TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 12, 2008
Present: Supervisor Mary Ann Sumner, Cl Stephen Stelick, Jr., Cl David Makar, Cl Jason Leifer
Absent: Cl Joseph Solomon
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Hollenbeck, Town Clerk
Jack Bush, Highway Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Mahlon R. Perkins, Town Attorney
Melissa Bianconi, Recreation Director
Dan Kwasnowski, Environmental Planner
Henry Slater, Zoning Officer
Supv Sumner opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and board members and guests participated in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW REPEALING LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2000
AND LOCAL LAW #3 OF 2002
Supv Sumner opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. and Town Clerk B Hollenbeck read the notice that was published in The Ithaca Journal. Supv Sumner explained that the Town Board passed a new local law last month with redefining the Recreation Commission. This proposed local law will repeal previous local laws having to do with the Recreation Commission.
There were no questions or comments from the public or the board and the hearing was left open at 7:10 p.m.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Richard Leonard stated that he and his wife are interested in providing dog control and shelter service for the Town of Dryden beginning in 2009. He has spoken with the NYS Agriculture and Markets inspector for shelters in this area. She has reviewed his plan for his facility (copies were provided to board members) and approved them. The facility will have radiant floor heat, a containment room, over 20 separate kennels, and essentially be a state of the art facility. It will meet all state and federal codes, including those required of public spaces. He is anxious to begin construction and asked the board if there was anything he could do to help expedite the matter. The plans and application will be filed with the Zoning Office in the morning.
The facility will be located on Wood Road. He has one kennel that is used for his boarding business. The shelter/dog control facility will be completely separate.
Vladimir Dragan said he examined the Tuttle house last week and was impressed with the structure. It is an early Greek Revival house; first settlement in the Town of Dryden in good structural repair. The basement is cobblestone masonry with one crack. There is a loose laid flagstone floor. He said it is a well constructed house and he is asking the Town to stop proceeding with demolition. He will work on his own time to clean up the yard and stabilize the structure. The windows could be plywooded over and painted. There are potential uses for this pioneer farmstead in the Town. There may be some archeological significance. He would like to stabilize the house at the direction of the Town Board. He said the virgin pine flooring in the house is wonderful. This is the finest example he knows of in the Dryden area of a cobblestone masonry basement.
Supv Sumner said she had explained to the board some of the features of the house. The town has offered the house for sale and offered to give it away. The town has applied for grants and has not been able to find any way to finance saving the building.
V Dragan said the house could be used for community events and as a facility for weddings. It needs some landscaping. The later accessory additions on the house and the barn could be removed as they are not critical to the historic components of the house and that would reduce the size of the overall project. He would like to secure the building in the next couple of weeks.
Professor Jeffrey Chusid of Cornell University’s Historic Preservation Program said he had just seen the house. He appreciates the efforts the town has made to preserve the house, and stated that once it is gone it can’t be brought back. He asked if something could be done to make it reasonable to keep the house while they come up with a plan to save it. He said it is a beautiful house in excellent condition on the inside. It needs some cosmetic work on the outside. Students in the preservation program could help with that. He said preservation architect could evaluate the house for its potential. A lot of towns would like to have a historic site as part of the town complex that can be used for events and educational purposes.
Professor Chusid said he would be happy to take this project on in the spring semester and evaluate the condition of the house, research its history and significance to the community, and provide a report that would serve as a basis for applying for grants from organizations that appreciate efforts to save a historic house. It would also provide a significant in-kind contribution towards any grant award.
Gina Prentiss of the Dryden Historical Society said she is sorry this didn’t happen when it should have happened a year ago. She is excited about this interest and coupled with the fact that the asbestos has now been removed, makes it a good project. Now that other people are interested, it would be great if this could become a project. This is an unusual situation in that it is an intact homestead with both the house and the barn. She supports everything said previously and would like to be involved in the project.
