HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-08-09 Danby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 2
PRIVILEGE OF FLOOR :
Supervisor Makie reported that Clarence French had contacted him
regarding his trailer park . Mr . French would like to enlarge his
trailer park and the_Zoningo_f Steer fed t 1 twnu_l_d_n.nt_hc n.na_ai-hlo
TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MINUTES
AUGUST 9 , 1971
The regular meeting of the Town of Danby Town Board was held in
the Danby Town Hall , August 9 , 1971 , at 8 : 15 P . M .
Board members present : Supervisor Donald Makie
Councilman Gerald Crance
Councilman Ralph Wilbur
Justice Floyd Dorn
Justice A . Francis Wright
Also present : Planning Board Chairman Richard Olsen , Zoning
Officer Gordon Roberts , Appeals Board Chairman Moses Peter ,
County Representative Erie J . Miller , Jr . , Roy Casterline , Richard
Blatchley , Mr . Husen , Tom Austen , Clarence French , Lloyd French ,
WTKO reporter .
The minutes of the regular meeting of July 12 , 1971 , were distrib -
uted to Board members for reading and correction .
The minutes were approved as presented .
COMMUNICATIONS :
1 . There were no Planning Board Minutes as the Planning
Board lacked a quorum at their last meeting .
2 . A letter from the Thomas Hewn Agency for Automatic
Voting Machines , requesting information as to whether
the Town desires their machines serviced or the
curtains cleaned .
3 . A reminder from the Commissioner of Elections that
a Primary Election will be held in all 57 Election
Districts in Tompkins County on September 14 , 1971 .
The polls will be open from twelve noon to 9 : 00 P . M .
4 . A letter from Stanley Steingutt , Minority Leader ,
regarding a bill passed by the last Legislative
session and signed into law , which will permit a
local municipality to impose a service charge on
certain tax- exempt property to offset the cost of
providing municipal services . While certain tax-
exempt property was excluded from the legislation ,
property owned by the State of New York was not
excluded . It is reported that the Governor ' s Office
is considering repealing this section of the legis -
lation before the April 1 , 1972 effective date of the
bill . The letter recommends that the Town pass the
appropriate enabling legislation to make them
eligible for these additional state funds , and that
urge the State Representatives from their area to
oppose any effort to repeal this section of the law .
The letter also requested an estimate of the amount
of extra funds the Town would receive from the State
under the present law . Referred to Supervisor Makie
for further study .
L. 5 . Agenda of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives
meeting of August 9 , 1971 .
D anby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 3
P rivilege of Floor Cont ' d :
Mr . Rick Do:b 'son said he felt there should be some commemoration
of World War II veterans . He also mentioned a fireman who lost
his life a few years back and said he felt this should also be
recognized . Supervisor Makie said recognition of World War II
veterans could be put on the agenda , but he felt the Fire Depart -
ment should take care of recognition of firemen . Mr . Dobson
stated that he felt parts of the Zoning Ordinance should be
changed and brought up to date . He also raised a question about
zoning fees . Supervisor Makie stated that the Town Board feels
the best way to handle the problem is to re - establish zoning fees
at this time . It has gone back so far it is difficult to locate
the original documents . Supervisor Makie asked Mr . Dobson if the
offer of land for a Town Hall was still available . Mr . Dobson
said it is but he holding off putting anything on paper as
several people have contacted him and said they fear the Town
B oard intends to put a great deal of money into a Town Hall when
money is not available . Supervisor Makie stated that their main
concern is a building for storage of highway equipment and sug -
gested that the easiest way for the matter to be handled would
be for Mr . Dobson to give the Town Board an option on the land
and it could be considered along with all the others .
Mr . Richard Blatchley stated that he would like to hook into the
West Danby Water District . He will pay the entire cost of getting
the water to his property . At the present time he has plans for
two houses to be connected , but expects there will be more in the
future . Richard Olsen stated that Mr . Blatchley ' s application
for a Planned Development Area has never been officially approved .
Roy Casterline stated that the feeling of the Water Commissioners
is that everyone in the area should be included . Supervisor
Makie stated that if the Commissioners want to have the addition
to the district they have to consider the impact of where they
put the district boundaries . Mr . Casterline also said they felt
they should have a one year ' s guarantee to the district . Super-
✓ isor Makie stated that before any of this comes to pass it must
be written up and given to the Water Commissioners for their
recommendation . Mosses Peter commented that he felt the Water
District should welcome any chance for an increased district .
Supervisor Makie asked Mr . Casterline what his recommendation to
the Water Commissioners would be . Mr . Casterline said he would
✓ ecommend that they approve Mr . Blatchley ' s request and leave all
o ther property owners in the area . Mr . Casterline asked if there
was an obligation to get FHA approval to increase the Water
District . Mr . Olsen said he felt it would be beneficial to the
Water District . Mr . Blatchley would like to move right along ,
as he is obligated to have one house completed on September 1 ,
1971 . Mr . Casterline wants this written up to include future
growth . Supervisor Makie recommended that Mr . Blatchley , or
his partner , attend the next Planning Board meeting to re - intro -
duce their plan for a Planned Development District . The Zoning
Officer can approve the acreage of the lots proposed at the
present time . Mr . Blatchley was advised to have everything
totally planned in this Planned Development District and present
it to the Planning Board for approval .
Moses Peter reported on the progress with land acquisition plans .
The Awad property contains 45 . 54 acres , with 266 feet of road
frontage . It does border on a piece of property owned by the
same man . The adjoining property has 367 feet of frontage on
Danby Road and 300 feet of frontage on Hornbrook Road and contains
23 . 83 acres . The property is owned by Mr . and Mrs . Ken Ash and
was purchased in September 1970 . Mr . Ash is thinking about it ,
he may be interested , but he has not come up with any price .
Danby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 4
P rivilege of Floor Cont ' d :
Mr . Casterline reported that the chlorinator has not been working
well for sometime . He has spoken with Tom Austen , who will loan
the district a unit , except for installation costs , until they
can determine if it is satisfactory . Mr . Austen discussed the
chlorinator , and said he would recommend the use of a hyper -
chlorinator , rather than the gas chlorinator now in use . The
cost of operation would be $9 . 00 to $15 . 00 a year , and the
equipment would cost from $ 98 . 00 to ; 350 . 00 , depending upon the
requirements of the water system . The hyper chlorinator is very
e asy to operate and much easier and less expensive to repair .
Mr . Austen named several nearby water districts using this type
of equipment . The gas chlorinator needs an experienced person
to operate the equipment as the gas is extremely lethal , and the
units can be very touchy . Cost of repairing the present unit
w ill be approximately $100 . 00 . Mr . Casterline will present the
problem to the Water Commissioners for their recommendation and
report back to the Town Board . If approved Mr . Austen will loan
the District a hyper chlorinator if the Town will pay for the
costs of installation , which should not exceed $50 . 00 .
The Water Commissioners are having a problem with their Superin -
tendent . He is too old to take schooling and does not have a
h igh school education . In searching West Danby to find someone
to take over the job , the only one Mr . Casterline could find
was himself . The school is October 4 - 8 . Mr . Casterline was
advised to get a recommendation from the Water Commissioners
f or his attendance at the school and any reimbursement involved
and present the recommendation at the next Town Bcard meeting
f or approval . Mr . Casterline and Perry Crance should work out
a solution as to division of responsibilities and salary , with
Mr . Casterline as Water Superintendent and Mr . . Crance as Deputy
Superintendent , and present the proposal for approval .
Mr . Casterline reported that a paint job is needed on the out -
side of the tank again . The guarantee was for one year and ran
out in July . There is also a problem with the pressure valve
on the north line . Mr . Austen will look at this . Mr . Casterline
w as advised to take these problems back to the Water Commissioners
for their recommendations . If expenditures are necessary they
w ill have to be worked into the budget for next year .
Mr . Casterline ' s term as Water Commissioner runs out this year .
As yet no one has been suggested to replace him if he becomes
Superintendent of the Water District .
COMMITTEE REPORTS :
A . Highway Department - Councilman Ralph Wilbur reported that he
has received the specifications of the new Erwin Plan , which
will take effect January 1 , 1972 , and for which monies will
be budgeted this fall . The Town of Danby qualifies for the
maximum , and will be entitled to receive up to 36 , 000 reim-
bursement per year . The percentage that will be reimbursed
will be 45% , as compared to 60% to 65 % reimbursement as the
present time . We can get up to $18 , 000 per mile on new
construction or re - construction on some Erwin Road that we
have constructed and possibly we want to re - construct and
oil it or top it . This is still 45 % reimbursement . We can
get $4 , 500 per mile for new or re - surfacing of roads that
we now have oiled . We can get up to $18 , 000 per year reim-
bursement on any bridges or culverts , in other words , these
large colverts where we get no reimbursement now . Any Erwin
project we do , after January 1 , the bridges have to be
Danby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 5
Committee Reports Cant ' d :
included in the Erwin project . If there is a bridge on the
project , it has to be included - - we have to re - do the
bridge - - which we haven ' t been doing . We can put any Town
Road in the Erwin Plan that is in the Town system before
January 1 , 1972 . Any highway that is in the road system
before that date we can put in - - we don ' t have to go
through the feasibility bit of what has to be on the road .
Any road that the Town Board sees fit can be included , but
the road has to be in the system before January 1 , 1972 .
