HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-12TB 11-12-15
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 12, 2015
Present: Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Joseph Solomon, Cl Jason
Leifer, Cl Linda Lavine
Absent: Cl Gregory Sloan
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff: Jennifer Case, Bookkeeper
Ray Burger, Director of Planning
Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Board briefly discussed the Tompkins
County Energy Road Map and Supv Sumner asked the board to review the information
provided. Joe Wilson distributed a letter for the board’s consideration.
Budget Modifications – There is a request from the Recreation Dept moving $1000 from
Marketing/Advertising to Community Recreation and $1000 from Recreation Equipment to
Community Recreation. The modification is the result of contributing toward the purchase
price of the new printer/copier for the building and an unexpected expense.
RESOLUTION #161 (2015) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATION
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modification:
From Acct To Acct Amount
A4330.414 Marketing/Advertising A7330.4 Community Recreation 1,000.00
A7020.201 Recreation Equipment A7330.4 Community Recreation 1,000.00
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Abstain
There is also a request from the Court for a budget modification and payment of three
vouchers tonight depend on its approval. They propose to move $500 from court security to
contractual for unforeseen expenses. The court needed to provide an interpreter for a deaf
person on two occasions. Supv Sumner suggests approval because there is money in other
budget lines and the vouchers to be paid. Cl Leifer suggested modifying their 2016 budget and
getting it from zeroing the equipment line and moving it to a contingency line in the supervisor
budget for 2016. If not used, the money will be returned to fund balance.
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RESOLUTION #162 (2015) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATION
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modification:
From Acct To Acct Amount
A1110.105 Justices Court Security A1110.4 Justices Contractual 500.00
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
There was a discussion about the hours the court offices are open to serve the public.
Judge Clauson explained that by giving the clerks Friday afternoons off , they would not be
accumulating too much comp time. All paperwork is labeled with new office hours. They may
be able to adjust it so that the office is open on Friday afternoons by the clerks alternating days
off. He made it clear that by law, the Board is not able to dictate the hours the court offices are
open.
The court budget is close to the limit on the contractual line and court security. The
clerk salary lines will be over about $2400 at end of year. Security has $2300 after the budget
mod. Judge Clauson understands the situation and said they have used sheriff deputies who
were already in court for hearings other than routine court instead of court officers.
It was noted that the new senior clerk is not accustomed to monitoring a budget closely,
though the bookkeeper does send monthly statements to department heads. Judge Clauson
will meet with Supv Sumner to discuss how to address this. The s alary lines are likely to be
over by about $2400 (due to overlap of personnel and training period) and Supv Sumner
suggested the use of contingency to cover that. Cl Leifer said that the beginning year
adjustment will help cover this. The court will be required have permission from the
Supervisor before ordering any equipment. Supv Sumner said there is a need to clarify the
difference between equipment and supplies. Furniture is supplies.
Planning Board Recommendation about Comprehensive Plan – Supv Sumner stated the
Planning Board has recommended that it is premature to do a rewrite of the Comprehensive
Plan at this time and suggest additions of specific sections (attached). While she appreciates
the recommendation, she doesn’t entirely agree. Amendments are in order in a couple of
areas. She asked the board to review the document and will put it on next month’s agenda
meeting discussion. The board might want to suggest that some portions be written as actual
amendments such as open space, environmental protection and transportation.
The board discussed asking the Planning Board to make a presentation to the Town
Board. Supv Sumner said it is time to update the comp plan and if it is not done soon it will
become increasing outdated and the effort to update it will be increasingly huge.
Craig Anderson said the Conservation Board is working on a natural resources plan
and the Ag Committee is working on the ag plan, and those should be considered in revising
the comp plan. The zoning law is only three years old, so there isn’t a lot of history to work
with. Perhaps they should look at the comp plan three to five years after these others are
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involved. Supv Sumner said those can be additions to the comp plan and having a ten year old
plan is past, not future, planning.
Supv Sumner will communicate with the Planning Board that the Town Board would
like a presentation at 6:00 p.m. on December 10.
Finance Reports – Supv Sumner said this time of year is interesting because the report
shows actual expenditures and balances. She suggested the finance committee should review
and report to the board on four or five items of interest at regular intervals.