Kathleen Elliott, 81 East Main Street, said she is tired of looking at the Tuttle house. It may have some historic significance, but it will cost a lot of money to fix it. The Town has looked for grants and in today’s economy and the state’s fiscal situation, she doesn’t think you can count on grants for local projects. She agrees with preserving the barn with a minimal amount of money. There may be volunteers, but supplies cost money. It’s too bad this didn’t happen earlier, but at this point she would like to see the house removed. Right now both are attractive nuisances.
Edward Elliott, 81 East Main Street, said the Tuttle house has gone from bad looking to worse looking when the asbestos siding was removed. He would like to see some documentation supporting the age of the house. It is an attractive nuisance. He said the Town has allowed enough time for local people to come forward to do something with the house, and now that time has passed. He thinks the house should come down. Perhaps there could be some use for the cobblestone foundation.
He said at 81 East Main Street they see both the Tuttle house and the back of the public works department, which are both eyesores.
Paul Simonet, owner of Maple Ridge development across the street from the Tuttle house, said he is very sympathetic to the historic aspect of the situation. He is also very sympathetic to the neighborhood. If the vision of rehabbing the building could be done quickly and if the funding were there, probably no one would have an issue. He hopes that if there is going to be a change in direction at this point, that there will be a firm plan.
Prof Chusid said he is sensitive to what the neighbors are feeling. What he and V Dragan are hoping to do is quickly stabilize the house and improve its condition, and come back in December with more information. There is no cost to what they would do in terms of a study. There are things they can do, and have done in the past, that won’t cost the Town of Dryden. It is appropriate to monitor the condition of the house and have a sense of when the decision has to be made. He apologized for coming to the board late.
Supv Sumner closed the public hearing on the proposed local law at 7:32 p.m. There were no questions or comments.
RESOLUTION #180 – ADOPT LOCAL LAW #5 OF 2008
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts Local Law #5 of the year 2008, a local law repealing Local Law #1 of the year 2000 and Local Law #3 of the year 2002, as follows, and directs the Town Clerk to file the same with the New York State Records and Law Bureau:
A local law repealing Local Law No. 1 of the year 2000 and Local Law No. 3 of the year 2002.
- 1. Local Law No. 1 of the year 2000 (a local law establishing the Town of Dryden Recreation Commission) as amended by Local Law No. 3 of the year 2003 (A local law amending Local Law No. 1 of the year 2000 which established the Town of Dryden recreation Commission, to clarify the terms of members and provide for an increase in the number of members) is hereby repealed.
- 2. Said Local Law No. 3 of the year 2002 is also hereby repealed to the extent paragraph 1 hereof does not repeal the same in its entirety.
- 3. Effective Date. This Local Law shall take effect following its adoption and as provided in the Municipal Home Rule Law.
2nd Cl Makar
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Supv Sumner explained that it is necessary to make a decision on the Tuttle house because the Highway Superintendent is holding off putting plows on trucks so the trucks can be used in the demolition process. Cl Leifer said it seems the board is being asked to put a lot of faith in a sketchy plan with no time table. V Dragan said they are asking for 30 days-until the next board meeting, to do a cleanup and do some research. Supv Sumner said the board has been trying to do something for two years and so there is no reason to think that it can now be done in 30 days.
Cl Stelick said the board has made a commitment to preserving the barn and the expense of that. While he would have liked to save the house, it appears that time has run out.
Supv Sumner agrees they are under some time pressure at this time, and she wishes they had come forward a year or two ago.
Cl Makar said he first heard from V Dragan a week ago. This house was purchased with the land the town acquired, and he realizes that once it is gone, it’s gone. It has been discussed by the town board since the fall of 2006. He would like to save it, but the barn is already in the budget, and there isn’t money to do everything. The sense of the board seems to be to not save the house. When the Highway Superintendent has the time this week or next, as soon as the architectural salvage is complete, the house will come down.
J Bush said that water, electric and gas service to the house have been removed. The doors and hardware have been salvaged and they are working on getting the plank flooring. The windows are gone. He is getting impatient because it has been two years getting to a decision, and the reason it is still standing is that all the salvage material has not been removed. It is critical at this point that demolition proceed because the trucks have to be outfitted for snowplowing.
