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