The town may be short on sales tax revenue this year, but it is not particularly
worrisome because we will be $30,000 over in mortgage tax. Other revenue lines are over and
we should meet the budgeted goal in the A fund. There are no particular concerns in
expenditures. The retirement bill is substantially lower than budgeted for in the A fund.
The B fund has exceeded revenue by several thousand dollars and is comfortably below
budgeted expenditures.
DA revenue is almost entirely sales tax and is what it is being funded 100% by sales
tax. Not as much has been expended for equipment as expected. $160,000 of $400,000 has
been spent. It was said the Highway Superintendent has a plan for that money.
CHIPS money is anticipated to be the budgeted amounts. Paperwork is going in
tomorrow so hopefully we will have it by the end of the year. That will make revenue in DB on
target. Expenditures are comfortably under budget.
Freese Road Bridge – The Conservation Board has passed a resolution in support of
maintaining the bridge in its current configuration. Supv Sumner said she understands that
projected is back-burnered again. Jeff Smith of Tompkins County Highway says it will be
replaced with a two lane bridge, but is not on the county infrastructure report for 2016 or
2017. Cl Leifer said he understands it is planned for 2019 construction and the town’s share
would be $538,000 for a two lane bridge. He will talk with Jeff Smith and said the county
should cover the extra cost if it is two lanes. Supv Sumner noted that bridges are not intended
to be traffic calming devices.
Ray Burger is going to invite Jeff Smith to meet with our boards regarding the intent of
bridge work in the town in the coming years.
Supv Sumner said the County won’t invoice the town until the Malloryville Road and
Red Mill Road bridges are both completed and that is unlikely to happen in 2016.
Zoning Law amendment – Ray Burger distributed an amendment to the amendment
that was previously introduced. If the board approves, it will need to be introduced and a new
public hearing held. The idea with this amendment is to take review of these types of projects
to the Planning Board for site plan review for up to 4 buildings on one parcel and to the town
board for a special use permit if it is more than five buildings. The breakpoint of four is similar
tracking as minor-major subdivisions. Supv Sumner said she likes the idea given there is
room for septic system and so forth, but wants to protect neighborhood character. The
planning board in their site plan review has the option to call for a public hearing. This does
not apply to farm worker housing. R Burger will clean up the draft for introduction next week.
Supv Sumner noted she went to a meeting on the Game Farm Road trail this morning.
Two sportsmen groups were represented. She thought it was interesting that one of them
thought CAFO’s have an impact on hunting and that increasing herd size takes liberties on
areas that should be protected.
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Public hearings are scheduled for next week for the sewer rent laws. Supv Sumner is
withdrawing the one for SS1 because she wants to change the rate. That one will be
introduced next week.
1402 Dryden Road – Storage Squad – Applicants have submitted a SWPPP and it is
being reviewed by TG Miller. They will probably have something next week, but it won’t be
reviewed by the engineers by next Thursday. The tradeoff of time for space is their choice. The
plan calls for using an underground gallery system which is a newer way of dealing with
stormwater. They need site data to show that the soils can accommodate what they are
planning. Applicant is confident that any change in the site plan due to the stormwater plan
would be a scaled down project. The hearing will be left open.
The board briefly discussed landscaping requirements for the storage place across the
street. It was noted that Incodema has not finished their landscaping either. Perhaps the code
offices need to evaluate their time planning and priorities.
902 Dryden Road – Applicant has not nailed down the flood zone yet. They need to get
FEMA to commit or do a hydrologic study to nail down a number. They will also likely scale
down the density. Applicant will not be present next week, and the board will l eave the hearing
open. There are still public concerns.
Lee Shurtleff of Tompkins County Emergency Response has notified the town that a
company has asked to co-locate on a county tower in the town. This company previously tried
to co-locate on an ATT tower. The owner of the SAGA tower kicked the applicant off for bad
behavior. The county has no special use permit so the town can’t amend it. Equipment swaps
are generally straight forward. The County has reviewed the engineering and is okay with it.
The town regulates the tower not the equipment, but Supv Sumner wants to do a resolution to
show the town is aware of it. It is a change of equipment and a municipal tower. The town’s
law encourages co-location but may not require anything because it is municipal tower. The
county tower had site plan review, but this is a private enterprise co-locating on a public tower.
