HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-09TB 2023-11-09
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 9, 2023
Zoom Hybrid
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez, Cl
Christina Dravis, Cl Spring Buck
Elected Officials: Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper
Ray Burger, Planning Director
*Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor
Chris O’Connor, Fire Coordinator
Loren Sparling, Deputy Town Clerk
“*” denotes attendance via Zoom
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6.04 p.m.
Financial & Human Resources
Abstract Approval
RESOLUTION #178 (2023) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #11
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #11, as audited, general vouchers
#1030 through #1143 ($1,806,869.89) and TA vouchers #104 through #107 ($6,130.33), totaling
$1,813,000.22.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Y
Cl Buck Y
Cl Dravis Y
Cl Lamb Y
Supv Leifer Y
Budget Modifications – Budget modifications were presented by the Supervisor.
RESOLUTION #179 (2023) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modifications:
From To
A1110.105 Court Security A1110.4 Court - Contractual 2,000.00
A1420.402 Legal A1320.4 Independent Audit 5,000.00
A1220.453 Supervisor - Mileage A1220.450 Supervisor - Contractual 1,000.00
A1220.402 Supervisor - Newsletter A1220.455 Supervisor - Training 126.36
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A1220.402 Supervisor - Newsletter A1220.454 Supervisor - Travel 3.23
A1220.402 Supervisor - Newsletter A1220.451 Supervisor - Office Supplies 270.41
A1220.102 Confidential Secretary A1220.451 Supervisor - Office Supplies 729.59
A1680.401 IT-Service Contracts A1680.402 IT - Website 500.00
A8020.412 Varna Development Plan A7110.411 Dryden Rail Tral 1,500.00
A2005 Rec - Misc Grants A7989.402 Community Music 2,000.00
A2005 Rec - Misc Grants A7989.407 Rec - Misc Grant 500.00
B8020.401 Planning - Contractual B3620.401 Code Enforcement - Contractual 1,000.00
B3620.108 Code Enforcement - Part time B3620.407 Code Enforcement - Legal 2,500.00
2nd Cl Buck
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Y
Cl Buck Y
Cl Dravis Y
Cl Lamb Y
Supv Leifer Y
Highway/DPW Department
Purchase Sakai SW990 Double Drum Roller
R Young explained that this resolution is for the purchase of a 2016 drum roller, which
will be used to put down blacktop. He had looked into renting the equipment; however, rentals
would cost about $6,000 per month (or $36,000 for 6 months). For the 2016 drum roller,
Tracey Road Equipment provided a purchase price of $44,500; R Young thinks this is the
smarter way to go.
Cl Lamb inquired of the lifespan of a drum roller. R Young answered that the one DPW
currently has dates back to the 1980s. He has been putting a lot of money into its upkeep, but
last month it stopped moving backwards. It becomes a significant problem when there is
$100,000 of blacktop on the ground and the roller does not work. R Young feels it is time to
request a replacement.
RESOLUTION #180 (2023) – PURCHASE SAKAI SW990 DOUBLE DRUM ROLLER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that the Highway Superintendent is hereby authorized to purchase a Sakai SW990
Double Drum Roller for $44,500.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Y
Cl Buck Y
Cl Dravis Y
Cl Lamb Y
Supv Leifer Y
Build 50’ x 100’ Pole Barn
R Young explained that he would like to put up a 50’ x 100’ pole barn in the location
where the Red Mill Bridge is currently. He wants to clean up the yard, to get summer
equipment inside so that they do not sit outside all winter (and vice versa). Although he talked
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to many builders, R Young only received two estimates ($165,000 and $187,000) for the
project, so he is asking the Town Board for a price not to exceed $175,000. He thinks this is a
pretty good price, given the size of the structure and its use of concrete. Last he looked,
concrete was up to $203 a yard, and it’s not going to get any cheaper.
Cl Lamb was curious about the Red Mill Bridge. R Young responded that at 6:30 p.m.
that night, the snowmobile club was going to take another look at the bridge.
R Young added that money for the pole barn will be taken from numerous sources.
Some will be taken from this year’s fund balance, and some from whatever remains of this
year’s garage account. Some money for this project has also been taken into account in the
2024 budget because by the time this project is completed, it will be late December, so funding
will be into the next year. Completion of the project in 2023 will be dependent, however, on the
availability of materials and code enforcement.
In answer to a question put forth by Cl Buck, R Young informed the Board that the two
companies that put in bids were local.
RESOLUTION #181 (2023) – BUILD 50’ X 100’ POLE BARN
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that the Highway Superintendent is hereby authorized to build a 50’ x 100’ pole
barn with a purchase price not to exceed $175,000.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Y
Cl Buck Y
Cl Dravis Y
Cl Lamb Y
Supv Leifer Y
Town Fire Coordinator
C O’Connor reported that he had a bunch of good news to share.
He spent a couple of hours with the Varna Fire Department last night teaching them
about their PPE and some design features in the PPE. It was a very well attended class, and he
taught everyone how to inspect and be responsible for their own PPE. In general, Varna’s PPE
is in good shape. They’re working on placing orders for new items based partly on what was
revealed last night during the inspections, notably poorly fitting items (e.g., boots that don’t fit)
and items that need repair. They’re working on a system to get people certified to inspect PPE,
as well as developing an inventory and inspection procedures and forms. The issue at hand is
that they have a lot of new people, but don’t have nearly enough PPE in stock to issue everyone
the proper PPE. They will be taking full advantage of SAFER grant funding to get reimbursed
for new member PPE.
C O’Connor also recently attended the annual Varna elections for line officers, which
went very well. For the first time in over a decade, all line officer positions were filled, with
some of these positions actually being contested.
One part of every fire department’s Mutually Agreed-Upon Plan (MAP) was to “bring in
experts to help evaluate all apparatus regarding suitability and necessary upgrades.” Based on
those evaluations, they would update both their apparatus replacement schedules and designs
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of future apparatus purchases. All fire departments agreed to this, but to date, Varna is the
only fire department that is actually working on it. They have contacted three separate
companies to receive proposals and quotes on helping them. So far, they’ve only heard from
one outfit – Emergency Vehicle Response. Their proposal is to come to Varna for 2-3 days,
evaluate all current apparatus for suitability to department’s needs and make any
recommendations regarding needed repairs, refurbishments, or replacements.
One reason that Varna is doing this is that they recognize that they do not really have
anybody in their department who can design a $1 million piece of apparatus. Whichever
company they choose to do the assessment, it is Varna’s intent to then contract with them for
consultancy services to help them write the specifications for new apparatus, oversee the build,
and do a final inspection. C O’Connor feels that this is a wise move on the part of Varna and
hopes that the other departments will follow suit at some point.
Cl Buck asked whether the specifications that will be designed for Varna would be
transferable to other departments. C O’Connor responded that it will be a tough (though not
impossible) sell to get all the fire departments to buy in to a common set of specifications, but
it is ultimately up to the Town Board.
Cl Buck wondered if there was anything, during the design of these specifications, that
will need to be taken into consideration for the future, needs that may not be part of the
current state. For example, if we look out 10 years and say that there might be more business
development because of the tech corridor, are there things that they need to take into
consideration based on what we have now? C O’Connor responded using his past interactions
with Emergency Vehicle Response. They are professionals and have done a fair amount of work
in central New York. In terms of looking ahead, Varna has a roughly 18-year-old brush truck
that they don’t use very much and that they are not happy with; they are considering using
these guys to help them design a midi-pumper that can get into more remote areas. Varna has
very few people who can drive the big trucks, and so the advantage for Varna is that it will be
much easier to teach someone how to drive the smaller truck.
Cl Dravis offered that it might be interesting for that company to look at the entire
town; in that way, they can decide how much apparatus is actually needed across the town
and in what portion of the town a piece of apparatus would be most beneficial. C O’Connor
agreed but felt that the best way to proceed right now is for them to focus on Varna; as part of
their work with Varna, they will look at all the other departments, maybe not to the depth as
was suggested. If the Town is satisfied with their work, a look at the entire town in depth could
be a possibility for 2024.
As Emergency Vehicle Response is currently the only organization to have submitted a
quote, Cl Buck wondered if the same price given to Varna would be offered to the other
departments. C O’Connor stated that he imagined this would be the case. Supv Leifer added
that the Town could ask Nathan Van Why to inquire on their behalf.
Another initiative Varna is employing is to continue to go after grants. C O’Connor was
able to convince his longtime friend Hilary Lambert to join Varna a few months ago so that she
might help them by utilizing her considerable experience and contacts to help them secure
small-scale local grants. Lambert has already secured a $3000 grant from the Community
Association and has a laundry list of grants that she is going to go after.
Back in spring 2023, C O’Connor talked to the Town Board about the Plymovent
exhaust extraction systems. He and Tony Milanese, President of the company, visited the
Dryden, Etna, Freeville, and Varna firehouses so Milanese could measure everything and
prepare bids. Etna’s bid took extra time to prepare because Milanese had to work with another
company to address how to connect Etna’s trucks to the Plymovent system because Etna’s
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trucks have dual vertical stacks rather than conventional exhaust systems. That also drove up
the bid cost for Etna. The total bid for all four firehouses is $327,551 , ranging from $65,000-
$125,000 for each individual firehouse. C O’Connor sent the bid proposals and an email from
Nancy Ten-Kate regarding an upcoming deadline (as early as February 2) for the Assistance to
Firefighters Grant (AFG) applications to all of the fire chiefs. Unfortunately, the AFG process
doesn’t allow for regional grant applications, so O’Connor cannot take care of the application
process like he did with the SAFER grant; they have to be individually prepared by the fire
departments and submitted. Ten-Kate is fully on board with helping however she can, has
offered a reduced rate to the departments, and said that she can reuse most of the information
gathered for the SAFER grant so that it will be very easy to apply for the AFGs. Exhaust
extraction systems are a high priority for her, as they would eliminate one of the principal
sources of firefighter cancer. As of this morning, the only department that has reached out to
Nancy Ten-Kate on this is Varna.
Cl Buck inquired how long it would take to install the systems and was given the
response of one week per firehouse (based on C O’Connor’s experience in Ithaca). She also
asked if there was a deadline for the quote given by Plymovent; Milanese said that he could
hold the price for two years, provided that the individual departments are actively going after
grants.
Bill Ackroyd from Dryden Fire Department put in a spending request with his
congressman but was told that Dryden had too much money in the bank to qualify for the
grant.
The Freeville Fire Department arranged for a NYS Fire Instructor to come in for four
sessions to teach a Hazmat Incident Command course at their station. They have had two
sessions thus far, with two more to go soon. Attendance was 25-30 for each session, with most
attendees being from Freeville, six or seven from Groton, three from Dryden, and one from
Varna.
Also C O’Connor just heard from the County Fire Coordinator that Varna is trying to
send nine students and Dryden one to the upcoming Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations
(BEFO) class. However, the class size is limited to 20-25, and 32 have already signed up. The
County is planning on running another BEFO in late February or early March.
County Update
No report.
Discussion/Action Items
North Street Development Task Force Recommendation of Support for the Village
of Dryden’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant Application
Supv Leifer initiated discussion of this resolution by asking for clarification on its
“proportionate share” phrasing. R Burger explained that the Village currently has its
engineering firm (MRB) working on a TAP grant application to do the sidewalks from TC3 to the
high school, which runs though property that is about 60% town-owned and 40% village-
owned. This could identify the proportionate share. There is also the possibility to have
adjacent businesses and the Lucente project (via a PDA) provide some of the share. But we
won’t know anything further until MRB puts together its application.
Supv Leifer advised that MRB check up on rights-of-way and easements this time. If
they need to hire a lawyer to help them do this, they should.
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R Burger continued that the sidewalk project will range from Mott Rd on the west side
of Route 13 to the trailer park on the east side. The east side is fully in the Town, whereas the
west side is a patchwork of Town and Village. The project will include Ellis Dr and Enterprise
Dr; these are about 80% owned by the Village. This could easily be a several hundred thousand
to 2 million dollar project.
