HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-14 Danby Town Board
Minutes of Public Hearing and Meeting
November 14, 2011
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Kathy Halton, Dan Klein, Dylan Race
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Code Office Sue Beeners
Highway Sup. Carl Seamon
Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Town Attorney Guy Krogh
Public Ronda Roaring,Ted Crane, Steve Mesmer,Alan Collmer
Public Hearing for LL#4 -Road Use Protection Law commenced at 7:03pm
Dietrich opened public hearing. Town Clerk Goddard read the following legal notice:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE,that the Town of Danby Town Board will hold the following Public Hearing on November
14, 2011 at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY:
7:00 p.m. -PUBLIC HEARING to consider adoption of a Local Law No.4 of 2011, Proposed Town of Danby Lo-
cal Road Use and Preservation Law.This proposed law is designed to protect the various Town Highways by
requiring those that engage in certain industrial, commercial and construction operations that have heavy traffic,
known and defined as above-baseline"Concentrated Traffic,"to notify the Town of haul routes and the size,
weight, and types of vehicles, and the number of vehicle trips to and from a site or along a Town Highway.The
Town then conducts a haul route analysis and determines whether the proposed route is safe and acceptable,
and whether the proposed Town Highway usage, based upon engineering analyses of Town Highways, is to be
allowed, including whether the roadway geometry, strength, and other features require any upgrades and/or
post-completion repairs or restoration, and including provisions for the posting of a bond or other undertaking to
guarantee the proper repair, restoration, or remediation of the Town Highway.All persons will be heard either in
writing or in person.
Communication from the NYS Dept. of Transportation and from the Agricultural Protection Unit
of the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets expressed no objections.
Crane spoke in favor of the law. He raised concerns about individual impacts and cumulative im-
pacts from non-related projects. He also requested that future local laws not use the term"person"in
relation to corporations,partnerships, etc. Crane suggested that more neutral term such as"developer"
instead.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:07pm
The Meeting of the Danby Town Board was opened at 7:07pm.
Legislator's Report
Proto gave a report of activities at the County Legislature.Update on"glitch" in TCAT bus serv-
ice, the result of several drivers calling in sick. Dietrich expressed concern about TCAT management
and failed communication with bus riders.
Proto also reported on the County Legislature's Health Committee,Water Resources Council, the
County Budget Hearing, Soil and Water, and the Environmental Management Council. He reported
possible funding for broadband build-out through the "Universal Fund"collected as a portion of
phone bills.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 1 of 25
Consider Passage of Road Use Law: Vote
Code Officer Beeners reviewed the determination of environmental significance. This material
had been received by the Town Board in October. Consideration of potential environmental impacts
are included in resolution No. 109 of 2011. The determination is that this law will prevent negative
impacts due to heavy industrial activity. Beeners advised that it would be, "environmentally and eco-
nomically irresponsible not to adopt the law."
Town Attorney Krogh advised that the primary environmental impact of a law such as this would
be through re-routing traffic and therefore favoring one location over another. He further advised that
such an impact would be speculative and,thus,not very meaningful. Those impacts would exist with
or without such a law. In fact,negative impacts from dust and noise would likely be worse without
the regulation of this law.
The Highway Department contacted haulers and developers who might be impacted by this law.
No negative feedback has been received.
RESOLUTION NO.109 OF 2011-PROPOSED"LOCAL ROAD USE AND PRESERVATION LAW(LOCAL LAW NO.4 OF
THE YEAR 2011)—CONSIDER DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
WHEREAS,the Town Board of the Town of Danby is considering adoption of a proposed local law entitled"Local
Road Use and Preservation Law,Town of Danby,Tompkins County, State of New York(Local Law No.4 of the
Year 2011)"; and
WHEREAS,the Town Board on October 10, 2011 has classified the adoption of said local law as a Type I action
under Environmental Conservation Law Article 8 and NYCRR Part 617, commonly referred to as SEQRA; and
WHEREAS,the Town Board has determined that it should be Lead Agency in environmental review of this ac-
tion; and has authorized the Town Clerk to issue a Notice of Intent to all potential interested agencies,with no
involved agencies having been identified; and
WHEREAS,the Town Board of the Town of Danby is once again declared as the Lead Agency for environmental
review of this Type I action; and has duly conducted a public hearing to consider adoption of said local law on
November 14, 2011 at the Danby Town Hall, at which hearing the Long Environmental Assessment Form for this
action was reviewed and impacts duly identified,and all testimony and evidence was had and heard concerning
the matter; and
WHEREAS,the Town Board has reviewed the proposed Local Law, and has thoroughly considered potential
areas of environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on
the environment; and
WHEREAS,the environmental impacts identified are as follows:
1. Will there be an effect to existing transportation systems—The following impacts were identified as
potential impacts: (i)the alteration of present patterns of movement of people and/or goods; (ii)that the pro-
posed action will result in major traffic problems; and (iii)other impacts.The Local Law envisions heavy haul
routing for allowed uses and vehicles engaged in commerce using Town Highways, and as such this Local Law
aims at controlling such traffic and its impacts, including roadway safety, usage, and damages. However, it is
foreseeable that traffic patterns could be affected by roadway construction and repair for certain construction
activities and pass through traffic that trigger review as inducing or causing Concentrated Traffic.This could im-
pact present travel patterns, could cause traffic and roadway problems, and could cause other impacts, such as
road damages and a need for repairs. But again, solving these problems and impacts is the goal of the Local
Law. To the extent there may be negative impacts,this does not represent a change, or significant change,from
existing roadway repair and replacement methodologies, and the likelihood of any such impact occurring or be-
ing moderate or significant is mitigated by zoning, site planning, special permitting, building codes, and other
permit processes, including disapproval of the use of certain roads and routes, and permit and bonding require-
ments in the Town's Roadway Excavation Law and this Local Law, respectively, and as such, these impacts
would be, in any case, temporary in nature, and thus the potential impacts are not of such a scope, character, or
probability of occurrence that make such potential impacts significant, such that, in total, such impacts are
deemed minor, mitigated, and non-significant.
2. Will there be objectionable odors, noise, or vibration as a result of the Proposed Action-The impact
here identified included that the proposed action could potentially produce operating noise exceeding the local
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 2 of 25
ambient noise levels for noise outside of structures.Again, noise from construction and repair of the roadways
could rise above ambient noise levels, but this impact is deemed no more significant than routine road work cus-
tomarily performed upon Town Highways and neighboring County and State Highways.As well, any such im-
pacts are regulated by permitting conditions, SWPPP approvals, and are temporary in nature, and, importantly,
solving these problems and impacts is the goal of the Local Law. To the extent there may be negative impacts,
this does not represent a change, or significant change,from existing roadway repair and replacement method-
ologies, and the likelihood of any such impact occurring or being moderate or significant is mitigated by zoning,
site planning, special permitting, building codes, and other permit processes, including disapproval of the use of
certain roads and routes, and permit and bonding requirements in the Town's Roadway Excavation Law and this
Local Law, respectively, and as such,this impact would be, in any case,temporary in nature.Thus this potential
impact is not of such a scope, character, or probability of occurrence that make such potential impacts signifi-
cant, such that, in total,this impact is deemed minor, mitigated, and non-significant.
3. Will Proposed Action affect the character of the existing community-The impact here identified as a
potential impact was that the proposed action could result in roadway changes and replacements that replace or
eliminate existing facilities, structures, or areas of historic importance to the community.The Local Law could
result in changes to roadways, either temporary or permanent, and some roadways, and their rural character,
are considered important to the character of the community. Further, roadway damages caused by large pro-
jects,whether within or without the Town of Danby, could alter the character and safe use of a roadway.Again,
however,the purpose of this Local Law is to control and mitigate such impacts through permit controls and ap-
provals, and to require repair and restoration of the roadways so as to preserve their important community uses
and character. As well,the Town may lack authority to prevent the use of some roadways, and not having a Lo-
cal Law to control and mitigate such impacts is deemed environmentally irresponsible, such that this Local Law
actually will preserve and protect the environment and the important community character attributes valued by
citizens and the Town, including as reflected in the Comprehensive Plan.Accordingly, and to the extent there
may be negative impacts, the likelihood of any such impact occurring or being moderate or significant is miti-
gated by construction permitting, mitigation and restoration requirements, bonding, and other permits or proc-
esses, including disapproval of the use of certain roads and routes and permit and bonding requirements in the
Town's Roadway Excavation Law and this Local Law, respectively, and as such,this impact would not be of such
a scope, character, or probability of occurrence that could make such potential impact significant, such that, in
total,this impact is deemed minor, mitigated, and non-significant.
NOW,THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby, acting as Lead Agency in
environmental review of this Type I action,finds the following:
1. This proposed law is designed to protect the various Town Highways by requiring those that engage in cer-
tain industrial, commercial and construction operations that have heavy traffic, known and defined as above-
baseline"Concentrated Traffic,"to notify the Town of haul routes and the size,weight, and types of vehicles, and
the number of vehicle trips to and from a site or along a Town Highway.The Town then conducts a haul route
analysis and determines whether the proposed route is safe and acceptable, and whether the proposed Town
Highway usage, based upon engineering analyses of Town Highways, is to be allowed, including whether the
roadway geometry, strength, and other features require any upgrades and/or post-completion repairs or restora-
tion, and including provisions for the posting of a bond or other undertaking to guarantee the proper repair, resto-
ration, or remediation of the Town Highway.
2. SEQRA reviews seek impact analysis for many site specific developments, projects,or approvals. Here,the
project—adoption of a local law-is administrative in nature and does not involve the alteration of the land, any
physical changes in land or structures,the creation of new structures,or any major re-ordering of environmental
or other priorities. However, as applied,the Local Law, as proposed, could cause physical changes in structures
known as Town Highways.These changes could arise in two principal manners:first,through damages to such
structures by heavy or concentrated traffic; and second, by the improvement, repair, or restoration of Town
Highways that may carry such Concentrated Traffic.
3. The impacts that have been identified are found to be speculative in terms of any potential negative impacts,
and thus improbable: in part, as it is unknown whether any such impacts will occur, or that, in using roadways
within the Town of Danby, such Concentrated Traffic will ever have a need to leave State or County through
routes.As well, such impacts are and can be mitigated by other actions and regulations, including the issuance
of conditional and other highway excavation and construction permits, building permit conditions, SPDES permit
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 3 of 25
conditions, and Town zoning proceedings and other permit approvals. As well,the Local Law itself reviews such
proposed uses and the effects of such uses upon the Town Highways and regulates such uses and Concen-
trated Traffic by requiring the use of safe routes, specific roads, each with conditions; and may further mandate
roadway improvements, their removal, and the repair and remediation of any roadway damages caused by such
uses of Town Highways. These impacts are localized upon such affected roads, and any potential regional or
intercommunity impacts are limited to impacts upon travel through the Town,which are minor impacts as they
are speculative and localized. Further, such pass through and commuter traffic usually travels State and County
Highways. Additionally, any such impact would be temporary in nature as the use of roads and their construc-
tion, repair or restoration are, by definition, temporary and often seasonal actions. Similarly, such potential future
impacts are not likely to produce any local negative impacts to the social and economic fabric, make up, or future
of the community or the region for these same reasons; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED, after consideration of the above impacts, and other impacts required under 6 NYCRR
Part 617, Section 617.7(c), as well as assessing and weighing: (i)the probability of each potential impact occur-
ring; (ii)the duration of each potential impact; (iii)the irreversibility of each potential impact, including perma-
nently lost resources of value; (iv)whether each potential impact can or will be controlled or mitigated by permit-
ting or other processes; (v)the regional consequence of the potential impacts; (vi)the potential for each impact
to be or become inconsistent with the Town's master plan and/or Comprehensive Plan and local needs and
goals; (vii)whether any known objections to the Project relate to any of the identified potential impacts;and (viii)
impacts based upon the scope, magnitude, setting,of the action or approval, or the number of people affected
by the action or approval, that the Town Board finds that the proposed action—adoption of the proposed local
law entitled"Local Road Use and Preservation Law,Town of Danby,Tompkins County, State of New York(Local
Law No.4 of the Year 2011)"will have no negative environmental consequences; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED,AND DETERMINED, that this declaration is made in accord with Article 8 of the Envi-
ronmental Conservation Law of the State of New York and the New York SEQRAAct, and the Regulations prom-
ulgated there under(6 NYCRR Part 617), and accordingly,the Town Board of the Town of Danby, based upon (i)
its thorough review of the Long Environmental Assessment Form, and any and all other documents prepared
and submitted with respect to this proposed action and its environmental review, and all testimony and evidence
presented thereat, if any, and the comments of Involved and Interested Agencies, if any, and the County Plan-
ning review recommendations and comments, if any, (ii) its thorough review of the potential relevant areas of
environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the envi-
ronment, including, but not limited to,the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR§617.7(c), and (iii) its completion of the
Long Environmental Assessment Form, including the general comments and the findings therein and within this
Resolution, hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance("Negative Declaration") in
accordance with SEQRA for the above referenced proposed action, and determines that an Environmental Im-
pact Statement is therefore not required; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED,that a Responsible Officer of the Town Board of the Town of Danby is hereby authorized
and directed to complete and sign, as required,the determination of significance, confirming the foregoing Nega-
tive Declaration,which fully completed and signed Long Environmental Assessment Form and determination of
significance shall be incorporated by reference in this Resolution; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Town Clerk deliver and/or file a copy of this Resolution with the following per-
sons and agencies:
1. The Town Clerk of the Town of Danby.
2. The Town Supervisor of the Town of Danby.
FURTHER RESOLVED,that this Resolution be posted and published in accord with law, including delivery of a
copy of this Resolution to the Environmental Notice Bulletin in accord with 6NYCRR 617.12 upon the forms as
required by the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Moved by Dietrich, Second by Klein.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 4 of 25
RESOLUTION NO.110 OF 2011-PROPOSED"LOCAL ROAD USE AND PRESERVATION LAW(LOCAL LAW NO.4 OF
THE YEAR 2011)—CONSIDER ADOPTION
WHEREAS,the Town Board of the Town of Danby is considering adoption of a proposed local law entitled"Local
Road Use and Preservation Law,Town of Danby,Tompkins County, State of New York(Local Law No.4 of the
Year 2011)"; and
WHEREAS,the Town Board on November 14, 2011, acting as Lead Agency in environmental review of this Type
I action, has made a negative determination of environmental significance pursuant to Environmental Conserva-
tion Law Article 8 and NYCRR Part 617; and
WHEREAS,the Town Board duly conducted a public hearing to consider adoption of said proposed zoning
amendment on November 14,2011 at the Danby Town Hall,where the proposed amendment was reviewed and
all testimony and evidence was had and heard concerning the matter; and
WHEREAS, due notification to adjacent municipalities, county legislatures,the N.Y. State Office of Parks, Rec-
reation, and Historic Preservation,and various other agencies has been made pursuant to Town Law 264; and
NOW,THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby hereby adopts the proposed
local law entitled"Local Road Use and Preservation Law,Town of Danby,Tompkins County, State of New York
(Local Law No.4 of the Year 2011)";which local law is incorporated by reference in this resolution; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED,that in accord with Section 21 of the Municipal Home Rule Law,the final adopted copy
of this Local Law shall be presented to the Town Supervisor for approval; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED,that upon such approval by the Supervisor(or other approval occurring pursuant to said
Section 21 of the Municipal Home Rule Law), and within 20 days after the final adoption of this Local Law,the
Town Clerk shall file a certified copy of this Local Law,together with the required Certifications, in the Office of
the Town Clerk and with the New York State Secretary of State as required by Municipal Home Rule Law Section
27; and shall also file a copy of the Local Law with the New York State Department of Transportation,the Tomp-
kins County Superintendent of Highways, and the Clerks of the municipalities adjoining the Town; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Town Clerk shall publish a copy of this local law, or a summary or abstract of
same, in the official newspaper of the Town, and with an affidavit of publication of such filed in the Office of the
Town Clerk.
Moved by Dietrich, Second by Halton.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
LL#4 is attached as an appendix to these minutes.
The Town Board took a short break from the standard meeting for celebratory cake.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 5 of 25
Approval of Minutes
RESOLUTION NO.111 OF 2011-APPROVE MINUTES
Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of October 3, 10, 17, 2011.
