HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-16 Danby Town Board
Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 16, 2012
Present:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Kathy Halton, Dan Klein, Dylan Race
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Code Office Sue Beeners
Legislator Frank Proto
Public Ronda Roaring,Ted Crane, Ethan, Cheryl, and Mark Andrews
The Meeting of the Danby Town Board was opened at 7:03pm.
Privilege of the Floor
Ronda Roaring made a statement in support of taking measures to expand cell phone coverage
across the town of Danby. She considers this a health and safety issue. In Roaring's opinion, cell cov-
erage is more important than broadband access. Dietrich responded saying that work is being done on
both types of coverage.
Resolution Regarding National Defense Authorization Act
Halton presented an additional "whereas"to the wording provided by the Danby Planning Board.
The Clerk read the resolution out,to assure that all was correct.
Klein stated that, while he would vote for this resolution, he was uncomfortable with the Board
making judgments on national issues. He stated that he hoped this would not become a common prac-
tice of the Board.
RESOLUTION NO.50 OF 2012-NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Whereas, the President of the United States signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act(HR 1540)
on December 31, 2011, and
Whereas, Sections 1021 and 1022 of Title 10 of the National Defense Authorization Act void the writ of habeas
corpus for American citizens within American territory, and
Whereas, the National Defense Authorization Act permits the United States Military to apprehend and indefinitely
detain without trail citizens and residents of the United States in unspecified locations, and
Whereas, these actions can be undertaken by unspecified persons designated by the President of the United
States without due process,without evidence, and based only on suspicion of belief or intention, and
Whereas, these actions and powers stand in contradiction of the Fourth and Sixth Amendments to the Constitu-
tion of the United States of America, and
Whereas, the Town of Danby, having passed a resolution during 2003 wherein we opposed the parts of the Pa-
triot Act that would destroy habeas corpus protections for American citizens, continues that opposition,
Therefore be it
Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby demands the immediate rescinding of sections 1021 and
1022 of Title 10 of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Moved by Race, Second by Halton. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
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Legislative Report
Frank Proto reported on several items. $800,000 will come from the State Conservation Fund to
assist with hydrilla eradication in the Cayuga Lake Inlet.
The County will begin dismantling the Home Health Agency. Patients currently served by this
agency will now be served by the Visiting Nurse Service.
Proto reported that work is already beginning on the 2013 County budget. He expects that there
will be a continuing"hit"on youth services from the State. Proto also reported on the recent lobbying
trip to Albany on behalf of the West Danby Water District and characterized the experience as suc-
cessful.
Solar Installation Research
Beeners and Klein provided additional information regarding potential solar energy installations
for the Town Hall. Equipment leased through Solar Liberty has a warrantee through the life of the
lease. Beeners and Cooper have done additional research into other, local opportunities for leasing
solar installations. If the Town decides to go with Solar Liberty, a site visit will be arranged and the
lease will be reviewed by the Town Attorney.
Klein reported that the normal degradation in efficiency of solar panels is in the range of
0.5-1.0%per year. Many panel manufacturers guarantee that, after 20 years,panels will remain at
80% efficiency or better.
Email Addresses for Danby Board members
Race made a brief presentation, suggesting that the Board work toward a system of dedicated
Email addresses for Town and Planning Board members and maybe others.Race made the case that
this would provide a"bucket capture"of Email correspondence and support transparency in Danby's
governance. There was some discussion about how this might work. Setup cost would be in the range
of$2,500. Dietrich directed Race to draft a detailed proposal for this system.
Town Hall Repairs Report
Beeners presented a draft design of the kitchen/hallway remodeling proposed by Matt Cooper.
This would provide a less cluttered entranceway,with garbage and recycling barrels stored under a
shelf in the kitchen. There would also be more work space in the kitchen and display space in en-
trance area. Beeners recommended that old appliances(refrigerator and microwave)be replaced with
more efficient models. The refrigerator is at least 20 years old and highly inefficient. New appliances
might be able to be purchased through the Town Hall contractual fund.
Beeners reported that several bids have been received for insulation work. Some of these may not
reflect prevailing wage.Beeners made a request that the Board authorize funds for minor repairs to
the roof. These repairs would be made through the building reserve fund.
Beeners reported that a new project, insulating the vault area and other improvements toward
climate control for the Town archives, is being added to the building repair list. The Board expressed
its appreciation for the list of needed repairs, so that each section can be considered as part of an on-
going need.
RESOLUTION NO.51 OF 2012-AUTHORIZE WORK
Resolved,that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes funding of up to$1,000 for roof repair work on
the Town Hall.
Moved by Klein, Second by Halton. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich
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Trails Update
Dietrich provided information about efforts to extend the South Hill Recreation Way trail from
Ithaca through Caroline into Danby along the old railroad right-of-way. This proposal is being drafted
by a group in Caroline and local municipalities. Dietrich estimates that the project is three years away
from implementation. Should the project be implemented, it may include summer youth jobs.The
Board expressed interest and theoretical support for the project.
Youth Services
The next countywide meeting regarding the future for Youth Services will be held in Danby on
May 3 as a part of the next meeting of the Danby Community Council. Dietrich is attending meetings
in other towns in an attempt to gain some clarification regarding the finances and the future of the
program.
Code Report
Beeners gave an overview of projects underway in the Code Office and credited Matt Cooper for
much of the progress being made.
Beeners reported that she met with potential sponsors of"Ithaca Summer Jam."They acknowl-
edged that they will not be holding an event on Peter Road in June. The Ithaca Summer Jam is being
advertised to take place at an"unspecified location."In previous years,this has been a large music
festival that resulted in numerous complaints from neighbors on Peter Road,including large numbers
of people weekend camping,problems parking on the road, etc.
Water District Project Update
Dietrich and Beeners gave an update on progress with the Water District improvement project.
Beeners stated that the threat of an imminent public health problem, due to the old tank,may make
the project eligible for a community development grant.Assistance has been offered by Dave Herrick
of T.G.Miller engineers. The effort to seek a grant for this project would benefit greatly by having an
income survey done of West Danby. The Town is researching contacting a consulting agency in rela-
tion to such a survey.
Other Short Reports/Correspondence
Reports from the Town Justices,Fire District, and Town Clerk's office were distributed. The
Clerk reported that the library received a donation of$100 from the American Legion. There was one
marriage license issued in March, several building permits, and 40 dog license renewals.
A final year-end financial report, outlining the transfer of funds between accounts,was circulated
among the Board on behalf of the Town Bookkeeper. The Board had questions about the details of the
report. Dietrich explained the purpose of the report. The Board wanted to wait on moving approval of
the report until a more detailed report could be provided.
Adjournment
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:37pm.
Pamela S. Goddard,Town Clerk
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