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Home My WebLink AboutTownBoard_Minutes_20190610Danby Town Board  Minutes of Regular Meeting  June 10, 2019, 7pm, Danby Town Hall Present: Councilpersons: Leslie Connors, Ric Dietrich (Supervisor), Jim Holahan, Jack Miller, Matt Ulinski Others Present: Town Clerk Pamela Goddard Bookkeeper Laura Shawley Public Ted Crane, Ronda Roaring, Sarah Schnabel, Dan Klein, Bruce Richards, Katharine Hunter. Meeting Opened at 7:04 pm Privilege of the Floor Ted Crane announced that the Danby Community Council will host a program about rabies awareness on Wednesday, June 12. Crane further asked whether there was supplemental material on the “Internet of Things” to be discussed later in the agenda? Dietrich responded that this is a time for sharing general information on a road technology proposal. Katharine Hunter endorsed the CAC program with Bob Beck. Beck will be talking about the roles and responsibilities of a Conservation Board. Ronda Roaring asked about organizing a community wide Flag Day event/participation for 2020. Dietrich supported this idea and encouraged Roaring to organize something. Dan Klein had questions regarding the extension of South Hill Recreation Way trail. There followed a preliminary discussion on this topic with Supervisor Dietrich and Laura Shawley, on behalf of the Highway Department. Dietrich asked whether the issue of liability had been researched. Shawley reported that NYMIR has advised the Town that it is already covered (as is done for activities at Jennings Pond Park) and would not incur additional costs for liability insurance. Warrants ABSTRACT #8 OF 2019: GENERAL FUND #261-273 for a total of $8,068.77 Moved by Ulinski, Second by Miller. The motion passed.  In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich HIGHWAY FUND #172-183 for a total $15,349.59 Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.  In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich WEST DANBY WATER DISTRICT FUND #15 for a total $152.50 Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.  In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich  Town Board_Minutes_20190610 • Monday, June 17, 2019 Page ! of !1 3 Recreation Partnership Bylaws Changes Ulinski explained the need for a second vote to approve amendments to the Bylaws of the Recreation Partnership. Just days following the vote at the previous TB meeting, the Town of Lansing requested a few minor changes to the wording of the Bylaws. None of these changes are substantive. RESOLUTION NO. 46 OF 2019 - APPROVAL OF RECREATION PARTNERSHIP BOARD BYLAWS AMENDMENTS Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Danby did approve changes and updates to the Recreation Partnership Board Bylaws on June 3, 2019 (Such changes to the Bylaws as are necessary to coincide with the new approved Intermunicipal Agreement of 2018-2022); and Whereas, further amendments were requested by the Town of Lansing as here noted: • Paragraph IV. Membership- 7th line down that “a lay” be changed to “unelected” • Paragraph XIII. Amendments- 3rd line down “AND The” be changed to “and the” • Paragraph XIII. Amendments- 4th line down change to “must be mailed to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting” at which the proposed…, Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves these further amendments to the Recreation Partnership Board Bylaws. Moved by Ulinski, Second by Connors. The motion passed.  In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich Draft Trail License Agreement Clerk Goddard presented a draft resolution, authorizing Supervisor Dietrich and Attorney Krogh to enter into negotiations with NYSEG for a final agreement to use the old railroad bed (now held by NYSEG) as a recreation way trail. The language of this resolution came from information provided by Scott Doyle (Tompkins County Planning) in Email correspondence. Roaring asked whether the County would be using “room tax”funds to pay for trail improvement? Dietrich explained that the County will not be directly involved with the trail buildout. There will be several steps in the process of creating and opening the trail. He further noted that there is major work that needs to be done, repairing erosion damage to the area where the trail will be. This will need considerable support for materials, manpower, and other costs. Dietrich repeated his understanding that it will be quite a few years before the trail is complete. Connors asked about the length of trail in the Town of Danby. New maps show a larger segment in Danby than was previously thought. The trail runs along the Danby/Caroline border for most of the length in Danby. This appears to be primarily on the Danby side. There was not an exact measurement available at this meeting. The question will be clarified during the process of negotiation and planning. RESOLUTION NO. 47 OF 2019 - AUTHORIZATION FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR AND TOWN ATTORNEY TO FINALIZE TRAIL AGREEMENT Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Danby is in support of a trail using a NYSEG right of way; and Whereas, grant funds will be sought to help develop design details specific to the trail corridor through each particular municipality; and Whereas,The design work, for which funding would need to be found, then helps to clarify specific issues to address (like maintenance, road crossings, vegetation, etc.) and their associated costs in order to implement.; and Whereas, discussions between involved municipalities (Towns of Ithaca, Dryden, Caroline, and Danby) and Tompkins County Planning have concluded that it most advantageous for each town to enter into a license agreement directly with NYSEG for the parcels that fall within their municipality, Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Danby authorizes the Town Supervisor and Town Attorney to negotiate with NYSEG on a Final Agreement for the potential extension of the South Hill Recreation Way through the Town of Danby. Moved by Ulinski, Second by Holahan. The motion passed.  In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich  Town Board_Minutes_20190610 • Monday, June 17, 2019 Page ! of !2 3 ! Road Technology/Internet Sensors Matt Ulinski provided preliminary information on a pilot initiative of testing road sensor technology. This system will monitor road conditions, such as temperature change related to icy conditions, and report these back to Highway Departments through a web-based service. The Danby Highway is to be included in the pilot testing of this new technology. The choice of trial locations will be determined by the Town and County Highway Departments. The system will be owned by the County and is not corporate/private sector based. Ulinski emphasized that this is a municipal service. This is very new, “cutting edge” technology and not yet in use across the state. Tompkins County will be among the first to test these systems. There was a discussion between the Board, Laura Shawley (on behalf of Highway), and Supervisor Dietrich regarding the potential uses of this internet based road technology system. Dietrich noted that a motivator to take part in this initiative are concerns about the safety of steep roads, such as East Miller Road, in winter and wet conditions. These concerns were voiced by residents earlier in the spring. Having data on hand will help pinpoint locations that need extra or immediate attention. Ulinski will continue discussions with Jon Bosak and Terry Moore, who are initiating the system for the County. Dan Klein confirmed that the County has paid for the gateway system and basic infrastructure. There is no cost to the Town. Further details will be provided as the system gets underway. Code/Planning Report Dietrich gave a report on current needs and limitations related to Code and Planning activities. John Norman has been receiving Code Officer training, requiring him to be out of the office for extended time. The previous Code Officer, Paul Hansen, has been contracted to help respond to residents needs. Both John Czamanske and John Norman are limited in the number of hours they can work, due to their status in the retirement system. These limitations are being worked out, so that John Norman can be full time in the Code position. John Czamanske is only temporary, as Danby Planner, to help until a permanent replacement can be found. Dietrich is working with both Code and Planning to develop more up-to-date maps regarding land use and zoning. Dietrich is also working with John Czamanske to develop an appropriate job description for the Planner, so that this position can be posted and advertised. They hope to have the job description written by the end of June. The goal is to have a new Planner by the end of the year, with time for the new Planner to work with Czamanske in transition over several months. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm. !!!!! ______________________________________ Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk Town Board_Minutes_20190610 • Monday, June 17, 2019 Page ! of !3 3