Moved by Dietrich, Second by Halton.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Town Response to rdSGEIS
Copies of proposed letters,responding to deficiencies in the NYS DEC revised draft SGEIS re-
garding road protection and municipal home rule,were distributed to the Board. Halton gave an over-
view of these letters. These letters were approved without revision.
Additional letters,responding to emergency management concerns and water resources,may be
presented to the Town Board for approval at its December 5 meeting. In addition,the Danby Gas
Drilling Task Force is hosting a community letter writing session on December 2, 6:30-9:30pm.The
Town will provide all of the materials needed, including bullet points and sample letters. The Plan-
ning Board will complete a response during its meeting on November 15.
The letters will be copied to the Governor,Danby's State representatives,and the Senate and As-
sembly heads of Environmental Committees.
RESOLUTION NO.112 OF 2011-APPROVE TRANSMITTAL OF SGEIS RESPONSE LETTERS
Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves transmittal of two letters in response to the NYS
DEC SGEIS.
Moved by Dietrich, Second by Connors.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Roe Fire Benefit
There was a discussion of best response to offer town residents support in time of need. The Town
attorney and bookkeeper advised that it would be best not to collect support funds through the Town
offices. Krogh noted several legal concerns with accepting funds for an individual through municipal
accounts.
A suggestion was made to have a spaghetti dinner benefit at the fire hall instead.Additional funds
could be collected through an individual member of the town board. Halton volunteered to coordinate
a benefit effort.
Youth Services
There was further discussion of the need for hard numbers related to Youth Services. Shawley
offered to organize a meeting of relevant people.
Proposed Speed Limit Reduction
Connors presented a proposal and proposed resolution. She expressed the concern that the speed
limit in the area of Route 96B and Nelson Road should be limited due to increased traffic from the
farm CSA(which serves as a student project through the Alternatives School)and development of the
Waldorf School. She suggested that the process be started now, as it may take some time. Dietrich
noted that, in addition to the school and training farm,there are two establishments that serve food
and alcohol near that intersection.
There was a discussion as to whether there are existing speed limit regulations for a school zone
and what those regulations might be. There was clarification that process involves sending a request
from the Town Board to the county highway department.After approval at the County level,the re-
quest is sent to the state DOT.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 6 of 25
Beeners requested a copy of the resolution in order to transmit the intention of this request to the
organizers of the Waldorf School.
RESOLUTION NO.113 OF 2011-RECOMMENDATION TO REDUCE NELSON ROAD(BETWEEN RIDGECREST AND
96B)SPEED LIMIT TO 30MPH OR LESS AND 96B(BETWEEN BUTTERMILK LANE AND COMFORT ROAD)SPEED
LIMIT TO 45MPH.
Whereas Nelson Road is at times occupied by slow moving farm equipment and increased traffic activity due to
Community Supported Agriculture/Three Swallows Farm activities at 24 Nelson Road; and
Whereas the Waldorf School is under construction at 20 Nelson Road, and Three Swallows Farm will have in-
creased participation by students from Ithaca schools;and
Whereas the Waldorf School will be located at 20 Nelson Road in close proximity to 96B and will generate in-
creased traffic involving transportation of children to and from school. Now Therefor be it
Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Danby recommends to the County of Tompkins and the New York
State Department of Transportation that the speed limit be reduced from 55mph to 45mph on 96B and the Town
of Danby reduce the speed limit on Nelson Rd.from 55mph to 30 mph or less.
Moved by Connors, Second by Dietrich.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Clarification of Permitted Uses for Executive Session
Halton asked for further clarification of the permitted uses of Executive Session. She referenced
information she had received from training presented by the Committee on Open Government. There
was a particular question about the required level of specificity when calling for Executive Session.
There was a question as to whether potential litigation is an"approved"topic for executive session.
Dietrich clarified that the executive session was to inform the Board about a defense strategy re-
lated to the gas drilling case in the Towns of Dryden and Middlefield. He had been advised that this
strategy should be discussed in closed or executive session.
An opinion was offered by Town Attorney Krogh. He stated that courts have found that executive
session may be used for potential or threatened litigation.Additional topics for entering executive
session are listed in other sections of municipal law, outside of the open meetings law. Krogh also
presented the option to go into closed session in order to discuss privileged information. Krogh said
that it is not necessary to be so descriptive that the subject of executive session is fully revealed.
Procedural Question Regarding Donations to CAC
There was a request for clarification regarding proper procedures for accounting related to dona-
tions of funds to the Conservation Advisory Council. Krogh confirmed that monetary gifts to the
Town, for the purpose of land preservation, are tax deductible. Such a donation would be deposited in
the land preservation account of the Conservation Advisory Council. If the money is for the general
purpose of land preservation it does not need to be placed in a separate designated account.A distinct
account is only needed if the money is designated for a specific purpose(such a the purchase of a
specific parcel of land).
Municipal Solar Project Update
Halton reported that she has not received the required forms and information to submit a grant
proposal. The Board made the decision not to follow through with a grant proposal at this time. Hal-
ton recommended that the Town wait until the next grant cycle in 2012.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 7 of 25
Warrants
WATER DISTRICT
#055-061 for a total$890.80
Moved by Race, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
HIGHWAY FUND
#159-173 for a total$54,425.12
Moved by Race, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
GENERAL FUND
#443-499 for a total$140,600.67
Moved by Halton, Second by Klein. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
Town Clerk's Report
Goddard reported on activity in the Town Clerk's office during October. Monthly Income and
activity includes 9 days"DECALS"transactions ($46.83 income to the Town), 1 marriage license, 62
dog licenses ($712),impoundment fees ($30),planning fee($60) and 3 building permits ($434).
Adjournment
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:07pm.
Pamela S Goddard,Town Clerk
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 8 of 25
Appendix A
LOCAL ROAD USE AND PRESERVATION LAW
TOWN OF DANBY, TOMPKINS COUNTY, STATE OF NEW YORK
LOCAL LAW NO. 4 OF THE YEAR 2011
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Danby, County of Tompkins, State of New
York, as follows:
Section 1: Legislative Findings and Purpose.
The purpose of this local law is to maintain the safety and general welfare of Town residents by
regulating high impact activities that have the potential to adversely impact roads and public and
non-public property. Well-maintained roads are important to the economic well being of the
Town, and while certain high impact construction and maintenance operations, and high impact
commercial endeavors, can be economically beneficial, it is known and so found that heavier
trucks and equipment, and heavy loads carried by such vehicles, deteriorate the pavement struc-
ture at an accelerated rate.A study at University of Texas found that one heavy truck causes dam-
age equivalent to 2,000 to 3,000 cars per single trip route, and that the damage increases expo-
nentially with the weight of the vehicle. For example, it was found that a 95,000-pound truck
does two to three times the damage of an 80,000-pound truck, and that multiple passes over a
single roadway exacerbate this damage. Further, in the U.S. Department of Transportation's 1998
Draft Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Study, the Department determined that pavement
deterioration increases with axle weight and with the number of axle loadings a pavement experi-
ences. As such, it is the intent of this law to protect Town roads from excess damages caused by
frequent passes of heavier trucks.
Accordingly, the Town Board has determined that certain high-intensity traffic associated with
large construction or high impact projects, whether located within the Town of Danby or merely
using Town Highways, can damage and significantly reduce the life of Town Highways, which
must then be repaired at the expense of the Town's taxpayers. The Town Board has further de-
termined that such damage can be reliably measured using recognized engineering standards. In
addition, the Town Board has determined that the strength and capacity of Town Highways may
in some cases be inadequate to meet the demands of traffic for large construction and high impact
projects and that upgrades to Town Highways may be necessary to accommodate such traffic.
The Town Board finds that it is in the best interest of the citizens and taxpayers of the Town to
have the developers of such large construction and high impact projects bear responsibility for
making any necessary upgrades and repairs to Town Highways caused by such projects.
Thus, the purpose of this local law is to establish a mechanism to ensure that such upgrades are
made and such damage is repaired by the developers of large construction or high impact projects
that generate traffic likely to require upgrades or cause damage to Town Highways. However,
nothing in this local law shall be construed or applied to allow or permit any activity not other-
wise allowed within the Town.
This local law is not intended to regulate the underlying commercial, construction, or mainte-
nance project or endeavor; rather, the intent is to protect the Town roads and property from dam-
age that typically results from the high frequency use of heavy trucks and equipment with heavy
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 9 of 25
loads. It is the intent of this law to ensure that the Town's roads are not damaged or harmed to the
overall detriment of the Town and the general public by a few individual users who utilize the
roads in a manner that causes extraordinary deterioration to the roads.
