Town Clerk:
Bambi Hollenbeck
Address:
93 East Main Street
Dryden, NY 13053
Phone:
607-844-8888
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday (excluding holidays)
E-mail:
townclerk
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 8, 2007
Present: Supv Steven Trumbull, Cl David Makar, Cl Martin Christofferson, Cl Stephen Stelick, Jr., Cl Mary Ann Sumner
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Hollenbeck, Town Clerk
Jack Bush, Highway Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Mahlon R. Perkins, Attorney
Henry Slater, Zoning Officer
Andrew Sciarabba, TG Miller Engineers
Melissa Bianconi, Recreation Coordinator
Supv Trumbull opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and led board members and audience in the pledge of allegiance.
A public hearing had been scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on the special use application of Adam Farrell to establish and operate a coffee shop and solar energy sales and service office at 1143 Dryden Road. Applicant was not present and the hearing was not held. ZO Slater said Tompkins County Planning had made a couple of recommendations in their review that he did not believe could be safely instituted at this site.
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2008 BUDGET
The public hearing was opened at 7:07 p.m. Supv Trumbull said the tax levy was up 1.86% over last year. The tax rate is flat at $1.4395 per thousand. The fire tax is flat. The ambulance tax went down one cent. Total budget appropriations went up $533,000 which is a 7.9% increase, the bulk of which is for a highway salt storage shed.
Cl Sumner said the levy was up almost entirely due to new construction and she doesn’t believe that any properties that did not have renovations were affected.
Cl Christofferson noted that Varna Fire Department had received a large increase. Cl Sumner said that was to stabilize their reserve fund. Etna’s increase was for the same reason. She said even with those large increases, by using some fund balance and reducing the amount of contingency, they were able to provide those increases without changing the tax rate.
Cl Stelick said the OSHA reimbursement had been removed as a separate line item in the budget and combined with the contract amounts. That had been cumbersome for the bookkeeper to deal with. He added that the increase for Varna was for their reserve accounts for equipment and for future purchases so there would not be any more one-time funding requests.
Cl Christofferson said that Varna’s budget is now bigger than Neptune’s budget. Cl Makar said Neptune gets 50% of their funding from the Village. Cl Christofferson wondered how the call volume and numbers of members compared between the two departments.
Cl Makar noted that Neptune has been in existence for over 100 years so they have had a lot of time to save money. Etna is about 30 years old, and Varna is 50 years old. He said if we don’t fund them, then they’ll have a year when they need even more help.
Cl Sumner said that one good thing that has come out of the process is that each department is using similar methods to project their future needs. They have gotten some of the boards of directors to meet with the emergency services committee and there is an opportunity for more joint planning and they all seem to know where each is starting from now. She added that Etna and Varna got less than what they asked for.
Cl Christofferson said the fire departments are a big part of the budget and he is trying to understand the reasoning here. W Hoose said Varna had been cut last year and they are also covering the EMS calls and fire calls for Etna, and their call volume is actually higher than Neptune. They are expanding their number of volunteers. Cl Christofferson said at some point the Town needs to look at ambulance service over that way. He thinks the real need is in the ambulance/emergency service calls more than expensive fire trucks. When there is a fire, everybody responds, and he thinks we need more ambulances and the Town needs to look at those resources. He asked the board to look at that in the future.
Supv Trumbull asked if there were comments from public on the budget and there were none.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Mashelle Jansen, 710 Caswell Road, presented a petition signed by residents of Caswell Road asking for a reduction in the speed limit on that road. She said there are 15 children of various ages that reside on the end of the road and cars travel too fast on the road, sometimes not being able to stop for the stop sign and ending up in the field across Route 34B. They are also requesting a sign advising drivers that there are children in the area and asking that the road be patrolled for speeders. The speed limit is currently 45 mph and people consistently travel faster than that.
The board advised her that the speed limit on the road was reduced not too long ago from 55 to 45 mph. M Jansen said that the neighborhood feels that 45 mph is still too fast. J Bush said the state actually frowns on installing the children at play signs because they don’t want residents to get a false sense of security that the sign will make motorists slow down. After further discussion, the board asked M Jansen to contact the Sheriff and ask for more patrols in the area and work with her county legislator because it is a County road.
Cheryl Nelson, 477 Groton Road, asked that the board consider increasing the Supervisor’s salary to a full time salary. That was a critical issue in the recent election and if we are going to level the playing field we need to make the position available to people who are not rich, retired or in some type of entrepreneurial situation where they can flex their time. We are discriminating against most of the residents in the community who are interested in taking on that job. While the Republican majority is still in office she would like that considered, and she understands there is a public process for that approval.
She said there was a lot of discussion during the election about how much time it takes to do the councilperson’s job or the supervisor’s job, and it would benefit everyone if there was some type of time-tracking so in the next election the time involved could be shown.
C Nelson said she found during campaigning the issue of speed is everywhere. She said it had been suggested that the Towns contract with the Sheriff’s Department for a specific part of a new deputy’s time to patrol. In this way the Towns could have increased road patrols.
With respect to the fire departments, she said perhaps the town should look at some combination of paid staff and volunteers.
Anne Grant, 226 Virgil Road, and Joyce Church, 1596 Peruville Road, of the My Brothers Keeper quilt group, gave a demonstration of the quilts they prepare for homeless people. The quilts are made from donations of all kinds of fabrics and blankets donated to the group and assembled by a group of retired women ranging in age from 50 to 90. They meet one Friday a month for six hours. The finished bags are rolled up with an assortment of toiletries, socks, etc and prayed over by the group. They are then sent off to cities for distribution where there is a need. They have also been given through the kitchen cupboards, churches and to school children. They have been recognized by the Tompkins Trust Company and Dryden Grange for their community service.
The group has donated a bench and placed it in front of the new town hall in memory of members of the group who have passed on. The board thanked them for the work they do and they received a round of applause.
Supv Trumbull closed the public hearings at 7:40 p.m.
RESOLUTION #173 – ADOPT SPECIAL DISTRICT & ASSESSMENT ROLLS
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board does hereby adopt the Special District and Assessment Rolls for the Town of Dryden for 2008.
2nd Cl Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
RESOLUTION #174 – ADOPT 2008 GENERAL BUDGET
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary general budget as the Town of Dryden’s general budget for 2008.
2nd Cl Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
RESOLUTION #175 – ADOPT SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the preliminary special districts budget as the Town of Dryden’s special districts budget for 2008.
2nd Cl Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT/DPW
Jack Bush asked the board to pass a resolution designating the seasonal use roads. It is the same as last year.
RESOLUTION #176 – DESIGNATE SEASONAL LIMITED USE HIGHWAYS
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board accept the following list of seasonal limited use highways upon the recommendation of the Highway Superintendent. These roads will not be plowed or maintained from November 2007 through April 2008. The roads will be posted with the appropriate signs and the Town Clerk shall post such notice at the Town Hall.
1) Hile School Road – from #147 Ed Hill Road west to within approximately 500 feet
Feet of Route 38.
2) Signal Tower Road – from Card Road north to the power lines.
3) Star Stanton Hill Road – from approximately 800 feet west of Dryden-Harford Road
West for approximately 3000 feet.
4) Caswell Road – from West Dryden Road south for approximately .6 mile.
5) Beam Hill Road – from the eastern boundary of tax map #50-1-18.2 south to the
Southern boundary of tax map #60-1-6.1.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
With respect to the Tuttle house, J Bush said he has received a quote for the asbestos survey. Without the asbestos survey, a contractor will not give a quote for the work they may be going to do. The quote for the asbestos survey is $2,532. A contractor would then use the survey to do an estimate for the actual asbestos removal. He has the names of three contractors who do this kind of removal.
ZO Slater said he had an inquiry from someone who was interested in purchasing the house and lot and he advised them that wasn’t the plan at the present time, but he could make a proposal. He has not heard back from them. Another person contacted him today about taking the house. That person is looking for a lot to place the house on, and won’t know for another month whether he would be able to make it an economic venture. ZO Slater said he needs to check to see if a person owns the house, but not the lot it sits on, whether they can remove the asbestos on site then move the house. He will keep the board updated with respect to that.
There has been no activity with respect to the Tuttle barn. Cl Sumner said she will get a group of people to work on this and try to save the old portion of the barn. Cl Christofferson said he is not opposed to tearing it down.
Bids have been received for the materials to rehabilitate the bridge on the Dryden-Freeville Trail. The three bids were:
Art Thureson, Inc. $28,500.00
Unadilla Laminated Products 35,989.00
Krenn Bridge Companies, Inc. 32,437.50
J Bush asked the board to award the bid to Art Thureson, Inc. of Waterford, Michigan, for $28,500. This is for materials only. The Town will be doing the work.
RESOLUTION #177 – AWARD BID FOR MATERIALS FOR BRIDGE REHABILITATION
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town Highway Superintendent advertised and received bids for materials for the rehabilitation of the bridge on the Dryden-Freeville Trail, and
WHEREAS, three bids were received and reviewed by the Highway Superintendent,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby awards the bid for materials for the rehabilitation of the bridge on the Dryden-Freeville Trail to Art Thureson, Inc. in the amount of $28,500.
2nd Cl Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
A report was received from TG Miller on the results of the traffic study conducted on Lower Creek Road. The report was also reviewed by Joe Solomon, property owner at 31 Lower Creek Road. A Sciarabba reviewed their findings with the board. The average daily number of vehicles was 500-550. About 45% of those were travelling westbound and 55% were eastbound. The average speed was around 30 mph.
