HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-10 454
1 Town Board Minutes
July 10, 1995
TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting 8: 00 P. M. July 10, 1995
PRESENT :
Supervisor Oltz
Councilpersons : Rosa Lee Johnson, Joseph Schwartz, Howard Steiner
ABSENT :
Councilperson Roger Hile (excused)
Others Present: .
County Representative - Frank Proto
Town Clerk - Carol Sczepanski
Code Enforcement Officer - Susan Beeners
BZA Chairman - Edward Inman
Planning Board Chair - Kenneth Horst
Members of the Public:
Liz Norton, Joel Gagnon, Mary Lou Hardesty, Bill Farrell, Nancy Weitzel, Mary Ann
Kozak, James Holley
Supervisor Oltz called the meeting to order at 8 : 00 P .M. and led all present in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American flag.
Approval of June 12 , 1995 Town Board Minutes
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to
approve the Town Board Minutes of June 12, 1995 as published .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Privilege of the Floor:
Carol Sczepanski, Town Clerk reported that she received a Certificate of Training for
completing the general education requirements at the Annual New York State Town Clerks
Conference, April 23 -26, 1995 , in Liverpool, New York.
County Representative Report:
Representative Frank Proto reported on the following :
1 ) Installment Payments - County Taxes - The County Governmental Affairs
Committee requested our State Legislators to withdraw the legislation request to
amend the calendar for payment of County taxes by installments due to the
recommendation of the Tompkins County Town Clerks Association. The Town
Clerks and the New York State Clerks Association were not in favor of extending the
deadline for first installment payments of taxes to January 31 as this would create a
hardship.
2) Rural Affairs Committee - have received concerns that mobile homes in mobile
home parks may not be assessed at a fair market value for payment of taxes.
Assessment in Tompkins County is based on market sales .
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July 10, 1995
The Rural Affairs Committee has been asked by Chairman Stuart Stein to draft
economic development strategy guidelines to assist rural, towns.
The Rural Affairs Committee are still hearing concerns about public safety, solid
waste and public bridges and public works .
Discussion:
• Councilperson Steiner said that he is concerned about County discussions regarding turning
bridges back to the towns for maintenance and repair.
Councilperson Johnson asked when will the date be for the start-up of curbside pickup for all
recyclables.
Representative Proto responded that all centers will close at the same time. The recycling
center closures have been delayed by two (2) months due to the bidding process .
COMMUNICATIONS:
1 ) Proposed Zoning Ordinance Revisions - Related to Mobile Homes (7/5/95 )
2) SPCA - Report - May 1995
3 ) Code Enforcement Reports - May, June 1995
Proposed Zoning Ordinance Revisions :
Proposed Zoning Ordinance Revisions Related to Mobile Homes
Supervisor Oltz reported that the Town Board has reviewed the Proposed Zoning Ordinance
Revisions as Related to Mobile Homes (6/ 14/95 revised 6/21 /95 ) as recommended by the
Planning Board The Town will add this section to the other completed proposed revisions of
the Zoning Ordinance that are being readied for incorporation into our Zoning Ordinance .
Owner Occupancy in Low Density Zones
Size of Second Unit in Low and Medium Density Zones
Supervisor Oltz reported that the Board looked at the draft of proposed revisions for Size of
Second Unit in Low and Medium Density Zones and has turned this section back to the
Planning Board for review and recommendation.
Youth Commission Report:
Supervisor Oltz read the following communication from the Danby Youth Commission to the
Board :
"To the Danby Town Board
As the Danby Youth Commission, this is a letter of support of the Danby Community Council
• Budget as passed in November 1994 . We also support the Recreation Partnership Funding at
$2, 500 . 00 . We hope that both programs can be funded to meet those needs. "
Signed by Youth Commission Members
Supervisor Oltz reported that the $2, 500 . 00 has been paid for the Recreation Partnership and
would like everyone to be aware that the Town funds programs. We do not put an amount in
the budget and then create programs for the funds.
Revenues to the Town
Supervisor Oltz reported that the CHIPS Program revenues have been reduced by
approximately $4,000 . 00 and revenues from the Cable Franchise were less than expected .
During the budget process, this fall, the Board will need to be extra careful as we will be
short of revenue funds .
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July 10, 1995
Bonding for Highway Equipment
Supervisor Oltz said that she would like to set aside a Capital Reserve Fund for the purchase
of highway equipment so that we do not have to pay interest for bonding, .
4-H Acres - Invitation
The Town Officials received an invitation to an informal reception at the 4-H Youth Fair,
Friday, July 28, 1995 between 4 : 30 and 5 : 30 .
Bridges- Maintenance •
Supervisor Oltz received a communication from our Town Attorney regarding whether the
County can decide not to fund the maintenance for our bridges. The Attorney has sited
several cases which have held that a County, once it takes over maintenance of bridges in
excess of 25 feet, is obliged to in fact maintain them.
Town Hall Monument
The final repairs to the Town Hall Monument will be completed soon. The Board approved
for Dan Wheeler to build up the mound around the monument. There will be a dedication
ceremony when the project is complete .
Alcohol Testing for Drug & Alcohol
Drug & alcohol testing for holders of commercial driven license is a federal mandate and the
Town must comply by January 1996 . The County is researching the procedures for testing so
that the Towns and County can make this a combined effort and more cost effective .
Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session
A motion was made by Supervisor Oltz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to move to
Executive Session to discuss a. personnel matter.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows : Three (3 ) Ayes - One ( 1 ) Nay
Johnson Nay
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8 : 45 P .M. and reconvened at 9 : 05 P.M.
NEW BUSINESS: ,
Appointments to Planning Board
Supervisor Oltz reported that the Appointments to the Planning Board item on the July
Agenda have been postponed until the next meeting of the Board.
•
RESOLUTION NO, 38 - Approved
APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
By Supervisor Oltz : Seconded by Councilperson Schwartz
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Town of Danby Board of Zoning Appeals, and
WHEREAS, Byron Clinton Perkins has expressed an interest in serving on the Town of
Danby Board of Zoning Appeals, now be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Danby Town board appoints Byron Clinton Perkins of 14,
Hill Road, Ithaca, New York to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a five (5 ) year term, and be
it further
RESOLVED, that the term of appointment is to begin immediately and expires on June 30 , .
2000 .
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July 10, 1995
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
• COMMUNICATIONS :
1 ) S .P. C. A Report - May 1995
2) Code Enforcement Department Report - May & June 1995
3 ) Minutes of Community Council Meeting - June 1995
4) Letter from Community Council - July 1995
5 ) Highway Department Report - June 1995
6) Proposed Tax Collection Memo from the Town Clerk - 7-21 -95
Planning Board Report :
Chairperson Horst reported that the Town Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Community
Council and members of the Fire District are invited to attend a Special Meeting of the
Planning Board on July 26, 1995 - 7 : 30 P.M. at the Danby Fire Hall on 96B . The purpose
of the meeting is to view a Cooperative Extension Networking Video.
Community Council Report :
Community Council President, Liz Norton reported that the Summer Recreation Program is
underway and this year there are many young participants . The directors are doing a great
job with planning trips to Cass Park and other activities. The Pre-K program for this fall is
full and the after school program is in the planning stages.
James Holley reported that he has received only favorable reports on the County Partnership
Program. The Danby Youth Commission representative to the County Partnership Program
has resigned and a new replacement has not been appointed. He asked the Board for help in
fording new members for the Commission.
Voting Machine Custodian Training - Approved
A motion was made by Supervisor Oltz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to approve
payment of $25 . 00 for Edward Roberts, Voting Machine Custodian to attend a Sequoia
Pacific Training Seminar on August 1 , 1995 .
A roll call vote on the motion is as follows :
Johnson Aye
• Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
NEW BUSINESS
County Tax Collection Proposal
Town Clerk Carol Sczepanski reported that the Tompkins County Clerks Association met
with Tompkins County Budget and Finance on June 26, 1995 to review a proposed County
Tax Collection software program. The program included adding the County Solid Waste
Fee on the tax bill. Basically the clerks approved the concept of the software program. It
was reported at the meeting the new program was contingent upon adding the solid waste fee
to the bill. The meeting did not allow time to ask questions related to changes in the tax
collection process. The clerks held a special meeting on July 6, 1995 to review our concerns
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July 10, 1995
related to the solid waste fee. The clerks unanimously voted to recommend that our County
Representatives and Town Boards withhold approval of a contract for the tax collection
program until we know more about the program. To date we have received only a basic
overview of the software program. The clerks association has sent a letter to the Board of
Representatives requesting information related to the solid waste fee.
Discussion followed :
Representative Proto reported that the solid waste fee was to be a temporary fee for one ( 1 ) •
year.
He suggested that the Town Clerks Association pass a resolution urging the County postpone
any decision on the addition of the solid waste fee to the tax bill until the information
requested can be obtained . The Board of Representatives will be considering the proposal
for the new tax collection system in August 1995 .
Approval of Warrants
General Fund Warrant No. 7 of 1995 - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to
approve the General Fund Warrant No. 7 of 1995 voucher numbers 188 - 213 in the amount
of $4,656 . 31 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Highway Fund Warrant No. 7 of 1995 - Approved
A motion was made ,by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to
approve the Highway Fund Warrant No. 7 of 1995 voucher numbers 77 - 85 in the amount of
$ 16, 882 . 47.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Oltz Aye Carried
Steiner Abstained
Councilperson Steiner reported he abstained because voucher No. 78 is payable to Battery •
Warehouse and is his company.
West Danby Water District Warrant No. 6 of 1995 - Approved
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Steiner to
approve the West Danby District Warrant No. 6 of 1995 voucher numbers 24 - 26 in the
amount of $203 . 52 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
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July 10, 1995
Approval of Town Supervisor' s June 1995 Report
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to
approve the Town Supervisor ' s July 1995 Report as submitted.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye Carried Unanimously
Approval of Town Clerk' s June 1995. Report
A motion was made by Councilperson Schwartz and seconded by Councilperson Johnson to
approve the Town Clerk ' s June 1995 Report as submitted .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Johnson Aye
Schwartz Aye
Steiner Aye
Oltz Aye Carried Unanimously
Other Business :
Councilperson Schwartz reported that he would like to consult the Highway Superintendent
regarding complaints he has received regarding logging trucks traveling on Durfee Hill
i Road. Residents are concerned that the heavy truck traffic will break up the road .
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 35 P.M.
. I
ge
Carol W. Sczepans , d, own Clerk
min-7- 10 .95