TB 4-18-13
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
April 18, 2013
Present:
Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Stephen Stelick, Cl Joseph
Solomon, Cl Jason Leifer, Cl Linda Lavine
Elected Officials:
Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Other Town Staff:
Mahlon Perkins, Town Attorney
Dan Kwasnowski, Director of Planning
Kevin Ezell, Code Enforcement Officer
Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. and board members and guests
participated in the pledge of allegiance.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Patrick Botimer, of Armor Tower, said they have constructed towers on Midline Road,
Beam Hill Road and Bone Plain Road. The Bone Plain site is complete and fencing has been
installed. Armor feels that the extra expense for fencing the Midline Road and Beam Hill Road
sites is unnecessary, given letters received from the town’s Highway Department and adjacent
residents.
Supv Sumner said the fencing is a requirement of our law, so it is a little more
complicated than simply saying you don’t want to do it. She asked that Mr. Botimer schedule
an appointment with her and D Kwasnowski to discuss this.
Supv Sumner said she is glad to see this project nearing its end. She is waiting for
reports about the numbers of households served and able to be served. This is the end of a
five-year project to provide affordable high-speed wireless broadband access to 90% of
previously unserved households in Dryden.
Deborah Cippola-Dennis, West Dryden Rd and member of DRAC, said she has been
working with EarthJustice since the Court of Appeals hearing. EarthJustice put out a call to
their constituents asking for thoughts about what Dryden is doing. They received over 20,000
comments in support of Dryden and its appeal against Norse Energy. 2,148 were from New
York State. Comments were from every state in the country, including Washington, D.C. They
also received comments from France, Spain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others. She
read several the comments (attached) and presented the board with a poster that will be
displayed at Town Hall.
Supv Sumner said she has received many heartwarming emails since the hearing.
TOWN CLERK
RESOLUTION #64 (2010) – APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of March 14,
2013 (special meeting and abstract & agenda meeting) and March 21, 2013.
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2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT/DPW
No report.
COUNTY BRIEFING
M Lane – Tompkins County made the Wall Street Journal because the old court house
was just renamed in honor of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, the 4th Governor of New York
State, serving until 1817. Tompkins County is named for him and he was presidential timber
in his day. He is best remembered for signing legislation forever abolishing slavery in New
York State in 1817, and for his actions as NYS Governor during the War of 1812. He organized
the militia and personally guaranteed funds to support the militia. He was able to secure the
border on Niagara frontier in Adirondacks; otherwise we may have been part of Canada.
With the sequestration, there have been cutbacks in air traffic controllers across the
country. Tompkins is an airport whose tower is staffed by contracted airport controllers, not
government airport controllers. One of the first things to go when you cut back is contracts.
The FAA has cut back air traffic control service in towers at 150 airports. Tompkins County is
controlled partially out of the Elmira airport. Tompkins County is concerned that on the list of
150, Tompkins County is the only tower to be closed in NYS which has commercial services.
The County is taking action and going to elected representatives. Senator Gillibrand has heard
the problems and understands that this airport services one of the biggest employers in the
State of New York - Cornell University. Senator Schumer is trying to get restoration of the
tower personnel. The County has gone to the State for possible funding to help. They will also
be drafting RFPs in the event the County needs to hire traffic controllers. The perception of
this can hurt our business, though there is no real danger. The airport has seen steady
increases in traffic since 9/11/2001.
The County has seen an increase of a little over $300,000 in CHIPS money. The overall
state budget was not too bad for counties, although it hurt funding for some not-for-profits,
such as the Racker Center.
The County has been asking for an increase in the mortgage tax for the purpose of
supporting the TCAT bus service. They believe the bill is being carried and will move ahead in
this session. This dedicated revenue will solve the structural deficit in the bus system.
Martha Robertson is the key note speaker tonight at the Climate Smart Climate Ready
conference beginning tonight and running through Saturday in various locations. The Towns
of Ithaca and Dryden are co-sponsoring the presentation for elected officials.
Department Reports
Engineering – Andy Sciarabba has emailed an update on the Yellow Barn Water
District improvements. They are in the process of completing the survey and geotechnical work
and will be meeting with the water operator on site next week. Design for the improvements
will continue through the summer with a target for Health Department approvals by August.
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Village of Dryden liaison report – Kevin Ezell reported the Village has changed their
meeting nights to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays. There was a snafu in the site plan review process
for Dollar General with respect to the road cut. They are working out details with the A-1
Restaurant.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Unsafe structures – There was no discussion and no action taken. The board will
discuss it again at the next agenda meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
DRYC members – Supv Sumner distributed a proposed resolution appointing members
to the newly created Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission.
RESOLUTION #65 (2013) – APPOINT DRYC MEMBERS
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, Local Law No. 3 of 2013 establishes the Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission
(DRYC); and
WHEREAS, terms of current members of the Dryden Recreation Commission and the Dryden
Youth Commission expire on the effective date of Local Law No. 3 of 2013; and
WHEREAS, Local Law No. 3 of 2013 allows the town board to appoint nine (9) members to
DRYC, with three terms expiring in 2013, three in 2014 and three in 2015; therefore
RESOLVED, that the town board hereby appoints Stephanie Mulinos and Sharon Todd to
terms expiring in 2013; Jeff Humphrey, Vicki Wilkins, and Tracy Kurtz to terms expiring in
2014; and Steve Meyer and JoEllen Bailey to terms expiring in 2015; and
FURTHER RESOLVED that DRYC will consider applications for the vacant School Board liaison
(term expiring in 2013) and for a vacant seat with term expiring in 2015 and recommend
appointments to the town board in July 2013.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Supv Sumner thanked all members for their hard work on formation of the joint
commission. She thinks it will work better for both commissions.
Tracy Kurtz said she was a member of the committee that worked on the merger. As a
member of Youth Commission, she was a little apprehensive, but it was a pleasant process.
Cl Stelick thanked Melissa Bianconi for her work on the process. He said he was a
member of the original commission, and it is nice to see everyone working together. He is very
proud of what has been accomplished.
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M Bianconi distributed DRYC’s recommendations for grant awards this year. Supv
Sumner thanked M Bianconi for the online grant review process that was used, and thanked Cl
Stelick for initiating the grant process a few years ago.
Steve Meyer said the committee looked at 26 applications online before meeting as a
committee to discuss them. Eighteen of the applications were funded. Some are proven
programs and well established, others are very innovative, both large and small scale. The
ones they approved met the philosophy of meeting the recreation needs of the community and
addressing all ages. They were pleased with wide spectrum of applications. The ones not
funded were more self-serving or didn’t fit the philosophy. They adjusted the amounts on a few
applications and funded $30,962.
The committee is very excited about the new programs. Rachel’s Challenge is a
nationwide effort to assist with bullying problems and children’s confidence, and was put
together by a large group of parents in our town. They want to push the effort through
seminars, presentations, etc.
The full amount available for funding was not used and they would like to offer a minigrant opportunity. The board will discuss this at the next agenda meeting.
RESOLUTION #66 (2013) – APPROVE COMMUNITY GRANTS
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby supports the recommendation of the Dryden
Youth and Recreation Commission and approves funding for the following community grants:
Cornell Cooperative Extension (van support for OURS program)
Dryden Community Café (music program)
Dryden Community Café (community events)
Dryden Lake Festival
Ellis Hollow Community Center (replacement ramps)
Ellis Hollow Community Center (drainage – lower fields)
Ellis Hollow Community Center (family programs)
Ellis Hollow Community Center (replacement grill/oven)
Neptune Hose Company (Junior Fire Academy 12-16)
Neptune Hose Company (Junior Fire Academy 8-12)
Southworth Library (2013 Teen Summer Programs)
Dryden Historical Society (Homestead Harvest Festival)
Varna Community Center (picnic benches)
Varna Community Center (children’s programming)
Varna Community Center (herpetology club visit)
Varna Community Center (senior events)
Dryden Parents (Rachel’s Challenge)
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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$ 3,660.00
1,650.00
600.00
2,700.00
1,875.00
3,025.00
500.00
1,056.00
2,125.00
1,925.00
1,325.00
2,991.00
900.00
600.00
300.00
300.00
5,430.00
TB 4-18-13
M Lane announced that the county recently approved a celebration grant for the
Dryden Lake Festival $1600.