TG Miller recommends that the road not be made one-way because the traffic flow is almost even in each direction and would add a minimum of 1.5 extra miles around the block to every trip when a resident left in one direction and came back.
A speed reduction can be applied for, but TG Miller states the traffic counts do not support the need for reductions in either direction. Only 29% of the traffic exceeded the speed limit.
TG Miller states visibility is the main problem with the intersection, especially heading toward the corner from Etna Lane. It is difficult to see the signage, corner and Solomon house on sunny days and at night or during bad weather it is much worse. They renew their recommendation for a three-way stop and trimming of the vegetation.
Joe Solomon said his concern is not with the mean numbers, but with the high numbers. Someone went off the road again last week and almost hit their house. He is asking the board for some other type of traffic alleviation and still believes that signage is not the problem. He wants some protection.
Cl Christofferson asked whether the Sheriff had been there more, and J Solomon said no. He added that it may be a good idea to contract for patrols in certain problem areas in the Town. M Hattery said he is in favor of this as a way of better targeting the Sheriff’s patrol resources as opposed to a blanket increase in patrol, and there are other policing units to possibly contract with.
Cl Sumner said it seems like a two-pronged problem. One problem is that it simply is not safe to go that fast through the curve, and the second problem is that if you do, you hit his house. From a highway viewpoint, the Town wants to protect the motorists from hurting themselves by going too fast there, and also want to protect the house from being hit by a car again.
J Solomon said when he first came he asked for a guard rail and moving the driveway to the other side of the house, so there would be no interruption in the guard rail in front of the house. He also suggested large stones instead of the guard rail.
Cl Sumner said the Town could not move his driveway, but could place the guard rail around the curve if the driveway wasn’t there. J Bush said he had offered that.
J Solomon said he didn’t really like the aesthetics of the guard rail. He said a patrol would curb some of the speeders, but these accidents occur late at night or at odd hours. He said he does not believe visibility is a problem at the curve. Speed is the major problem, even though those numbers are in the minority.
M Robertson suggested a dense hedge in front of the house or speed bumps in the area. J Bush said several residents were not in favor of the speed bumps because of the noise it would create. J Solomon said he is concerned that those not going that fast may lose control going over a speed bump on the corner. J Bush said that is also an issue for snow plowing.
Cl Christofferson suggested some incremental steps be taken to try and make some progress. J Solomon said a three-way stop (because of the location of his driveway) had been recommended and he is concerned about buses going around the corner. A Sciarabba said a combination of the stop signs and a guard rail to protect the house may take care of the problem. J Solomon said he would like large stones and J Bush said the Town would not do that. It has to be something recommended by DOT and they would not recommend putting rocks there. There was some question about whether J Solomon would able to legally back out his driveway.
Cl Christofferson asked whether installing the guard rail and trimming the bushes would be acceptable to J Solomon. He said the rail would still be interrupted by the driveway. Cl Makar said there may be precedence in placing guard rail in someone’s yard. That it should perhaps go all the way around the corner.
J Solomon said originally the road went straight across a bridge and this was not a problem. Cl Sumner said there needs to be some more discussion outside the meeting and come back to it.
COUNTY BRIEFING
Martha Robertson said the new 211 system is up and running. Residents can use it for referrals for all kinds of services.
The County legislature passed a tentative budget last night. It includes a total tax levy increase of 2.93%. The tax rate will increase to $6.87 per thousand, a 1.6% increase in the rate. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the legislature chambers. Comments can be made at that time or prior to that time online or by phone at 274-5434. A final vote is scheduled for the November 20 meeting.
The County Legislature Chair has sent out a letter asking for letters of support for a grant for a study by a consultant to look at the existing water and sewer services in the County. This would also tell where the gaps are and what future needs might be. All municipalities would be able to use the data to plan and coordinate infrastructure. M Robertson said this is a very important study. The grant would pay up to 90% of the cost of the survey. The County currently has four bids to do the work ranging from $85,000 to $140,000. Supv Trumbull said this had been discussed at the Cornell Local Government Leaders meeting and there didn’t seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for it. M Robertson said if the towns sent letters of support it will be a very strong application. The 10% not covered by the grant funds would be paid by TCAD. Cl Sumner said she felt there was a reasonable amount of support for it at the Council of Governments meeting she attended. After further discussion, the board passed a resolution in support of this application.
