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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-12TB 9-12-19 Page 1 of 4 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING September 12, 2019 Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Linda Lavine, Cl Kathrin Servoss, Cl Alice Green Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director Jennifer Case, Bookkeeper Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. There is a budget modification for the Planning Department to move funds from Planning Contractual to Code Enforcement Contractual to cover expense of n ew employee training. RESOLUTION #126 (2019) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATION Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modification: From To B8020.401 Planning Contractual B3620.401 Code Enforcement Cont. $1,000 2nd Cl Green Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes The Highway Superintendent has hired a new secretary. RESOLUTION #127 (2019) – Appointment of Secretary to the Highway Superintendent Supv offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS Kirsten Clapper resigned from the position of Secretary to the Highway Superintendent effective 9/6/19, and WHEREAS Rick Young, Highway Superintendent, has chosen a replacement, be it RESOLVED that Katelyn Casey is hereby appointed to the position of Secretary to the Highway Superintendent, effective immediately, with a salary of $35,000 per year. 2nd Cl Lamb TB 9-12-19 Page 2 of 4 Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes RESOLUTION #128 (2019) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #9 Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #9, as audited, general vouchers #626 through #723 ($126,858.73) and TA vouchers #55 and #56 ($3,327.62), totaling $1,036,801.36. 2nd Cl Servoss Roll Call Vote Cl Lavine Yes Cl Green Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Codification Update At the end of 2017 the town signed a contract with General Code to have all local laws and ordinances codified. B Avery said that General Code has prepared a draft of the town’s code and provided us with an Editorial and Legal Analysis that needs to be reviewed by town staff and our town attorney. She has estimated some funds in the 2020 budget for attorney review of the document. Game Farm Road & Rail Trail Cl Green said the town has received a proposed memorandum of understanding from Jeff Smith at County Highway related to the trail crossing at Game Farm Road. The county preferred that trail users travel under Game Farm Road rather than across it. It would be very expensive to build a tunnel (there is no funding for it) and many people feel it won’t be used. All stakeholders have discussed this. The County, Cornell, Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden representatives agreed that it makes sense to study the potential for doing an at grade crossing. The County Highway Manager wanted to make some stipulations about what he wants Dryden to do prior to them agreeing to do an at grade crossing at Game Farm Road and this memorandum spells out his proposal. They are asking the town commission a traffic engineering study at its expense (details in the memorandum) then based on the results of that study, the Town of Dryden will determine the best method for a safe crossing and then apply to the county for work a permit. The town will own all aspects of trail crossing and bear all expenses to maintain, inspect, remove etc. as necessary. There will probably be flashing cross lights because of the site lines. The Rail Trail Task force has not contacted the Town of Ithaca to request that they be a party to this agreement. The Town of Ithaca owns one side of the road and the Town of Dryden owns the other side. Bob Beck suggested the Town of Ithaca and the county be parties to this agreement. Cl Green said the agreement isn’t worded the way we would like it to be and that we need to develop a strategy to approach the county and the town about sharing the costs. She TB 9-12-19 Page 3 of 4 said there is a general feeling that people will cross at grade even if a walkway is constructed under the bridge. Discussion/Comments: • A donation could be requested from Cornell. • Staff at Cornell could be helpful in terms of a traffic study. • Engineered/stamped plans are needed for crossing, and John Lampman has volunteered to do that. • Some of the requirements in the agreement may be extreme; we could push back on some. • The public is going to cross the road and we want it to be as safe as possible within reason. • When Game Farm Road is next paved, they will regrade the dip and the rise and improve the line of sight. • Town of Ithaca owns to the middle of Game Farm Road and should also be responsible. After receiving information on anticipated expenses from the Task Force, Supv Leifer will make a cost share request from the Town of Ithaca and Cornell. Apple Orchard PRV Supv Leifer announced the documents have been prepared to transfer ownership of the Apple Orchard PRV from the Town of Ithaca to the Town of Dryden. This will give control of the water source for Varna to the Town of Dryden and a direct tie to the Hungerford tanks through Bolton Point’s system. We will also need to take care of pipes in the Town of Ithaca. Board members have the documents and will vote on the matter next week. Change in Domestic Relations Law B Avery explained that the Governor recently signed a bill amending Domestic Relations Law and waives state portion of the fee for a marriage license if one of the parties to the license is current active military. Towns can choose to waive their portion of the fee. The cost of a marriage license and resulting certificate is $40.00. The state portion is $22.50, and the town portion is $17.50. She said of the 40-60 marriage licenses the clerk’s office does in a year, one or two may qualify for this benefit. The board is inclined to waive the town portion of the fees and B Avery will prepare a proposed resolution for next week. Public Hearings scheduled for 9/18/19 Acceptance of 4 Easements – Dryden Rail Trail Mill Creek Preserve Subdivision – Acceptance by the town of two parcels of land South Hill Recreation Way – Acceptance of trail license from NYSEG Cl Green suggested that the Recreation & Youth Commission and Recreation Department be involved in planning for the parcel intended for active recreation. Other Agenda Items for 9/18/19 Presentation by I-Deal Self-Storage to add a second storage building at 16 Freeville Road. Introduction of proposed local law to override the tax cap. TB 9-12-19 Page 4 of 4 Future Business EV Charging Stations – Cl Green will be bringing a pre-application for a grant from NYSERDA and statement of intent to build charging stations. They need to re-estimate the electrical costs and it may be more than the NYSERDA and clean energy grants. She said the board can pass a resolution that we intend to build one at town hall and get a second estimate for the electrical costs to bring it within budget. She will prepare a resolution stating the Town’s intent. Comp Plan Kickoff Meeting – R Burger reported three representatives from EDR and entire Planning Board and alternates were present at the meeting. They discussed who would be appropriate focus groups, getting stakeholder lists together and how to communicate. The consultants will come back with an outreach plan for the project. They reviewed the scope of work and we are underway. The consultants will come to Dryden again the second Wednesday in November. The Planning Board has set up a standing meeting date on the second Wednesday of every month (at the DPW building) to meet if necessary. They will continue the fourth Thursday regular meetings. R Burger reported that Trinitas submitted a revised application this afternoon. They will review it in the next week or so to determine whether there is a complete application. Bob Beck reported the rail trail received a grant ($15,000) from the Triad Foundation to be applied toward material costs for renovations of the trestles at the game farm. The Task Force is waiting for word from the DEC that they can go ahead with the renovations. There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk