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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-12 Danby Town Board Minutes of Regular Meeting December 12, 2011 Present: Supervisor: Ric Dietrich Councilpersons: Kathy Halton,Dan Klein,Dylan Race Excused: Councilperson: Leslie Connors, Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Code Office Sue Beeners Highway Sup't Carl Seamon Bookkeeper Laura Shawley Water District Eugene Beavers County Legislator Frank Proto Public Ronda Roaring,Ted Crane The Meeting of the Danby Town Board was opened at 7:03pm. Water District Report Eugene Beavers, a plant operator,made a presentation on behalf of the Water District Commis- sioners,reporting on the condition of the system. Beavers outlined the urgent need for capital repairs to the tank and metering system of the West Danby Water District.A 71-page addendum to a 2009 engineer's report for water system evaluation presented graphic proof of the urgent need for renova- tion of the system. Beavers reported that water usage has doubled since 2009,primarily due to loss from leaks in the system and poor metering. The metering system is over 40 years old. Some meters do not read at all. The existing tank is in very poor condition, contributing to water quality that could only be char- acterized as"fair."The report by T.G. Miller engineers concludes that, "immediate rehabilitation(or replacement) is required and strongly recommended, as the coating systems have failed(expired)and the integrity of the steel has been both diminished and in areas lost." The Water District recommends replacing the single-wall tank with a double-wall tank system and installing digital meters for leak detection and ease of monitoring. To help identify leaks, it is suggested that additional meters be installed at locations where the water lines branch. Beavers stressed that the dire need for these improvements. For the health and well-being of the 110 customers of the Water District, improvements need to be made in the next year. Beavers reported that the West Danby Water Commissioners are looking to grant money or a pos- sible legislative member item to help pay for this major infrastructure improvement. Failing that,the Water District will look to a bond. The cost of this capital improvement project could be in excess of $300,000.All efforts will be made to offset costs so as not to raise the tax levy of the Water District. The Water Commissioners have asked the Town Supervisor and County Legislator to accompany them on a trip to Albany,to make this case to the legislature. Proto described efforts to lay the ground for this request. This trip will be undertaken in January. Town Board_Minutes_20111212•Tuesday,December 20,2011 Page 1 of 5 RESOLUTION NO.116 OF 2011-WATER DISTRICT CAPITAL PROJECT WHEREAS,the Town Board of the Town of Danby and the West Danby Water District recognizes that the financ- ing of public capital projects has become a major concern in the Town of Danby and statewide, and WHEREAS, in times of scarce resources it is necessary to find the new financing mechanisms and maximize the use of exiting resources, and WHEREAS, capital improvements planning is an effective too for communities to define their development needs, establish priorities„ and pursue concrete actions and strategies to achieve necessary project develop- ment, and WHEREAS,the Town Board of the Town of Danby as lead agency agrees and supports the planning and rec- ommended capital project listed in the West Danby Engineers Report, and WHEREAS,the Town Board of the Town of Danby with concern for its populace quality of water and financial burden of such a capital project, THEREFORE NOW BE IT RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorize and supports the West Danby Water District to pursue funding for said capital project as per Grant, Bond, or other funding or a combination thereof, and report findings to the Danby Town Board at the earliest time so as to move forward with the capital improvement project in due time as the urgency of repairs are great. Moved by Klein, Second by Halton. In Favor: Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Warrants HIGHWAY FUND #174-191 for a total$63,906.25 Moved by Race, Second by Klein. The motion passed. In Favor: Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich GENERAL FUND #500-545 for a total$17,998.17 Moved by Halton, Second by Race. The motion passed. In Favor: Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich WATER DISTRICT #062-069 for a total$3,763.99 Moved by Halton, Second by Klein. The motion passed. In Favor: Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Energy Efficiency Intern The Board discussed the potential usefulness of a"Sustainability Intern", available in 2012 through a program offered by the County Planning Department. Dietrich suggested that such a intern could be helpful to a newly forming"Energy Advisory Committee"or"Danby Renewable Energy Council",which will have its first meeting on January 12. There was a general discussion of several movements for energy efficiency. The Gas Drilling Task Force, in lieu of the as-yet-unformed Energy Group, is organizing a public education forum on energy awareness for sometime in February. These several efforts need some coordination. The Board discussed several efforts in which the intern might participate. These include assisting with public education efforts, researching area renewable energy initiatives and opportunities (such as grant programs for renewable energy installations), and drafting policy documents and an action plan for consideration by the Planning Board and Town Board. It was suggested that the project descrip- tion be somewhat broad so as to cover a range of efforts. Town Board_Minutes_20111212•Tuesday,December 20,2011 Page 2 of 5 The Board passed a resolution to make an application, due to County Planning by December 16, 2011. Details for the project description will be compiled from suggestions offered by Eric Banford, Sue Beeners, and Dan Klein. The Town Board will be lead agency and the Town Supervisor will su- pervise and administer the internship. RESOLUTION NO.117 OF 2011-SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INTERN RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the Town Supervisory to apply for an intern through Tompkins County Planning. Moved by Klein, Second by Dietrich. In Favor: Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Approval of Minutes RESOLUTION NO.118 OF 2011-APPROVE MINUTES Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of November 7, 14, 2011. Moved by Halton, Second by Race. In Favor: Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich TCCOG Gas Drilling