The equipment cabinet is a small cabinet. Cl Leifer will investigate this.
RESOLUTION #163 (2015) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #11
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #11, as audited, general
vouchers #855 through #946 ($790,082.70) and TA vouchers #56 and #57 ($3,356.29), totaling
$793,439.08
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Solomon Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Cl Lavine Yes
Cl Lavine would like the Energy Road Map listed as a future agenda item. Joe Wilson
submitted a letter suggesting what the town’s comments about it might be. Supv Sumner
asked the board to read the information provided and check out the power point presentation
from the open house. Cl Lavine said she has attended presentations and J Wilson’s comments
seem appropriate.
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There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
Town of Dryden Planning Board
July 23, 2015
RESOLUTION #11 – The Planning Board has decided that it is premature to
engage in a rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan at this time.
WHEREAS, there have been relatively few cases where the Comprehensive Plan and
its zoning amendment implementation have been tested so far, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board’s analysis is that, while there are sections of the
comprehensive plan that could be clarified and new sections added to cover issues not
contemplated 10 years ago, no areas have been identified that require immediate
attention and that make the Plan at odds with the current goals of the community, and
WHEREAS, the town will need to focus its attention on completing the
Agricultural Plan and the Natural Resources Plan over the next year or two,
THEREFORE be it:
RESOLVED, that Planning Board recommends to the Town Board of the Town of
Dryden that it is premature to begin a major rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan at this
time, and
RESOLVED, that the additions of new sections to address those unanticipated issues,
including areas of energy conservation and sustainability, economic vitality,
recreational opportunities, and transportation improvement, can and will be
adequately addressed as a set of guidelines for desired development that can be
referred to in the Comprehensive Plan until such time as a Comprehensive Plan
rewrite is deemed necessary.
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Comprehensive Plan Review
The Town of Dryden Planning Board proposes to include in a revised Comprehensive
Plan, if such a revision occurs, the following sections: Analysis and Suggestions for
Modification of the Dryden Comprehensive Plan to Include Energy Sustainability,
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design Guidelines, and the Incorporation of STAR
Community Goals.
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Analysis and Suggestions for Modification of the Dryden
Comprehensive Plan to include Energy Sustainability
Martin Hatch and David Weinstein
Current Plan:
In the Dryden 2005 Comprehensive Plan, the mention of energy considerations only
occurs once.
In the “GOALS” section, it states:
6. Open Space and Environmental Protection
Objectives
Encourage development that promotes conservation of energy and water resources
and minimizes where possible adverse impacts such as loss of agricultural and forest
lands, soil erosion and sedimentation, and storm water run-off. “
Proposal for modification of the Dryden Comprehensive Plan to include
energy sustainability:
The subcommittee on Energy Sustainability proposes that we add relevant sections
to the Comprehensive Plan and Dryden Zoning Amendment that direct developers
to follow the recommendations in a new Guidelines for Sustainable Energy
Development and Usage, similar to our current Guidelines for Development. A
proposal for these guidelines is included later in this document.
Further, the following sections should be added to the Comprehensive Plan to
outline the actions to be taken by the Town to further the goal of energy
sustainability in Dryden:
Potential Town Actions:
1. The Town should set support the development of local energy generation by
providing information in the following steps:
• Perform an analysis of the legal, physical (resources), social and economical
barriers hindering local energy generation, and provide corrective actions
(subsidies, regulation, campaigns…).
• Identify public and private high thermal energy consuming buildings/facilities and
produce recommendations for lower energy-use alternatives without loss of
functionality. Typical highly energy consuming public facilities are: Swimming
pools, sports facilities, office buildings, hospitals or retirement homes.
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• Consider and potentially introduce renewable energy installations’ requirements
(such as space for alternative energy systems, such as solar PV or thermal, biomass,
or geothermal, so that these systems would not be precluded in the future.
• Show publicly the successes of renewable energy measures, implemented in public
buildings, such as the Town Hall’s geothermal system.
• Identify the potential in each new development for the use of renewable energy
sources (solar thermal, solar PV and biomass) or micro-cogeneration. Consider the
potential for adapting the design of new developments to the requirement of these
technologies.
2. Provide information and support to the stakeholders
• Organize informative meetings with stakeholders to demonstrate the economic,
social and environmental advantages of energy efficiency and renewable energy
sources. Provide financial resources to consumer associations and NGOs to
disseminate these benefits to final consumers. Consider promoting distributed
energy generation as a marketing project.
• Create agreements with other public entities or associations, providing training
courses focused on technical, environmental and financial issues to installers,
consulting and engineering companies.
• Create an info-portal (for example, a section on the town’s web site) on the
renewable energies and energy-efficiency sectors in your town, with practical and
timely information for citizens (where to buy biomass, where are the best areas to
install wind energy or solar thermal/photovoltaic collectors, list of installers and
equipment…). Such database may include information on best practices in your
town.
3. Set up regulations and actions that promote local energy generation projects
• Modify planning regulation where necessary to consider accommodating the
infrastructures required in alternative energy use.
• Create incentives for energy-efficiency improvements or renewable energy
sources included in proposals.
4. Ensure the availability of space to achieve projects
• If needed, provide public space to install local distributed energy generation
installations. Consider setting aside large unused spaces to promote renewable
energies.
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Potential Town Actions by sector:
1. Residential Sector
Objective: Promote, support, and enable increased energy efficiency
and renewable energy systems in residential uses.
Potential Strategies:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Encourage new residential construction projects to build
beyond the minimum buildings standards by voluntarily
participating in the Energy Star Qualified New Home
Program. (Generally, Energy Star Qualified New Homes
are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than buildings
built to the 2004 International Residential Code.
Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP):
Encourage households to partake in subsidized home energy
audits.
Insulate Program: Encourage residents to partake in the
insulate programs, such as those which offer a rebate on the
cost of upgrading insulation.
Promote Energy Sw eep Programs which provide
education to homeowners on ways to be more energy
efficient, as well as distribute and installs low cost items
such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), light-emitting
diodes (LEDs), low flow showerheads, clothes drying racks,
and referrals for subsidized weatherization services.
Energy Star Appliances and Computers:
Encourage and provide educational materials on
purchasing Energy Star certified household
appliances and electronics.
Identify best practices from other communities that
encourage more energy efficient and sustainably built
homes.
Encourage and support the development of net zero energy
homes.
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Clean Energy
WindSource: Encourage residents to voluntarily
purchase cleaner electricity.
Solar Hot Water Systems: Encourage residents to take
advantage of the rebates on solar hot water systems.
SolarRewards: Encourage residents to partake in
solar rebate programs for installation of photovoltaic
solar panel systems.
2. Commercial Sector
Objective: Promote, support, and enable increased energy
efficiency and use of renewable energy generation in commercial
and industrial.
Potential Strategies:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Encourage conforming to United States Green Building
Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Certification for New Construction
Develop a Green Business Advisory sub-Committee
Clean Energy Technologies
WindSource: Encourage commercial businesses to
choose cleaner energy sources.
3. Municipal Sector
Objective: Increase energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in
buildings and operations.
Potential Strategies
Encourage LEED standards for new construction and
renovations.
Establish energy reduction goals for each town building and
facility.
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Encourage the Town to purchase Energy Star computers and
office equipment
Establish a desired average fuel efficiency goal for the
town’s vehicle fleet.
4. Transportation Sector
Objective: Reduce transportation energy consumption through a
combination of increased vehicle mileage, reduced mileage traveled,
increased transportation system efficiency and increased use of mass
transit and non-polluting transportation options.
.
Potential Strategies:
Encourage Mode-Shifts and Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
Encourage use of public transportation by
encouraging major employers to participate in the
transit programs, and making bus stops more user
friendly.
Enable and encourage biking by adding and
extending bike paths, increasing bike path
connections, and by improving bicycle safety and
usability of city streets.
Encourage youth to use alternative modes of
transportation, including programs through the
high school level.
Encourage car-pooling.
Explore feasibility of installing electric recharging
services and bio-fuel stations.
Improve Vehicle Fuel Economy
Encourage residents and businesses to purchase
fuel-efficient vehicles.
Provide education on ways to enhance the efficiency
of vehicles, such as sufficient tire pressure and clean
air filters.
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5. Economic Development
Explore development of low-carbon, renewable, and
non-traditional energy generation to stimulate economic
development and job creation.