Nothing in this local law shall be interpreted, applied, or construed in a manner as to impair the
requirements of Town of Danby local law #4 of 2010, pertaining to roadway construction and
excavation, and in the event of any conflict between the approval or other requirements of this
local law and said local law#4 of 2010, the more restrictive law or requirement shall apply. Simi-
larly, nothing in this local law shall impair any existing roadway classifications or Town of
Danby Roadway classification laws; nor any roadway construction or specifications for existing
and different classes of Town Highways. Reference is hereby made to the Town of Danby local
laws pertaining to roadway classification, including, without limitation, local law #2 of 2002,
local law#3 of 2002, local law#1 of 2003, and local law#2 of 2003.
Finally, nothing contained in this local law shall be interpreted, applied, or construed in a manner
as to unlawfully interfere with interstate commerce, including the right to lawfully perform serv-
ices relating to the essential local pick-up and/or delivery of goods and property.
Section 2: Authority.
This local law is enacted pursuant to the New York State Constitution, Article IX, § 2(c)(6), the
New York Vehicle & Traffic Law, § 1660, the New York Municipal Home Rule Law, § 10 (in-
cluding specifically,but not exclusively, subsection 1(ii)(a)(6), which allows towns to adopt local
laws regarding the acquisition, care, management and use of its highways, roads, streets, avenues
and property), the New York Statute of Local Governments, § 10, the New York Highway Law,
§§ 320 & 326, Town Law § 130, and the New York Environmental Conservation Law, § 23-
0303(2).
Section 3: Definitions.
As used in this local law, and unless the context thereof admits or otherwise requires, the follow-
ing terms shall have the following meaning(s):
Baseline Traffic means recurring ambient traffic presented on an annualized basis. It includes
typical daily activities on Town Highways (as hereinafter defined) such as passenger vehicles,
school buses, delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, and normal commuter and business traffic. Base-
line Traffic is the cause of normal wear and tear for which a Town Highway is constructed. Base-
line Traffic does not include unusual heavy traffic occurring on a temporary basis for such things
as Construction Activity (hereinafter defined), Concentrated Traffic (as hereinafter defined), or
the use of Natural Gas Vehicles (as hereinafter defined) upon any Town property or upon any
Town Highway(as hereinafter defined).
Concentrated Traffic means: (i) traffic intended to travel upon, or traveling upon, Town High-
ways to or from the site of Construction Activity which is not Baseline Traffic and which will
exceed the predetermined normal wear and tear thresholds of one or more Town Highways or
segments of Town Highways; (ii) traffic that is not Baseline Traffic that passes through the Town
or utilizes Town Highways for land disturbances, construction projects, or other projects or ac-
tivities, whether temporary or permanent, regardless of whether the land disturbance, construc-
tion project, or other project or activity is located within the Town; and (iii) the use or operation
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 10 of 25
of any Natural Gas Vehicles upon any Town Highways that exceed any limitations set forth in
Article 10 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, including, without limitation, § 385
therein.
Construction Activity means any activity occurring or to occur in the Town that results in land
disturbance or the improvement of a parcel. Evidence of Construction Activity includes, without
limitation,those activities which are also being undertaken subject to:
A. Federal permits and approvals including, without limitation, approvals subject to
the National Environmental Policy Act and/or activities subject to the following Nation-
wide Permits as amended and issued by the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers: Permit 8 (Oil
and Gas Structures); Permit 12 (Utility Line Activities); Permit 13 (Bank Stabilization);
Permit 16 (Return Water from Upland Contained Disposal Areas); Permit 17 (Hydro-
power Projects); Permit 21 (Surface Coal Mining Operations); Permit 29 (Residential
Developments); Permit 33 (Temporary Construction,Access, and Dewatering); Permit 38
(Cleanup of Hazardous and Toxic Waste); Permit 39 (Commercial and Institutional De-
velopments); and Permit 44 (Mining Activities); or
B. State permits and approvals, including, without limitation, Highway Work Per-
mits,Waste Transporter Permits, SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from
Construction Activity, and other SPDES Discharge Permits, Oil, Natural Gas, and Solu-
tion Mining Permits, and other Mining Permits, Overweight/Oversize Vehicle Permits,
Authority to Transport Property (Except Household Goods), Divisible Load Overweight
Permits, Special Hauling Trip and Annual Oversize/Overweight Loads Permits, LCV/
Tandem Trailer Permits, and Special Hauling Permits; or
C. Local permits and approvals, if applicable, including, without limitation: excava-
tion or construction permits issued under the Excavation Law (as hereinafter defined),
aquifer protection permits, aquifer protection construction permits, variances or waivers
issued for construction activities in Aquifer Protection Zones (if any and as now or here-
after may exist), sludge or waste disposal permits, flood plain construction and related
permits, mining and gravel mining permits, building permits, septic system permits and
county sewage treatment permits, stormwater permits and SWPPP approvals, overweight/
oversize vehicle permits, zoning amendments, changes, and applications, including,
without limitation, use variances, special use permits, and subdivision and site plan ap-
provals.
"Construction Activity" shall not include land clearing activities or the improvement of a parcel
related solely to "farm woodland" or "land used in agricultural production," as those terms are
defined and construed pursuant to and under the New York Agriculture and Markets Law, at §
301.
Costs and Expenses shall mean: (i) all allowable and reasonable attorneys' fees, engineers' fees,
consulting and expert fees, reasonable administrative costs and expenses, permit fees, permit
processing fees and expenses, and fees charged by the State of New York or any other govern-
mental division or agency; (ii) all costs of materials, labor, permit compliance, and other expendi-
tures relating to the examination, inspection, planning, maintenance, re-building, restoration, im-
provement, and repairs, temporary or permanent, of or to any Town Highway; and (iii) in relation to
any violation of any environmental law and/or the costs of compliance with any judicial or regulatory
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 11 of 25
order, consent, or mitigation order, or in relation to any spill, discharge, emission, or transmission of
any hydrocarbon or toxic substance (whether of a"below-regulatory" level of concern or otherwise),
all liabilities, claims, damages,penalties, expenditures, losses, or charges, including, but not limited
to, all costs of investigation, monitoring, clean up, disposal, legal fees, fines, penalties, remedial re-
sponses,removals,restorations or permit acquisition fees and expenses.
Excavation Law means the Town of Danby local law #4 of 2010, entitled "Excavation and Con-
struction in Municipal Roadways and Highway Rights-of-Way."
Natural Gas Vehicle shall mean: (a) any vehicle (including off-road or non-registered production
vehicles and machinery) that is used to: (i) transport or operate oil or gas drilling or solution min-
ing machinery, rigs, pipes, supplies, pumps, materials, liquids or equipment; and/or (ii) mine,
drill for,pump, fracture, store, extract, transport and/or produce gas or oil, and any related hydro-
carbons; and/or (iii) locate, space, construct, drill, repair, enlarge, fracture, maintain, equip, oper-
ate or produce any oil or gas well, or any well which has as any primary objective the production,
capture, transportation, or emission or transmission of any hydrocarbon; and/or (iv) transport,
move, ship, deliver, pump, remove, or extract any water or any other liquid, gas, or solid to or
from any oil or gas drilling or solution well or mine, whether the same is drilled, bored, or frac-
tured; and/or (b) any vehicle used in conjunction with a "well permit," including any permit is-
sued by any governmental authority to drill, deepen, plug back, or convert wells pursuant to 6
NYCRR Part 552.
Person means any one or more persons, corporations,partnerships, limited liability companies, or
other entities.
Program Manual means the "Road Use and Preservation Program Manual," Version 1.0, as pre-
pared by Delta Engineers, Architects, & Land Surveyors, P.C., a copy of which is on file in the
Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Danby.
Road Use Agreement(or"RUA") means a contract between the Town and any Person that estab-
lishes a legally binding permitting process for road use and the compensation for costs and dam-
ages which occur as a result of increased traffic or Concentrated Traffic. RUAs are further de-
fined and discussed in § 6,below.
Technical Manual means Road and Preservation Technical Manual, Version 1.0, as prepared by
Delta Engineers, Architects, & Land Surveyors, P.C., a copy of which is on file in the Office of
the Town Clerk of the Town of Danby.