We don ' t have to have the state inspection and approval as
was required in the past . The Town Board is expected to
look it over and sign a resolution and certify that the
work has been done according to specifications . We have
to sign a Resolution of Intention for next year before
September 15 , 1971 . The state wants us to sign a Resolu-
tion of Intent for a five -year period , which we are not in
a position toLdo at the present time . They will accept a
one - year resolution , but they want the other four year ' s
Resolution of Intent signed by January 1 , 1972 . Councilman
Ralph Wilbur has discussed this with Highway Superintendent
Chaffee and they feel that this may alter the Erwin Road
plans for another year and a meeting of the Town Board and
Highway Superintendent would be advisable . Mr . Dobson
asked if it was necessary to have a specified amount of
real estate located on a road to have it approved as a
town road . He was advised that the only consideration was
the construction of the road and whether or not it net
Erwin standards . He was advised that it would probably
be to his benefit to have the road approved and in the
Town system before January 1 , 1972 . The meeting of the
Town Board and Highway Superintendent was set for 8 P . M . ,
Wednesday , September 1 , 1971 , at the Highway Barn . Council -
man Wilbur reported that the trees in the West Danby area
have been taken care of . That is the trees around the
Post Office , Grange Hall , and Mrs . Adams ' property across
the road . The cost of taking the trees down was undertaken
by the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation . The
Town merely loaded and hauled the debris away . The Highway
Department has gravelled Walding Lane . The bulldozer is
still down for repair , but is all done , except something
to do with the hydraulic pump . They thought they would get
it today , but it may be a day or two - - something is holding
up parts . The cost will run slightly more than expected ,
as there were additional problems , which is not unusualL . in,'
a crawler tractor of this type . It will probably run
around $4 , 000 .
B . West Danby Water District - - Councilman Gerald Crance
reported that the Water District report had already been heard .
C . Insurance - - No report .
D . Refuse collection - - No report .
E . Youth - - Justice A . Francis Wright reported that there is a
question about re - applying for the $1 , 600 that was appro -
priated . He believes it must be done before December 1 .
F . Zoning & Planning - - No report .
G . Fire - - No report .
Danby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 6
Committee Reports Cont ' d :
H . Cemeteries - - Justice Floyd Dorn reported that the cemeteries
all look good . He said it is certainly an improvement to
have the cut up into the one on Fisher Settlement Road .
OLD BUSINESS :
A . Highway Superintendent - - No report .
B . Zoning Officer - - The report of the Zoning Officer was distrib -
uted to Board members for study and further discussion .
C . Planning Board Chairman - - There is going to be a meeting on
Wednesday evening and hopefully there will be a quorum present .
D . Appeals Board Chairman - - No report .
E . Town site status - - Supervisor Makie reported that he had
called Mr . Awad and discussed his property . Mr . Awad wants
$400 per acre for the fifty acre property and $4 , 000 for the
adjoining lot . Mr . Awad was a little concerned about the
time limit on an option and if there is to be any length of
time to it he wants money for the privilege . Supervisor
Makie said he told him that if there was to be any money
involved it would have to be proposed to the Town Board , and
otherwise he would be glad to send him an option for $1 . 00
for six months or so . Supervisor Makie said he also went
over to Bob Bartholf ' s and had a nice tour of the operation .
He said he feels their new building is an asset . The red pine
are coming up . They were planning to move the large red pine
in at the time and Supervisor Makie said he advised them to
wait until fall to do this , and anticipate replacing about
half of them in the spring . He feels they certainly seem
willing to cooperate . They said that Warren Realty had
:1 :appraised their land up in back at WO per acre . There is
no road frontage . To get a direct access it would be neces -
sary to buy a lot from Hautela . Supervisor Makie called him
and he said if they were to sell the lot they would want to
sell the house too . He implied it would be rather high .
Supervisor Makie said this should all be included in any
proposal made to the Board .
F . Zoning Ordinance Fees - - No report .
G . Voting Machine Inspector - - The name of Rev . Burton Huth of
West Danby was suggested as Voting Machine Inspector . A
motion was made by Councilman Gerald Crance and seconded by
Councilman Ralph Wilbur to appoint Rev . Burton Huth as Voting
Machine Inspector . The motion was carried by a vote of five
ayes and no noes .
H . Board of Health Sanitary Facilities - - Supervisor Makie
reported that the Board of Health will approve outhouses only
for seasonal locations as they are trying to do away with
them entirely .
NEW BUSINESS :
A . Supervisor Makie reported that it will be necessary to modify
budget Item 4 Employee Benefits - Hospital Insurance DS 9060 . 8
in the amount of $1 , 200 . 00 , by transferring $1 , 200 . 00 from the
Contingent Account A1990 . 1 . A resolution to approve the
transfer of said funds was made by Justice A . Francis Wright
and seconded by Councilman Gerald Crance . The resolution was
carried by a roll call vote of five ayes and no noes . Res . # / 0
Danby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 7
New Business Cont ' d :
B . Supervisor Makie reported that the Town Board can use the
school for Town Meetings anytime they wish at no cost .
Councilman Ralph Wilbur made a motion to hold Town Board
meetings at the school starting in September and thereafter .
The motion was seconded and carried by a vote of five ayes
and no noes .
C . Regarding the letter from Stanley Steingutt concerning the
special tax or service charge on state lands for mainten-
ance , Supervisor Makie will investigate the situation to
find out what enabling legislation is required .
D . Clarence French Trailer Park - - Justice Floyd Dorn asked how
many trailers are presently there . At the present time there
are six trailers with plans to add thirty more right now .
Mr . French will contact the Health Department . Supervisor
Makie stated that in his opinion Mr . French has a perfectly
legitimate intent of use , as he has a set of actual plans
drawn up and proof of establishment was made . Councilman
Gerald Crance spoke of the red tape with the Hill plan .
Rules and regulations were laid on Hills , which the Board
must justify to them in future cases . The time should not
be as long as the Hill project . Richard Olsen said plans
should be drawn up for Frank Liguori to expand upon . The
Board of Health has a_ plan already . Councilman Gerald
Crance asked to look at the plan . A recess was called for
this purpose .
The meeting was called to order again .
Mr . French doesn ' t want to apply for a Planned Development
D istrict . Considerable discussion followed . Supervisor
Makie requested the Board ' s pleasure regarding the French ' s
Trailer Park . Councilman Gerald Crance stated he would
like to give them a year to increase in size and make better
plans . Councilman Ralph Wilbur said he honestly doesn ' t
know , but feels that plans for a Planned Development District
should be presented in the future - perhaps one or two years .
Justice Floyd Dorn said he agrees with the Zoning Officer .
Justice A . Francis Wright . had no comment . Councilman Ralph
W ilbur said he didn ' t see where anything had been accomplished
on this tonight . Mr . French has no guarantee that if he puts
in more trailers that action will not be taken against him ,
even in a year or two and nothing has been accomplished for
the benefit of the Board . Mr . French said he is going to go
ahead and put in the trailer lots , even if it has to go to
court . Councilman Wilbur said if this is what Mr . French is
g oing to do he doesn ' t see where there is any action for the
Board to take at the present time . Supervisor Makie agreed
that there isn ' t any action that can be taken until he is in
violation . Zoning Officer Roberts said that when Mr . French
d oes put them in he is going to ask the Board what their
intentions are . His question will be - - is the Town going
to be willing to hire a lawyer to obtain an injunction to
stop work because it is not a non- conforming use . Rick
D obson asked if there are other similar cases in the town and
was advised that there are . Mr . French had no further
questions .
E . Commemoration of War Dead - - The question was raised if there
is more room on the stone outside the Town Hall which presently
commemorates the war dead from the Civil War? There have
been five major wars since that time . It was stated that if
Danby Town Board Minutes - August 9 , 1971 - Page 8
New Business Cont ' d :
the Town moves out of the present building perhaps the stone
should be moved also and that would be the time to add any
additional names . Mr . Dobson said he felt it was something
worth thinking about .
F . Blatchley Water District Proposal - - Supervisor Makie will
call Richard Thaler about the prospects of setting this up
and whether or not FHA approval is required . Supervisor
Makie said he feels the only way to accomplish this is to
include only the Blatchley property . It was stated that so
long as Blatchley pays all costs of getting the water to his
property and there is no expense to the Water District - -
only revenue - - it should include only his property . In his
permit to do this it should be stated that this is only
adequate to serve seven additional houses and if he intends
to put in more it is his obligation to provide the proper
pipe or tank or whatever is needed . The question was raised
as to who will inspect and approve this ? It should also
be in the agreement that all engineering or inspection fees
are to be borne by Mr . Blatchley .
General Fund Warrant #8 in the amount of $193 . 17 was approved
to be paid . The motion was made by Councilman Gerald Crance
and seconded by Justice A . Francis Wright . The motion was
carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Highway Fund Warrant # 8 in the amount of 055 . 69 was approved
to be paid . The motion was made by Councilman Ralph Wilbur
and seconded by Justice Floyd Dorn . The motion was carried by
a vote of five ayes and no noes .
The motion to accept the Supervisors report was made by Justice
A . Francis Wright and seconded by Councilman Gerald Crance . The
motion was carried by a. vote of four ayes and no noes .
A motion was made by Councilman Gerald Crance to adjourn the
meeting . The motion was seconded by Justice A . Francis Wright
and carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
The meeting was adjourned at 11 : 30 P . M .
Respectfully submitted ,
Azickke i/ 1 ) 00
Mildred L . Miller
Town Clerk