Cl Makar said if this had happened a year or two ago, it would be a different situation. He asked that they funnel this new-found energy toward the barn. There is money budgeted next year to work on the barn. Where possible, they will use the stone from the house for the barn.
TOWN CLERK
B Hollenbeck asked the board to approve the minutes of September 24, October 8, and October 15, 2008.
RESOLUTION #181 – APPROVE MINUTES
Supv Sumner offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Town Board meeting minutes of September 24, 2008, October 5, 2008, and October 15, 2008.
2nd Cl Makar
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
B Hollenbeck reported she has given the Town Attorney an example of a local law that could be adopted by the Town Board which would allow for the insertion of certain public information with the tax bills that are mailed in January. Atty Perkins said the board could have a short special meeting to introduce the local law and then schedule the public hearing for the December board meeting. He will email it to the board in the next few days and they can then determine a meeting date.
B Hollenbeck reported that her office will be closed on Friday, November 14. She and her deputy will be attending an e-records symposium at TC3.
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
J Bush provided the board with a proposed Snow and Ice Agreement with Tompkins County for 2009 and 2010. The County has taken back the plowing of some of their roads, and the Town will now only be plowing Lake Road and the section of Gulf Hill Road between East Malloryville and Route 13. The County will plow German Cross Road, Game Farm Road, and Hanshaw Road. They now also plow Irish Settlement Road, Ringwood Road from Route 13 to Midline Road, Turkey Hill Road, Neimi Road, Sheldon Road from West Dryden Road to Neimi Road, and North Road.
RESOLUTION #182 – APPROVE SNOW & ICE AGREEMENT
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Snow and Ice Agreement for 2009 and 2010 and authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the same.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
J Bush said that with construction of the new salt storage building and the area required for stormwater control, they have lost some storage space. He has rearranged his equipment/material storage. He intends to plant trees to serve as a visual buffer.
Construction of the salt storage building is progressing. The footers have all been poured and the forms on the east side have been started.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
M Bianconi reported she has made a lot of changes to the Department’s website to make it more user-friendly for the community. There are more resources for parents and coaches.
October 25 was Let’s Make A Difference Day and Cornell University students made themselves available to help in the community. M Bianconi said she had planned to have a lot of painting done, but instead about 13 students went to Montgomery Park in the rain and raked and picked up trash.
Wrestling and Basketball registrations and planning are moving along well. An early bird sign-up was held on November 1 at TC3. Early registrants were given a $5.00 discount and introduced to TC3’s new recreation facility. The Rec Dept is planning Friday Family Fun nights to be held at that facility with gym time, board games, volleyball, etc., for $5.00 for the family.
Twenty-five Dryden Recreation Department coaches attended the coaching certification on November 3, and all the Department’s coaches are at a level one certification at this point. They are taking steps to make sure the coaches are properly trained and know what to do in any situation.
Program evaluations are being done using Survey Monkey.
The Cheer Competition was held on November 2 with 17 squads participating. The Dryden Senior girls took first place for the fourth year, and the Junior Squad took third place.
There are a few potential program changes that have been reviewed by the Recreation Commission. They are considering moving the venue of Music in the Park to Willowbrook Manor. There is still a lot done to make that happen. They have also been discussing holding Movies in the Park at Montgomery Park. Programs they are hoping to hold in 2009 are the Daddy-Daughter Dance, Mothers Day and Fathers Day Fun Runs, and a grappling and martial arts program for ages 12 to 18. They are also hoping to have a Fall Foliage bus tour for senior citizens and a Mens Slowpitch Softball Tournament.
M Bianconi reported that her new Recreation Coordinator, Andrew Pierce, is doing a wonderful job. This gives her time to focus on developing new programs.