Town shall mean the Town of Danby, in Tompkins County,New York.
Town Attorney shall mean the Town's attorney or the attorney for the Town, whether retained
upon a regular or special project basis.
Town Board shall mean the town board of the Town.
Town CEO shall mean the code enforcement officers of the Town.
Town Engineer shall mean an engineer employed by the Town, by contract or otherwise, or any
town engineering consultant(s).
Town Highway shall mean the improved or unimproved lanes of travel of any roadway (except-
ing County and State roads and highways), plus all related improvements and appurtenances, in-
cluding, but not limited to, ditches, swales, culverts, bridges, tunnels, shoulders, guard rails,
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 12 of 25
signs, concourses, driveways, easements, rights of way, sluice pipes, sidewalks, and any utilities
or improvements therein, thereon or thereunder,regardless of whether such roadway is a highway
by use, by implication, or by dedication. Further, as to any dedicated roadway, the whole of the
Town's title in fee, including any improvements within, adjacent to, or benefitting the roadway,
including trees, plants, and all lateral and subjacent rights in support, shall be deemed a part of
the "Town Highway."
Town Highway Superintendent means the Superintendent of Highways of the Town, or his or her
designee.
Town Supervisor shall mean the supervisor of the Town.
Section 4:Applicability & Exemptions.
A. This local law shall apply to: (i) any Person who, individually or in concert with another
Person, intends to or does undertake any Construction Activity that will or does result in Concen-
trated Traffic on Town Highways; (ii) any Person who, individually or in concert with another
Person, engages in any activity that produces Concentrated Traffic on Town Highways; and/or
(iii) any Person who, individually or in concert with another Person, operates any Natural Gas
Vehicle upon any Town Highway.
B. This local law shall not apply to: (i) sound agricultural operations and practices as de-
fined and construed in and by New York State Agricultural District Law, and the movement of
agricultural products; (ii) school buses and related educational transportation vehicles; (iii) law
enforcement vehicles; (iv) ambulances and fire trucks and vehicles owned and operated by mu-
nicipalities or fire companies on emergency or official municipal or fire fighting business; (iv)
military vehicles; (v) maintenance, repair, and service vehicles owned and operated by a utility
company or authority while on official utility business, but excluding any pipeline transportation
companies and similar entities that are not engaged in providing residential-type natural gas lines
to residential and business structures; (vi) municipal and other governmental vehicles engaging in
maintenance,repairs, and/or the provision or performance of any municipal service, together with
those vehicles contracted for such services by any municipality or governmental unit; and (vii)
any Person who obtains an exemption or waiver under the terms and provisions of this local law,
except to the extent as may be set forth in any conditions applied to such exemption or waiver.
Section 5: Determination of Whether Proposed Use Constitutes Concentrated Traffic.
A. Any Person identified under Section 4(A) of this local law shall, prior to undertaking
such Construction Activity or allowing, directing, or inducing Concentrated Traffic to travel upon
Town Highways, submit a haul route application form and project traffic worksheet to the Town
Highway Superintendent in accordance with the forms and procedures set forth in the Program
Manual.
B. A filing fee in an amount as periodically set by the Town Board by resolution(see Section
10, below) shall accompany each application, and no application shall be deemed complete with-
out the fee therefor being indefeasibly submitted to the Town.
C. The Town Highway Superintendent shall review such application and worksheet in ac-
cordance with the Program Manual and the Technical Manual. Within 30 days of receipt of a
completed haul route application and project traffic worksheet, the Town Highway Superinten-
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 13 of 25
dent shall notify the applicant whether the use of Town Highways will result in Concentrated
Traffic.
(i) No Person shall use, park, operate, transport or move on, across, or over any Town
Highway any Natural Gas Vehicle, or a combination of Natural Gas Vehicles, the weights
or dimensions of which exceed the limitations provided in Vehicle and Traffic Law § 385,
except in compliance with the requirements of this local law.
(ii) If the proposed use of Town Highways will not, and does not, result in Concen-
trated Traffic, the remaining provisions of this local law shall not be applicable to such
applicant.
(iii) If the proposed use of Town Highways will result in Concentrated Traffic, the
applicant must either: (a) modify the intended haul route and certify to the Town that no
traffic generated by the applicant will travel over or upon a Town Highway so that such
traffic will not constitute Concentrated Traffic; or (b) comply with the provisions of Sec-
tion 6 and the other requirements of this local law.
Section 6: Requirements for Concentrated Traffic.
If the Town Highway Superintendent determines that traffic generated by an applicant will result
in Concentrated Traffic, the applicant shall be required to comply with the following provisions
of this local law:
A. The applicant shall be required to set forth a haul route declaration as set forth in
the Program Manual, and may be required to utilize any designated heavy haul route
identified by the Town of Danby, the County of Tompkins, or the State of New York.
B. The Town Engineer shall examine each segment of the proposed haul route in
order to:
(i) Evaluate the Town Highways on the proposed haul route for design, geo-
metric, or health and safety deficiencies, as those and other deficiencies are de-
fined more fully by the Program Manual; and
(ii) Estimate the costs and procedures necessary to upgrade such Town High-
ways on the proposed haul route if the Town Engineer determines that the Town
Highways on the proposed haul route must be upgraded to accommodate the ap-
plicant's Concentrated Traffic; and
(iii) If available, propose an alternate haul route if required due to design defi-
ciencies, to avoid any hazard or unnecessary impacts to residents of the Town and
others using Town Highways, or, if desired by the applicant, to minimize esti-
mated upgrade or repair costs to the haul route.
C. The Town Engineer shall design or approve, in conjunction with the Town High-
way Superintendent, all structural, geometric, and roadbed and road surface upgrades to
Town Highways necessary to accommodate the applicant's Concentrated Traffic, which
upgrades shall be made at the applicant's expense in accordance with the provisions of
this local law.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 14 of 25
D. The Town Engineer shall conduct all pre-use testing and threshold evaluations of
each segment of a haul route that is a Town Highway in accordance with the methods set
forth in the Program Manual and the Technical Manual.
E. If no upgrades have been required and/or made to the Town Highways on the
proposed haul route and the Town Engineer determines that the applicant's Concentrated
Traffic is expected to cause damage to Town Highways, the Town Engineer shall provide
the Town Highway Superintendent and the applicant with an estimate of the cost to repair
such projected damage. Prior to the use of any haul route segment on Town Highways,
the applicant shall agree to make all such repairs at the applicant's expense in accordance
with the provisions of this local law, including by the posting or payment of one or more
forms of appropriate security as required in or by this local law. If any haul route segment
is on unpaved Town Highways, or any highway that, due to seasonal weaknesses or any
deficiency in strength or design, is likely to suffer short-term damages that may impair
safe travel and usage of such Town Highway, then the Town Highway Superintendent
may require, upon the recommendation of the Town Engineer, that such Town High-
way(s)be subject to weekly monitoring, and that any damage be repaired within 5 days at
the applicant's expense in accordance with the provisions of this local law.
F. The Town Engineer shall conduct all post-use testing and damage assessment(s)
of each segment of a haul route that is a Town Highway in accordance with the methods
set forth in the Program Manual and the Technical Manual. The Town Engineer shall pro-
vide an estimate of the cost of repairing any actual damage to Town Highways caused by
the applicant's Concentrated Traffic. Upon receiving the estimate, the applicant shall
make all such repairs at the applicant's expense in accordance with the provisions of this
local law, and upon the satisfactory completion of the repairs, and the approval of such
repairs by the Town Highway Superintendent, any unused security shall be returned to
the applicant or otherwise released as herein required.
G. Any security for performance and/or payment required under this local law shall
be in an amount set by the Town Board upon the recommendation of the Town Engineer.
Any such security shall be provided pursuant to a written security agreement with the
Town, approved by the Town Board and also approved by the Town Attorney as to form,
sufficiency, and manner of execution. At the Town Board's discretion, the security may
be in the form of: (i) a performance or payment bond, as applicable; (ii) the deposit of
funds with the Town; (iii) an irrevocable letter of credit from a bank authorized to do
business in New York State; or (iv) another form of financial guarantee acceptable to the
Town Board. No bond, however, shall be acceptable if, as part of the bond application,
underwriting, or issuance process, the bond issuing Person requires or obtains any duty of
defense or indemnity from the applicant, or the applicant's agents or contractors, for any
defense, costs of defense, or for any payments claimed or required under such bond.
