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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-25Page 1 of 4 March 25, 2014 Conservation Board March 25, 2014 Members Present: Robert Beck (Chair), Gian Dodici, Craig Schutt, Mike Richmond, Rick Ryan and Nancy Munkenbeck. Charlie Smith (Excused) Planning Department Representative: Jane Nicholson (Planning Director) Planning Board liaison: David Weinstein Town Board Members: Guests: Craig Anderson The meeting was opened at 7PM by Chairman Beck. 1. Review and approval of meeting minutes from March 2nd. R. Beck asked for a change to the minutes to reflect that the Vice-Chairs of the Conservation Board are appointed by the Chair, not nominated. C. Schutt moved to approve the minutes, R. Ryan seconded the motion, they were passed unanimously. 2. Citizens’ privilege: C. Anderson told the Board that the Conservation Board minutes on the Town’s website are not up to date and some of the minutes are from 2012, not 2013. He also told the Board about the decision by the Town Board to appoint Jane Nicholson as the Planning Director, a position she has been filling since October 2013. 3. Additions to the Agenda: 4. Report and updates: a. Town Board: Not present b. Planning Board: D. Weinstein said the Planning Board has not met since the previous Conservation Board c. Tompkins County EMC – Steve Bissen was not in attendance. d. Ag. Committee – C. Schutt said the Ag Committee looked at the list of farms generated by Cooperative Extension and are reviewing the list to add farms that were missed. D. Weinstein asked if there is a definition of what a farm is. The only definition that we have is the one from Ag and Markets. He then asked if we are concerned about people with large gardens being included as a farm. C. Anderson pointed out that the Ag Committee was going to divide the “farms” into three groups. The top group would be the large farms and at the opposite end of the spectrum will be the small hobby farms. D. Weinstein asked how we will know if a 12 acre farm is actually engaged in farming activities. C. Anderson said that is part of the project, finding out what farms actually exist in the Town. We are just starting out. Page 2 of 4 March 25, 2014 C. Schutt said the Ag Committee also talked about the Farmer’s Market again. It is a go and will start June 20th. 5. Old Business B. Beck handed out a pamphlet about UNAs. The discussion revolved around the rights that property owners have if their land has a conservation easement on it. It doesn’t affect the assessment value of properties even though the development options have been reduced. D. Weinstein believes that the Assessors would reduce the assessment if the Towns requested that the rate be reduced. The Environmental Management Council still has a committee for the Unique Natural Areas and have been working on redrawing the boundaries of about 40 UNAs. D. Weinstein is on the committee and he reported that they are able to use the new aerial technology to more accurately identify UNA boundaries. They have complete 40 and have around 200 to complete. B. Beck said that the Town Board has approved the financing to help the Ringwood Preserve addition. Concern was expressed at the Town Board meeting about having access to the property. He feels that the Town of Dryden should have a role in this purchase simply because it is important to the Town and its residents to preserve and save the unique natural flora and fauna that exists there, even if people were not permitted on the property. TC3 Solar Plan. J. Nicholson said that TC3 applied for 2 Special Use Permits to install about 10.5 acres of solar panels. The permits were approved by the Town Board. During the process, J. Nicholson and a couple of residents contacted Nexterra (solar company) regarding dual-use of the 10.5 acres. She said it was a very insightful process and the solar company was very much on board although it is too late to change much at TC3. The Town of Dryden will be updating the renewable energy law and encouraging co-use is something to consider. Varna Trail/ Cornell Game Farm: J. Nicholson said she didn’t have an update. Supervisor Sumner has sent original memo to the DEC. When the DEC responds, the group that met and walked the trail at the Game Farm will meet again and decide where to go from here. 6. New Business D. Weinstein said that about 100 acres are under contract on Route 13 (on the right near NYSEG). Andy Zepp (Land Trust) called D. Weinstein regarding the fact that the land backs up to Fall Creek. Mr. Zepp wanted to find out if the new owners (the land is under contract) would be willing to put the land along the Creek as part of a conservation easement. The Land Trust will be willing to get involved after the Town has made a move to talk to the new owner. The Varna Trail would follow the railroad bed which runs along the creek at the back of that property which will provide support for the conservation of that area. J. Nicholson checked the map and she is fairly confident that the parcel in question is Page 3 of 4 March 25, 2014 actually split so the front (road front) part of the property is mixed-use commercial and the back part is conservation. It appears that the land is split right along the railroad bed. N. Munkenbeck offered the following resolution to the Town Board: The Conservation Board wishes to advise the Town Board that a parcel of land (approximately 100 acres, 44.-1-9) located along Route 13 and containing a section of Fall Creek has been placed under contract. The parcel contains unique flora and fauna and a section of the former Railroad bed which the Town has expressed interest in using as part of the Jim Schug Trail. The resolution was seconded by R. Ryan. The motion was passed unanimously. N. Munkenbeck offered the following resolution: The Conservation Board hereby appoints Rick Ryan as lead Board member identifying the land owners through which the proposed Dryden-Freeville trail will pass. R. Ryan seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Sign for the Campbell Meadows rain garden: This sign will be similar but simpler than the signs along the Jim Schug Trail. This sign will probably be bigger than the trail signs but there will only be one. J. Nicholson said it is something to think about and consider over the summer. G. Dodici agreed to lead the sign project and to contact The Plantsmen about the plantings. D. Weinstein asked if the Town is maintaining the garden. J. Nicholson didn’t know if the plants were ones that are natural for the garden and can survive without maintenance or if the Town has a responsibility to take care of them. Gian Dodici agreed to lead this project. Motion Approved. Trail and Preserve Guide: J. Nicholson said she and B. Beck have talked about the potential of a booklet/guide for the Town and considered whether it should be on-line or a printed form. She showed a Madison County guide that was recently published. It contains basic information but has a QR code so people can get more information if they want. D. Weinstein had some questions regarding the pamphlet; how much did it cost, who did the web aspect, etc. J. Nicholson is going to contact the people who created the pamphlet and get a bit more information. R. Ryan agreed to lead this project. Motion Approved. Open Space Plan: B. Beck said he has read through the Open Space Plan from Glenview (another town that already has the plan in place and J. Nicholson feels it is a good example). He said Page 4 of 4 March 25, 2014 they have eleven goals and half a dozen or more objectives underneath. He feels it is a bit redundant but it would be good to use this plan as a potential start. J. Nicholson agreed that looking at the Goals and Objectives (from the Glenville plan) will be a good place to start. J. Nicholson also suggested that the other boards get the definition of Open Space that the Conservation Board created and the Glenview Goals and Objectives so they can start discussions about it. The multi-board meeting to continue working on Open Space will be happening but it is not a good time yet. The Boards need to review the definition and try to come to an agreement. G. Dodici offered the following resolution: The Conservation Board was charged in December to develop a definition of Open Space. To ensure the development of a mutually agreeable definition, the Conservation Board will send a copy of their definition of Open Space and the goals and objectives from the Glenview plan to the other volunteer boards. They will ask the other boards to review the material and provide feedback to the Conservation Board. N. Munkenbeck seconded the motion which was unanimously passed. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk