HomeMy WebLinkAboutTownBoard_Minutes_20161114Danby Town Board
Minutes of Public Hearing and Regular Meeting
November 14, 2016
Present:
Councilpersons: Rebecca Brenner (Deputy Supervisor), Leslie Connors, Jim Holahan, Jack Miller
Excused:
Supervisor: Ric Dietrich
Others Present:
Town Clerk Pamela Goddard
Code Officer Paul Hansen
Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Highway Superintendent, Carl Seamon, Deputy, Jack Shawley
Legislator Dan Klein
Public Ted Crane, Ronda Roaring, Pat Woodworth, Charles Tilton.
2017 Town of Danby Budget Public Hearing Opened at 7:03pm
Public Hearing Comments
Ted Crane made statements in opposition to spending through the Town of Danby municipal budget
for Fire District projects. Crane maintained that, since the FD is a separate taxing agency, and since its
2017 budget includes $50,000 in “contingency funds” for unspecified projects (roughly 15x the
equivalent item in the Town budget), the use of Town time and materials to reduce FD costs for its
planned and budgeted activities amounts to the taxpayers paying twice for the same thing.
Dan Klein asked for clarification regarding the tax rate in the proposed 2017 budget. Brenner
responded that the proposed 2017 budget is approximately $18,000 less than the amount permitted by the
NY State tax cap. Bookkeeper Shawley added that there is a less than 1% increase in the tax rate, related
to Town General and Highway Funds. When the Fire District budget is added in, the tax rate increase is
1.161%. Brenner noted that the Town of Danby has been able to stay under the Tax Cap without cutting
any services.
Hansen responded to Crane’s questions regarding spending for the Fire District. Hansen advocated for
inter-agency assistance from the Town to the Fire District. Brenner noted that the Fire District budget has
already been passed, and urged comments during this public hearing to focus on the Town of Danby 2017
budget.
Pat Woodworth asked for clarification that this public hearing is in regards the 2017 Town of Danby
budget not including the Fire District Budget. Bookkeeper Shawley verified that the budget to be passed
includes the Town of Danby General Fund, Highway Fund, and Water District Fund. The Fire District
passed its budget earlier in October. The Town and County Tax bills will include the County, Town, and
Fire District budget requests. Shawley further noted that the Town of Danby takes the Fire District budget
increases, as well as impacts from school district taxes, into consideration when planning the rest of the
municipal budget future.
Holahan and Brenner thanked bookkeeper Shawley for her work on this budget. Brenner noted that
Supervisor Dietrich has been involved in the budget process during this time and has stated his support
for this budget.
Public Hearing Closed at 7:20 pm
Regular Meeting Opened at 7:20 pm
Privilege of the Floor
Dan Klein provided information regarding Beautification Grants, which may be applied for in relation
to the new sign at the Fire Hall, are funded through county tourism. The money is collected through the
hotel “bed tax” and so is not directly taxpayer funded.
Ted Crane made additional comments regarding concerns about the size of the Fire District
contingency fund, expressing concerns about the large “contingency fund” in their budget.
Hansen made a general statement in appreciation of the Fire District and Fire Department.
Ronda Roaring repeated her concerns regarding the inclusion of her personal contact information in
court records, through the County Court system, that were subsequently posted on the Internet. Deputy
Supervisor Brenner and Clerk Goddard informed Roaring that they would follow up on this question with
the Town Attorney. Roaring asked for a more complete explanation regarding why her personal
information was not removed.
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Warrants
ABSTRACT #11 OF 2016:
GENERAL FUND
#426-479 for a total of $25,791.75
Moved by Holahan, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
HIGHWAY FUND
#232-257 for a total $87,988.82
Moved by Brenner, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT
#54-60 for a total of $8,701.76
Moved by Brenner, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
Approve Town Board Minutes
MOTION - APPROVE MINUTES
Resolved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of October 10, 2016.
Moved by Brenner, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
In Favor: Holahan, Miller, Brenner
Abstain: Connors
MOTION - APPROVE MINUTES
Resolved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of October 17, 2016.