COUNTY BRIEFING
Mike Hattery said the hearing had been held on the county budget. They are projecting a 3% growth in the levy. Depending on which town you live in, there may be a reduction in the tax rate.
M Hattery said the County Administrator’s budget had a little over a million dollars that was specifically designated for the kind of hits they are expecting to see as the Governor continues to make cuts. In the process of adding more spending, the legislature reduced that amount. He is not in favor of the additional items the legislature made to spending and believes the million that had been set aside will be needed.
He asked how the town was coming with the broadband grant. Supv Sumner said it seems that the state is trying to delay into the new budget year. They have not returned the signed contract yet. They have requested new budget information, and it sounds like they are trying to spread it over two budget years.
ZONING OFFICER
ZO Slater reported that he is concerned about the Tompkins County Clerk accepting maps that result in divisions of real property that create lots that are not in conformance with the Town’s subdivision ordinance. The maps do not contain a signature that they have been reviewed and approved by the Town of Dryden. There are four such instances.
Atty Perkins pointed out that the Town does not have a requirement for prior approval to further divide your property and do so at your own risk. There was some discussion about the County Clerk’s responsibility. Prior Town approval is not required on certain divisions of real property. Atty Perkins said it isn’t feasible to ask the County Clerk to review each and every division of real property in all of the nine towns and several villages in the County. Supv Sumner would like to amend our regulations so that people cannot file subdivisions of any property that do not meet the Town’s existing zoning laws. Cl Makar said people need to be protected from purchasing lots that they will not be able to build on. The board will consider this at another time.
ZO Slater reported that the Village of Dryden has selected The MRB Group as the engineers to design the re-build of the Village’s wastewater treatment plant. Many people in this company used to work for Hunt Engineers.
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER
Dan Kwasnowski reported the Planning Board will be holding a public meeting on the new zoning ideas and to review the residential and commercial design guidelines on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. They will be talking about concept ideas with respect to road frontage and trying to channel development off road frontages so that arterial roads stay open. New zones will be described and discussed.
Proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Land Subdivision Rules and Regulations have been prepared and were given to the board for review. These amendments would incorporate the design guidelines as part of the review process. With the adoption of these amendments the Planning Board would have some flexibility in approving certain projects, rather than the applicant having to obtain a variance. The requirement of a pre-application meeting has been added. D Kwasnowski asked the board to review the proposed amendments. When there is a sense of the board that this is the way to proceed, a public hearing can be held.
Atty Perkins said this is way the board could implement the residential and commercial development design guidelines into the existing zoning ordinance pending this comprehensive, ongoing revision and review. He has developed some standards and procedures to go with what was distributed to the board last month. With respect to the proposed amendment for the Zoning Ordinance, there is a section that sets forth all the bulk requirements that would be modified or waived by the Town Board on a request, and this is tied to whether or not the applicant, to the maximum extent practicable under the circumstances, has complied with the design guidelines. There is a requirement that the Town Board will have to make that determination. If a developer has met those, the Board may waive or modify certain requirements. The proposed amendment lists the different things that the Board would be authorized to waive or modify, including such things as the district acreage requirements for a planned unit development.
With respect to the amendment to subdivision regulations, a new requirement for a pre-application meeting was added, and the developer is required to inform the town in writing if he will be requesting a waiver or modification of lot requirements. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed plat and then refer the matter to the Town Board with its comment. Any waiver approved by the Town Board would be binding on the Planning Board with respect to bulk area requirements.
Atty Perkins asked the board to review these proposed amendments and compare them with the copies of the existing subdivision regulations and zoning ordinance. Any changes, corrections, questions, comments should be shared and discussed at the next board meeting. After that, the board would be in a position to hold a public hearing and do outreach.
D Kwasnowski said Atty Perkins has reviewed the contract with Tompkins County for the Jerry Dell Farmland Implementation Grant. The contract and proposed resolution were provided to board members. The contract is the same as the one for Lew-Lin Farms.
RESOLUTION NO. 183 – Resolution Authorizing Town Supervisor to
Sign Agreement with the County of Tompkins for the Implementation and Administration of the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Implementation Grant Awarded to the Town of Dryden by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden was awarded an Agricultural and Farmland Protection Implementation Grant by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to purchase a conservation easement from Vaughn, Susan and Trever Sherman and Cheryl Prince Brotherton, and
WHEREAS, an Agreement proposed by the County of Tompkins for the implementation and administration of the aforesaid Grant awarded to the Town of Dryden contemplates a cooperative relationship between the Town and the County for the implementation and monitoring of the project described in the Grant, and
WHEREAS, said Agreement sets forth both the Town’s and the County’s responsibilities in connection with the implementation and monitoring of the project, and
WHEREAS, the Town Attorney has reviewed and approved the form of the Agreement, now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Town Attorney and the Town Environmental Planner, and in furtherance of the memorandum of understanding between the Town and the County developed and agreed to at the time of the submission of the application to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to execute an Agreement with the County of Tompkins for the cooperative implementation and monitoring of the project described in the Grant.
2nd Supv Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
D Kwasnowski has provided the board with information regarding a proposal from Nick Shipanski to do a roadside survey of wetland areas in the town. This stems from a contractor purchasing a lot and obtaining a roadcut permit from the County that unfortunately was in a wetland. Ultimately, the Army Corps had to get involved. This situation could have been avoided with information from a roadside survey of wetland areas. The survey will need to be done before there is too much snow.
RESOLUTION #184 – AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN CONTRACT FOR
A ROADSIDE WETLAND SURVEY
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a contract with Nick Shipanski for a roadside wetland survey in the Town of Dryden, upon approval by the Town Attorney, for an amount not to exceed $3,000.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #185 – APPROVE WORK SCOPE FOR ROADSIDE WETLAND SURVEY
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the work scope for the Roadside Wetland Survey to be performed by Nick Shipanski.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
D Kwasnowski reported that the process for the Lew Lin Farm is moving forward and documents are prepared pending legal review.
There are some changes yet to be made on the official town map.
With respect to the Campbell property, a survey and abstract need to be prepared. Atty Perkins has met with the surveyor and told him what we need, so the surveyor will be providing that in the near future. The abstract of title has been ordered.
The Conservation Board will be talking about the Parke-Dabes property at their next meeting and working on a land use policy for that property.
ENGINEERING
No report.
ATTORNEY
Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations were previously discussed.
Unfinished Business
Town Logo – The final selection for the Town Logo was distributed and Supv Sumner asked the board to approve it. The logo can be used in three versions: black and white, green, or tan. Supv Sumner said it will be incorporated into the sign for the new building, can be used on letterhead, etc.
RESOLUTION #186 – ADOPT TOWN LOGO
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby adopts the following design as the official Town of Dryden logo.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Dog Control – Supv Sumner reported she is moving forward with an agreement for dog control with Richard and Gena Leonard. They will be appointed dog control officers and the Town will lease the new facility they are constructing for dog control. She said this is a win-win solution to what has been a long and painful problem. The SPCA has said they really do not want to be in the enforcement business. This seems like a good solution right in town. The Leonards did the dog enumeration and are familiar with the dogs in Town. Atty Perkins has drafted a contract for leasing the facility, and the details of the job description for dog control officer are being completed. Supv Sumner asked the board to authorize her to sign the documents pending approval by the Town Attorney and the board. The board was not inclined to do so without seeing the document. A special meeting will be set next week when the documents are prepared.
Weatherization Grants - The Board has been discussing doing a weatherization grant program with funds paid back to the Town from CDBG loans. $30,000 from those funds will be allocated to help with assisting low and fixed income homeowners. The Town will provide up to $1,500.00 to applicants for weatherization and energy efficiency home improvements. Applicants will be screened by the Zoning Department for eligibility. Cl Makar has contacted the HUD office in Buffalo who thinks it is a good idea, and will be obtaining written confirmation from them. Qualification guidelines have developed by the committee.