Supv Sumner has received an agreement with GHD consulting services, Inc. (formerly
Sterns & Wheler) for a feasibility study for further plant improvements at IAWWTF. This is a
joint agreement with the City of Ithaca and Town of Ithaca. The board approved the agreement
and it was signed by board members.
RESOLUTION #67 (2013) – APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH GHD CONSULTING SERVICES
Cl Solomon offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this board hereby approves the “Agreement among City of Ithaca,
Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden and GHD Consulting Services, Inc.” for a feasibility study
for further plant improvements at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Planning Dept Permit Fee Schedule
The board has had this draft fee schedule and discussed it previously. Atty Perkins just
received it, and D Kwasnowski will put it in a different format. A public hearing is required.
The board will introduce it next month and set a public hearing for June. This software is
being implemented by Tompkins County Environmental Health.
Accela Software
The board has received, reviewed and discussed a quote from Accela for records
management software that will expedite the work process in the Planning Department. There
is public access component via the web. A lot the initial scanning of current records will be
accomplished under the shared services grant with the county.
RESOLUTION #68 (2013) – AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF ACCELA SOFTWARE
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the purchase of Accela Software and
the Supervisor is authorized to sign the purchase order.
2nd Cl Solomon
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Supv Sumner said she has a request from lacrosse boosters to authorize the Highway
Superintendent to close Springhouse Road for a fundraiser race. This is the same group that it
was done for last year.
RESOLUTION #69 (2013) – CONSIDER CLOSING SPRING HOUSE ROAD FOR ROAD RACE
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Dryden boys and girls lacrosse programs are sponsoring a 5K road race
as a fundraiser for their teams and desire to use Spring House Road as part of their course,
and
WHEREAS, the safety of the public and its participants is best protected by a temporary
closure of the road during the road race, and
WHEREAS, Town Law section 64 (10-b) authorizes the town board to set terms and
conditions for issuance of a permit by the town superintendent of highways to hold a road race
on Spring House Road and temporarily block such road during the event, and
WHEREAS, the Village of Dryden will consider the proposed route for the road race at
their April 25, 2013 meeting, and
WHEREAS, the road, although blocked, will still be open to authorized emergency or
hazard vehicles, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held before the town board on May 16, 2013
at 7:00 PM for the purpose of determining the regulations and conditions of such permit, and it
is
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the town clerk post and publish a notice of such public
hearing at least five (5) days before such hearing.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
J Bush announced that the Town will be receiving about $66,000 more in CHIPS money
than it received last year.
Supv Sumner said that last month she was approached to consider a route for a Rotary
run on Dairy Day. Since then, the group has worked out a route that won’t involve the town
and closing Spring House road.
Supv Sumner has received a resolution from the Agriculture Advisory Committee asking
the board to consider applying for a grant and read the resolution for the board. She thanked
the commission for discussing this and said she was glad they were taking their charge
seriously to proceed with the agriculture open space plan. She said the Town doesn’t lack
funds or possibly expertise. She would like to discuss it at the next agenda meeting. She
would like to know more about the grant opportunity.
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The Planning Department has a new town vehicle, and the Highway Superintendent has
requested a budget mod to account for fuel for that vehicle and the Recreation Department
vehicle.
RESOLUTION #70 (2013) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATION
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
From
To
A1620.201
A7110.4
A8745.4
A8745.401
A8745.403
A1490.43
A1490.42
A1490.42
A1490.41
A1490.41
Amount
1,500.00
1,500.00
2,000.00
2,500.00
5,000.00
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote
Cl Stelick
Cl Solomon
Supv Sumner
Cl Leifer
Cl Lavine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cl Leifer said he will be preparing and presenting a vehicle use policy for consideration
and adoption by the board.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance Committee – Cl Stelick said they are working on next year’s budget. They have
met with D Kwasnowski and J Bush. Supv Sumner said she will be meeting with J Bush
regarding a long range plan. She hopes to incorporate that in the budget process so that
department heads can reflect the investment value of some of our budget lines.
Emergency Services Committee – Supv Sumner said they are still struggling with dual
activation, but making progress. Neptune has begun making a framework for an agreement on
which departments respond, including which equipment and personnel (number of people on
each particular vehicle).
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
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