HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-12-13 TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MINUTES
DECEMBER 13 , 1971
The regular meeting of the Town of Danby Town Board was held in
the Danby Elementary School , December 13 , 1971 , at 8 : 00 P . M .
Board members present : Supervisor Donald Makie
Councilman Gerald Crance
Councilman Ralph Wilbur
Justice Floyd Dorn
Justice A . Francis Wright
Also present : Zoning Officer Gordon Roberts , Planning Board
Chairman Richard Olsen , Appeals Board Chairman Moses Peter , Ithaca
Journal reporter Fred Yahn , Rick Dobson , Roy and Mary Casterline ,
Clyde Carrier , Pat Conlon , Mary Oltz , Mr . & Mrs . Robert Farrell ,
County Representative Erie J . Miller , Jr . , Highway Department
employees Dean Westmiller , Frank Chaffee , Fred French .
The minutes of the regular meeting of November 8 , 1971 , were
distributed to Board members for reading and correction .
The minutes were approved as presented .
COMMUNICATIONS :
1 . Minutes of the Danby Planning Board Meeting of
November 10 , 1971 .
2 . A letter from the New York State Electric & Gas
Corporation , enclosing a list of individuals to be
notified in the event of an emergency involving
natural gas service .
3 . A letter from Bernard Hogben with an enclosure
addressed to County Fire Chiefs from Tompkins County
Planning Commissioner Frank R . Liguori , regarding
the use of County Equipment on an Emergency Basis
During Fires .
4 . A copy of a letter to the County Ba3. rd of Representa -
tives and a resolution passed by them regarding the
apportionment of election expenses for the current
year .
5 . . A copy of the Resolution passed by the County Board
of Representatives regarding the establishment of
County Equalization Rates .
6 . A copy of the resolution passed byythe County Board
o f Representatives regarding the Lehigh Valley Rail -
✓ oad Company Special Grade Crossing Levy .
7 . A letter to Supervisor Makie from Mrs . Paul Riihinen
expressing her thanks for the removal of the dead
tree from the property across the road from her home .
8 . A letter to Supervisor Makie from Gerald R . Dawson ,
✓ equesting approval from the Town Board for the
installation of a monitor in his alarm service truck .
9 . A letter and resolution from the County Board of
Representatives , regarding Mortgage Tax Apportionment .
10 . A letter to Supervisor Makie from the Executive Secre -
tary of the Association of Towns of the State of New
York acknowledging receipt of the Town ' s dues check .
Danby Town Board Minutes - December 13 , 1971 - Page 2
Communications Conttd :
11 . A communication regarding the proposed Roadbank Seeding
Program .
12 . A memorandum from Governor Nelson A . Rockefeller
regarding the current fiscal crisis in New York State .
13 . A memorandum from the State Council on Education-
Recreation for the Elderly , Bureau of Special Continu -
ing Education regarding State Aid of Education- Recrea -
tion for the Elderly .
14 . Minutes of the Town of Danby Zoning Appeals Board
Hearing on November 4 , 1971 .
15 . Agenda of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives
meeting of November 22 , 1971 .
PRIVILEGE OF FLOOR :
Mary Oltz requested the Town Board to establish a petty cash fund
in the amount of $100 . 00 for the Town Clerk ' s Office .
Moses Peter reported that Mr . Chase had requested him to see if the
B oard was ready to set a public hearing regarding the Planned
Development District , contingent upon Board of Health approval .
D ean Westmiller said he and two other Highway Department employees
were there to seek a fifteen cent an hour raise and more paid holi -
d ays .
Pat Conlon said he was there to ascertain the status of Makarainen
Road for a prospective purchaser of the Farrell property . The
official County Road Map shows 4 mile as Town Road . The rest of
the road has apparently been abandoned untie ss Mr . Farrell can
prove otherwise . The policy has been established that a developer
must build a road according to State standards and then the Town
might take over maintenance of the road . Supervisor Makie said the
Town will cooperate in any way they can . It costs approximately
$15 , 000 to $16 , 000 per mile to build a road to Erwin standards .
The Town policy is basically the same as other nearby towns .
Rick Dobson requested a light on his new road , which will be
called either Orange Road or Dobson Road Extension , for safety
purposes .
Clyde Carrier said that the Fire Commissioners meeting will be
on December 21 and they would like a representative of the Town
Board present to review the use of the Fire Hall . Councilman
Ralph Wilbur will attend .
County Representative Erie J . Miller , Jr . , reported that the
County Board of Representatives had held a four hour meeting
that day covering all items pertaining to the County . Councilman
Ralph Wilbur was appointed to the Board of Environmental Planning .
