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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTownBoard_Minutes_20190524Danby Town Board
 Minutes of Special Meeting
 May 24, 2019, 4:30pm, Danby Town Hall Present: Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Ric Dietrich (Supervisor), Jim Holahan, Matt Ulinski Not Present: Councilperson: Jack Miller Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Sheriff Derek Osborne, Public Ted Crane, Ronda Roaring Meeting Opened at 4:30 pm No Actions were taken at this meeting. Speed Limit Enforcement Supervisor Dietrich opened a discussion regarding speed limit enforcement. There are several concerns on side roads in Danby. Dietrich would prefer that the passing zone on southbound Route 96B, where the speed limit reduces to 40MPH, be eliminated. He noted that the intersection at that location, with East/West Miller Road, is particularly dangerous, and wondered whether the Sheriff’s office may be able to help with negotiations between the Town and the NYS DoT. Osborne would be willing to pull accident statistics and other records to give weight to letters of support for lower speed limits. Sheriff Osborne expressed his support for enforcing speed limits on Town roads. He noted that Danby Road has been a bad road for speeding, and that speeding problems are increasing across the County. Staffing has been a problem. The Sheriff is advocating for an increase in County funding to allow additional traffic detail overtime, especially during the summer. Board members noted that speeding on side roads (used as shortcuts or by drivers following GPS directions) is increasing. Information, related to specific days and times when speeding takes place, would be very helpful. This information can be gathered by anyone from neighbors and other residents. Pictures and license plate information will help with investigation, but citations will only be issued when an officer witnesses an infraction. There was a preliminary discussion regarding potential “traffic calming measures.” The sheriff was not aware of particular measures. He did recommend the use of electronic Your Speed Is… signs, stating that these have been shown to reduce speed in drivers. Target Shoot & Pistol Permits Dietrich asked whether there are limits to the amount of target practice that can be done on private property and whether a “line is crossed” if there is frequent shooting at all hours? No specific guidelines regarding target shooting limits were given. The Sheriff noted that there is a law that shooting must be at least 500 feed in distance from a residence, but this does not relate to the shooter’s own residence. Osborne raised the potential of a noise ordinance as an enforcement tool. In a related matter, Dietrich asked whether the Sheriff had any information about the renewal of pistol permits? He had received several questions about pistol permit renewals in recent weeks. Sheriff Osborne had no information regarding this. Renewals are done through the State.
 Town Board_Minutes_20190524 • Friday, May 31, 2019 Page ! of !1 2 ! Enforcement of Road Use Law during Timber Harvest There was discussion regarding the question of enforcement of road closures and weight limits on roads, related to heavy truck traffic and particularly related to timber harvest on dirt roads. State police are better equipped to enforce weight limits on commercial trucks. The Sheriff’s office and State Police will be working together on a commercial vehicle enforcement detail in five locations across the County. Non-permitted road use could be enforced by the Sheriff, in example for road closures. Active Shooter Training There was a brief discussion of a recent situation with a potential active shooter. The Sheriff stated that training is available through his office. A representative from the Sheriff’s office will contact the Town Clerk to set a time for training. Neighborhood Watch Training There was a brief discussion regarding how to set up a Neighborhood Watch. Sheriff Osborne supports these programs and would be very willing to help set this up in various neighborhoods. Osborne is of the opinion that “Neighborhood Watch” signs help reduce burglaries in those areas. Dietrich will send contact information to the Sheriff’s office. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm. !!!!!! ______________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20190524 • Friday, May 31, 2019 Page ! of !2 2