H. An applicant shall be permitted to undertake upgrade or repair work only if the
Town Highway Superintendent determines that the applicant, or a contractor hired by the
applicant, has the capability and experience to make the necessary repairs or upgrades.
All work shall be performed pursuant to one or more permits issued under the Excavation
Law and an agreement in writing between the applicant and the Town, which shall re-
quire, among other things, the applicant or its contractor to: (i) complete the work in a
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 15 of 25
timely fashion; (ii) post security in accordance with the requirements of this local law;
(iii) indemnify the Town against all liability stemming from the applicant's work or any
breach of, or non-compliance with, the requirements of this local law; and (iv) provide
the Town with satisfactory evidence of insurance as determined by the Town Highway
Superintendent, including liability insurance naming the Town as an additional insured.
All repairs, restorations, and/or upgrades to Town Highways shall be made in accordance
with the specifications established by the Town Highway Superintendent and must be
approved by the Town Highway Superintendent (together with the approval of the Town
Board, if herein also required). In addition, the applicant shall comply with all applicable
laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the prevailing wage requirements of
the New York Labor Law. The applicant or its contractor shall obtain all governmental
permits and approvals and obtain any private land rights that are necessary to make any
required repairs, restorations, or upgrades to Town Highways. If the applicant does not
wish to make such repairs or upgrades to Town Highways, or if it is determined by the
Town Highway Superintendent that the applicant (or its contractor(s)) does not to have
the necessary capability to timely make such repairs or upgrades, then the applicant shall
agree in writing to pay the Town for the cost of such repairs or upgrades to Town High-
ways and post security in accordance with the requirements of this local law.
I. The applicant shall pay the Town for all of the Town's reasonable Costs and Ex-
penses in implementing the requirements of this local law, including, without limitation,
the fees of the Town Engineer in conducting all activities required hereunder and under
the Program Manual and Technical Manual. The Town may in some cases provide the
applicant with an estimate of such costs and expenses, and the Town Board may require
the applicant to place funds in escrow to cover such costs and expenses before the Town
incurs any such Costs and Expenses.
J. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold the Town harmless from all
losses resulting from injury or death of persons or damage to property arising from the
applicant's upgrades and repairs to Town Highways.
K. In order to comply with the requirements of this Section 6, an applicant shall have
the option of entering into a Road Use Agreement with the Town; which agreement may
impose terms beyond those imposed by this local law, including, but not limited to, addi-
tional or different insurance requirements, maintenance requirements, bond, escrow, or
security requirements, seasonal restrictions, the designation of truck traffic routes, traffic
schedules, and the imposition of inspection and reporting schedules and road surveys.
The applicant may ask to modify such form or propose a different form of Road Use
Agreement, and the Town may also modify such form,but any such agreement must be in
a form approved by the Town Board and also approved by the Town Attorney as to form,
sufficiency, and manner of execution.
Section 7: Updates to the Program Manual and the Technical Manual.
From time to time, updates and amendments to, and replacements of, the Program Manual and
the Technical Manual may be published. Each such update, amendment, or replacement shall be
made applicable to this local law, and binding upon all Persons subject to this local law, upon
adoption of the same by the Town Board by resolution.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 16 of 25
Section 8: Special and General Standards and Conditions.
A. No approval issued under this local law, nor any permit issued under the Town's
Excavation Law, nor any rights, duties or obligations imposed under or pursuant to any
Road Use Agreement, may be assigned, conveyed, pledged or transferred without the ex-
press prior written consent of the Town Highway Superintendent, which consent my be
withheld for any or no reason,without recourse.
B. After issuance of all necessary approvals, and any required permits from any gov-
ernmental department or authority, an applicant shall give the Town Highway Superin-
tendent one week's advance written notice of the date that applicant, or any Person acting
in concert with the applicant, intends to or does begin any activity that will or does cause
any Concentrated Traffic. Applicant and each such Person shall also give prompt written
notice of the completion or cessation of any activities that constitute Concentrated Traffic
or that otherwise were subject to this local law.
C. No consent, permit, or other agreement, including, but not limited to, any Road
Use Agreement, shall be deemed or construed as an authorization to allow any Person to
exceed the maximum gross weight limit authorized for crossing any bridge or culvert,
including, but not limited to, any R-posted bridge, culvert, or other structure or convey-
ance.
D. No Road Use Agreement, permit, or other approval or authorization issued under
or in connection with this local law or the Excavation Law shall be deemed as permission
or as an authorization, express or implied, to damage any Town Highway or any other
public or private real or personal property.
E. Every permit, agreement, or other approval shall require that Town Highways be
kept passable at all times for all motor vehicles, including public safety vehicles. If any
Concentrated Traffic causes damage to any Town Highway such that, in the opinion of
the Town Highway Superintendent, such Town Highway is impassable or unsafe for use
by the general or travelling public, then and in any such event, and regardless of any
permit, approval, authorization, or agreement issued or to the contrary, the Town High-
way Superintendent may close such Town Highway and/or require that the same be im-
mediately repaired by the applicant or other Person whose use or abuse thereof caused or
contributed to the damages or events as gave rise, wholly or partially, to such Town
Highway Superintendent's determination as to closure, damage, safety, or need for repair.
F. To the extent any repair, improvement, construction or other activities undertaken
in relation to this local law, the Excavation Law, or any road Use Agreement, or other-
wise, may affect traffic or require signage or the installation or maintenance of any safety
devices or lighting, the Uniform Traffic Control Manual and rules and regulations of the
NYS Department of Transportation shall presumptively govern and control the safe and
efficient flows of traffic and uses of any Town Highway.
G. Every applicant or other Person subject to this local law shall provide adequate
proof that such applicant or Person has provided written notice to each other municipality
that borders the Town, to Tompkins County, and to all municipalities within Tompkins
County, including all towns, villages, cities, and counties, of the pending or then occur-
ring Construction Activity and all data concerning Concentrated Traffic that may or will
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 17 of 25
arise from and in connection with the use of the Town Highways or such other munici-
pality's roads. Where applicable, and, at the sole option of the Town prior to the approval
of any Road Use Agreement or any final review under Section 6 of this local law, the ap-
plicant (or other Person) shall demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Town
Highway Superintendent that appropriate road use agreements or compliance with any
road use regulations had been obtained or achieved in relation to such other municipali-
ties, or that, as applicable, such neighboring municipalities have duly issued any required
roadway permits.
H. The Town Board may impose other conditions where reasonable, including, but
not limited to, the documentation of road conditions, seasonal restrictions, and the impo-
sition of conditions deemed reasonably necessary for the safe use of Town Highways by
any Person.
I. In the event any applicant or Person makes any upgrades or improvements to any
Town Highway, the Town reserves the right to require such improvements to be removed
and the Town Highway to be restored to its original dimensions and specifications in a
manner satisfactory to the Highway Superintendent, including, to the extent feasible, that
such repairs or restoration must match the original Town Highway in type, color, struc-
ture, materials, grade, and texture, in compliance with the Excavation Law and the then
current specifications for Town Highways of the type in question. All expenses of re-
moval and restoration shall be paid by the applicant, or such other Person as had so im-
proved any Town Highway, and a bond or escrow payment may be required for the same.
Any such de-construction and re-construction work shall require a permit issued pursuant
to the Town's Excavation Law, and no such work shall be deemed completed until a final
written approval is issued by the Town Highway Superintendent.
J. Any improvements, repairs, upgrades, and other changes to any Town Highway
also require the approval of the Town Board where there is any variation or deviation
from any existing Town roadway construction standards or specifications. Any proposed
dedication of any land, structures, or improvements shall require the approval of the
Town Board.
K. No right, remedy, or other obligation or remedy imposed or obtainable by or un-
der this local law, or any Road Use Agreement, shall preclude any other legal or equitable
right the Town may now or hereafter have or possess relative to the subject matter of this
local law, including, but not limited to, the rights to separately enforce rules and rights
pertaining to Town Highways, to utilize the provisions of Vehicle and Traffic Law §
1660, or to enforce the provision of the NYS Highway Law.
Section 9: Special Rules & Conditions for Bonds & Escrowed Funds.