RESOLUTION #178 – RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY-WIDE
WATER AND SEWER EVALUATION
Cl Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy’s goals include increasing and diversifying the county’s housing supply and revitalizing the county’s unique commercial districts and town centers; AND
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Collaborative was organized to formalize, strengthen and deepen the cooperation among the many local agencies and municipal bodies addressing economic development issues in the County to make the process more effective through common goals and approach; AND
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) is a member of the Economic Development Collaborative, which is currently working to address the goals of the County’s Economic Development Strategy, AND
WHEREAS, the TCCOG supports the development of a county-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure and the development of a conceptual plan of water and sewer infrastructure needs to support future planned growth to meet county housing and economic development goals; AND
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Collaborative has suggested the creation of an updated, county-wide evaluation of existing water and sewer infrastructure and the development of a conceptual plan of water and sewer infrastructure needs to support future planned growth to meet county housing and economic development goals; AND
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is a member of the TCCOG; AND
WHEREAS, the last county-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure was completed in 1994; AND
WHEREAS, an updated evaluation would facilitate the development of housing within town and village centers, commercial revitalization of those centers and growth in the tax base, with the most efficient use of public dollars for infrastructure; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Dryden supports the development of a county-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure and the development of a conceptual plan of water and sewer infrastructure needs to support future planned growth to meet county housing and economic development goals by an engineering consultant; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town of Dryden pledges to work with the Engineering Consultant to ensure cooperation of its planning and engineering departments with this project.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
The board would like Supv Trumbull to send a letter of support also.
Mike Hattery said that he was one of eight people who supported setting a target of 2% on the tax levy increase. He also supported and felt that the administrator’s budget was very good. He did not support anything other than minor adds or drops during the budget deliberations, and does not support the budget in its current form. He is disappointed that so much was added.
He will support the resolution from the Government Operations Committee tomorrow opposing the Governor’s proposal to issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens.
ENGINEERING
No report.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Melissa Bianconi said that fall sports have wrapped up, with only one banquet left. The football program raised almost $1100 this year, with a little more to come in through apparel orders. Cheerleaders raised $650 so far and also have more coming in through apparel orders. She said this is good because when she began the cheerleaders only had $0.53 in their account. Lacrosse raised almost $3,000 and have a lot of money in their fundraising budget. Cl Christofferson said the lacrosse program is pretty self-supporting now, and they wanted to give the kids a chance to go from sixth grade to someplace else. The school has allowed the sport, but does not fund it so the program raises money to help the school with the program. There were 132 participants last year including the youth, jv and varsity. Years ago there was no lacrosse. M Bianconi said lacrosse has a great core group of volunteers.
Cl Christofferson said they have a committee that consists of about six sets of parents, and M Bianconi is invited as well as the athletic director and varsity coach. They meet on a regular basis and it is nice to have people committed and working together.
M Bianconi said the lacrosse Turkey Shoot was on Sunday, running simultaneously with the cheerleading competition. It worked out really well. Eight schools competed in the cheerleading competition, with 177 participants and about 250 spectators. If it grows much more they will have to consider a change of venue—possibly TC3. They may also charge a spectator fee. It has been a free competition where others charge up to $100 or more for participation. The Dryden Senior team took first place overall, with the Juniors taking 2nd and Modified taking 3rd place. Public feedback on the event was very good.
M Bianconi said she will be creating a youth cheer league in conjunction with the youth football league. The football league is a tightly run organization and the cheerleaders are there for the league’s support. She said with a couple of meetings a year the cheer program for every team that competes in the youth football league can be that much stronger.
M Bianconi has sent out an email regarding some registration policy/procedure changes she is making. She will not do a direct mail per program because she does not feel it is cost effective. Her email to participants explains the new procedure, where forms can be obtained and where they should be delivered. Forms can be obtained online, at the recreation office, at the schools, and an ad will placed in The Shopper. She will also send a supply to the community centers.
She is working with the Recreation Partnership on a list serve that is similar to the Human Services Coalition list serve. This will be an excellent service for participants.
The Recreation Partnership has asked that an alternate be appointed in the event that M Bianconi is unable to attend. Someone from the Recreation Commission will serve in that capacity. She has asked the Recreation Commission to attend the Partnership meetings to improve Dryden’s participation.
Representatives from the Recreation Commission will be meeting with Thoma Development on Tuesday to begin discussions about the Recreation Master Plan.
ATTORNEY
Atty Perkins said there have been discussions with TC3 about the fact that one of their dorms got built slightly outside the boundary of the Cortland Road Sewer District. The Village of Dryden is aware of this and is okay with it. TC3 would like additional parcels included in the sewer district and the board reviewed a map of those parcels. After discussion, the board agreed to accept the parcel near the dormitories, but not the recently acquired parcel north of the campus property. TC3 has agreed to pay for the expense associated with the process.
The simplest way to extend the boundaries of the sewer district is to pass a resolution appropriating a sum of money to cause the preparation of a map, plan and report. That resolution is subject to a permissive referendum. Atty Perkins can have a resolution ready for the December meeting. Thirty days after that the money is available for preparation of the map, plan and report. A public hearing is then held and the board must make a determination that it is in the public interest to expand the boundary. No permission of the State Comptroller is needed because there will be no bonds issued, no infrastructure installed, and anything that happens would be constructed either by TC3 or the Foundation. Atty Perkins said this is an accommodation for the College and the Foundation. The Village is in agreement.
Atty Perkins said there have been ongoing discussions about a new sewer agreement with the Village because it is expired, and we are very close to having something to recommend to the Town. It involves an agreement where the Town will continue to be a customer, not an owner. The Town will continue to pay, presumably, rate and a quarter. The Town as a district will contribute to the upgrade of the interceptor sewer that needs to be built to alleviate some flow problems that the Village has. Those problems are caused by the fact that there is all the development at TC3. The College and the Foundation will pay for the interceptor because they understand the need for that is caused by their growth.
The original sewer agreement, signed in 1982 and which is expired, allocated to the Cortland Road Sewer District a minimum of 35,000 gallons per day and a maximum of 50,000 gallons per day. Not to be counted in that number were flows from the high school and from the college. One of the things learned from the monitoring manholes is that the district didn’t even get up to the minimum of 35,000 gallons per day for the commercial part of the district. Most of it is coming from the college. Negotiations for the new agreement are moving along and there is a real sense of cooperation. One of the things Atty Perkins suggested is that we take a look at some of the assumptions that the Village engineers made when they recommended the need for the interceptor sewer and the size of the plant. Now that we have accurate data from the flow meters and the meter at the plant, indications are that there is probably still capacity in the plant. The 40 year old plant still needs updating however. It appears that TC3 will be able to obtain another sewer permit to build another dorm.
Atty Perkins suggested the Town engineers look at the assumptions made by PLS Engineering when they sized the plant and determined the size of the interceptor. Hunt Engineers has given the Town a proposal to do that. They believe they will be able to, in about four weeks, come to some conclusions based on the limited data received to date, about flows, plant size, the need for the interceptor, and a recommendation as to what percentage the college should pay of the construction of the interceptor sewer. The cost for this is $5,000. There is $2,000 that they haven’t spent that was allocated to study the data that is received. For another $3,000 they will provide the report described and help with the negotiations with the Village. Atty Perkins said those negotiations are now at a critical point and we are close to having a new sewer agreement. He reviewed Hunt’s proposal with the board.
RESOLUTION #179 – AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH HUNT ENGINEERS FOR SEWER STUDY
Cl Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board does hereby authorize the Town Supervisor to execute an agreement with Hunt Engineers for a seven-point study for the Cortland Road Sewer District as described in their proposal.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
The board asked Atty Perkins to prepare the appropriate resolution to begin the process of extending the boundary of the Cortland Road Sewer District to include all of the TC3 Foundation dormitory property. Cl Sumner asked that the Planning Board receive this information.
ZONING OFFICER
ZO Slater provided the board with information regarding three change orders for the Town Hall. Two of them have been previously discussed and agreed on and the paperwork has just now been received. One was for the woodwork in the courtroom and the entry foyer and the other was to overcome the mistake in locking the outside doors at the main entrance rather than the inside doors to provide access to the drop box.
The third change order is because there is no hot water in the bathrooms. The proposed change order provides for removal of the in-line check screen to permit circulation within the unit. They have told ZO Slater that it is reasonable to assume that this corrective measure will be successful.
RESOLUTION #180 – APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS FOR TOWN HALL
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following change orders:
G-18 – Wood trim for ceiling lights $6,852.00
G-19 – Correct main entry door locking sequence $2,020.00
CRP-03 Remove In-line check screens $ 494.40
And the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute the same.
2nd Cl Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
ZO Slater reported that the bio-retention filter for the pond doesn’t work. It is unclear whether it is a design error or a malfunction. A Sciarabba said the lower filter is the same material as the upper filter and is working fine. The upper filter has been ponding and not percolating as quickly as they would like to see it. There is also a reddish slime coming from the pipe which they think is an iron bacteria. They need to figure out what is really causing it not to perc. Traditionally when they don’t perc it means the soil has been compacted too tightly during construction. There may be silt in the filter. In such a wet condition they cannot determine what exactly the cause is, so they are proposing to bypass the filter so the water will go into the retention pond portion so they can dry out the filter and figure out what is causing the problem. If it is determined the problem was not caused by something the contractor did in the field, there will be a change order. There is a couple of days of machine time involved and A Sciarabba estimates the cost to be around $4,000.
The board instructed ZO Slater to review the change orders to date and prepare a report indicating which changes were the result of design error, and the associated costs. Atty Perkins will work with him on that.
ZO Slater said that he would like to contact all the people/companies that have done sign business in the Town over the last several years and invite them to submit a design for the new building. The board agreed this was a good idea.
ZO Slater said the fire alarm system in the building needs a dedicated phone line for 911 hookup to function properly. The board asked him to take the necessary steps to accomplish this and understands there will be an additional charge for this dedicated line.
ZO Slater reported that Cornell Laundry is now under contract for carpets at the entryways. Those are replaced every two weeks.
Cl Makar said a resolution has been proposed for a consultant to assist with coming up a plan for a sound system for the meeting room.
RESOLUTION #181 – HIRE CONSULTANT FOR SOUND SYSTEM
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden has recently moved into a new building, and
WHEREAS, the new facilities have proved challenging in regards to communicating effectively during meetings since the move due to the size of the public assembly room, and
WHEREAS, the recording secretaries have had difficulty transcribing minutes of meetings since the move due to existing equipment not being adequate for the job in the new building, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden had intended to purchase an audio/visual system prior to moving into the new space, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden does not have the expertise on staff to scope out and recommend an audio visual system for the public assembly area,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the hiring of a consultant to ascertain the items the Town needs to purchase in order to outfit the new public assembly room to ensure participants can hear each other and meetings can be adequately recorded and transcribed per Town Law for an amount not to exceed $400.00.
2nd Cl Makar
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
ZO Kevin Ezell gave a presentation and update on unsafe structures. The building at 282 Bradshaw Road has been removed. Progress is being made on the barn at 2242 Dryden Road. They received a grant to rehabilitate one barn and are using parts of the barn that was falling down. The unused portion will be removed. There has been no activity at 1995 Dryden Road or 972 Dryden Road. Progress is being made on the dilapidated barn on Dryden-Harford Road. After discussion, the board directed Atty Perkins to take further action with respect to those properties so that the Town can demolish the buildings. The associated costs will be added to the tax bills for those properties.
K Ezell thanked the board for allowing him to serve on the residential subcommittee of the building officials conference which has been modifying the International Code for New York State. Today they met to discuss a regulation that would mandate sprinkler systems in new residential dwellings. There is much opposition to this in rural areas and the committee’s recommendation is not in favor of this. Specific municipalities may adopt this requirement, however.
TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk B Hollenbeck asked the board to approve the October meeting minutes.
RESOLUTION #182 – APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the minutes of the October 11, 2007 Town Board meeting.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
B Hollenbeck reported that she met on Monday with Thom Buttino of Systems East and Atty Perkins and discussed the contract that would enable the Town to accept payments by credit/debit card or electronic check. Once the contract is executed they expect to have the systems up and running by the first of the year.
RESOLUTION #183 – AUTHORIZING USE OF CREDIT CARDS AND THE INTERNET TO PAY MONIES DUE THE TOWN
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk has received numerous requests from residents and customers to pay license fees, recreation fees, taxes, special assessments, penalties and interest by credit card and the Internet, and
WHEREAS, the technology now exists for taxpayers to access their town tax bills via the Internet and to pay such amounts due thereon to the Town via an Internet website, and
WHEREAS, Systems East, Inc. has the technology, expertise, experience and collection system to provide the Town with a secure method for the acceptance by the Town Clerk of payments by credit cards and via a municipal Internet website for civil penalties, rent, rates, taxes, fees, charges, revenue, financial obligations or other amounts, including penalties, special assessments or interest owed to the Town, now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden as follows:
1. It is in the public interest to authorize the Town to enter into an agreement to enable the Town Clerk to accept payments of such amounts due the Town by credit card and via an Internet website.
2. The Town Supervisor is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Dryden the Enrollment Agreement with Systems East, Inc.
3. The Town Supervisor is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Dryden a merchant account agreement with Branch Bank and Trust and ACH Direct.
4. The acceptance of payments by the Town Clerk via credit cards and via an Internet website is conditioned upon the requirement that the users of such method pay all fees associated with their transaction and that the Town receive the full amount due to the Town.
5. The acceptance of payments is also conditioned on the Town Clerk’s compliance with all the requirements of General Municipal Law 5 and 5-b in connection with the acceptance of such payments.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
RESOLUTION #184 – ADD DELINQUENT WATER & SEWER AND ENGINEERING FEES
TO 2008 TAX ROLL
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the addition of the following water and sewer bills and engineering fees to the 2008 tax roll:
Acct No. Name Parcel Amount
K3467 Grover 43.-1-14.1 451.73
K4338 Watson 52.-1-4.11 105.38
K4358 Watson 52.-1-4.6 105.38
K4353 William Reed 55.-1-15.2 1486.93
K5245 Nemcek & Atav 54.-2-9 561.44
L1671 Grover 43.-1-13 127.90
L3446 Michael Kimball 53.-1-7 348.80
L3464 John Lucente 43.-1-19.19 847.32
L3466 Joseph Giordano 43.-1-19.10 367.47
L3476 Diane English 43.-1-9.7 218.68
L3490 Melissa Verbarg 56.-3-7 321.05
L3491 Donald Verbarg 56.-3-8 52.69
L4028 Anthony Marsit 69.-2-13 215.81
L4047 Nermak LLC 69.-2-6 228.57
L4271 Melissa Hine 69.-2-3.3 96.49
L5390 Helen Tseng 56.-4-5.31 216.97
L5413 Troy Richards 54.-1-3.2 216.03
L5547 Carol Whitlow 55.-1-15.1 138.57
2nd Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
B Hollenbeck reported that she recently had to complete a recertification with the U.S. Department of State for passport services. One of the questions on it was how many passport applications had been accepted for the period October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007, and that number is 157. She said that translates to $4,710 in revenue for the Town and additionally $1,260 was collected in fees for photos. She said people seem to appreciate having the service in Town.