Support green development that promotes local
economic growth through clean energy jobs and that
demonstrates energy sustainability living and learning
solutions on varying scales.
6. Land Use
Make recommendations to town board on ways to review
and amend zoning regulations to meet accommodate
energy efficiency. Use planning to produce a more
walkable community, better bicycle access, and less car
dependency.
Improve the carbon capturing capacity of the
environment by promoting healthy trees, grasslands,
farmland, and open space.
7. Cooperation and Collaboration with Other Energy Programs
Objective: Coordinate with government and non-government
energy programs that affect the town and develop financial
incentives for energy sustainability.
Potential Strategies:
Continue involvement with efforts by other municipalities.
Take full advantage of energy and funding resources
of regional, state, national energy efficiency and
renewable energy programs.
Investigate new financial incentive programs.
Be supportive of the waste reduction projects in
area, such as single-stream recycling and zero-
waste events.
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY and SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Guidelines
Applicable developments are required to implement energy efficiency and
production, energy conservation, and sustainable design principles as found in
these guidelines.
22.1 Purpose: In accordance with the Town of Dryden’s policy on energy
efficiency and conservation, this section is adopted as in the public
interest to lessen the town's dependence upon energy sources which
may, from time to time, be uncertain and result in increased pollution
and greenhouse gas emissions. It is also found to be in the public
interest to encourage and support energy efficient practices that are
likely to have beneficial impacts on the economy, the environment, and
the public health.
It is the intent of this ordinance to enhance and supplement existing
federal and state incentives for tax treatment and other benefits related
to alternative energy usage, energy efficiency and sustainable design.
Interpretations by the Planning Board shall be made so far as possible
to preserve the intent of these guidelines and the developer and home
owner’s ability to benefit from these programs as well.
22.2 Residential Development: recommendations for energy efficiency
shall be adopted by the Planning Board.
22.3 Non-residential Development.
22.3.1 The Planning Board shall recommend that non-residential
developments achieve industry energy efficiency benchmarks
22.3.2 Each development should consider the following subsections:
A) Renewable Energy Production .
1) Eligible generation installations shall be limited to
wind, PV (photovoltaic) solar, biomass.
2) Innovative Technologies, such as fuel cell, co-generation,
and small-scall biomass.
B) Sustainable Design Requirements.
1) Building Site and Materials.
a) Orientation
Buildings shall be oriented on the site to
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optimize passive solar heating and cooling
opportunities.
Buildings shall be oriented so as to minimize
wind loads on structures.
Windows shall be placed to maximize solar
penetration during the winter months and minimize
solar penetration during the summer months.
Lot layout shall be shown on an approved plan to insure that structures can
comply with this requirement. Directions and orientations shall be noted on
the recorded plan for the lot to alert the builder/lot owner of the optimal
orientation.
b) Reuse of Existing Materials and Recycled Content
Demonstration that the applicant will use
recycled content materials in the site
development and construction.
The project must provide adequate storage and
collection of recyclables both during and post
construction. Post construction recyclable areas
must be easily accessible to all building
occupants/users and be sufficiently sized for
storage and collection of non-hazardous materials
including at a minimum paper, corrugated
cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals.
c) Use of Local and Regional Materials
In order to reduce the environmental impact of
materials shipping, the project should use building
materials that provide long-term durability and
decreased maintenance costs; are extracted,
processed and manufactured within New York; and
are made from renewable resources or materials
wherever possible. Relative values of local
materials to overall materials cost shall also be
considered for assignment of values with the range.
d) Construction W aste Management.
Promote efficient use of solid waste by diverting construction, demolition and
land clearing debris from landfill disposal, and by redirecting resources for
recycling and reuse.
Develop and implement a construction waste
management plan as part of the Planning Board
approval process that quantifies material diversion
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goals and the procedures for achieving them.
Recycle and/or salvage, demolition, and land
clearing waste generated through site
preparation.
2) Construction Envelope Energy Conservation.
