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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-18TB 4-18-19 Page 1 of 7 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING April 18, 2019 Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Linda Lavine, Cl Alice Green Absent: Cl Kathrin Servoss Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director Ryan McHugh, Secretary to the Supervisor Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Board members and audience recited the pledge of allegiance. The board has previously considered the request of the Emergency and Preparedness Committee to establish a Community Emergency Response Team and discussed a resolution to accomplish that. RESOLUTION #83 (2019) – ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) IN THE TOWN OF DRYDEN Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, recognizes the need for enhanced emergency response resources in the wake of recent, unprecedented, natural disasters in the State of New York and the likelihood that such events will increasingly occur; and Whereas, first responders to such natural disasters, and other emergencies, much address often overwhelming circumstances in emergency situations; and Whereas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program under its Citizen Corps, a subsidiary of the USA Freedom Corps created by Executive Or der 13254 in 2002; and Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden has the authority to establish a CERT program that can train community members to help first responders and address various needs in the event of an emergency; and Whereas, the Federal government offers resources to assist in the establishment and maintenance of a CERT program, including materials for training and certification of CERT members; and Whereas, the Town of Dryden has a Safety and Preparedness Committee to establish and oversee a CERT program; and TB 4-18-19 Page 2 of 7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the town board of the Town of Dryden tasks the Safety and Preparedness Committee to establish and oversee a CERT program. 2nd Cl Green Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes The board reviewed and discussed a resolution delegating management of a general update to the Town Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Board. Items to be considered in the update include the broadband study, water study, commercial land and farmland, the Route 13 corridor study and the commercially zoned land on Route 13. The rail trail and possible added spurs should be considered. The Recreation Master Plan should also be revisited. RESOLUTION # 84 OF 2019 -- DRYDEN TOWN BOARD REQUESTING THAT THE PLANNING BOARD MANAGE AND EXECUTE A GENERAL UPDATE TO THE TOWN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the current Comprehensive Plan was written in 2004 and 2005 and approved on December 8, 2005, and the Foreword to the Plan recommends the Plan be updated every five years. Consequently, an update to the Plan is overdue, and WHEREAS, the Goals and Recommendations section of the Plan states that comprehensive plans are based on the "values held by a community at large". The community values which form the basis of the Plan are based on survey data that was collected in 1990 and 1999. A new survey should be conducted and used to validate and update the views and values of Dryden residents, and WHEREAS, much of the Plan is focused on controlling the location and nature of residential development in the town and the inventory map (Map 2-5) in the Plan showing locations of such development is based on data that is over 25 years old. A new inventory should be conducted and used to determine the extent to which zoning and subdivision codes are effective in influencing residential development to meet the Plan goals including goals for walkable communities and affordable housing, and WHEREAS, the Town's inventory of Recreational Resources and Transportation issues, which have a large bearing on livability in the Town, have changed significantly and should be updated to determine trends and needs, and the Recreation Master Plan should be updated, and WHEREAS, the Town’s inventory of Commercial Properties, including Farmland and Farm Related Enterprises, has changed over time, and the Town’s economic development goals should be examined; and WHEREAS, the Town’s water resources, wetlands, and flood plains should be inventoried and accurately described as part of the update process; and TB 4-18-19 Page 3 of 7 WHEREAS, the Town’s utility infrastructure, including but not limited to water, sewer, broadband, and wireless cell service, should be inventoried and examined; and WHEREAS, the Dryden Town Board has affirmed Dryden's commitment to be a Climate Smart Community but the Plan is largely silent on the topic of climate change and energy conservation. As a priority, the Plan should be updated to address those matters; and WHEREAS, an update to the Plan should include an analysis of the degree to which the goals of the Plan are still relevant and whether they are being realized by Dryden's local laws, and WHEREAS, the Town has budgeted $20K for FY2019 to hire a consultant and begin the update process, and WHEREAS, the Planning Board has, by resolution, recommended a general update to the Plan and has offered to manage the update process; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board requests that the Planning Board manage a general update to the Town Comprehensive Plan using an open and transparent process that includes Town staff, boards and commissions, and the citizens of Dryden. Further, the Town Board requests that the Planning Board engage the services of a planning consultant to prepare the update and to complete and deliver the proposed update to the Town Board no later than June 30, 2021. 