HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-02-08 132
TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MINUTES
February` 8 , 1968
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Danby
was held at the Danby Fire House , Thursday , February 8 , 1968 at
8 : 00 P . M .
Board Members Present : Supervisor James H . Cortright , Councilmen
Makie and Wright ; Justices Peter and Dorn ,
Also Present : Zoning Officer Hatfield , Planning Board Chairman
Joseph Shor , Appeals Board Chairman Gordon Roberts , '
Mrs . Marge Epp , Mrs . Nan Webber , Mr . and Mrs Walt
Eckert , Mrs . Parente , Mrs . Charlotte Hautala ,
Dick Hautala , Roland Boda , Gould Colman , Willard
Daetsch , John Myers , Alfred Schoneman , Bill
Johanson and Harold Cook.' Also Attorney Richard
Thaler;, Ed Conte , Sales Representative and Bill
Androsko , Gas Operating Superintendent from the
New York State Electric and Gas .
Supervisor Cortright called the meeting to order . Minutes
of the January meeting were read and approved .
COMMUNICATIONS .
1 . Minutes of a Spcecia1Neeting of the Danby Planning Board and
° Town Board on October 19 , 1967 were read .
at Minutes of a meeting of the Danby Planning Board on December
• 13 , 1967 were read .
3 . Letter from Attorney Manley Thaler to Supervisor re : West
Danby Water District .
PRIVILEGE OF FLOOR
None from the Board .
John Myers asked if the date for the Town Board meeting
could be listed under Coming Events in the Ithaca Journal .
Gould Colman added that at least part of the agenda for
Town Board Meetings appear in the newspaper a couple of days
before the meeting .
Mrs . Marge Epp read a letter from the Brochure Committee of
the Community Council regarding people ' s concern about properties
adjacent to and across from the Town Hall . This committee wants
to know the Town Board ' s immediate lans for improvement of the
P P
abovesmentioned area . Supervisor referred this with the Zoning
Committee to be taken up with the Planning Board .
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Highway - Justice Peter said there is nothing to report .
Zoning - Councilman Makie reported having zoning map and ordinance
complete . Makie has discussed with the Zoning Officer
to ask the attorney regarding buildings thathare falling � '
down which are potentially hazardous - - if a third party
should become injured , since we have a law prohibiting
these buildings being in existence , does the Town ;
become also liable for not having cleaned this up .
Attorney Thaler : " It depends on whether they have
been condemned . "
Makie : 'What actually condemns , that the people have
been told these buildings are condemned ? "
Discussion .
Once we get the new zoning ordinance , the jurisdiction
of condemnation will be outlined . '
Fire - Reported by Councilman Wright - The Danby Fire Department
is making an inspection of all public buildings in Danby
proper- -church , town hall , recreation area , school , IGA
store and gas station- - to familiarize the department what
hazards they may run into , where the heating plants are , etc .
1. 33
Cemeteries - Reported by Justice Dorn there is noting to report .
Youth - Reported by Councilman Makie - Makie asked that the many
different youth groups who have problems or need of
counsel , present them to the Youth Committee who in turn
will take it - to the Town Board - -acting as a liason .
Insurance - Reported by Justice Peter - Bill Scott , President
of Ithaca Agency outlined changes in insurance for this
year
1 . Additional coverage on trucks with plows attached
so to include the value of the plow .
2 . Coverage on new truck purchased last year .
• 3 . Increase of premium due to change of classification
on snowplows .
4 . Fire Coverage
Highway Barns - contents increased from
$ 3 , 000 to $ 5 , 000 . 0 , 06 . 62
Town Hall - dontents increased from $ 941.0:
to $ 1 , 000 .
Renewal on Bonds
Town Board agreed to bond the three deputies
Bonds left to be signed .
Supervisor asked that insurance be put on the Bucket Loader .
Discussion on procedure of notifying the Insurance Company when
the Town purchases new equipment . A cooperative effort will be
made to notify the Insurance Company of any purchase of equipment .
Refuse Collection and Disposal - Reported by Justice Peter -
Peter do% s not think the Town Board should accept
the minutes of the Planning Board . His receollection was
not to purchase the site unless intended to be used for a
sanitary landfill . The minutes implied that the motion was
made to purchase the site for a dump :: and the Town Board
reversed itself . Reveral was a direct result of the opposi -
tiori . If there was not intent to use it , this was the
reason for not purchasing the site .
Supervisor stated that the Planning Board minutes are
, read for information purposes only and they are recommenda-
tions -with the end result a matter of record in the Town
Board Minutes ,
Supervisor Cortright has been approached by Mr . Landstrom
who has a proposal to make to the Town in conjunction with
the Town of Spencer , Supervisor asked if the Refuse Collection
and Disposal Committee will meet with Mr . Landstrom . An
appointment will be set up or proposal in writing by calling
Mr . Landstrom . A report to be made at the next meeting .
OLD BUSINESS
Highway Simperintendent ' s Report - Chaffee absent .
Zoning Officer ' s Report m Hatfield reported quite a bit of building
this spring according to application
blanks and permits sold . Two new houses
are going up on Hornbrook Road .