Moved by Brenner, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
Budget Consideration
Board voted on 2017 Budget without further discussion.
RESOLUTION NO. 92 OF 2016 - APPROVE 2017 TOWN OF DANBY BUDGET
Resolved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the 2017 Town Budget as presented.
Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
Reschedule SEQR Local Law Public Hearing
The Public Hearing for this Local Law was rescheduled due to the potential of a need to cancel the
November 21 Town Board meeting.
RESOLUTION NO. 93 OF 2016 - RESCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING
Resolved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby reschedules a Public Hearing (originally scheduled for
November 21, 2016) for revisions to the Town of Danby SEQR Local Law, to take place on Monday December 12,
2016 at 7:00pm in the Danby Town Hall.
Moved by Brenner, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
Highway Shared Services
Brenner and Shawley explained the need for a resolution, to extend the current shared services
agreement between the Town of Danby, other Tompkins County municipalities, and Tompkins County
Highway Departments for another five years. This is primarily in relation to personnel liability coverage.
This does not include bulk purchases or other materials.
RESOLUTION NO. 94 OF 2016 - TO APPROVE SIGNING OF SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY,
EFFECTIVE DEC. 1, 2016 - NOV. 30, 2016
Whereas, there are situations when the Highway Departments in Tompkins County help out one another when there
are large jobs which need to be done; and
Whereas, it is necessary for there to be an agreement that lays out the liability between each party when they are
sharing services with one another;
Now Therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the Town Supervisor to renew the current shared
services agreement for another five years period.
Moved by Brenner, Second by Miller. The motion passed.
In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Brenner
Town Board_Minutes_20161114 • Tuesday, November 22, 2016 Page ! of !2 3
Cancel November 21 Town Board Meeting
The Town Board agreed to cancel the November 21 meeting, as there are no pressing actions and it
was uncertain as to whether a quorum of the Board would be present.
Code Planning Report
Code Officer Hansen reported on the project to decommission and cap the Aquifer Study test well in
the Danby Community Park Association’s Dotson Park property. This well was found to have elevated
levels of arsenic. The nature of this contamination is that it can not be remedied. It will be easy to
decommission and cap this well, and this will be done. Other test wells have been turned over to the
landowners of the property where they were drilled. One of these wells is on the Highway Department
property. This well is suitable for human use and will be retained by the Highway Department for its use.
Hansen reported on the final stages of the Hornbrook Road Solar Installation Power Purchase
Agreement. The Town is still waiting for a decision from the Fire District as to whether they agree to
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town for electric billing related to the PPA. The FD
review of the MOU is held up with their attorney. Hansen has received verbal assurance that there are no
other impediments to signing the MOU. Renovus and its investors are in agreement regarding the final
wording of the PPA. There are no substantial changes, and this should be ready for signing at the end of
November. There was some discussion regarding the time-line for signing the PPA agreement. There is no
particular time constraint related to the land lease permissive referendum or the Fire District MOU.
However, both Renovus and the Town of Danby would like to have the agreement complete and signed
before the end of 2016.
Hansen further reported that the projected buyout cost for the solar array is currently lower than had
originally been estimated. The buyout cost is based on the projected fair market value.
Scoping Meeting - Town Board, Planning Board, Conservation Advisory Council
There was a brief reminder regarding the November 29 joint scoping/planning meeting between the
Town Board, Planning Board, and Conservation Advisory Council. While this is a public meeting, it will
be a working meeting between the boards and there will not be time for public comment. Minutes will be
taken and posted.
Short Reports and Correspondence
The Justices’ reports were distributed. Justice Huddle informed the Board that there may be a jury
trial in January or February.
Clerk Goddard reported on income through the Town Clerk’s office.
Legislator’s Report
Dan Klein made a brief report on activities and actions from the Tompkins County Legislature and
Tompkins County Council of Governments. Tompkins County will celebrate its Bicentennial in 2017 and
an historic plaque will be installed in Danby. A task force researching options and alternatives for
municipal Emergency volunteer services will meet at least twice a month for the next year.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8pm. !!!!!!!
______________________________________
Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk
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