2nd Green Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes RESOLUTION #85 (2019) – APPROVE MINUTES Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of March 14 and March 21, 2019. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes CITIZENS PRIVILEGE Joe Osmeloski, 2180 Dryden Road, said he thinks all FOIL requests should be honored. None should be turned down and most of the time what they ask for should be public anyway. At the March 7 meeting of the now defunct building and energy subcommittee Linda Lavine said now is not the time for a climate change discussion in Dryden. J Osmeloski said now is the time to have a discussion on climate change in Dryden. A more important discussion, whether you believe in it or not, is the mitigation of climate change. If we do or TB 4-18-19 Page 4 of 7 don’t believe in it, but come to the conclusion that there is something affecting the climate, how do we mitigate it. But he wants the discussion to be peer-review science based with no fearmongering. Present the peer reviewed science on both sides. With respect to mitigation, an article is about to come out in the Journal of Science. A Swiss investigator (who believes there is climate change) has concluded that the only way to mitigate climate change is by planting trees. He is 100% behind that. He goes on to the causal agents of climate change which he doesn’t believe is fossil fuels, but mainly refrigerants ironically found in heat pumps. The ironic thing is his wife in that meeting said she did not believe in climate change, and no one has mitigated climate change more than his wife. She plants thousands of trees. Craig Schutt, 69 Schutt Road, said he is concerned with real property assessments in Dryden. We hear continually that we need affordable housing. His assessment increased $25,000 in one fell swoop on his modest home. If it continues to do that how will there will be any affordable housing in this town? He said they probably won’t be able to live here after retirement. The County reps talk about how badly we need affordable housing, but their Assessment Department continues to rachet up costs to homeowners. This increase could mean an increased total tax bill of $1,000 to them. Shirley Lyon, 29 Mineah Road, said she has been complaining about contaminated ditch water being shunted to a protected stream (with no DEC permit) and now there is severe erosion. She thanked Rick Young for coming out and walking the route with her and realizing there is indeed a problem. She will be talking with the Planning Board about the problem. The contaminants go into a protected drinking water stream and there is erosion to the bank. HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT Rick Young reported they are doing snowplow cleanup. If anyone has any such problems, let the department know and they will get it cleaned up. When a s chedule of road work is available he will share it. They are not doing a lot of paving, mostly stone and oil. He will let people know after he hears about prices and scheduling from the vendors. RECREATION DEPARTMENT The monthly report is on the web. Some people were concerned about the dyes in the color run so the plan was changed. There will be a run and lots of railroad themed parts as part of the opening ceremony for the Freeville to Dryden section of the tr ail on May 11. Registration will take place at the event (handled by the PTA) and the first 60 participants will receive a train whistle. Summer camps will run June 25 through August 17. Dryden’s Project Lead program (a pre-employment program for middle-schoolers) is functioning again and they will be helping at day camp. Project Lead students will also work on trail clearing in Etna. PLANNING DEPARTMENT The monthly update is on the web. The Planning Board will be very busy this month reviewing projects, one of which is a 900 acre 40-lot subdivision centered around Caswell Road. It involves some acreage on Fall Creek that will be deeded to the town. The project is at sketch plan phase now and it will work on this for a few months. Cl Lamb explained that the Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative is funded by the Park Foundation. They publish an annual report and requested an update from the town. The group’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and look at ways to improve transportation, housing, development and various uses of alternative. Cl Lamb prepared an inventory of what the town has been doing. That includes 30 MW of community solar and the TB 4-18-19 Page 5 of 7 reduced rates negotiated for Dryden residents and SolarFarms NY offering a $100 donation to nonprofits operating in the town of Dryden. That could mean a lot of money for Dryden nonprofits. There have been a number of gas-free developments that have been done in town and we have been recognized by NYSERDA as a clean energy community. When you begin to make a list, the town has been very busy. Route 13 corridor study – The county is reviewing proposals from contractors to do the study. Interviews will be scheduled after April 22. COUNTY BRIEFING Martha Robertson reported that next week (4/24 at 