RESOLUTION #187 – APPROVE WEATHERIZATION GRANT PROGRAM
Cl Stelick offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden has been paid back $30,000 from CDBG home rehabilitation loans; and
WHEREAS, Town of Dryden has not spent any of this money since the re-payments began; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden Town Board would like to assist low and fixed income homeowners weatherize their homes; and
THEREFORE, this Town Board hereby authorizes this program under the following terms and conditions:
- 1. This project will be known as the Weatherization Grant Program.
- 2. The Town of Dryden will provide up to $1500 to applicants for weatherization and energy efficiency home improvements who meet the criteria developed by the HUD Loans and Grants Committee.
- 3. The program will serve homeowners in the Town of Dryden.
- 4. Assistance will be provided to approximately twenty (20) households and applications will be reviewed and approved on a first come first served basis until all funds are expended or December 31, 2009, whichever occurs first.
- 5. The Town of Dryden Zoning Department will screen applicants for eligibility and successful applicants will be notified by mail.
- 6. Funds to advertise the program will be spent pursuant to Resolution #170 of 2008.
2nd Cl Makar
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
The board took a break from 9:30 to 9:35 p.m.
Supv Sumner asked for approval to sign the contract with USGS for continuation of the aquifer and exploring the possibility of the Village having a well at Dryden Lake for supplying water to Village residents. The expense is between $10,000 and $12,000.
RESOLUTION #188 – AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH USGS
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves a contract with USGS for a continuation of the aquifer study and to investigate the possibility of the Village of Dryden drilling a well at Dryden Lake for the purpose of supplying water to Village residents.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Supv Sumner asked the board to consider a resolution endorsing a memorandum of understanding and pledge to work with the economic development collaborative for County-wide evaluation of existing water and sewer infrastructure. This means that the Town would cooperate by sharing information. There is no money involved.
RESOLUTION #189 – ENDORSEMENT OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND PLEDGE TO WORK WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE FOR COUNTY-WIDE EVALUATION OF EXISTING WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE
Cl Makar 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 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 needed to support planned future growth to meet housing and economic development goals, 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, and
WHEREAS, the result of this evaluation will be a report that is available for all municipalities to use in their planning of infrastructure development, but that no actual investment in water or sewer facilities is included in this project, and
WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins, on behalf of TCCOG, applied for and was awarded a grant known as Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) grant from the State of New York, to conduct a County-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure and develop a conceptual plan, and
WHEREAS, the TCCOG unanimously adopted this resolution on September 25, 2008 and directed that it to be forwarded to municipalities for consideration and approval by local municipal boards, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Legislature adopted Resolution No. 186 of 2008 on September 16, 2008, that authorized the acceptance of this grant in the amount of $82,245.24 for the purpose of conducting a County-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure and to develop a conceptual plan, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Town of Dryden, by adoption of this resolution, declares its intent to support the development of a County-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure and the development of a conceptual plan of water and sewer infrastructure needed to support planned future growth to meet housing and economic development goals,
RESOLVED, further, That the Town of Dryden pledges to work with the Economic Development Collaborative to ensure cooperation of members’ planning and engineering departments with this project, providing information and documentation requested by the consultant team, led by TG Miller, including but not limited to:
- Current rated capacity of water and wastewater treatment systems from existing SPDES (State Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permits and facility plans
- Electronic files or paper copies of maps showing current water distribution and/or sanitary sewer collection systems
- Recent studies of water and sewer facilities
- Treatment processes, mechanical and other systems related data
- Scheduled or anticipated system upgrades or new construction
- Historical problems and obstacles including operational difficulties, regulatory compliance, land use restrictions, public impact and complaints, and funding
- Current population served by the utilities including number of service connections
- Anticipated population growth rate for the next ten years
- Existing or planned funding sources that may be available, and
Statement of need:
Increasing housing supply and revitalization of commercial districts are two of the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy’s three goals. Both require improvements to water and sewer infrastructure, especially in the non-urbanized areas of the county. The proposed infrastructure study is, therefore, an integral step to achieving affordable housing and revitalization goals. In particular, to provide for housing to be reasonably affordable, housing requires density. Continuing to build individual homes on 1-2 acre lots is not an affordable approach to providing housing. Dependable water and sewer infrastructure is also critical for revitalization of our town and village centers.
Preliminary scope of work:
A consultant will be hired to:
- Update the 1994 County-wide evaluation of water and sewer infrastructure working with local municipal staff.
- Prepare a conceptual plan of water and sewerage infrastructure, including potential service areas, to support future growth.
- Prepare preliminary costs to expand infrastructure to accommodate planned growth.
Work will reflect anticipated growth of the municipalities, local plans, and the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan.”
2nd Supv Sumner
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Committee Reports
Emergency Services Committee – No report.
Personnel Committee – The committee is considering a computer use policy. It will be reviewed by the Technology Committee, then sent to Town Board members for adoption next month. Supv Sumner asked the Personnel Committee to develop a performance appraisal policy, or if after reviewing the matter, they feel a consultant should be hired, to let the Supervisor know.
Finance Committee – The committee met today and reviewed the abstract. They also discussed taxes, assessment, levies, and will be working on long range plans for fund balance and reserve funds.
Supv Sumner said yesterday she realized they had made a mistake in the number that was used for total assessment in the summary of the budget. The number used did not include the taxable portions of state owned land, utilities and special franchises. Using the proper number for assessments, the Town’s tax rate will actually now be essentially the same as last year. The tax rates for the fire and ambulance districts went down, so the net rate to the taxpayers will be about 23 cents per thousand less than the 2008 rate.
Supv Sumner said there are three vouchers that were not included in the abstract as reviewed that she would like included and approved: City of Ithaca for debt service payment related to phosphorus removal at the sewer plant for $1910.89; the travel voucher for the Supervisor of $85.09; and the Office of Court Administration of $25,307.
RESOLUTION #190 – APPROVE ABSTRACT #11
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #11, as audited, vouchers #968 through #1080, totaling $371,552.30.
2nd Cl Stelick
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Supv Sumner noted the board has a monthly report from the Court. A total of $36,516 was paid to the State in fines. 41 criminal cases, 351 traffic cases, 15 civil cases, and 2 Town and Village Ordinance cases were opened in October. Cases closed in October included 46 criminal cases, 291 traffic cases, and 6 civil cases.
COUNTY BRIEFING (continued)
Martha Robertson reported that the County Legislature expects to hold a public hearing on the new element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan on Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. It will be held December 2, 2008 at 5:30 at the Tompkins County Courthouse.
The County tax rate for 2008 will be $5.93/thousand (county-wide average), representing a 13½% decrease in the rate. The total levy is about $74,000,000 making a 2.2% increase over 2008. M Robertson said they tried very hard to keep the expense down and preserve as much fund balance as possible.
The board briefly discussed TCAT’s request for funding from the Town. The Board would like to have a meeting with TCAT next year prior to considering any funding.
HUD Loans and Grants Committees – Cl Makar reported he talked with someone from HUD in Buffalo about the projects the Town is doing with funds paid back from HUD loans, and he said it sounded good. He will provide a letter to that effect.
Supv Sumner reported they had received only one response to the RFP for administration of the HOME grant. She contacted Better Housing of Tompkins County who said they did not receive the request, but would like to make a proposal.
RESOLUTION #191 – EXTEND DEADLINE FOR RFP
Cl Makar offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby extends the deadline to respond to the Request for Proposals for an administrator for the HOME grant to November 21, 2008.
2nd Cl Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Stelick Yes
Supv Sumner Yes
Cl Makar Yes
Cl Leifer Yes
Technology Committee – The committee is working on several things and will meet again on December 3.
On motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the board adjourned to executive session at 10:11 p.m. to discuss a matter related to the acquisition of an interest in real property. No action was taken, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Hollenbeck
Town Clerk
