Loading...
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