Task Force Report Halton gave a report of recent actions and progress of this group. There is a proposal to have workshops early in 2012,presenting sample laws related to high impact industrial activity. Planning Board Appointment The Town Board considered an appointment to the Planning Board,to fill a current vacancy. Hal- ton reported that all but one member of the PB was in favor of Frank Kruppa being appointed. There was a discussion regarding this recommendation by the Planning Board, and whether this recommen- dation was an accurate representation of the PB. This recommendation was not a vote in open meet- ing, but a consensus taken during telephone conversations. Halton phoned the PB chair, in order to clarify the matter. This confirmed the recommendation previously reported. RESOLUTION NO.119 OF 2011-PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby appoints Frank Kruppa to fill a current vacancy on the Planning Board. Moved by Halton, Second by Dietrich. In Favor: Halton, Klein Opposed: Race, Dietrich Race raised some reservations regarding the candidate recommended by the PB, on the basis that Kruppa is new to the community and has come from a place where the philosophy regarding devel- opment and use of resources is quite different than that which is common here. Dietrich also ex- pressed a preference for Crane as an appointee based on his experience and Crane's previous active involvement in Town efforts. They expressed the view that the easiest choice is not always the best choice. RESOLUTION NO.120 OF 2011-PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT RESOLVED,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby appoints Ted Crane to fill a current vacancy on the Plan- ning Board. Moved by Race, Second by Dietrich. In Favor: Race, Dietrich Opposed: Halton, Klein The matter will be revisited at the a future Town Board meeting. Town Board_Minutes_20111212•Tuesday,December 20,2011 Page 3 of 5 Town Response to rdSGEIS There was further discussion of the status of additional response by the town to the DEC rdSGEIS. Halton reported that the DGDTF would like the TB to endorse its comments. The DGDTF would like the TB to decide whether it wanted a long or short version of these comments for en- dorsement. The DGDTF still needs to edit and finalize these comments. Beeners added some clarifi- cation,with the advice that a short version would be easier for the TB to review.A final version should be ready for the Town Board following the DGDTF meeting on December 14. The Board may consider or review these comments during its December 22 special meeting. This will allow time for the comments to be delivered by the January 11,2012 deadline. Highway Building Maintenance Dietrich and Seamons confirmed that Tony Catlin will be hired for cleaning and maintenance at the Town Highway Barns at the similar hours and the same rate has he is receiving for cleaning the Town Hall. Broadband Update Dietrich gave an update on the status of efforts to improve broadband connections in Danby. Two documents were circulated.A community forum will be held at the Danby Town Hall on January 24, 2012. This is intended as a follow up to a survey conducted in 2010 and should lead into discussion of such topics as individual experience with the internet(how,when, and where residents use the inter- net), ease or difficulty of connections (do residents have difficulty sending and receiving information) and other topics which will give an overview of the Broadband Committee work. Biomass Boiler Update Dietrich and Seamon gave an update on construction progress for the boiler installation. The landscaping/grading is done for the foundation pad. The boiler is set for delivery in March. The Town is seeking an extension for the NYSERDA grant schedule. Legislator's Report Proto gave a report on actions and issues before the County Legislature. The County will be re- ceiving money from Economic Development awards and from the Universal Service Fund for broad- band access development. The Southern Tier Economic Development awards include broadband, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation categories. There are as yet no details about specific pro- jects. Proto gave an update on the uncertain status of Home Health Care services in Tompkins County in the wake of a decision at the State level that allow applications for franchises for as little as $2,000. Consequently,the agreement for transfer of Tompkins County services to a private agency fell through. County representatives are addressing this issue with contacts in Albany. Proto expressed his deep concern about the movement to privatize healthcare and what this will mean for those who re- ceive care through third party payments or"charity care."Efforts are being made to serve those who need assistance. Proto reported on the submission of Water Resources Council comments on the SGEIS. The County endorsed three resolutions regarding the SGEIS and high impact industrial activity; endorsing the comments from the County Planning Department, endorsing home rule for local municipalities, and recommending a ban on HVHF in the Finger Lakes in order to protect and preserve local aqui- fers. Proto expressed less support for a resolution recommending a ban of HVHF in all of NYS. Fireworks Update Dietrich gave a report of a discussion with the County Sheriff's office. The Sheriff's office states that it is prepared to enforce the law regarding illegal displays of fireworks by private citizens. If Town Board_Minutes_20111212•Tuesday,December 20,2011 Page 4 of 5 there is a problem with an officer not following up on investigation,the complainant should contact the Sheriff supervisor. Information about this process will be included in the Danby Area News. Short Reports Reports from the Justices were distributed.The Clerk read correspondence regarding a request to lower the Speed limit on Nelson Road and Route 96B.The question is under consideration at the NYS DOT. The Clerk also informed the Board about a satisfactory inspection of Tompkins County Animal Control's Dog control and shelter programs, conducted by the NYS Dept. of Ag and Markets. Town Clerk's Report Goddard reported on activity in the Town Clerk's office during November. Monthly Income and activity includes 7 days of"DECALS"transactions ($17.98 income to the Town),2 marriage licenses, 54 dog licenses($642), impoundment fees ($10), and 9 building permits($1,191).There was miscel- laneous revenue amounting to $40 in contributions to the Danby library/reading room. Adjournment The Meeting was adjourned at 9:07pm. Pamela S Goddard,Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20111212•Tuesday,December 20,2011 Page 5 of 5