Cl Lamb acknowledged that this is needed and would make the corridor safer for TC
students to walk. The TAP grant would pay for 80% of the cost of the project. R Burger added
that the TAP grant would cover everything from design to build to inspection.
There is a January 2024 deadline for the TAP grant application; at best, a decision
would be rendered in late spring 2024. Other potential funding sources for this project are the
federal Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program and the state’s Complete Streets program.
Cl Lamb wondered if this would put a little urgency with TC3 to install sidewalks down
Bahar Rd to meet this project.
Cl Buck thought even further ahead by raising the issue of sidewalk maintenance.
RESOLUTION #182 (2023) – SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGE OF DRYDEN’S
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) GRANT APPLICATION
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, much of the Route 13 and Route 38 corridor between Enterprise Drive and Bahar
Drive lacks sidewalks and is hazardous for pedestrian travel, and
WHEREAS, there is new residential development in this area that will add to the pedestrian
traffic, and
WHEREAS, the Village of Dryden is applying for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
grant to construct sidewalks in this area, and
WHEREAS, the grant will require a 20% local match,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board supports the Village of
Dryden’s TAP grant application and commits to paying a proportionate share of the local match should
the grant be awarded.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Y
Cl Buck Y
Cl Dravis Y
Cl Lamb Y
Supv Leifer Y
Introducing Local Law to Amend Billboard Overlay District – Schedule Public
Hearing for December 14, 2023
R Burger explained that this amendment basically adds another 25’ to the billboard
overlay district. Originally, we had a 300’ wide overlay district along Route 13, thinking that
would accommodate even the really wide parts of the DOT right -of-way. As it turned out, in the
200’ stretch near the NYSEG intersection, the roadway was constructed way off to the north,
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such that, if you march out 150’ from the center line, you only have 8’ to work with. This
doesn’t really accomplish what we intended, so we’re amending the law now to add 25’ to that
strip, affecting two tax parcels.
RESOLUTION #183 (2023) – INTRODUCTION OF A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW
EXTENDING THE BILLBOARD OVERLAY DISTRICT TO ADDITIONAL PORTIONS
OF TAX MAP NUMBERS 52.-1-4.31 AND 52.-1-4.6
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, a local law entitled “A LOCAL LAW EXTENDING THE BILLBOARD
OVERLAY DISTRICT TO ADDITIONAL PORTIONS OF TAX MAP NUMBERS 52.-1-4.31, and 52.-
1-4.6” was introduced at this meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to hold a public hearing with respect to the adoption of said
Local Law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a public hearing will be held by the Town Board
of the Town of Dryden with respect to the adoption of the aforesaid Local Law on December 14, 2023 at
6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter may be heard; and it is further
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby declares itself lead agency pursuant to SEQRA for this
action, and finds and concludes that the proposed action is an Unlisted action within the meaning of 6
NYCRR 617.2(al) and therefore is subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder; and be
it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause public notice of said
hearing to be given as provided by law.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Y
Cl Buck Y
Cl Dravis Y
Cl Lamb Y
Supv Leifer Y
Proposed Agenda Items for November 16, 2023
Public Hearing – 2024 Fire Contracts – Neptune Hose Company No. 1 of Dryden
and Etna Volunteer Fire Department
J Leifer reminded the Town Board that a public hearing has been scheduled for
November 16, 2023, regarding the two fire department budgets that were amended.
Before the meeting was adjourned, A Anderson asked what the Town Board would like
to do about a summation error she noticed in the 2024 budget. J Leifer explained that the
Town correctly published the salaries of individual Town Board members in the 2024 budget,
but incorrectly published the total. However, the Town is not obligated to publish this total,
only the individual salaries.
There are two recommendations from the Association of Towns on this matter. The first
is the process of rescinding that portion of the budget and holding another public hearing. The
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second option is to do nothing, because we essentially did the right thing (by publishing the
individual salaries correctly) but had one wrong piece that wasn’t required by law.
Supv Leifer felt that nothing needed to be done. Cl Lamb stated that we are publicly
recognizing the small error here, but also felt that nothing further needed to be done. The
remainder of the Board agreed.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6.52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Loren Sparling
Deputy Town Clerk