HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-30 Danby Town Board
Minutes of Year End Meeting
December 30, 2010
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Leslie Connors,Kathy Halton,Dan Klein,Dylan Race
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Public Ted Crane
The meeting was called to order at 7:07pm.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Dietrich made a request that the Board resume reciting the Pledge at the opening of meetings.
Appointments:
There was a continued discussion about upcoming vacancies on various Town and County
Boards. Dietrich would like to see Danby be more involved in various initiatives such as countywide
Cell Tower legislation. Dietrich also talked briefly regarding followup on planning for the future of
Youth Services in Danby.
Code Enforcement:
Dietrich led a discussion about the process of enforcing code violations.A possible court case,
related to Code Enforcement, is brewing and there are other issues around Town. Dietrich expressed
concern that the Board does not have the full picture of possible problems. Dietrich suggested that the
TB define what information it needs and wants from Code Enforcement and the Justices.
There was a discussion regarding whether sufficient elements are in place to enforce Danby's Lo-
cal Laws, and of ways to educate residents about the overall Code Enforcement process. Halton ex-
pressed concern that,by the time they come to the Town Board, citizen complaints have already
reached a crisis point. She is concerned that enforcement is perceived as being arbitrary. Halton asked
what the Town Board role is in assisting with enforcement issues.Dietrich suggested that it would be
beneficial for the Town to review enforcement processes across departments. Crane suggested that
information about the process,with an outline of enforcement steps,be published in the Danby Area
News and on the Town's web site.Board members would like to have a better understanding of how
the process should work and devise ways to make it better.
Office Assistance:
There was a short discussion about redefining the shared position of Office Assistance/Deputy
Clerk. This newly defined position will be advertised in February or March. In addition,Ted Jones
has agreed to help covering services related to bookkeeping and Supervisor's Assistant while Shawley
is out on medical leave Feb. 2011.At this point Jones has declined compensation for this temporary
position.
TownBoard_Minutes_20101230•Thursday,January 6,2011 Page 1 of 2
Final Warrants:
General Fund -#530-565 for a total $36,851.96
Moved by Halton, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Highway Fund -#172-182 for a total $18,611.22
Moved by Klein, Second by Race. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Supervisor's Reports:
Reports were distributed from July through September 2010.
Acceptance of the reports was moved by Klein, Connors seconded the motion.
The motion passed by acclamation.
In-House Audit:
Dietrich made a request that one of the Board members volunteer to undertake an in-house audit
of the bookkeeper's records. Shawley explained what this process would entail. Klein volunteered.
This process would be undertaken in late February. (Klein will be on vacation in early February.)
NYSERDA:
Klein reported on progress.A meeting was held with representatives of the six towns involved in
the cooperative grant for two shared staff positions. One position is an energy educator and the other
is to make suggestions for municipal facilities energy saving. The Community Educator position is
already in progress through Cooperative Extension. This one-year program started in September/
October with"Lighten Up Tompkins"light bulb distribution and energy education workshops in vari-
ous towns.
The Municipal facilities advisor is expected to be hired in February. This person will advise mu-
nicipalities on ways for facilities to be more energy efficient. It is expected that this person will do
similar things in each town. Clean highway fleets and possible solar panels on municipal facilities
have been mentioned as possibilities.The Town of Dryden is the lead agency for this grant.At some
point a contract will be presented to the Board.
Highway Department Biomass Boiler Project:
Dietrich reported on the status of this project.Attention is being paid to matching the correct size
unit to the Highway facility.Danby would like to have the ability to switch from wood chips to hay
bales at a future date, and so is working toward a boiler which can use different feeder systems.
Conservation Advisory Council:
Klein reported on a preliminary meeting. The CAC will meet on the third Monday of each month.
They will start with map study and a review of the Comprehensive Plan. The CAC will meet with a
representative of the Critical Environmental Areas group at an upcoming meeting.No conclusion was
reached regarding a recommendation for Chair.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the Meeting was made at 8:27pm.
Pamela S Goddard,Town Clerk
TownBoard_Minutes_20101230•Thursday,January 6,2011 Page 2 of 2