B Hollenbeck reported that she has people to perform a dog enumeration for $2.00 per dog plus mileage and asked the board for a resolution authorizing the Supervisor to sign the contracts. Board members have reviewed the contracts.
RESOLUTION #185 – AUTHORIZE DOG ENUMERATION CONTRACT
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute contracts with Richard Leonard and Gena Leonard to perform a dog enumeration for the Town of Dryden at a cost of $2.00 per dog plus mileage at the rate of $.485 per mile.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
DISCUSSION
Emergency Services Committee – Cl Sumner asked for a resolution authorizing the Supervisor to sign the fire contracts so that they can be sent to the departments and be signed and in place by the first of the year.
RESOLUTION #186 – AUTHORIZE FIRE CONTRACTS
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute fire contracts for the amounts specified in the 2008 budget.
2nd Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
Cl Sumner reported they had a terrific meeting with representatives of the boards of directors of the Varna Fire Department, the WB Strong Fire Department and Neptune Hose. They discussed the changes to the contracts approved by the Town Board and the active member definition. The Departments had some good discussion between themselves and she believes those types of meetings will be very successful.
Personnel Committee – No report.
Finance Committee – No report.
HUD Loans & Grants Committee – Cl Makar is continuing discussions and hopes to have a report next month.
Technology Committee – Cl Makar reported they had put out an RFP for a new website for the Town. One proposal was received. During the budget $3,000 was budgeted for the website and the proposal came in at $5,000. Cl Makar said he will contact them and see what kind of features they will supply for $5,000 and see if it can be scaled back to three, or the board can authorize the additional funds. Cl Makar and Cl Christofferson will meet with the vendor.
Recreation/Youth/Community Centers Committee – Cl Makar said payments are being made to the centers as previously approved with the exception of Bethel Grove. They are having a board meeting in early December. Apparently there are some issues about what they asked for and who their board of directors is.
Town Highway Specifications – The board has received and reviewed the local law regarding new town highway specifications.
RESOLUTION #187 – INTRODUCE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING HIGHWAY SPECIFICATIONS
Cl Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby introduces the following local law entitled a local law establishing specifications for new highways in the Town of Dryden and schedules the public hearing on the same for December 13, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.
Text link
Section 2. This local law shall take effect upon filing by the Secretary of State.
2nd Cl Christofferson
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
Stormwater Law – Cl Sumner said she would like to introduce stormwater local law, together with the associated amendments to the zoning ordinance. This incorporates what the special committee worked on, what ZO Slater suggested, most of what Atty Perkins suggested has been incorporated, and D Kwasnowski’s last comments about notice of ground disturbance.
RESOLUTION #188 – INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL AND ASSOCIATED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Cl Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby introduces the following proposed local law entitled Town of Dryden Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law, and associated zoning amendments, and sets the public hearing on the same for December 13, 2007, at 7:15 p.m.
Text link
Proposed amendments to the Town of Dryden Land Subdivision Rules and Regulations. The proposed amendments would require subdivision applicants to comply with the Town’s Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Law. The proposed amendments are as follows:
1. Section III (Definitions) would be amended by adding a new definition of Land Development Activity to read as follows:
“Land Development Activity – all activities including clearing, grubbing, grading, excavating, stockpiling, placement of fill, paving, installation of utilities, and construction of buildings or structures that result in soil disturbance.”
2. Sub-section (1) (Sketch Plan) of Section IV (Procedure in Filing Subdivision Applications) would be amended by revising paragraph (A) (Submission of Sketch Plan) to read as follows:
“A. Submission of Sketch Plan Any subdivider in the Town of Dryden shall, prior to subdividing or resubdividing land, as defined in these rules and regulations, submit to the Town Clerk for the Planning Board at least ten days prior to the regular meeting of the Board four copies of a Sketch Plan of the proposed subdivision, which shall comply with the requirements of Section IV, No. 1 and the Notice of Ground Disturbance required by the Town’s Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law, for the purposes of a preliminary discussion.”
3. Sub-section (2) (Preliminary Plat for Subdivision) of Section IV (Procedure in Filing Subdivision Applications) would be amended by adding a new sentence at the end of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph (A) to read as follows:
“The subdivider shall submit along with such application a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan if required by the Town’s Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law.”
4. Sub-section (2) (Preliminary Plat for Subdivision) of Section IV (Procedure in Filing Subdivision Applications) would be amended by adding a new sentence at the end of paragraph (H) to read as follows:
“No approval of the Subdivision Plat shall be granted until the Planning Board approves the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan if required by the Town’s Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law.”
5. Sub-section 6 (Drainage Improvements) of Section V (General Requirements and Design Standards for Improvements) would be amended by adding a new paragraph (F) to read as follows:
“F. SWPPP Notwithstanding anything in this subsection 6 to the contrary, all subdividers shall comply with all the requirements of the Town’s Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law.”
Proposed amendments to the Town of Dryden Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendments would require applicants for a special permit and/or site plan review to comply with the Town’s Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Law. The proposed amendments would:
1. Amend Appendix A by adding a new definition of Land Development Activity to read as follows:
“Land Development Activity – all activities including clearing, grubbing, grading, excavating, stockpiling, placement of fill, paving, installation of utilities, and construction of buildings or structures that result in soil disturbance.”
2. Amend Article XIII (Special Permits) by adding a new subsection (1)(i) to Section 1303 (Specific Requirements) to read as follows:
“(i) For proposed uses that meet the definition of ‘Land Development Activity,’ a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan if required by the Town’s Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law.”
3. Amend Article XXIII (Site Plan review Board) by adding a new subsection 23 to Section 2302.3 (A) (Site Plan Checklist) to read as follows:
“23. For proposed uses that meet the definition of ‘Land Development Activity,’ a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan if required by the Town’s Stormwater Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Law.”
Proposed local law which would amend Local Law No. 5 of the Year 2000 to provide for reimbursement by developers of expenses incurred by the Town in connection with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP). The proposed amendment would amend Section 3 of such local law by adding thereto a new sub-section (E) at the end thereof to read as follows:
“E. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans.
1. The Applicant, in connection with the approval of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), shall reimburse the Town for all reasonable and necessary engineering, Certified Inspector, Certified Professional, Licensed Professional or Qualified Professional expenses incurred by the Town in connection with the review and consideration of such SWPPP.
2. A developer who constructs, or proposes to construct, one or more drainage facilities or stormwater management and erosion and sediment control facilities in connection with an approved SWPPP shall reimburse the Town for all reasonable and necessary engineering, Certified Inspector, Certified Professional, Licensed Professional or Qualified Professional expenses incurred by the Town in connection with the inspection, approval, and if applicable, acceptance by the Town of such facilities and the dedication of the same to the Town.”
2nd Cl Christofferson
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
Community Development Block Grant – Cl Makar said he is working on getting numbers together from different entities for administration of this, and after he and Cl Stelick have reviewed them they will bring it to the board.
Supv Trumbull distributed a list of budget modifications requested by the bookkeeper.
RESOLUTION #189 – BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the following budget modifications:
From To For
A7180.4 A7180.1 Dryden Trails (Highway/DPW) $6,399.16
(from contractual to personal services)
A7330.410 A7020.4 Recreation Admin Contractual 1,200.00
(from Wall St Ballfield)
A7330.410 A7020.101 Recreation Admin Rec Asst 1,000.00
(from Wall St Ballfield)
A1990.4 A1220.2 Supervisor Equipment (new computer) 95.00
(from contingency)
SS2-8130.4 SS2-8110.1 Varna Sewer Personal Services 476.28
(from Treatment/Disposal)
SS2-8130.4 SS2-8120.4 Varna Sewer Sanitary Sewer 4,700.23
(from Treatment/Disposal)
SS2-8130.4 SS2-9030.8 Varna Sewer Social Security Exp 25.93
(from Treatment/Disposal)
SS2-8130.4 SS2-9089.8 Varna Sewer Medicare Expense 3.82
(from Treatment/Disposal)
2nd Supv Trumbull
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
Supv Trumbull said Tom Quinn has resigned from the Youth Commission and will need to be replaced.
Supv Trumbull asked the board if they wanted to continue with the Tompkins County Drug and Alcohol consortium and everyone agreed the Town should continue.
RESOLUTION #190 – APPROVE ABSTRACT #11
Cl Christofferson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #11, as audited, vouchers #882 through 987, totaling $446,713.38.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Makar Yes
Cl Christofferson Yes
Supv Trumbull Yes
Cl Stelick Yes
Cl Sumner Yes
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Hollenbeck
Town Clerk
