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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTownBoard_Minutes_20151012Danby Town Board
 Minutes of Regular Meeting
 October 12, 2015 Present: Supervisor: Ric Dietrich Councilpersons: Rebecca Brenner, Jim Holahan Excused: Councilperson: Leslie Connors, Jack Miller Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Bookkeeper Laura Shawley Code Officers CJ Randall Legislator Dan Klein Public Ted Crane, Ronda Roaring, David Hall The Danby Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:08pm Privilege of the Floor David Hall thanked the TB for its attention to his request for rezoning at Gunderman Road PDZ10. Ronda Roaring reported a conversation regarding an updated five-ten year management plan for Jennings Pond park. She asked when the Town was going to take action on this? Dietrich responded that the Town will engage with this, but it has not been a priority to date. Randall added that there is a current emergency management plan for Jennings Pond. She further responded that the NYS Park System must initiate any further plan for the consideration of trails, signage, and the use of the park. NYS Deferred Compensation Plan Clerk Goddard presented preliminary information regarding the Town’s potential participation in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan for employee retirement benefits. Additional information will be presented at a future TB meeting. Legislator’s Report Klein reported on Tompkins County’s budget planning. $20,000 is included for the existing staff person to manage youth employment. There is an additional $75,000 for the salaries of youth program workers (including Travis Judd, manager of the Danby Youth Programs). Klein anticipates that these budget lines will pass. Klein reported that funding for review of Agricultural Districts is included in the 2016 County budget. There was a discussion with Roaring and others regarding the review of Ag Districts. Randall reported that she has a meeting scheduled for October regarding Ag District review. Klein spoke about the “Carbon Fee and Dividend” proposal, endorsed by the Danby Conservation Advisory Council. He reported that the County is reviewing this proposal as well. Dietrich reported that a presentation on Carbon Fee and Dividend will be made to the Danby Town Board at a future meeting. Dietrich and Klein discussed the problem of long-term support for TCAT from municipalities and the County. Dietrich expressed the strong view that the rural areas can not afford to lose any bus service. However, financial support from the Towns will be difficult. Klein agreed that a solution needs to be found. While he did not have a particular plan in mind, Klein has put his name forward to be a County representative to TCAT. He hopes to help work in the problem. Town Board_Minutes_20151012 • Friday, October 23, 2015 Page ! of !1 3 Warrants ABSTRACT #10 OF 2015: GENERAL FUND #401-439, with the exclusion of voucher #407 (a voided check), for a total of $20,283.41 Moved by Brenner, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Holahan, Dietrich HIGHWAY FUND #221–241 for a total $69,659.76 Moved by Holahan, Second by Brenner. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Holahan, Dietrich WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT #44-48 for a total of $1,475.93 Moved by Holahan, Second by Brenner. The motion passed.
 In Favor: Brenner, Holahan, Dietrich Water Resources Presentations Dietrich reminded the Board that Steve Winkley will make his second presentation at 7pm on October 27. Clerk Goddard encouraged Board members to “beat the bushes” in order to boost attendance. Attendance at the October 8 presentation was low. Clerk Goddard reported that the long awaited Danby Aquifer Study is apparently past peer review and ready for publication and release. A specific release date has not been given. Broadband Buildout - Update CJ Randall gave status report on the buildout of broadband service in Danby. Two of three poles have been installed. These poles are awaiting electric connections through NYSEG. The Danby poles will provide 70% coverage for Danby. Adjacent poles from other Towns will provide additional coverage, to cover 98% of the uncovered areas of the Town. An updated map of coverage is being distributed to the Board and public through the September 2015 Code Enforcement report. Randall and Dietrich responded to questions from Roaring regarding the cost of hooking up to the service. Roaring complained about the cost of installation. Randall and Dietrich clarified that service to individual houses is not free. Dietrich noted that this buildout is bringing service to residents who have had no other alternative. Code Enforcement Report CJ Randall reported on activities of the Code and Planning office. She provided verbal additions to the written report circulated by Code Officer Paul Hansen, particularly regarding training and information meetings which she is attending. A revised written report will be available to the public. Randall informed the Board that upgraded ArcGIS software has been installed on the Code Office computers. This will allow for on-line “story maps” for projects such as CAC property surveys and road maintenance projects. A “live view” can be linked to the Town web site. Randall reported that she has worked with the CAC on a first draft of a Conservation Handbook. In addition, GPS data is being added to an open space inventory undertaken by the CAC. Randall provided training to the Planning Board on September 23, related to Comprehensive Planning. There was a brief discussion regarding a draft timeline for completion of the revised Comprehensive Plan. Randall estimated that the Comprehensive Plan update should be complete by the end of 2016. This timeline includes public outreach sessions over the next year. Town Board_Minutes_20151012 • Friday, October 23, 2015 Page ! of !2 3 Short Reports/Correspondence Copies of the Justice’s reports were distributed to the TB. The Town Clerk’s report noted that $3,004.61 was distributed to the Town Supervisor for the month of September. This included 55 dog licenses, six building permits, and sales of hunting and fitting licenses. $2,820.59 was distributed to the NYS DEC for sporting license sales, and $69.00 to the Animal Population Control Program through the NYS Department of Ag & Markets. Clerk Goddard reported that Records Management Assistant, Mary Ann Barr, has been working on reviewing and sorting old files from Code Officer Sue Beeners. Several duplicate copies of records have been destroyed. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm. !!!!!!!!! ______________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20151012 • Friday, October 23, 2015 Page ! of !3 3