Zoning Officer ' s Report for January was received .
Planning Board - Chairman Joseph Short stated the Planning Board ' s
concern regarding letter read by Mrs . Epp .
Also expressed interest in brochure being compiled
about the Town of Danby .
Appeals Board - Chairman Gordon Roberts reported having had a
meeting late in January and we will be getting
the minutes .
•
Assessors - no one present .
134 .
•
West Danby Water District - Supervisor Cortright introduced
Realtor Ed Austin and the Town Attorney . Mr . Austin is
presently involved in doing an appraisal on a portion
of the property needed for the Water District . Cortright
stated in view of the fact the Town is involved in negoti -
ating for this piece of property , it is not advisable to
make public what plans are as far as price is concerned ,
but the Town Board will go into executive session after
the meeting and discuss the price offered so that the
attorney may go on wiht his negotiations .
Attorney Thaler reported he has met with - Mr . LoPinto
( attorney for the Swartwood Estate ) on two occasions .
LoPinto told Thaler that the figure:a given before was part
for the land and part for the electric line and pump and
expected the Town to reimburse his clients . The figure
he had given was merely negotiation figure and could
not understand why proceeding to getting ` an appraisal
preparatory to condemnation . LoPinto said no offer
' had - been made - and wants Town to go further than negotiation .
Discussion on land-- 27 . 6 acres plus right -of -iay ,
merely' 4 acres - or 1200 feet by 1000 feet .
Supervisor made the following comments :
1 . Any holdup at this point is with FHA .
2 . Attorneys will make another attemptto
appeal to owners of land which the Town :
needs , then go to condemnation if not
successful .
3 . Cannot - tell engineers to complete specs
and go to bid because do not . have the money .
Councilman Makie advised that Supervisor call The
:'i' c. ':, Standard Engineering Corporation to find out what an
alternate road will cost as far as land . and construction ,
if Reed right -of-way is not used .
WILL SETTLE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION .
Makie asked Attorney Thaler if there is anything
more that the Town Board or Engineers have to do before
going to bid other than FHA . Thaler replied , " Not that
I know of . " I have reviewed file - -all papers that had
to be filed , all conditions that had to be met have been
met and papers have been filed . " Last letter to Bruce
OsadcheY from Attorney Manley Thaler asked , What ' s the
delay ? '"
Mr . Ed Austin explained appraisal procedure used : Problem
involved - What is the use of, the appraisal and what is the
effect of the taking . " Actually what should be done is the
evaluation of the entire property as it stands today before the
deletion of the property or part of the taking and then the
r value after the taking . The difference ' supposedly represents
the value of the land plus any damage to the property as a
result of the taking . " Evidently the value as it d ands presently
is one thing . " After the taking or ,the water district is. in •
working order , then the value of the property will be entirely
different , so the after value will be by far greater than the
before value . " In essence there is no consequential damage to
the property as a result of the taking .
Recreation Land - to be discussed An executive session . S
Gas Survey - Supervisor introduced Ed Conte , Sales Representative
• and Bill Androsko , Gas Operating Superintendent ` '
from the New York State Electric and Gas , to dis -
cuss what the Public Service Commission requires
for a• utility company to lay a gas line .
The following are approximations : .
1 . 65% of the possible 140 customers ( about 90 ) will
be utilizing gas services ,
2 . Approximate footage involved is 26 , 000 feet
by Leonardo ' s on the Danby Road up to a little
ways past Bald Hill Road on the Danby Road .
3 . The utility policy is to allow each customer 100
feet while figuring the main extension- - so in
talking of 90 customers , 9 , 000 feet is deducted
from the total footage getting a net footagle .
at the lowest possible
in t t
The cost per foot is put l P
4 . P
. • , . --
135
cast to .: ; the customer as well as the company .
Base cost on lowest possible pipe size and
even for safety reasons , put in a larger pipe
size . For the benefit of the people an approxl -
mate figure of $ 3 . 50 per foot was given .
5 . Net Cost comes to around $ 60 , 000 .
6 . To get a required revenue figure , 25% of the net
cost is taken . This is a Public Service Commission
ruling . In the first year , it an approximate figure
of $ 144962 . 00 can be expected in revenue , the
company is eligible to lay the line .
7 . Out of the • 90 customer figure , the approximate
revenue which includes Danby school , is $ 17 , 876 . 00 ,
which proves theoretically the line can be installed .
Petitions will be sent around to the people so that they
may indicate whether or not they want ! gas with name and address ,
years of occupany of the residence and what interest in using
gas - -house heating , .hot water heat , cooking or any other uses .
The company runs 100 feet from the property' line back at
no cost to the customer . Beyond this is a cost , usually in the
neighborhood of $ 3 . 00 a foot . This holds true regardless of
which side of the highway the main is on .
Justice Peter asked , " Are you prepared to move on this .
" Do you anticipate this going through ? "
Conte replied , " To anser your question directly , No , Mose ,
because actually being here tonight is a little bit premature .
" We aren ' t suppose to talk facts and figures with anybody until
we have a frnachise . "
Mose replied , " This franchiie bit has been overemphasized .