5:30 pm) a group called Incremental Development Alliance will give a presentation at the Tompkins County Library. Bernice Radle, founder of the Buffalove Movement supporting infill development and affordable housing, will talk about working with local developers and communities and trying to figure out how to increase housing supply by finding random infill locations and determine what will work. The County will purchase property on Tioga Street about a block from Court and extending to Sears Street. It will take a while to decide what to do there. She will appoint a committee to look at it in depth. They will establish a complete county committee for the census. They will get a broad community group together to start to spread the word and identify local communities where you need outreach. The census is mostly online this time and will start the surveys next April. They will have to work harder to get to the people who don’t have or aren’t comfortable with something online. The section of Ellis Hollow Road between Dodge Road and Game Farm Road that wasn’t completed will be done this construction season. Game Farm Road to Pine Tree Road will be done next year. George Road bridge – At the facilities committee meeting Jeff Smith said he is eager to see what happens with the bid because the County’s share may be more than expected. M Robertson met with Bob Beck on Tuesday at the t rail crossing at Game Farm Road. It’s clear there were a lot of ideas shared before the bridge was constructed there. She would like a group of people to meet at the site to help determine what to do there. The dips in the road make visibility a problem. Jeff Smith will meet with the group that will likely include Todd Bittner, Ray Burger, Alice Green, Rick Young, and Bob Beck. She will contact Cornell and the Town of Ithaca to see who would represent them. ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES Planning Board – They have a vacancy, and two alternates (Jim Skaley & Tony Salerno) and another applicant, Dan Bussmann, to consider for appointment. Supv Leifer said frequently both alternates are elevated to voting status. Cl Lamb said we are fortunate to have strong candidates and the alternates inform the discussion as much as the regular voters. RESOLUTION #86 (2019) – PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: TB 4-18-19 Page 6 of 7 RESOLVED, that Tony Salerno be appointed to fill the vacated seat with a term that expires December 31, 2022, and Daniel Bussmann as alternate with a term to expire December 31, 2019. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Recreation & Youth Commission – no report. Ag Advisory Committee – Supv Leifer reported that when the rebirth of the virtual farmers market happens R McHugh will help rebuild that part of the website. They will need information from the farmers. The Ag Committee will be part of the comp plan rewrite. Marie McRae has asked that someone else take over as the Rail Trail Task Force liaison. Conservation Board – Jeanne Grace is developing a conservation easement monitoring program (volunteer run) for easements given to the town. Rail Trail Task Force – Cl Green reported the task force has reassessed the amount to ask for donations required to name a kiosk and have determined that $8,000 is more appropriate than the $10,000 established in November. She presented a resolution amending the policy. RESOLUTION #87 (2019) – AMEND RAIL TRAIL GIFT POLICY Cl Green offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS the Dryden Town Board passed a Rail Trail Gift policy in November 2018 which included guidelines for naming opportunities for kiosks to be located at various trail heads along the trail, and WHEREAS the Rail Trail Task Force has discussed the suggested $10,000 donation for kiosk naming rights and determined that that level may limit the number of possible donations, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Dryden Town Board approves setting the donation at $8,000 for a naming opportunity for a kiosk, subject to the conditions listed in the original resolution. 2nd Supv Leifer Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes The opening ceremony for the trail section to Freeville will be held May 11 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There will be speakers, music by Mad Daddy with Maddy Walsh of The Blind Spots, food trucks at George Road, and people walking from the villages led by the Mayors at 10:30. There will be fire departments and the Historical Society. The William George Agency pavilion at George Road will be used. The ceremony will take place there at 11:15 a.m. Amy Dickinson will MC the event and local leaders will be speaking. There will be s huttles after the event back to village. There is limited parking at the site. There will be many volunteers to direct people and handing out raffle tickets and such. TB 4-18-19 Page 7 of 7 Compensation Study – The PAQ reviews from managers have been collected and now the task is to analyze them. The consultants are doing an external analysis of compensation packages of people in similar positions in comparable towns. Final r esults from the team will be presented to the board on May 9. On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the board moved to executive session at 7:25 p.m. for a legal interpretation of things on BridgeNY and the alternatives. This will be a topic on the May 9 agenda. No action was taken, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk