste Annual Fee for 1995 will be mailed by the County to all owners of improved property on J anuary 2 , 1995 . Copies of the Solid Waste Annual Fee brochure are available in the Clerk ' s office . 2 ) The Clerk received a letter from the Danby Board of Fire Commissioners approving the use of the West Danby Fire D epartment building as the polling place for Danby Voting D istrict No . 2 . The Fire District appreciates the opportunity t o participate in this community service . 3 ) N . V . S . Dot has responded to the Town request for a Speed Zone Test on South Danby Road . They will add this request to their normal work schedule and complete a traffic engineering study as soon as possible . Other Reports : Environmental Management Council E lizabeth Owens - Roe reported that the EMC will be forming new committees in January . She would like input from the Board and community of issues they think should be addressed by the County E MC and is open to all any suggestions . There seems to be a lot of environmental issues centered around domestic wildlife and small animal control . Zoning Report : Code Enforcement Officer reported the following : 1 ) building activity is about the same as last year ; 2 ) a building request has been forwarded to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a horse barn on Fisher Settlement Road ; 3 ) the Planning Board principal Agenda item in December will be to complete a package of zoning improvements . The Planning Board is reviewing a subdivision proposal for a property in West Danby . The proposed road grade of 10 % has not been approved at this time . Highway Superintendent Hall has looked at the roads profile and reported that the 10 % grade is acceptable for a variety of reasons . Councilperson Hile reported that he has discussed the 10 % ; grade road provision with the Highway Superintendent . There will be an adjustment in the road grade specifications . D og Control Report - November 1994 Report shows zero activity for dog control in November 1994 . S olid Waste Advisory Committee ( SWACZ J oel Gagnon reported on the following : 1 ) The committee reviewed a proposal of how to deal with illegal solid waste disposal and how funds are distributed to municipalities . 2 ) A request for proposals will be circulated for comment on how t o deal with sludge disposal . 3 ) There is discussion on how to deal with a leachate problem at t he Caswell Landfill . OLD BUSINESS : RESOLUTION NO . 60 OF 1994 - Approved MODIFICATION _OF LETTER OF CREDIT , FIELDSTONE CIRCLE SUBDIVISION B y Councilperson Hile : Seconded by Councilperson Steiner 39 -5 4 Town Board Minutes December 12 , 1994 WHEREAS , Scott Hoffay , of North East Homes of Ithaca , Inc . , has ✓ equested that the Town of Danby Town Board reduce the amount of t he Letter of Credit deposited with the Town on July 11 , 1994 for t he completion of roads and other public improvements at " Fieldstone Circle Subdivision " , and the conveyance of same to the Town of Danby , and WHEREAS , the Highway Superintendent and the Code Enforcement 411 O fficer , upon review of the work completed and the work outstanding in the development have recommended that the letter of credit be ✓ educed by $ 43 , 231 . 00 , so that an amount of $ 62 , 769 . 00 be retained in a. Letter of Credit , NOW , THEREFORE , IT IS RESOLVED , that the Town of Danby Town Board hereby approves the ✓ eduction of the Letter of Credit Number 51326 , established for the Town of Danby by Snyder County Trust Company on behalf of the Fieldstone Circle Subdivision , from a total amount of $ 106 , 000 . 00 t o a. total amount of $ 62 , 769 . 00 retained in said letter of credit . A roll call vote on the Resolution Resulted as follows : H ile Aye J ohnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye O ltz Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO . 62 OF 1994 - Approved TO CONSIDER TOWN HALL FACILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS B y Councilperson Steiner : Seconded by Councilperson Hile WHEREAS , the Town Board has received and reviewed the " Town of D anby Town Hall Facility Report " and the recommendations of the Town Hall Facility Committee dated November 30 , 1994 , and • WHEREAS , the Facility Committee has recommended that the existing main building of the Town Hall be renovated , and that an addition t o it be constructed , and that the vacant parcel immediately adjacent to the Town Hall on the south be acquired , and WHEREAS , the Facility Committee has recommended that the Town Board submit an application for a New York State Environmental Protection Fund matching grant for eligible costs related to the renovation of and the addition to the existing Town Hall , and WHEREAS , the Facility Committee has also reported that a grant for professional services related to such a Town Hall project may be available through the New York State Council of the Arts , now , t herefore , it is • RESOLVED , that the Town of Danby Town Board accepts the Report and recommendations of the Town Hall Facility Committee dated November 30 , 1994 , and it is further RESOLVED , that the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to obtain professional services for work related to the submission of t he aforementioned grants , with such services to include assistance t o the Town in preparation of the following : a . an application for nomination of the Town Hall to the State and National Registers of Historic Places ; b . an application for a New York State Environmental P rotection Fund matching grant for eligible costs related t o the renovation of and the addition to the existing Town Hall ; and c . an application to the New York State Council of the Arts for related professional services , and it is further 396 5 Town Board Minutes December 12 , 1994 RESOLVED , that the maximum cost for such authorized professional services shall not exceed $ 5 , 000 . 00 without further Town Board approval , with such expense to be charged to the Contingency Account , and it is further RESOLVED , that included as part of such authorization , the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute an agreement with Richard Carlson for professional services related to the preparation of a S tate and National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Town Hall , for a total maximum amount of $ 1 , 600 . 00 , of which sum a • retainer of $ 450 . 00 may be paid . D iscussion followed : Councilperson Johnson stated that she is concerned that there would be no alternative for a referendum because if the Town Hall is listed as a historic building the Town would not be allowed to sell it or tear it down . If we do not get the grant , we will have thrown away our money . She asked where does the public get to respond t hrough referendum and what if they do not want this building renovated and want a smaller or new building constructed ? S usan reported that the establishment of the Town Hall on the H istoric Record is something the Town could pull out of until May . The Grant is contingent on the listing of the Town Hall as a H istoric Building . If a grant is awarded the Town would save between $ 20 , 000 . 00 and $ 40 , 000 . 00 . She thinks there are some controls in the process between now and the February deadline for t he grant submission . There are several places where there is opportunity for public information . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : H ile Aye Johnson Abstained S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Councilperson Johnson reported that her abstention is an interjection from another meeting dealing with the Historical Society . She said she has expressed her reservations of the limiting effect that it may have . RESOLUTION NO . 63 of 1994 - Approved AUTHORIZATION TO PAY SUPERVISOR FOR BOOKKEEPING SERVICES - Approved By Councilperson Schwartz : Seconded by Councilperson Johnson WHEREAS , the Town of Danby Bookkeeper has resigned , and WHEREAS , the bookkeeping position for the Town has not been filled , • and the Town Supervisor is required to do the bookkeeping for the Town , now be it RESOLVED , that the Town of Danby Town Board authorize payment of a bookkeeper salary to be paid to the Supervisor for these services . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : H ile Aye J ohnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously RESOLUTION NO . 64 of 1994 - Approved APPROVAL__OF POLLING PLACE FOR TOWN OF DANBY_VOTING DISTRICT NO . 2 By Supervisor Oltz : Seconded by Councilperson Hile 397 6 Town Board Minutes December 12 , 1994 WHEREAS , the Town of Danby Polling Place for Voting District No . 2 has been temporarily located at the West Danby First Baptist Church , and WHEREAS , the West Danby Fire Hall is now completed and the Town has received a letter from the Danby Board of Fire Commissioners approving the use of the facility as a polling place , now be it 411 RESOLVED , that the Town of Danby Town Board approve the West Danby Fire Hall , 47 Sylvan Lane , West Danby , New York as the polling place for the Town of Danby Voting District No . 2 . A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows : H ile Aye J ohnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye O ltz Aye Carried Unanimously PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING DATE SET Monday , December 19 , 1994 - 7 : 00 P . M . A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Hile to set the date of Monday , December 19 , 1994 , 7 : 00 P . M . for a Public Information Meeting concerning the proposed renovation of the existing Town Hall , construction of an addition t o it , and the acquisition of the vacant lot south of the Town H all . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H aile Aye Johnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye O ltz Aye Carried Unanimously TOWN BOARD YEAR END MEETING DATE SET Thursday , December 29 , 1994 - 7 : 00 P . M . A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Hile to set the date of Thursday , December 29 , 1994 at 7 : 00 P . M . for the Town Board Year End Meeting . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H aile Aye Johnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously APPROVAL OF WARRANTS : General Fund Warrant No . 12 of 1994 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to approve the General Fund Warrant No . 19 of 1994 , vouchers numbered 439 - 469 in the amount of $ 13 , 766 . 81 . A roll call vo'te on the motion resulted as follows : H aile Aye J ohnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously Highway Fund Warrant No . 12 of 1994 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Hile and seconded by Councilperson Schwartz to approve the Highway Fund Warrant No . 12 393 7 Town Board Minutes December 12 , 1994 of 1994 , vouchers numbered 155 - 163 in the amount of $ 2 , 588 . 62 . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H ile Aye Johnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously • West Danby Water District Fund Warrant No . 11 of 1994 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to approve the West Danby Water District Fund Warrant No . 11 of 1994 , vouchers numbered 43 - 46 in the amount of $ 761 . 91 . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H ile Aye Johnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously Town _Clerk _Monthly Report - November 1994 - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Hile to approve the Town Clerk ' s November 1994 Report as submitted . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H ile Aye Johnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye O ltz Aye Carried Unanimously Town Supervisor ' s November 1994 Report - Approved A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Hile to approve the Town Supervisor ' s November 1994 Report as submitted . A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : H ile Aye J ohnson Aye S chwartz Aye S teiner Aye Carried Unanimously • ADJOURNMENT :__ On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 35 P . M . p/ / � V ra W Carol W . Sczepan j. , Town Clerk