A. Whenever Concentrated Traffic exists or is found likely to exist, escrow funds
may be required as a part of the application process, and if so, the Town shall maintain a
separate escrow account for such funds.
B. If, at any time, the Town Highway Superintendent determines that funds are
needed to reimburse the Town for any Costs and Expenses, or for any emergency, imme-
diate, or planned maintenance, repair, or restoration to or of any Town Highway, whether
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 18 of 25
by the Town, its employees, or its agents and/or contractors, the Town may: (i) require an
additional deposit of escrowed funds in an amount reasonably determined, with such
amount being in addition to any other bond,posting, or undertaking required by this local
law; and/or (ii) withdraw funds from any existing bond or other escrow account to so re-
imburse the Town or to fund any such maintenance,repair, or restoration project.
C. The Town is authorized to withdraw funds from said escrow account, without
prior notice to any applicant, permittee, or Person, in order to remburse the Town for any
Costs and Expenses incurred. However, immediately following any such withdrawal, the
Town shall provide the Person who posted such funds with a written notice of the
amounts withdrawn and the basis for such withdrawal. If, at any time while the Construc-
tion Activity or Concentrated Traffic continues, the escrow account has a balance below
$5,000.00, or such other amount as may be hereafter determined for such applicant under
or pursuant to this local law (and/or the Project Manual or Technical Manual) or by reso-
lution of the Town Board, then the applicant or permittee shall immediately replenish
such account by the amount of any withdrawals therefrom, and such payments and depos-
its shall be promptly made and completed upon notification from the Town, time being of
the essence.
D. In the event that there is any balance remaining in the escrow account as of the
date of completion or abandonment of the Construction Activity giving rise to such ac-
count, or the cessation of all Concentrated Traffic events, and upon the Town Highway
Superintendent's determination that there was no Town Highway damage, or upon the
Town Highway Superintendent's determination that adequate inspections, restorations,
and repairs have been duly completed, the Town Highway Superintendent shall certify to
the Town Board in writing that the escrow account is no longer necessary and the Town
Board shall thereafter return the remaining balance in escrow according to the written
instructions of the depositor of such funds.
E. If a bond (or letter of credit, or other security or undertaking, hereinafter all to-
gether a"bond") has been delivered or posted by any Person, and there has been comple-
tion or an abandonment of the Construction Activity giving rise to such account, or all
Concentrated Traffic events have ceased, then, upon the Town Highway Superintendent's
determination that there was no Town Highway damage, or upon the Town Highway Su-
perintendent's determination that adequate inspections, restorations, and repairs have
been duly completed, such Person shall apply to the Highway Superintendent for a Pre-
liminary Bond Release. Upon inspection of the worksite(s) and the applicable Town
Highways, and upon the Town Highway Superintendent's satisfaction that there are no
damages (or that any damages have been suitably repaired and/or such Town Highways
suitably restored), the Town Highway Superintendent shall recommend the release of the
bond. In the event the Town Highway Superintendent does not recommend the release of
the bond, the Town Highway Superintendent will document the specific tasks that must
be accomplished in order for the bond to be released.After completion of such tasks, the
Person seeking the release of the bond may re-apply for a preliminary bond release and
the above steps shall again be followed. Any final bond release must be approved by the
Town Board, but the Town Board may not release any bond without the approved pre-
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 19 of 25
liminary bond release from the Town Highway Superintendent. No bond may be partially
released.
Section 10: Application Fees.
The Town Board may by resolution establish, and may by resolution periodically update and
amend, a schedule of fees relating to applications, approvals, inspections, and proceedings arising
under or in relation to this local law.
Section 11: Waivers.
A. The Town Board may by resolution except an applicant from any one or more of
the requirements of this local law by waiver. All requests for a waiver from any require-
ments set forth in this local law shall be made to the Town Board in writing and shall
contain the grounds on which the applicant relies for requesting the waiver, including all
allegations of any facts on which the applicant will rely. Where the Town Board finds that
a waiver of certain requirements is justified then a waiver may be granted, provided,
however, that no waiver shall be granted unless the following conditions are met:
(i) The Town Board finds and records in its Minutes that the Town Highways
to be used by the applicant will be adequately protected, and any damage to Town
Highways will be adequately repaired,by virtue of the requirements or conditions
imposed upon the applicant in connection with any Federal, State, or local permit
or approval, including,without limitation, mitigation measures imposed under the
National Environmental Policy Act or the State Environmental Quality Review
Act; and
(ii) The Town Board finds and records in its minutes that: (i) granting the
waiver would be keeping the intent and spirit of this local law and is in the best
interests of the community, (ii) there are special circumstances involved in the
particular case; (iii) denying the waiver would result in undue hardship to the ap-
plicant, provided that such hardship has not been self-imposed; and (iv) the
waiver is the minimum degree of variation from the requirements of this local law
necessary to accomplish the relief found appropriate in connection with such
waiver application.
B. The Town may condition the granting of any waiver upon any one or more reasonable
conditions or requirements.
Section 12: SEQRA.
A. In implementing and enforcing this local law, and in relation to any approval of
any Road Use Agreement, or the issuance of any permit under Vehicle and Traffic Law §
1660 or the Excavation Law, the Town shall at all times comply with applicable provi-
sions of the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York, applicable provi-
sions of the state environmental quality review regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617) (herein-
after, and together, "SEQRA"), and any statutory or regulatory requirements of the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act.
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B. When required by the Town, an Environmental Assessment Form("EAF") shall be
completed and submitted with any application, approval, process, or procedure under this
local law or the Excavation Law.
Section 13: Enforcement and Penalties for Offenses.
A. In addition to any other right or remedy allowed by law or in equity, the Town
Board may maintain actions or proceedings in the name of the Town in a court of competent
jurisdiction to compel compliance with or restrain by injunction the violation of this local
law.Any Construction Activity, events of Concentrated Traffic, or other activity or use of
Town Highways that are commenced or conducted contrary to, in violation of, or in non-
compliance with this local law may be restrained by injunction, or otherwise abated in
any manner provided by law. In the event the Town seeks any equitable relief in the form
of an temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, an injunction, or any similar
order, whether to compel or prohibit, and regardless of whether in law or equity, or both,
the Town shall have no obligation to prove any lack of an adequate remedy at law and
shall not be required to post any bond or undertaking in relation to such relief.
B. All provisions of New York law generally applicable to misdemeanors shall apply to
any criminal proceeding brought under this sub-section, and each and any violation of this
local law be deemed and classified as an unclassified misdemeanor. The following civil and
criminal fines and penalties shall apply to any violation of this local law:
(i) First Violation: Any Person that violates any of the provisions of this local
law shall be (1) guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not
more than $5,000.00, or(2) subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.00 to
be recovered by the Town in a civil action. Every such Person shall be deemed
guilty of a separate offense for each week that such violation, disobedience, omis-
sion, neglect or refusal shall continue. Similarly, a separate civil penalty shall apply
and/or be assessable for each week that such violation, disobedience, omission, ne-
glect or refusal shall continue.
(ii) Second Violation: Any violation that is found to have occurred within 2
years of any prior civil or criminal determination of any other violation of this Local
law shall be deemed a second violation. Any Person that commits or permits any
second violation shall be (1) guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor and subject to a
fine of not more than $10,000.00, nor less than $5,000.00, or (2) subject to a civil
penalty of not more than$10,000.00,nor less than$5,000.00,to be recovered by the
Town in a civil action. Every such Person shall be deemed guilty of a separate un-
classified misdemeanor for each week that such violation, disobedience, omission,
neglect, or refusal shall continue. Similarly, a separate civil penalty shall apply and/
or be assessable for each week that such violation, disobedience, omission, neglect,
or refusal shall continue.
(iii) Third and Subsequent Violations: Any violation that is found to have oc-
curred within 2 years of any prior civil or criminal determination of any second vio-
lation of this local law shall be deemed a third or subsequent violation, as applica-
ble.Any Person who commits or permits a third or subsequent violation shall be (1)
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 21 of 25
guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor and subject to a fine not more than
$25,000.00,nor less than $10,000.00, and/or a period of incarceration not to exceed
120 days, or both, or (2) subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25,000.00, nor
less than $10,000.00, to be recovered by the Town in a civil action. Every such Per-
son shall be deemed guilty of a separate unclassified misdemeanor for each week
that such violation, disobedience, omission, neglect or refusal shall continue. Simi-
larly, a separate civil penalty shall apply and/or be assessable for each week that
such violation, disobedience,omission,neglect,or refusal shall continue.