There is considerable dissatisfaction with the Social Services
Department . Councilman Ralph Wilbur raised a question regarding
the Sewer Study to be undertaken and whether other areas could
be included in the System at a later date . County Representative
Miller said that is the intention in calling it a Sewer System
✓ ather than a Sewer District . Moses Peter asked if it was possible
that the Sewer Study was so impressive to the Board of Health
that they would disqualify additions . Is it possibly an adverse
e ffect ? Mr . Peter stated that Mr . Chruchill is turning down certain
building developments without even consulting anyone else .
Mr . Dobson said large plots of land in Danby are worthless at the
present time because of water and sewer problems . He feels that
Danby should ask to be included in the Sewer study . Supervisor
Makie said cost iE the largest drawback .
Danby Town Board Minutes - December 13 , 1971 - Page 3
COMMITTEE REPORTS :
A . Highway Department - Councilman Ralph Wilbur said he had
no report as the Highway Superintendent is in Florida .
Supervisor Makie said that at the Rural Supervisors meet -
ing Mr . Stevenson said that we must have our Donovan Plan
for four years in by April 15 .
B . West Danby Water District - Councilman Gerald Crance
reported that the new chlorinator has been installed by
Austen Water Company . There have been a few comments
about stron chlorine in the water but he is sure it will
work out . Mr . Dobson said that there was a problem with
the water system when he was in West Danby on Sunday . Coun -
cilman Crance said there was a little problem with a
pressure valve which was repaired that day .
C . Insurance - No report .
D . Refuse Collection & Disposal - No report .
E . Youth - No report .
F . Zoning - No report .
G . Fire - Councilman Ralph Wilbur commented on the letter
from the County Fire Coordinator regarding the use of County
Equipment . Councilman Wilbur also asked the feeling of
the Board regarding the upcoming meeting with the Fire
Commissioners . The Justices do not have any problems .
The same amount of money has been appropriated for the
forthcoming year . County Representative Miller said the
County has plans to appoint a full time Fire Coordinator
to replace the present Fire Coordinator and Civil Defense
Coordinator . At present there are two applicants for the
job .
OLD BUSINESS :
A . Highway Superintendent - No report .
B . Zoning Officer - Gordon Roberts said it has been a fairly
busy month .
C . Planning Board Chairman - Richard Olsen reported that he
had attended the County Planning Board meeting last week .
He said he was quite interested in Town Beautification
which was discussed , but no one seemed much impressed about
the progress being made . Contrary to popular belief
there are a multitude of things that can be done without
affecting assessments . A list is to be prepared . One
problem is that the majority of people feel they are an
approval board rather than making progress as they should .
Mr . Olsen would like a joint meeting of the Planning Board ,
Zoning Appeals Board and Zoning Officer to review their
problems and responsibilities and see how they might
cooperate with each other and assist . each other . Super -
visor Makie offered his book of Town Law for their use .
Chairman Olsen will arrange the meeting . There was some
discussion regarding the feelings of the Board Members
regarding the Chase lots , as per the Planning Board
Minutes .
D. Appeals Board Chairman - Moses Peter reported that the
Minutes of the Appeals Board Hearing of Novehber 4 , 1971 ,
were ready , and presented them to the Board . He said the
Appeals Board had received another request for a variance ,
but had not acted on it since he was unsure of the Town
Danby Town Board Minutes - December 13 , 1971 - Page 4
Old Business Conttd :
Board ' s feelings and thought perhaps they would like to appoint
a new Board . All members of the Town Board voted to have the
present Board continue . Mr . Dobson asked that the Minutes be
read . The minutes were read . Mr . Dobson said he had purchased
the Penniman property and intended to construct a dwelling
similar to the one for which the variance was denied . He asked
what steps were necessary . Supervisor Makie advised him to
apply to the Zoning Officer for a building permit . Mr . Dobson
said he objected to the Evelien variance because their
sewer hookup was only fifty feet from hisswell . He was advised
that he could make a complaint to the Board of Health . Mr .
Dobson saia he objected to the approval of the Bruce variance
since Robbie Eckert was denied permission to have a garage
at his home . He was advised that individuals always had
recourse in the courts if they felt they were being treated
unjustly .
E . Town site status - Supervisor Makie reported that Mr . Barthoif
has 9? to 10 acres east of his present building available .
He will have the property surveyed and get the information to
the Town Attorney so that he can draw up the necessary option .
The price remains the same at 43400 an acre .
F . Zoning Ordinance Duties & Fees - Supervisor Makie read the
Responsibilities and Duties of the Zoning Officer as
drawn up at a previous meeting . Following considerable
discussion and some revision the motion was made by Justice
A . Francis Wright to adopt the Responsibilities and Duties of
the Zoning Officer as Town Board policy , effective January 1 ,
1972 , The motion was seconded by Justice Floyd Dorn and
carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
G . Area Beautification Council Appointment - Justice A . Francis
Wright recommended that Marvel Hatfield be appointed to the
Area Beautification Council . Justice Wright made a Totion ,
seconded by Justice Floyd Dorn that Marvel Hatfield be appointed
to the Area Beautification Council . The motion was carried
b Pby a vote of five ayes and no noes .
H . Councilman Ralph Wilbur made a motion to reimburse Justice A .
Francis Wright for his attendance at the Traffic Conference
he attended in Binghamton on December 10 and December 11 .
The motion was seconded by Councilman Gerald Crance and carried
by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
NEW BUSINESS :
A . Resolution to Transfer Funds - Supervisor Makie requested the
Board to approve a Resolution to transfer $3 , 500 . 00 from
A9550 . 5 Interfund Transfers to West Danby Water District Fund ,
to be transferred back to A9550 . 5 when taxes are collected in
January 1972 . Supervisor Makie explained that the reason for
this is that the payment for the $ 94 , 000 Bond is due Decem-
ber 31 , the payment for the $ 7 , 500 Note is due December 31 ,
and the payment for the •$75 , 000 Bond is due January 1 , 1972 .
We have enough to pay the $ 94 , 000 Bond and the $7 , 500 Note ,
but are a little shor t to pay the 4375 , 000 Bond . Councilman
Gerald Crance made a motion to approve the above resolution .
Res . #17 The motion was seconded by Councilman Ralph Wilbur and duly
put to a roll call vote . The motion was carried by a vote of
five ayes and no noes .
Danby Town Board Minutes - December 13 , 1971 - Page 5
New Business Conttd :
Justice A . Francis Wright made a motion , seconded by Councilman
Ralph Wilbur to grant approval to Gerald Dawson ' s request for
installation of a monitor in his alarm service truck . The motion
was carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Supervisor Makie reported that Town Law Books are available
from Frazier Publishing at a cost of $ 25 each . Justice A . Francis
Wright said he felt that the Justices should have a copy . It
was decided to table the matter for one month and request a price
list from William Publishing , as we have had their books in the
past .
Roadbank Seeding - Supervisor Makie asked if the Town Board felt
we should get involved . Seeding should be beneficial . According
to Frank Chaffee most of our banks are too steep . The Board , after
d iscussing the matter , felt we should try for Roadbank Seeding .
The motion was made by Councilman Ralph Wilbur and seconded by
Justice A . Francis Wright to try for Roadbank Seeding . The motion
was carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
D onovan Plan is to be reviewed with Highway Superintendent Dick
Chaffee after he returns from vacation .
The $ 100 . 00 Petty Cash fund for the new Town Clerk , Mary Oltz ,
waa approved .
There was discussion regarding the request of the three Highway
Department employees for a raise and another paid holiday ( Veterans '
Day ) , as well as retirement . The State Law does not allow a town
to set up a Retirement System . The cost to set up a Retirement
system would be approximately ; 14. , 000 . Councilman Gerald Crance
said he thinks we should try to keep our Highway Crew as they are
a good crew . Various plans were discussed . The problem is that
the Town cannot adopt any kind of a retirement plan unless it is
N ew York State Retirement . Councilman Ralph Wilbur suggested that
we have Hugh Hurlbut explain Retirement Plans again at a special
meeting after the Organizational Meeting on January 10 , 1972 .
Supervisor Makie suggested a review of the facts and figures .
Councilman Ralph Wilbur made a motion , seconded by Justice Floyd
.Dorn , that the matter be turned over to Committee for considera -
tion . The motion was carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
The light on Dobson Road Extension was discussed , but was found
to be not justified .
A motion was made to appropriate funds for , 1 , 500 window envelopes
for the mailing of Tax Notices . The motion was seconded and
carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
G eneral Fund Warrant x` 12 in the amount of $ was approved
to be paid . The motion was made by Councilman Ralph Wilbur and
seconded by Councilman Gerald Crance . The motion was carried by
a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Highway Warrant #12 in the amount of $ was approved to
be paid . The motion was made by Justice A . Francis Wright , and
seconded by Councilman Ralph Wilbur . The motion was carried by
a vote of five ayes and no noes .
West Danby Water District Warrant #12 in the amount of $
was approved to be paid . The motion was made by Councilman
Gerald Crance and seconded by Councilman Ralph Wilbur . The
motion was carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Danby Town Board Minutes - December 13 , 1971 - Page 6
New Business Cont ! d :
The motion to accept the Supervisors report was made by Justice
A . Francis Wright and seconded by Justice Floyd Dorn . The motion
was carried by a vote of four ayes and no noes .
A lengthy discussion followed regarding highways and various
other problems .
A motion was made b ;; Justice Floyd Dorn and seconded by Justice
A . Francis Wright to adjourn the meeting . The motion was carried
by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Respectfully submitted ,
7/7-C4"
Mildred L . Miller
Town Clerk