HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-09 1 Town Board Minutes . 2 6 9
June 9, 2003
TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MINUTES
JUNE 9, 2003
Regular Meeting
PRESENT :
Supervisor Fredric Dietrich
Councilpersons : Joel Gagnon, Norbert Nolte, Naomi Strichartz, Gladys Varona-Lacey
Others Present :
Carol Sczepanski - Town Clerk
Code Enforcement Officer - Susan Beeners
Highway Superintendent - William Hall
Highway Department Secretary - Sue Howe
Members of the Public :
Mary Oltz, Ames Brown, Roy Casterline , Elizabeth Owens-Roe
Supervisor Dietrich called the meeting to order at 7 : 05 P . M . and led all present to the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American flag.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA :
1 ) Standing Committee Appointments
2) Resolution in support of the Danby Community Park
3 ) Letter of Support request for a beatification grant proposal
4) Dog Enumeration request from the Town Clerk
5 ) Parade Committee Report added under reports .
No Board member objected.
Time limits for reports was set for five(5) minutes and other items on the agenda could be longer if
necessary .
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Town Clerk - Carol Sczepanski reported to the Board that she is still researching possibilities for
a person to conduct a dog enumeration for the Town of Danby. The additional local fee of $5 . 00 per
dog for unlicenced dogs should nearly cover the expense of the enumeration . She asked the Board
to consider authorizing her to obtain a persons or persons to do an enumeration .
Ames Brown - 1840 Danby Road is concerned about the tax payments collected from Cornell
University as they do not pay much . He thinks that it would be appropriate for Cornell to make a
payment in lieu of taxes considering that they are the largest landholder in Tompkins County.
Mary Oltz - 1873 Danby Road - reported that the Danby Community Park would like the Town
Board of the Town of Danby to pass a resolution of support for the Danby Community Park Grant
Application. A resolution of support from the Town is required in the application and the deadline
for the application is June 20 , 2003 .
Elizabeth Owens-Roe - 1820 Danby Road - submitted a memo to the Board with an attached
application for a Community Beautification Grant to use for the improvement of the pedestrian
entrance to the park at 1877 Danby Road. The Community Park unanimously endorsed this
proposal . We feel that improving the looks of this lot will allow people to be aware of the project
while we continue to develop the alternative public access road and internal landscaping. The
application includes an overview and budget for the proposed project
REPORTS :
Highway Department Report :
Highway Superintendent William Hall reported that the Highway Department is behind schedule due
to the excessive wet weather. He has not heard any update on the status of CHIPS finding. A
monthly report for May was submitted for the meeting.
Supervisor Dietrich said the Town will soon be working on the 2004 budget and if equipment was
going to (or needed to be purchased) a method of financing needs to be in place . By the time the
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June 9, 2003
budget is in place we should have made a commitment to the salt shed. He asked the Highway
Superintendent to relay any information to Councilperson Nolte .
Zoning Report :
Susan Beeners reported that the Board has received her monthly report. Activity in the Zoning
Office has been very constant and is not slowing down.
Planning Board Report:
Susan Beeners submitted the proposed revisions to the Draft Comprehensive Plan in loose leaf form
to be inserted into their binders. The proposed revisions are based on the public hearing information,
communications from the Highway Superintendent and written comments from a resident. The
Planning Board will transmit the final Draft Comprehensive Plan to the Town Board after discussion
and final revisions have been made. If any members of the Board have questions or comments they
should be addressed to the Planning Board Chairperson Sarah Newman.
Recreation Partnership Report :
Supervisor Dietrich reported that the Town needs a representative to sit on this Board. The Town
is actively looking for a resident for representation on the Recreation Partnership Committee . The
committee meets during business hours and it is difficult to find a person to fill the position.
Community Council :
Supervisor Dietrich said that we only became aware of the June 15 Concert when it was published
in the Danby Area News . We do not have a completed signed Agreement between Community
Council and the Town of Danby for 2003 and a Certificate of Insurance naming the Town as a
second insured party on file at this time .
Senior Citizens Report :
Carol Sczepanski reported that 39 Danby Seniors went to the Merry-Go-Round Theater to see the
plan South Pacific on June 30, 2003 . The June dish-to-pass dinner and meeting was held on June
5 , 2003 . Entertainment was George and Carol Ayers and friends .
Parade Committee :
Councilperson Strichartz reported that planning for the Danby Community Parade to be held on July
26, 2003 is in progress . Application forms may be picked up at the Danby General Store or at the
Town Hall for persons interested in entering the parade .
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 50 OF 2003
ENDORSEMENT OF GRANT APPLICATION OF DANBY COMMUNITY PARK
ASSOCIATION, INC . TO NEW YORK STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND
By Councilperson Strichartz : Seconded by Councilperson Gagnon
WHEREAS, the Danby Community Park Association, Inc . Is applying to the New York State Office
of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for a grant under the Environmental Protection Fund
for a park project to be located at 1877 Danby Road Ithaca, New York, a site located within the
territorial jurisdiction of this Board and
WHEREAS, as a requirement under the rules of these programs, said not-for-profit corporation,
must obtain the "approval/endorsement of the governing body of the municipality in which the
project will be located" ;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Danby hereby does
approve and endorse the application of the Danby Community Park Association, Inc . for a grant
under the Environmental Protection Fund for a park project known as Danby Community Park and
located within this community .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
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Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
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June 9, 2003
RESOLUTION NO. 51 OF 2003
AUTHORIZATION FOR TOWN CLERK TO SEND LETTER OF SUPPORT - for Danby
Community Park Association Grant for Beautification Funds .
By Councilperson Gagnon : Seconded by Councilperson Strichartz
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby supports the application of the Danby
Community Park Association Grant Application for Beautification funds and that the Town Clerk
is authorized to send a letter to of support to Danby Community Park Association on behalf of the
Town Board.
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
RESOLUTION NO. 52 OF 2003
APPROVAL OF DRAFT INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT - TOMPKINS COUNTY REVIEW
OF LOCAL ZONING AND PLANNING ACTIONS UNDER NEW YORK STATE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL LAW
By Councilperson Gagnon : Seconded by Councilperson Nolte
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the intent and language of the April, 2003 Draft
Inter-governmental Agreement-Tompkins County Review of Local Zoning and Planning Actions Under New York
State General Municipal Law (with minor revisions by Susan Beeners dated May 30 , 2003 noted on the draft) , and
will consider entering ; into such a final agreement, provided that there are no substantive changes made in that final
agreement from the present draft.
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Motion for Approval Letter from Code Enforcement Officer - Memorandum of Understanding
A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Varona-Lacey that the Town
Board of the Town of Danby approves the letter drafted by the Code Enforcement Officer to Tompkins County
Planning.
Councilperson Gagnon said that we should say that we are not willing to commit but we are not also rejecting the
possibility. He explained that what Ed Marx is proposing is a change from where we are which is we use his
services from time to time on a contractual basis . What Ed proposes to do instead is essentially he wants each town
to have their planner as a retainer for $xxx per year committed up front.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Abandonment of Old Town Road
Susan Beeners reported that materials are ready for a public hearing for the Abandonment of Old Town Road. A
public hearing date may be set.
Motion to set Public Hearing Date - Abandonment of Old Town Road
A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon and seconded by Councilperson Nolte that the Town Board of the
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Town of Danby will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 14 , 2003 at 7 : 00 p . m.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Motion to Schedule the September Town Board Meetings
A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon and seconded by Councilperson Varona-Lacey that the Town Board
of the Town of Danby set the September meetings as follows :
September 8 , 2003 at 7 : 00 p .m. - Agenda Meeting
September 15 , 2003 at 7 : 00 p . m. - Regular Board Meeting
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Proposed Local Law - Low Maintenance/Low Volume Roads
Susan Beeners reported that a date must be set at least sixty (60) days in advance of a public hearing for the
Proposed Low Maintenance/Low Volume Roads Local Law .
Highway Superintendent said that he would like the local law approved by the beginning of the 2003 -2004 Sporting
Season so that the involved roads can be posted that go through State Forest Lands . The seasonal maintenance is
now from December 1 to April 1 .
Councilperson Gagnon said that he is concerned that we have done most of the seasonal maintenance roads but not
included Short Road.
Supervisor Dietrich said that the Board can discuss the issue of Short Road after the business portion of the Board
meeting .
Motion to Set Public Hearing Date - Low Maintenance/Low Volume Road
A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Nolte that the Town Board of the
Town of Danby schedule a public hearing for Monday, September 15 , 2002 at 7 : 00 p .m. for the Low
Maintenance/Low Volume Roads Proposed Local Law.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Approval for Supervisor to Hire Building Maintenance Position
A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Varona-Lacey that the Town
Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the Town Supervisor to hire a person to fill the Building Maintenance
position.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
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June 9, 2003
Bookkeepers Report to the Board
Ted Jones submitted a report of employee benefits and projected increases for the coming year. The information
was obtained from our insurance agent. Also included was a graph and tables showing the long term financial status
of our bond payments . A copy of last years supervisors report was attached.
The Board discussed the budget deficit for NYS Retirement that is estimated to be $ 12 , 800 . 00 for 2003 .
Jennings Pond Report
Supervisor Dietrich reported that we need to hire someone who is certified for supervision of the lifeguards at the
pond. The pond coordinator is working with the Town Supervisor to find a person who is qualified. Additional
funding for the pond program may be necessary. The pond cleanup will be this coming weekend on Saturday .
Amendment to Local Law # 1 of 1990
The Highway Department has requested that the Local Law # 1 of 1990 entitled "Providing for the Removal and
Storage of Vehicles Parked or Abandoned on Highways During Snowstorms , Floods, Fires , or Other Public
Emergencies or Found Unattended Where They Constitute an Obstruction to Traffic" be amended to include a
change in the fee for towing and storage charges . The Town Attorney has recommended that this local law the
Town amend the local law each time you wish to modify the fees or repeal the local law and replace it with a Town
ordinance .
RESOLUTION NO. 53 OF 2003
AUTHORIZATION FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN
ORDINANCE TO REPLACE LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 1990
By Councilperson Gagnon : Seconded by Councilperson Nolte
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the highway department secretary to work the
Town Attorney in drafting an ordinance to replace Local Law # 1 of 1990 .
A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
New Standing Committee Appointed
Supervisor Dietrich said that he would like to appoint a Standing Committee. The Standing Committee will explore
how the Town could receive monies other than tax dollars or grant funding. The idea is to explore developing
foundations for funding. The committee will be called the Danby Revitalization Historic Preservation Committee .
Councilpersons Naomi Strichartz and Gladys Varona-Lacey are members of the committee and will report on its
findings and progress to the Board.
Dog Enumeration Approval
A motion was made by Councilperson Gagnon and seconded by Councilperson Strichartz that the Town Board of
the Town of Danby authorizes the Town Clerk to pursue a dog enumeration in whatever way it seems cost effective.
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Approval of the Town Clerks May 2003 Report
A motion was made by Councilperson Nolte and seconded by Councilperson Strichartz to approve the Town Clerks
May 2003 report as submitted. The report includes $5 . 12 of remaining funds from the DECALS error by DEC for
Legacy Stamps .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
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Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
General Fund Warrant No. 6 of 2003
A motion was made by Councilperson Strichartz and seconded by Councilperson Varona-Lacey that the Town
Board of the Town of Danby approves the General Fund Warrant No . 6 of 2003 voucher numbers 234-262 in the
amount of $ 3 , 816 . 55 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Highway Department Fund Warrant No. 6 of 2003
A motion was made by Councilperson Nolte and seconded by Councilperson Strichartz that the Town Board of the
Town of Danby approves the Highway Department Fund Warrant No . 6 of 2003 voucher numbers 84 - 103 in the
amount of $25 ,539 . 75 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
West Danby Water District Fund Warrant No . 6 of 2003
A motion was made by Councilperson Nolte and seconded by Councilperson Gagnon that the Town Board of the
Town of Danby approves the West Danby Water District Fund Warrant No . 6 of 2003 vouchers numbers 20-24 in
the amount of $ 601 . 64 .
A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Gagnon Aye
Nolte Aye
Strichartz Aye
Varona-Lacey Aye
Dietrich Aye Carried Unanimously
Discussion on Short Road
Councilperson Gagnon said that the reason he would like to see Short Road become a Low Maintenance/Low
Volume Road is the same reason he wants to do the other seasonal roads . It gives the Town more leverage when
someone wants to do something on that road and change it ' s status . The reason for changing any of the roads from
seasonal maintenance to low maintenance/low volume was so that if somebody wants to build 1 ,000 feet back from
a road. It ' s not to say we don ' t want development to happen on Short Road but when a developer comes in, why
shouldn ' t we have the most leverage .
Councilperson Nolte said that we don ' t have that on other roads . That road is being used quite frequently. He
wouldn ' t put it on the low maintenance/low volume list .
Councilperson Gagnon said that there has never been a traffic count done on that road. The traffic counts on the
roads we did were about an hour from 3 : 00 p . m. in the afternoon .
Highway Superintendent Hall said that you can pretty much tell by the shape of a road how much of a traffic flow
there is .
Councilperson Strichartz said that because there is controversy about the use of this road adding this road to the
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June 9, 2003
group probably is not a good idea but also not to throw away the issue . It should be assessed, the traffic count should
be done and there should be time for input on it. It could still be added if it seems like the advisable thing to do .
The Highway Department not wanting to do that as they do not think it is advisable to just do it. Lets get more
information and see what transpires .
Supervisor Dietrich said that out of all the roads that we have changed the designation on he would still place Short
Road at the. top of that list. It is not in the same category as the other seasonal roads . He would not like to shuffle
it into a bunch of other roads to change it ' s classification. The issue of Short Road will again be discussed at the
July Agenda Meeting.
Councilperson Nolte said that we should defer to the Highway Departments experience on this issue because money
is tight.
Grant Application for Fire Department Parade
Councilprson Strichartz reported that the Parade Committee may need some items prepaid that are included in the
grant received for the parade .
Town Clerk Carol Sczepanski reported that the Fire Department Grant Application for the Danby Parade has been
approved. The County sent a voucher and as soon as it is signed by the Supervisor and received by them a check
should check will be issued and we should receive it approximately in ten days after receipt of the voucher.
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 01 p . m.
(Lied) L
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Carol W. Sczep sic ' , Town Clerk
min- 6-9 . 03