C. The Town Highway Superintendent, the Town CEO, and any New York State
peace or police officers are hereby authorized to issue and serve appearance tickets with
respect to any violation of this local law.
D. In addition to the penalties prescribed herein, if any use of Town Highways is
made or threatened in violation of the New York Highway Law, the New York Vehicle
and Traffic Law, or in violation of this local law, then the Town may seek each and any
other remedies available in law, equity, or admiralty. The remedies provided for in and by
this local law are cumulative and non-exclusive, and the listing of any particular remedy
shall not be deemed or construed to limit the remedies of the Town to only those reme-
dies or methodologies so listed.
E. In addition to any penalties or other remedies provided for or allowed herein, the
Town Highway Superintendent and Town CEO shall each have the right and authority to
issue stop work orders to those operating in violation of the terms and requirements of
this local law, the terms and conditions of any Road Use Agreement, or the terms and
conditions of any approval or permit issued pursuant to the Town's Excavation Law.
Upon any such act(s) (or failures to act) as constitute such non-compliance with, or a vio-
lation of, this local law, such Road Use Agreement, or any approval or permit issued un-
der this local law or the Excavation Law, the Town may suspend any approval or permit
issued by the Town for no more than an initial period of 30 days. Within such 30-day pe-
riod the Town shall hold a public hearing at which the permittee (or other Person in viola-
tion) shall have the right to appear and be heard. After such hearing, the Town Highway
Superintendent may reinstate such approval or permit, extend any approval or permit
suspension until such violations or non-compliance cease, or revoke any such approval or
permit, or any waiver previously granted under this local law. The Town Highway Super-
intendent shall deliver a written notice of such determination to such Person or permittee
within 10 days of the close of such public hearing.
F. Should the Town be required to commence any proceedings to enforce this local
law, the Excavation Law, or any Road Use Agreement, and any Person or applicant be
deemed or held to have been in violation of or in non-compliance with this local law, the
Excavation Law, or such Road Use Agreement, then such Person shall, in addition to any
other obligation imposed,be required to reimburse the Town for the costs of enforcement,
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees, each and all in an
amount as determined or declared by the court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction hear-
ing any such matter.
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 22 of 25
G. Should the Town's right to collect against any bond or other undertaking be contested
where the Town prevails and where it is determined by the court or other tribunal of
competent jurisdiction that there was no good faith factual basis for such contest or
that the insurer, underwriter, or other Person issuing such bond or other undertaking
had an underlying indemnity agreement with the applicant or other Person in violation
or non-compliance with this local law, then the said court or tribunal shall award the
Town an amount sufficient to reimburse the Town for its costs and expenses of the
proceeding, including its reasonable attorneys'and experts'fees.
Section 14: Limitation upon Town Liability.
The Town shall not be liable or responsible for any injury to persons or damage to property due to
the Town's actions, or failures to act,under or pursuant to this local law,unless it is proven to a rea-
sonable degree of certainty that such injury or damage was solely caused by a willful or intentional
act of the Town. This limitation of liability provision shall be construed and applied to the maxi-
mum extent permitted by law.
Section 15: Appeals and Article 78.
If an applicant disagrees with any decision of the Town, whether made by the Town Board, the
Town Highway Superintendent, the Town CEO, or the Town Engineer in the administration of
this local law, including,without limitation,the extent or method of a proposed highway upgrade,
restoration, or repair, any cost or fee imposed upon the applicant, or an estimate of the amount of
security to be held by the Town, and the applicant and the Town are unable to resolve their dis-
pute through negotiation, the applicant may make a written request to the Town Board appealing
such decision and requesting a public hearing at which the applicant shall have the right to appear
and be heard. The Town Board shall hold such public hearing no fewer than 5 days, nor more
than 30 days, after the receipt of such written request. The Town Board may reverse, modify, or
affirm, wholly or partly, the decision appealed from and shall make such decision as in its opin-
ion ought to have been made in the matter and, to that end, shall have all the powers of the board,
official, or Person from whose decision the appeal is taken. The Town Board shall issue a deter-
mination on the applicant's request within 15 days of the close of the public hearing. Such deter-
mination of the Town Board shall be a final determination for purposes of CPLR Article 78, but
no such claim or petition shall be filed or be ripe for review until the administrative remedy
herein provided for shall have first been exhausted. This section does not create any theory or
claim of liability where none exists at law or in equity.
Section 16: Time to Act.
The time periods prescribed herein in which the Town Board, the Town Highway Superintendent,
the Town Engineer, or other Town official shall act are not of the essence and shall not be con-
strued as imposing a limitation on the time to act or as a presumption of approval or acceptance.
Section 17: Indemnification &Hold Harmless.
In addition to any indemnity required under this local law, an applicant shall be required (and, as
applicable, deemed to agree) to fully indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the Town and all
of its departments, bureaus, divisions, boards, officers, employees and agents, from and against
any and all claims, suits, costs, damages, expenses, charges, risks, losses, lawsuits, causes of ac-
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 23 of 25
tion, judgments, executions, penalties, fines, assessments, and/or any other liability of any type
arising out of, occurring in connection with, or resulting from, any or all actions or activities con-
ducted by any Person pursuant to, in furtherance of, or in violation of the terms, conditions, and
requirements of this local law, or in violation of the applicable provisions of any other law, or of
any conditions or requirements set forth in any approval or permit issued by any governmental
authority, including, but not limited to, any approval issued under this local law, any approval or
permit issued under the Excavation Law, or any mining-related permit issued by the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation. By accepting any such approval or permit, or
by the signing of any Road Use Agreement, such Person shall have automatically agreed, and
shall be deemed and construed to have so agreed, to the defense, indemnity and save harmless
provisions of this local law, as well as all other provisions of this local law. This provision shall
be construed and applied to the maximum extent permitted by law, and does not create any theory
or claim of liability where none exists at law or in equity.
Section 18: Inconsistent Provisions & Severability.
A. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this local law and the
provisions of the Program Manual and the Technical Manual, the provisions of this local
law shall control.
B. If any word, phrase, sentence, part, section, subsection, or other portion of this
local law, or the application hereof to any Person or to any circumstance, is adjudged or
declared invalid or unenforceable by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction,
then, and in such event, such judgment or declaration shall be confined in its interpreta-
tion and operation only to the provision of this local law that is directly involved in the
controversy in which such judgment or declaration is rendered, and such judgment or
declaration of invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect or impair the validity or en-
forceability of the remainder of this local law or the application hereof to any other per-
sons or circumstances. If necessary as to such person or circumstances, such invalid or
unenforceable provision shall be and be deemed severed, and the Town Board hereby de-
clares that it would have enacted this local law, or the remainder hereof, even if, as to par-
ticular provisions and persons or circumstances, such portion is severed or declared inva-
lid or unenforceable.
Section 19: Construction.
The term "shall" is mandatory, and the term "may" is permissive. Any word that is gender-
referenced shall be construed to include all genders and the neuter. Capitalized words shall have
the meanings ascribed to them whenever the meaning or context thereof so admits or requires.
Defined words and phrases that are not capitalized shall be presumed to be capitalized and
deemed defined words and phrases,unless the context thereof admits or requires otherwise.
Section 20: Reservation of Rights as to New York Oil & Gas Fund.
The Town hereby retains and reserves all rights it has now or may hereafter have or possess pur-
suant to the provisions of subdivision 3 of Section 23-0303 of the Environmental Conservation
Law (as now exists or as hereafter amended or re-codified), to request funds (by filing a request
therefor with the New York State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation) from the oil
Town Board_Minutes_20111114•Tuesday,November 29,2011 Page 24 of 25
and gas fund to reimburse the Town for costs incurred in repairing damages to any Town High-
way. No collection or other action or provision of this local law shall be construed as prohibiting
any application by the Town for reimbursement from such fund, and no right of collection, en-
forcement, or indemnity contained in this local law shall be deemed waived, unenforceable, or
inapplicable by virtue of the existence of such fund or any application thereto.
Section 21: Effective Date.
This local law shall take effect upon January 1, 2012.
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