Increase the amount of energy saved through conservation
programs to include but not be limited to:
Any mechanism for insulation that exceeds the NY Energy
Code. Successful completion of air leakage tested to
comply with Best Practices of Technical Standard 1 of the
Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association:
Type Air Permeability
m3/(h.m 2) at 50 pascals
Best Practice Normal
Offices
Naturally ventilated 3 7
Mixed mode 2.5 5
Air conditioned/low energy 2 5
Factories/warehouses 2 6
Superstores 1 5
Schools 3 9
Hospitals 5 9
Museums and archiv al stores 1 1.5
Cold Stores 0.2 0.35
Dwellings
Naturally ventilated 3 9
Mechanically ventilated 3 5
Additional items may be considered provided they are
also eligible for the federal tax credit for energy
efficiency.
3) Potential for alternative systems of heating and Cooling.
a) Installation of a solar water heating system
rated at 1000 watts of thermal power per 450
gallons per day of usage.
b) Geothermal systems with a sufficient capacity
and efficiency as projected by the manufacturer
to save the average energy costs for
conventional heating and cooling units by 30%.
c) Wood-pellet and other biomass heating systems in
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sufficient output to provide over 50% of the base
heating load for the entire structure.
d) The installation of a hydronic radiant heating system
for the structure.
e) Reduce the building’s heat load by either using
roofing materials with a minimum Solar Reflectance
Index (SRI) of 78 for roof slopes less than or equal
to 2:12 or a minimum SRI of 29 for slopes greater
than 2:12; or install a vegetated roof for at least 50
percent of the roof area.
f) Ductwork insulated to a minimum of R-6 if located in
an unconditioned space, including attics,
basements, and exterior walls. Exceptions include
insulation for exhaust air ducts or ducts within
HVAC equipment.
g) HVAC piping in unconditioned spaces conveying
fluids at temperatures above 120 degrees or chilled
fluids at less than 55 degrees must be insulated to
a minimum of R-5.
4) Innovative Technologies.
a) The Planning Board may approve on a case-by-
case basis the use of innovative building
technologies and that there are sufficient
environmental, economic, and experimental
benefits to be gained from the installation.
5) Operational Requirements
a) No idling policy
b) Reduced lighting after hours using LED light fixtures.
c) Smart Panels installed as a demand side
management program.
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Incorporation of STAR Community Goals in Town of Dryden Comprehensive Plan
Joe Laquatra, Tom Hatfield, Craig Schutt
GOAL AREA: Economy & Jobs: Create equitably shared prosperity and access to quality
jobs
Business Retention & Development
Objective: Foster economic prosperity and stability by retaining and expanding
businesses with support from the business community.
Recommended action: Reactivate Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and charge it to
develop incentives and initiatives to attract and retain businesses. For example, the IDA
could:
manage a revolving loan program to help area businesses,
serve as a conduit to the tax-exempt bond market for local not-for-profit
employers,
foster the growth of businesses that create quality jobs and increase the tax
base.
Green Market Development
Objective: Increase overall market demand for products and services that protect the
environment.
Recommended action: Environmentally preferable products (EPP) are products and
services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when
compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose. They may
include, but not be limited to, items that:
Contain recycled materials
Minimize waste
Conserve energy and/or water
Consist of fewer toxic substances
Reduce the amount of toxic substances disposed or consumed
Protect open-space
Lessen the impact to public health
The Town is urged to establish an EPP Purchasing Program. Through its purchasing
power the Town could reduce the environmental and public health impact of Town
government and foster markets for EPPs.
Local Economy, Quality Jobs, and Living Wages
Objectives: Create an increasingly self-reliant community through a robust local
economy with benefits shared by all. Expand job opportunities that support upward
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economic mobility and provide sufficient wages so that working people and their families
can afford a decent standard of living.
Recommended action: The Town is urged to educate town residents and businesses on
steps they can take to improve energy efficiency in homes and commercial structures.
Resources are available through the New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) for no-cost blower door tests that assess the energy efficiency of
structures. Low-interest loans from NYSERDA can be used for air-tightening measures,
insulation, and high-efficiency space conditioning equipment. NYSERDA grants and
loans can also be applied to photovoltaic and wind energy systems for homes and
businesses.
The Town is urged to educate future members of the Town labor market about careers in
energy efficiency. Presentations could be made to teachers of Dryden Central School
about Building Performance Institute (BPI) curricula in community colleges throughout
New York State. BPI-accredited contractors are in demand for work in the weatherization
and renewable energy sector.
Targeted Industry Development
Objective: Increase local competitiveness by strengthening networks of businesses,
suppliers, and associated institutions.
Recommended action: The reactivated IDA will be charged with establishing a Dryden
Business Association that could advocate for business-friendly policies at the Town and
State levels.
GOAL AREA: Built Environment: Achieve livability, choice, and access for all where
people live, work, and play
Housing Affordability
Objective: Construct, preserve, and maintain an adequate and diverse supply of location-
efficient and affordable housing options for all residents.
Recommended action: Offer incentives to developers of new subdivisions to include a
percentage of affordable housing in these subdivisions that look no different than market-
rate housing.
GOAL AREA: Education, Arts & Community: Empower vibrant, educated, connected,
and diverse communities
Arts & Culture
Objective: Provide a broad range of arts and cultural resources and activities that
encourage participation and creative self-expression.
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Recommended action: Because the Town of Dryden has a diverse array of historic,
cultural, natural, rural, scenic, and agricultural resources, efforts should be undertaken to
preserve these whenever new development occurs.
Educational Opportunity & Attainment
Objective: Achieve equitable attainment of a quality education for individuals from birth
to adulthood.
Recommended action: Town of Dryden school-aged residents are served by the Dryden
School District, from which students can graduate with a degree from Tompkins Cortland
Community College (TC3); the Groton Central School District; the Ithaca City School
District; and elementary schools in Dryden, Freeville, and McLean. In addition, the
William George Agency for Children’s Services serves adolescent boys and girls who are
referred by probation or social services departments, school districts, and the Office of
Children and Family Services. TC3 is located in the Town. Educational programs offered
by Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County are available to all
Town residents. Other educational venues available to Town residents include those
offered by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), Youth Services of
the Town of Dryden, and 4H Acres. These resources ensure that the equitable attainment
of a quality education is available for Town residents from birth to adulthood. Town
officials should maintain an awareness of the quality of these educational resources and
intervene, as appropriate, when this quality becomes vulnerable from internal or external
concerns.
Historic Preservation
Objective: Preserve and reuse historic structures and sites to retain local, regional, and
national history and heritage, reinforce community character, and conserve resources.
Recommended action: The Town should maintain an ongoing dialog with the Dryden
Historical Society to preserve and reuse historic structures and sites to retain local,
regional, and national history and heritage, reinforce community character, and conserve
resources. Awareness of the Dryden Historic District, located in the Village of Dryden,
should be promoted.
Social & Cultural Diversity
Objective: Celebrate and respect diversity and represent diverse perspectives in
community decision-making.
Recommended action: As the Town Supervisor appoints members to the Town boards,
she/he should do so in a manner that respects diversity and represents diverse
perspectives in community decision-making.
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GOAL AREA: Natural Systems: Protect and restore the natural resource base upon which
life depends
Invasive Species
Objective: Prevent and manage invasive species in order to restore and protect natural
ecosystems and the benefits they provide.
Recommended action: When the Town Planning Board reviews any development
proposal, it should include in its review any possible impacts on Unique Natural Areas
and Critical Environmental Areas.
Outdoor Air Quality
Objective: Ensure that outdoor air quality is healthy for all people and protects the
welfare of the community
Recommended action: The Town should consider enacting regulations that address and
reduce air quality impacts from outdoor wood burning. Such regulations might include:
building permits for installation of outdoor wood burners; setbacks from neighboring
properties; prohibited use in residential zones; and mandated seasonal-only use. The
Town should also consider enacting regulation to limit the cumulative air quality impacts
from industrial, diesel, or other similar operations, and should also explore adopting a
motor vehicle idling law.
Water in the Environment
Objective: Protect and restore the biological, chemical, and hydrological integrity of
water in the natural environment.
Recommended action: The Town should support the ongoing efforts of water quality
monitoring in the local watersheds and the Tompkins County Water Resources Council
and the Brooktondale Gauge Station.
Working Lands
Objective: Conserve and maintain lands that provide raw materials in ways that allow for
sustained harvests and the preservation of ecosystem integrity.
Recommended action: When the Town Planning Board reviews any development
proposal, it should include in its review any possible impacts on working lands. Continue
to cooperate with Ag and Markets standards and consider extending those requirements
to Ag Districts.