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Home My WebLink AboutCAC Minutes - November 27, 2017Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 1 of 4 Town of Danby Advisory Council Minutes of monthly meeting on Monday, November 27, 2017 Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Danby, New York. Attending: • All Council Members present: Matt Ulinski (chair), Joel Gagnon, Don Schaufler, Mary Woodsen, Bill Evans, Ruth Sherman, Dan Klein • Non-Members present: C.J. Randall (town planner), Elizabeth Keokosky (secretary), Ronda Roaring (citizen of Danby) Meeting opened at 7:01 pm Agenda Review Add “Annual Report” to action items at end of discussion. Put off “Management Plan for town owned lands” and “Ways to create new avenues for easements” to after discussion items. Public Comments/Privilege of the Floor (later referred to as PoF) No comments Introduction and welcome of Elizabeth (Betsy) Keokosky newly hired CAC recording secretary Draft September and October sets of minutes approved (9/25/17 and 10/23/17) Moved by Matt, seconded by Bill, unanimous approval Agenda Reports and Updates - Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) --Discussion of how to bring list of local species into the landscape level (C.J.) • C.J. referred to advice of Geo Kloppel and Anne Klingensmith; she asked how much input does CAC want in this level of NRI? Completion of the NRI would b a first step to the CAC becoming a CAB (Conservation Advisory Board) with Town Board approval. • What should the species information be based on? –on field work or on habitat described by expert sources • Don suggested use of DEC Management Plan, Table 10 for Danby State Forest and Shindagin Hollow State Forest • From Ronda (PoF) comment that Unit Management Plan not specific to Danby State Forest – it is statewide (Editorial comment: state forests above use Unit Management Plan7R which is based more specifically on Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 2 of 4 those parts of Broome, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins Counties lying within a continuous line from around Mecklenburg to Whitney point generally within vicinity of Route 79) • DEC Natural Heritage Program was suggested as a source • Ruth wondered about the inclusion of bears and bobcats though mention was made about the difficulty of reporting these. • From Ronda (PoF) comment pertaining to land open to public: Finger Lakes Trail Conference has money to buy land on old RR right of way to White Church Rd. (Editorial Comment: South Hill Recreation Way being extended to White Church Road through Danby; future phase is to connect to FLT between Shindagin Hollow and Danby State Forest though Caroline.) Agenda of Annual joint “Scoping” Meeting on Tuesday, November 28, at Town Hall (C.J.) • C.J. went over agenda of a special meeting for all town boards, staff, and CAC to review action plans for 2018 - setting short and long term project goals that include housing and zoning, water and waste water issues, road inventory and asset management, wind energy zoning, stream set backs and drainage • Joel emphasized that the main points should be “what are the tools available to use to allow the town to discourage and incentivize development?” and “what are the options for keeping rural parts rural?” • C.J. responded referencing the Sustainable action plan, hamlet action plans, and re-zoning. She referenced Crystal Buck, a county planner, who helped prepare Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan and Conservation plans. She suggested beautification grants and other grants. Action Items - Vision and Mission Statement (Mary) • Mary suggested Mission statement – “Danby’s rural character – you can help preserve it” • From Ronda (PoF) commented that’s an action statement, not a mission statement • Matt suggested a possible alternative “To protect and promote Danby’s rural character and conservation values." • Mary thinks it is important to use strong one syllable verbs and no gerunds • Dan not in favor of “you” in Mary’s statement; suggested something more like “working together” • Bill thought Mary’s statement more useful as a title for a rack card • Mary admitted it was a work in progress • Don likes “to make public part of the process” • a contest in Danby newsletter was suggested. Matt will put blurb in newsletter announcing it. Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 3 of 4 Discussion on Easements On-going easement possibilitiies (Mary) • Gould Colman and son on Updike Rd • 3 other parcels nearby have easements • From Ronda (PoF) Cooper parcel is one with modern house • Bill will talk to Gould Colman Annual Report Next Meeting Agenda Item: Matt volunteered to write up a draft annual report for next meeting Next meeting date Since next meeting falls on Christmas, Dan moved we skip December’s meeting and hold next meeting on January 22. 2018. Ruth seconded the motion. Passed Unananimously. Management Plan for town owned lands West Danby Water District Parcel – 20 acres – back of fire department in West Danby • Logging issues: whether to log timber or leave it alone (addressed by Town Board who opted not to log) • Deer problems: for new growth, ephemerals and rare orchids • Hunting issues: Concerns about liability – more problematic limiting access than not. Person who gave money for land in adjoining part of Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve did not want to allow hunting. Hunting and recreation require active monitoring. How to vet hunters? • Group unanimously in favor of hunting. Matt is following up with Guy Krogh, town attorney, on mechanisms for allowing this, and he will make this recommendation to town board. • Invasives problem? Matt suggested annual walk - Ruth and Dan going out to property Group decided to walk conservation easements in April 2018 Ways to create new avenues for easements • Matt has written an explanatory article that will come out in January’s newsletter • Mary thought word of mouth important – talking to neighbors • Bill said that backing up with data didn’t work • Elizabeth (PoF) suggested a presentation or article comparing Finger Lakes Land Trust Conservation Easements to Danby Conservation Easements might be useful. Joel said Town Conservation easements were cheaper, easier, and not as picky. • Next Meeting Agenda item: Sending letters to landowners to solicit/encourage easements. Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 4 of 4 Executive Session to discuss current easement under consideration at 8:30 Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm Next meeting is January 22, 2018 7:00 pm _____________________________________________ Submitted by Elizabeth Keokosky (Secretary)