" The New York Electric and Gas was offered a franchise at any
time they felt they could move in and supply services to any
feasible portion of the Town of Danby , and I " m sure Iot speaking
for the Board . "
Conte replied that this should be worked out with the
Planning Board- -take initial steps on Wednesday evening .
In answer to question .; of running gas on the side roads ,
Mr . Androsko replied , " Because of the number of houses in the
area based on Mr . Conte ' s formula , : it all depends on how far
the houses are from the main road . In most cases , probably can
run as much as 1400 feet for three houses .
Justice Pete7 asked if their initial survey will include
the side roads . Mr . Androsko said they will go just as far as
is feasible , up each side road and up the main road -pall the
way to Candor if ` could .
Councilman Makie asked if they would extend up Ridgecrest
Road . Mr . Androsko stated that a survey had been done on this
road and it will beea separate job from Danby Road .
Supervisor Cortright urged very strongly that the petitions
cover people on the side roads - -Nelson , Muzzy , Miller Road East
and West , Gunderman-where there are many new houses , Hornbrook
and Bald Hill Roads .
Question was asked who pays the original net cost . The
utility company pays it and gets money back from revenue . The
only cost is to the individuals who hook into the gas , no cost
to other taxpayers .
Mr . Androsko emphasized that when people sign up for gas ,
they do mot just say they want gas for the sake of getting gas
into Danby , because later on things could " blow up " . The people
will be committed to this as they will be asked to sign a states
ment when they sign the petition . This installation is not
restricted to house heating only . If need for a water heater or
t kitchen range and are on -the line , but will not extend 3007r. feet
to pick up a house just with a `hot water heater problem .
Makie asked if their plans are to conduct an out and out
survey up the Danby Road , up Nelson Road .
Mr . °Androsko indicated yes , and with our numbering system
will plot the houses which will be passing and put them on a
map and when the people write in , have a survey made which will
determine a revenuefj igure .
Peter asked if a favorable response , how soon before the
actual installation might begin . Mr . Androsko replied , " This
year , depending on the franchise " % Peter said " You ' ll get a
franchise " . Androsko was quoted a franchise takes 11 months
but has not dealt with franchises , although the company would
be ready this summer .
x: 36
Cost of coverting a furnace from oil , depnds on who does
' it but probably around $ 150 . - $ 250 .
NEW BUSINESS
Justice Court Sign - Supervisor Cortright reported that Wayne
Palmer has completed the sign and post
for Justice Court and ,Cortright has talked
w ith Jim Epp about lighting it but not
talked with Mr . Chaffee about getting the
post in the ground , although thinks he
w ill do this .
Wayne Palmer also made a new Town Clerk ' s
sign .
Board unanimously agreed that the clerk
write a letter of appreciation to Mr .
Palmer .
RESOLUTION # 3 FURNACE FOR TOWNJHALL
r '
BE IT RESOLVED , that pursuant ti a notice to bidders
published in the Ithaca Journal on ' the 17th day of January 1968 ,
for a Forced Hot Air Heating System at the Danby Town Hall ; the
specifications for which are on file in the Town Clerk ' s office
and one bid having been received in accordance with the specifi -
cations at the time set forth in said notice together with a
performance bond and non-collusion agreement from Agway Petroleum
Corporation , 505 Taughannock Boulevard , Ithaca , New York .
THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that the contract for said forced
Hot Air Heating System pursuant to the specifications and the bid
from said Agway Petroleum Corporation be accepted and the Supervisor
be empowered to instruct the said' Agway Petroleum Corporation to
install the same pursuant to said bid .
flit above resolution made by the Town Magistrate , Moses
Peter and seconded by Town Magistrate Floyd Dorn and passed
" unanimously by said Town Board .
i I
•
( Prepared by Attorney Thaler )
Reed Right -of -way - to be duscussed in executive session to
follow this meeting .
Supervisor ' s Annual Report is Makie moved that supervisor Cortright
have until the end of February to
complete his Annual Report . Seconded
by Wright . 5 ayes , 0 noes , carried .
Review of Proposed Zoning Ordinance - Councilman Makie presented
the Town Board with the proposed
revisions to the Zoning Ordinance
and a Ma A Attachn ed hereto and made
The Board directed Attorney Thaler .
to make an additional addendum to
the printed proposed zoning
ordinance for submission to the
Town Board . SI
General Fund Bills = Peter moved to pay General Fund Bills # 9
throtiiglh # 28 totalling $ 4 , 398 . 26 as listed
o n Warrant 2 . Seconded by Dorn . 5 ayes , i
0 rides , carried .
Highway Fund Bills - Dorn moved to pay Highway Fund Bills ## 8
through023 totalling $ 2 , 061 . 02 as listed
o n Warrant 2 . Seconded by . Makie . 5 ayes ,
0 noes , carried .
Supervisor ' s Report - Meter moved to accept the Supervisor ' s
Report . Seconded by Wright . 4 ayes ,
'0 noes , carried .
Meeting adjourned at 11 : 30 P . M .
All Town Board Members and Attorney' Thaler met in Executive
Session . Respectfully s bmi ted , ,y