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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-21 Danby Planning Board Organizational Meeting Minutes January 21 , 2010 Members Present: Olivia Vent Ray Van de Bogart Naomi Strichartz David Mastroberti Anne Klingensmith Ted Melchen Others Present: Pamela Goddard Town Clerk Susan Beeners Code Enforcement Officer Ric Dietrich Supervisor Councilpersons Leslie Connors, Dan Klein, Kathy Halton, Dylan Race Members of the Public: Joel Gagnon, Ted Crane, Robert Roe, Ronda Roaring Appointment Meeting Chair and Secretary for this meeting: Robert Roe was asked to Chair the meeting. In the absence of Carol Sczepanski, Pamela Goddard was asked to serve as Secretary for this meeting. Call to Order Robert Roe called the meeting to order at 7:10pm Privilege of the Floor: Supervisor Ric Dietrich wished a"Happy New Year" to the Planning Board Member Items: • Soil and Water sent out a leaflet on"bare root"plantings. This information included grant information for restoring wet fields to wet lands. This program is geared to farmers. • Information was offered on USDA 2010 Conservation Program grants (deadline Jan. 22) Page 1 of 3 Organizational Resolutions: January 21, 2010 Resolution No. 1 of 2010 - STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE Resolved,That the Planning Board of the Town of Danby affirms its commitment to conduct meetings using Robert Rules of Order and will be in compliance with relevant Federal, State, and Local Laws. Moved by Van de Bogart, Second by Klingensmith. The motion passed. In favor: Klingensmith, Mastroberti, Melchen, Strichartz,Van de Bogart,Vent Resolution No. 2 of 2010 -DATES AND TIMES OF MEETINGS Resolved,that the Planning Board of the Town of Danby will meet at 7:00pm on the third Wednesday of each month. Moved by Strichartz, Second by Vent. The motion passed. In Favor: Klingensmith, Mastroberti, Melchen, Strichartz,Van de Bogart,Vent Planning Board Secretary: There was a lengthy discussion regarding the appointment of Secretary to the Planning Board. Members of the Planning Board voiced concern that the previous Secretary, Carol Sczepanski,was absent from this meeting and that minutes must be presented in a timely manner. Discussion continued as to whether to fully appoint Pamela Goddard as Secretary, or only as Interim Secretary until Sczepanski could be contacted. Ray Van de Bogart volunteered to talk with Carol Sczepanski to find out why she was absent from the meeting and to ask that previous minutes be delivered to the Planning Board electronically by the end of January.A final decision on this matter will be made at the February meeting. Resolution No. 3 of 2010 -APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM SECRETARY Resolved,That the Planning Board of the Town of Danby appoints Pamela Goddard as interim Secretary of the Planning Board. Moved by Van de Bogart, Second by Melchen. The motion passed. In Favor: Mastroberti, Melchen, Strichartz,Van de Bogart, Vent Against: Klingensmith Discussion with Town Board Members Regarding Objectives for 2010 Following an overview of a"Rough Work List",presented by Code Enforcement Officer, Sue Beeners, the Planning Board and Town Board held a discussion including the following topics: • Gas Drilling Task Force Listening Project: Volunteers are being recruited for training in talking (without pushing an agenda)with Danby residents about what their thoughts are on Gas Drilling. Other questions can be included, so that Danby residents may express views on a variety of topics. There is interest in gathering more input from community members about their priorities and concerns. This project may have linkages to other Town Board and Planning Board objectives. Page 2 of 3 • Ongoing projects, such as a grant to build a Highway Salt Barn, Planning Board and BZA Training, and the Trails/Kiosk Committee. There is a need for Board members to take a more active role in such projects. • Planning Board/Town Board consensus on three main goals for Hamlet Planning: Housing rehabilitation, Sustainability initiatives, Zoning changes. • Providing education and resources for housing renewal and energy efficiency.A HUD Block grant/Sheen housing grant was seen as an example. There is interest in finding positive ways to encourage development in the Hamlet, such as incentive programs. Gathering information in these areas could qualify for some of the required training for Planning Board members. There is a high level of interest in finding ways to encourage the involvement of as many members of the public as possible. Informational sessions, particularly those that will help homeowners save money through energy efficiency, were seen as a way to increase participation. • Priorities expressed by the Town Board included Energy Conservation, the pace of Development, economic diversity, and issues regarding Open Space. • There is a mutual concern between members of the Town Board and Planning Board about sub- standard housing. • There was some discussion regarding the role of the Planning Board as "gate-keeper" for development, the permit process, and the timing of when proposals are presented to the PB. There is general dissatisfaction with the current process and a desire for more consideration and input by members of the PB. TB and PB members expressed interest in options for landowners which will encourage preserving open space. Community involvement is seen as essential. The meeting concluded with a discussion about the process of seeing projects to completion. Decisions should be made as to where to put energy for the most advantageous development. There is a need to assess upcoming work and come up with a plan. The Town Board and Planning Board should continue discussions about priorities and objectives, and assign specific tasks to be done during the next two months. Further Meetings between Planning Board and Town Board There was consensus that this joint meeting was useful and that further meetings between the two boards should be held. The Planning Board was invited to join the Town Board during its February 22, 2010 meeting to continue reviewing projects and priorities on various "Work Lists." Adjournment A motion to adjourn the Organizational Meeting was made at 8:55pm. Pamela S Goddard,Interim Planning Board Secretary Page 3 of 3