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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTownBoard_Minutes_20150615Danby Town Board
 Minutes of Regular Meeting
 June 15, 2015 Present: Deputy Supervisor: Leslie Connors Councilpersons: Rebecca Brenner, Jim Holahan, Jack Miller Excused: Supervisor: Ric Dietrich Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Bookkeeper Laura Shawley Highway Carl Seamon, Jack Shawley Code Officers CJ Randall County Legislator Dan Klein Public Ted Crane, Ronda Roaring, Garry Huddle, Sarah Elbert, Susan Franklin. The Danby Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:04pm Highway Report on Flooding Incidents, June 14/15 A written and verbal report regarding road damage from flooding was received from Laura Shaw - ley, Jack Shawley, and Carl Seamon. Due to heavy rains and flash flooding from saturated ground over the weekend, Supervisor Dietrich declared a State of Emergency for the Town of Danby on Sun- day night, June 14, at 8:46pm. All required paperwork has been prepared and sent to the NY Depart- ment of State and the State Office of Emergency Management. The Town has been contacted by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s office as well as the office of Senator Schumer regarding large problems and the predicted cost. The Highway Department informed these offices of roughly $110,000 in dam- age. A list of damaged roads includes: •Brown Road, extensive damage estimated at $75,000. Brown Road is closed until the road can be rebuilt. •Several roads were damaged by heavy running water due to debris washed into the road, in- cluding Curtis Road and Michigan Hollow Road. •There were several roads with shoulders washed away and culvert damage, including Gunder- man Road, Steam Mill Road, Bruce Hill Road, LaRue Road, Howland Road, and Hill Road. •The seasonal sections of Maple Avenue and Smily Road were closed due to extensive damage. Jack Shawley noted that most of the damage was in West Danby and South Danby. Additional assessment will be made by the Highway Superintendent and paperwork submitted to the County as soon as possible in order to support potential thresholds for FEMA support. The cost of labor and repairs is estimated to rise to over $200,000. It is hoped that there will be assistance from NYS and FEMA for the cost of this damage. The Highway Department has photographic documenta- tion of all of the road damage. Seamon and Shawley answered questions from the Town Board. Holahan asked whether repair estimates include road improvements and preventative measures? Seamon responded that all road repairs are done to improve conditions. Laura Shawley added that FEMA support includes funds for improvements and preventative measures. Connors asked how it is determined which of the Highway and Fire Department responds to a need? Both departments were out all night responding to situa- Town Board_Minutes_20150615 • Friday, June 19, 2015 Page ! of ! 1 5 tions. Seamon responded that the Fire Department responds to the removal of trees which have come down on electric wires and to resident home safety needs. The Highway Department responds to cul- vert and ditch clearing as well as road repairs. It was noted that there was continued flash flood watch for the next 12-24 hours. The board thanked Seamon and Shawley for their efforts. Privilege of the Floor Ronda Roaring raised a concern about mowing on Town road right of ways. She expressed the view that money could be saved by not mowing road shoulders. She was concerned that mowing would spread invasive plants. Shawley respond that mowing is needed for road and driver safety. Elbert asked that documents, such as the agenda for Town Board meetings, be made available as early as possible. Clerk Goddard noted that the most recent agenda was sent to the Town webmaster at the same time as it was sent to the Town Board. The webmaster will be urged to post things promptly. Goddard also noted that meeting agendas are posted on the calendar, and that residents need to look for them there. Approve Minutes The minutes of May 4, 11, and 18 were moved separately to address suggested edits by Connors. These were, for the most part, slight proofreading changes. Changes of substance were suggested for the May 4 minutes, adding that Jim Holahan was excused and altering a sentence in a discussion of the Gunderman Road PDZ status to say, “The Gunderman Road proposal will likely be impacted by Hall’s second proposal for repurposing the facility at the Oasis Bar/Dance Club.” where the sentence had originally said “…has been complicated by Hall’s second proposal….” Clerk Goddard agreed to those changes. RESOLUTION NO. 64 OF 2015 - APPROVE MINUTES Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby approves the minutes of May 4, 2015 as amended. Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller RESOLUTION NO. 65 OF 2015 - APPROVE MINUTES Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby approves the minutes of May 11, 2015. Moved by Brenner, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller RESOLUTION NO. 66 OF 2015 - APPROVE MINUTES Resolved, that the Town Board of Town of Danby approves the minutes of May 18, 2015, as amended. Moved by Connors, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller
 Town Board_Minutes_20150615 • Friday, June 19, 2015 Page ! of ! 2 5 Road Closure Resolution - Danby Fun Day Parade Clerk Goddard presented a resolution authorizing a road closure for the Danby Fun Day parade. This resolution is identical to those passed in previous years, with the date updated to 2015. RESOLUTION NO. 67 OF 2015 - CLOSING OF NY STATE ROUTE 96B FOR PARADE ON JULY 11, 2015 Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby, in compliance with Section 1604, Paragraph 2, of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, which authorizes a Town to close a road for a parade, is officially closing New York State Route 96B on Saturday July 11, 2015 from 10:30am to 11:55am, from the intersection of East Miller and West Miller Roads to the intersection of Bald Hill Road; and it is Further Resolved, that the Town Board approves the extension of this time period, from 10:15am to 12:15pm, if the Danby Fire Department deems such extension necessary to facilitate the safe movement of the Parade participants; and it is Further Resolved, that there will be a detour route from the West Miller Road intersection with Route 96B to Comfort Road, to Lieb Road, to the Bald Hill Road intersection with Route 96B. Moved by Brenner, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller Solar Remote Net Metering Update Planner CJ Randall reported that Danby’s Preliminary Interconnection Agreement application was submitted by deadline. This application locks in a favorable metering rate. The site listed is property on the Highway Department land. Randall advised the board that this can be modified at a later date, if desired. Draft “Single Payer Health Care” Resolution, from TCCOG Clerk Goddard distributed a sample resolution, passed by TCCOG, supporting a single-payer ap - proach to health care and “universal coverage” on behalf of Supervisor Dietrich. The draft resolution was for TB review. No action was taken at this time. The resolution may be considered at a future board meeting. South Hill Recreation Way Update Planner CJ Randall reported on a renewed effort to extend the South Hill Recreation Way to Banks Road. Randall attended a recent meeting with the Towns of Ithaca, Dryden, Caroline, and Tompkins County to discuss the implementation of an expanded Recreation Way plan. This group is meeting with NYSEG representatives to assure that all is clear with the right-of-ways. There is the possibility of an application for recreational trails funding. Randall will be asking the Board to pass a renewed resolution in support, similar to one passed circa 2008. She will provide updates, as informa- tion becomes available. Randall answered some questions from the Board. Connors asked whether there is any resistance from property owners. Randall reported that there is no indication of opposition at this time. She will forward a copy of the 2012 plan to the members of the Board. Broadband Installation Update Planner CJ Randall reported that Chuck Bartosch of ClarityConnect will make a presentation to the Planning Board on June 18, by regarding the installation of broadband access poles and units. His plan is to install six poles, five of which will be in public right-of-ways. Brenner asked about the loca- tion of the poles. Randall offered to forward a map, provided by Bartosch.
 Town Board_Minutes_20150615 • Friday, June 19, 2015 Page ! of ! 3 5 Legislator’s Report Klein thanked the Highway Department for it’s flood report and advised the Board that he will be presenting this information to the County Legislature. Klein reported that the response to a “last chance” call for participants in a West Danby Van Pool has been low. A final assessment as to whether the project is feasible will be made by the end of June or early July. Klein gave a report on Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. The plan is the result of a long process including discussions with county-wide stakeholders. The 160 page report is available online at the Tompkins County web site. Additional information was distributed by Leslie Connors. She at- tended a meeting on this topic and expressed disappointment in how Danby was represented in the plan. There was minimal information for Danby in the plan. Short Reports Copies of the Justice’s reports were distributed. Justice Huddle reported that there has been an increase in domestic abuse and DWI cases, and that DWI is more evenly shared by men and women than it was in the past. He is also performing more weddings at this time of year. The Town Clerk’s report noted that $1,596.72 was distributed to the Town Supervisor for the month of May. This included 58 dog licenses, five building permits, and several fishing licenses. $111.49 was distributed to the NYS DEC for fishing license sales. Code Office Report Danby Planner, CJ Randall, made a Code Office report. She is attending meetings of the Home Energy Rating and Disclosure Group which is researching a “residential energy score project” which would require a certain type of home energy inspection at time of sale. This project is currently under legal review. The Code Office is working on a new “Development Application Form” which will clarify what materials are required and will include a check list so that applicants will know when a project packet is complete. This information will help the Code Office track development projects. Randall reminded the Board that there will be a meeting regarding the Aquifer Protection Ordi - nance and water resource issues with Steve Winkley on Wednesday June 24. Connors made a suggestion that documents regarding all of Danby’s Planned Development Zones be organized for easy review. Clerk Goddard responded that this has already begun, in the local laws section of the electronic Laserfiche repository. She will work with the Code Office to locate and in- clude additional documents.
 Town Board_Minutes_20150615 • Friday, June 19, 2015 Page ! of ! 4 5 Warrants ABSTRACT #6 OF 2015: GENERAL FUND #221-279 for a total of $36,242.55 Moved by Holahan, Second by Connors. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller HIGHWAY FUND #098-133 for a total $46,103.76 Moved by Connors, Second by Brenner. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller WATER DISTRICT #030-035 for a total of $759.60 Moved by Connors, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Connors, Holahan, Miller Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 pm !!!!! ______________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20150615 • Friday, June 19, 2015 Page ! of ! 5 5