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Home My WebLink About2013-08-12D a n b y T o w n B o a r d M i n u t e s o f R e g u l a r M e e t i n g A u g u s t 1 2 , 2 0 1 3 Present: Supervisor: Ric Dietrich Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Kathy Halton, Dan Klein, Dylan Race Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Code Office Susan Beeners Bookkeeper Laura Shawley WD Water District Todd Sukontarak Public Ronda Roaring, Rebecca M Brenner, Jim Holahan, Ted Crane The Danby Town Board meeting was opened at 7:05pm West Danby Water District Meter Approval Todd Sukontarak made a report and recommendation on behalf of the West Danby Water District Commissioners. Three bids were received for replacement water meters. Dietrich noted that the WDWD has had a positive, long standing relationship with Badger meters for several years. Sukonta- rak noted that the new meters will replace old Badger meters. RESOLUTION NO. 79 OF 2013 - ACCEPT BID PROPOSAL FOR WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT REPLACEMENT ME- TERS Whereas, the West Danby Water District submitted a invitation to bid for the supply and delivery of water meters, as part of a larger improvement project, and Whereas, three vendors supplied sealed bids by the deadline of July 31, 2013, and Whereas, these bids were opened in a public meeting and reviewed by the project engineer and the West Danby Water District Commissioners, and Whereas, a proposal for Badger meters, including encoder and handheld readers, from Blair Supply was both the lowest bid and best meets the needs of the Water Commissioners and Operators, Now therefore be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby accepts the bid proposal from Blair Supply for Badger water meters, on behalf of the West Danby Water District at a base bid of $34,984.00, to be paid for through the Community Development Block Grant Award. Moved by Halton, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Justices Grant Request Huddle explained that the Town Justices would like to submit a grant proposal to cover the ex- pense of remodeling the Courtroom and Court office space. Under this proposal the room currently used as the Courtroom would become office space for the court, while the two rooms now designated as office space would be merged into a larger Courtroom. The door of the new Courtroom would be closer to the Court’s building entrance. This remodeling would make use of currently underutilized space, would expand the Courtroom to accommodate more people, and would provide additional meeting space in Town Hall. The grant will be written to include funds for computer upgrades and support and to install a ductless AC/Heat unit for the Courtroom. The current proposed total for all items requests is $12,349.00, based on an estimate from a contractor. Town Board_Minutes_20130812 • Monday, August 19, 2013 Page 1 of 4 It was noted that, should the grant be awarded, the project will need to go out to bid for multiple estimates. The court was advised to add a percentage to the grant proposal to cover unanticipated cost overruns. RESOLUTION NO. 80 OF 2013 - AUTHORIZATION TOWN COURT GRANT APPLICATION Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes a Justice Court Assistance Program grant application for renovations, heat/air conditioning, and computer upgrades in the Court Room and Court Clerk’s Office space. Moved by Dietrich, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich West Danby Community Association Request Clerk Goddard read correspondence and a proposed resolution submitted by Joel Gagnon on be- half of the West Danby Community Association. Connors suggested that all members of the Town Board sign the certificate of appreciation for Gay Huddle. Goddard will get clarification from Gagnon as to how and when this will be done. RESOLUTION NO. 81 OF 2013 - HONORING GAY HUDDLE AS DANBY COLUMNIST Whereas, the the Danby Town Board recognizes and appreciates the dedicated service of Gay Huddle in her role as Danby columnist for the Ithaca Journal, informing the residents and celebrating the people of the Town of Danby, Now therefore be it Resolved, that the Town Supervisor, Frederic Dietrich, and members of the town board are hereby authorized to sign a certificate of appreciation, jointly with the West Danby Community Association, to be presented at the West Danby Annual Picnic on Saturday, August 24, 2013. Moved by Connors, Second by Race. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Warrants - Abstract #8 of 2013: GENERAL FUND #316-376 for a total of $31,757.78 Moved by Connors, Second by Halton. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich HIGHWAY FUND #116-136 for a total $42,771.76 Moved by Connors, Second by Race. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT FUND #028-042 for a total $11,894.19 Moved by Race, Second by Connors. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Town Board_Minutes_20130812 • Monday, August 19, 2013 Page 2 of 4 Approve Minutes RESOLUTION NO. 82 OF 2013 - APPROVE MINUTES Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of July 8 and 15, 2013. Moved by Halton, Second by Race. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Halton, Klein, Race, Dietrich Community Council Contract Connors proposed several changes to the proposed contract between the Danby Community Council and the Town of Danby. There was an extensive discussion about the Danby Area News Guidelines appendix to the con- tract. Discussion centered around the “Government News and Announcements,” and the “Role of the Editor” section. Several members of the Town Board expressed the opinion that fiction should gener- ally not be included in the Danby Area News. There was a suggestion that the Editorial guidelines include a statement that, “every reasonable attempt will be made to contact the author about changes” to any article. This was agreed to by Crane on behalf of the DCC. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the word “primarily” in the “Objective” section regard- ing the inclusion of “articles or letters which are primarily expressions of opinion, or are of a primar- ily religious or political nature.” Connors made a case for removing the word “primarily.” Crane made a case for the importance of “primarily” as a filter for gray areas in religious inclusion (e.g. some events held at a Church but not others) and/or political difference of opinion. Several members of the TB supported the Objective as currently stated with the word “primarily.” Crane addressed concerns and suggested changes on behalf of the Danby Community Council. He reported on a recent meeting and discussion of the Danby Community Council on this issue and its rationale for particular contract wording. With this additional input, most of the concerns were re- solved. The Town Board requested that a sentence or regarding guidelines for the “town sign” (near the Fire Hall and Park and Ride) be included in the document. This will go to the DCC for review. No action was taken. The contract will go back to the Danby Community Council for final re- view. Action should be taken on this matter at the first Town Board meeting in September. NYSERDA Grant Update Beeners gave an update on a grant application drafted and submitted by planning departments in the Towns of Danby, Caroline, Ulysses, Ithaca and City of Ithaca to the NYSERDA “Cleaner/Greener Communities Project.” The project is a multi-municipal Residential Energy Efficiency Action Plan (REEAP). An estimated 80% of houses which will exist in 2050 are already built. This housing stock is quite varied in its quality and energy efficiency. The application is for a $70,000 grant for a consultant, home energy performance specialist, and an attorney to help development a robust engagement strategy to improve and enhance energy effi- ciency in existing homes. Examples for future strategies include municipal ordinances to mandate an energy audit of a home at the time of sale, or an energy efficiency rating system for existing homes. Any such program would need to be fully supported by the real estate market. Another option would be an enhanced voluntary program. Models from municipalities across the country will be researched. There is no cash match needed for this grant. Each municipality will commit at least two hours of staff time per week for this project, should the grant application be approved. Town Hall Floor Refinishing Timeline Goddard gave a short report on the timeline for town hall floor refinishing and repair, on behalf of Matt Cooper. Prep work, including choosing trim paint color and the removal of curtains and val- ances, will be done during the week of August 19–23. Library books and other small items will be boxed and moved over the August 24/25 weekend. Larger furniture and boxes will be moved by the highway department and stored at the highway depot on Monday, August 26. Floor repair and refin- Town Board_Minutes_20130812 • Monday, August 19, 2013 Page 3 of 4 ishing will be done between August 27 and September 2. The end of that weekend will include dry- ing time. Furniture is scheduled to be replaced on Tuesday, September 3. Library unpacking will con- tinue for several days. Town Board members were encouraged to volunteer to help with library packing and unpacking. The Town offices may be able to open during this time, with an entrance through the court entrance. Conservation Advisory Council Klein gave a preview of items that will be discussed during the August 19 Town Board meeting. There are two distinct items up for discussion. Joel Gagnon will attend the August 19 meeting to help answer questions regarding the Deputron Hollow property and the Conservation Easement Template. The CAC needs to survey the property as part of developing a management plan for the Deputron Hollow property. It is estimated that a survey will cost in the range of $2,000. Some of this land is contested. Discussion of a legal dispute may need to be in closed meeting. The CAC is ready for the Town Board to review a sample Conservation Easement Template as a starting point for potential conservation easements contracted between a land owner and the town. There was a short discussion about the appropriate timing for a public information and hearing on the Conservation Easement Template concept. Adjournment The Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 pm. ____________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20130812 • Monday, August 19, 2013 Page 4 of 4