Danby Town Board Minutes of Regular Meeting September 10, 2018
Present:
Councilpersons:	Ric Dietrich (Supervisor), Leslie Connors, Jim Holahan, Jack Miller, Matt Ulinski
Others Present:
Town Clerk	Pamela Goddard
Code	Paul Hansen
Bookkeeper	Laura Shawley
Legislator	Dan Klein
Public	Ted Crane, Debra Meeker, Marnie Kirchgessner, Ronda Roaring, Pat Woodworth, Garry Huddle, Alex Pfiefer
Regular Meeting Opened at 7:03 pm
Privilege of the Floor
	Marnie Kirchgessner, 74 West Jersey Hill Road, expressed dismay at the handling of the Planning Board appointment at the previous TB meeting. She stated that this was “not nice” and that she sees too much politics and personality in the way the appointment was handled. Kirchgessner stated that she appreciates those things (such as a recent article in “Senior Circle” about Gay Huddle) that help build connections in the Danby community, and especially noted the Danby Area News. She would like to see more appreciation for the work Ted Crane puts into the DAN and other Danby endeavors.
	Ted Crane reminded the Board and those present that Danby Community Day will take place on Saturday September 15.
Insurance Presentation
	Debra Meeker made a short presentation regarding Aflac supplemental insurance available to municipal staff, including Town Board members. Meeker described this as “pay check protection” in case of health care events which disrupt work. This is available to all employees through payroll deduction.
Warrants
Abstract #9 of 2018:
General Fund
#362-409 for a total of $31,717.15
Moved by Connora, Second by Ulinkski. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich
Highway Fund
#207-237 for a total of $34,376.98
Moved by Connors, Second by Holahan. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich
West danby water district Fund
#20-21 for a total $2,053,50
Moved by Connors, Second by Miller. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich
Approve Minutes
motion - apProve minutes
Moved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approves the minutes of August 13 and 20, 2018.
Moved by Holahan, Second by Dietrich. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors, Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich
Set Public Information Session - Highway Superintendent Referendum
	Ulinski initiated a discussion regarding a proposed public information session related to the Highway Superintendent referendum—whether the Highway Superintendent shall be an elected or an appointed position. The Board agreed to set this Public Information Session for Monday night, October 1, 7pm, in Danby’s Town Hall. There was some discussion regarding ways to publicize this meeting. The Danby Area News should reach most residents by October 1.
Conservation Advisory Council Presentation
	Ulinski announced a presentation, hosted by the CAC, to take place on Thursday September 13, 7pm. The presentation will be on the topic of natural resource utilization for land owners. This is the first in a series of “best practices” and earned income related to land management.
Legislator’s Report
	Dan Klein made a short report on matters related to the County budget planning process. The Legislature is proposing a tax levy increase of 1.4%, which Klein stated is lower than the rate of inflation (2.9%). It is anticipated that the tax rate will be lowered for many residents in the county. Klein reported that the annual solid waste fee (included in the property tax bill) is increasing by $3 per household. This increase is due, in part, to shrinking markets for recyclables. Sales tax revenue is up 6% this year, which will result in revenue increase for towns such as Danby.
Budget Planning
	There was a preliminary discussion regarding budget planning for Town of Danby 2019. Bookkeeper Laura Shawley reported that budget sheets have already been distributed to the various departments and that union negotiations are nearing completion. Once these financial elements are settled, work can begin on drafting the 2019 budget.
	Shawley asked the Board for input in setting dates to discuss budget planning, perhaps to start with the last week of September. The Board was not able to find a date to meet by the end of September. Shawley suggested that she compile a written packet of budget information to share data and begin the planning process (as was done the previous year). This was agreeable to the Board. It was anticipated that this packet of information would be prepared by the last week of September.
	There was some further discussion regarding meeting dates in October. No firm dates were set at this meeting. It was anticipated that these will happen on Monday nights.
Logging Committee Report
	Matt Ulinksi made a report on progress made at a recent meeting of the logging committee. The group (including members of the CAC, Town Board, Planning Board, and a concerned resident) is endorsing a three-tier plan proposed by Planner Randall. Updates are being considered to the Road Use Law, Storm Water Protection Law, and notification and permitting additions to the Zoning Law. In addition to these regulatory measures, the committee is supporting a series of educational programs (beginning with the Sept. 13 CAC land use presentation) and an informational brochure with “best practices” for timber harvesting and management.
Code Report
	A Code Office report for the month of August was given by Paul Hansen. He encouraged people to visit the “Danby Gathery” as a new business in town. Holahan announced a “Heat Smart Tompkins” presentation/information session to take place at the Danby Gathery on Saturday morning, September 15.
	Hansen shared preliminary information on planned Zoning Changes. Further information is to be presented by CJ Randall at the next TB meeting. Hansen stated that some changes are needed to clear up ambiguity and contradictions between sections of the Danby Zoning Code. The proposed changes will clarify requirements (in example, for setbacks) and make those requirements consistent throughout the Zoning Code.
	Hansen gave an update on the status of preparations for installation of the Electric Vehicle charging station. Necessary concrete work is being done. The electrician will be on site to do the installation in the next few weeks. At the same time, preliminary work is being done for installation of a Bus shelter in the Danby Community Park across from Town Hall. Installation of the bus shelter is pending a completed easement agreement between the Town of Danby and the Danby Community Park Association.
Planning Project Assistant Request
	Laura Shawley presented a request on behalf of Planner CJ Randall. Randall would like to retain an intern who has been working with Planning on GIS mapping and related projects. The intern had previously been paid through a Cornell work program. This position will change to a Project Assistant, on the Town payroll. This is a temporary position, through the end of 2018. Planner Randall expressed confidence that the work can be done in this time frame.
	There was a brief discussion of pay rate, whether this should be at $15 or $18 an hour. Ulinksi supported the higher rate of pay, based on the skills used in this position. He noted that this is important and valuable work, which has already been useful for the CAC.
Resolution No. 58 of 2018 - authorization for a position of project assistant for the planning department
Resolved, That the Town Board of the Town of Danby approve a position of Project Assistant to assist the Planner, at a rate of $18 per hour, not to exceed the cost of $7,000.00, for the remainder of 2018. The Board also approves the amount of $7,000.000 to be transferred from the Fund Balance to the Planning Contractual line item A8020.400.
Moved by Ulinksi, Second by Holahan. The motion passed. In Favor: Connors Holahan, Miller, Ulinski, Dietrich
Short Reports - Justices, Town Clerk
	Copies of the the first Justice’s monthly report was circulated to the TB. Huddle made a short report, saying that ticketing has been somewhat slower. He has done more arraignments for the Town of Dryden and more evictions in the Town of Danby than during an average year.
	The August Town Clerk’s Report; $3,391.60 was received in the month of August for ten days of DECALS license sales, 33 dog licenses, 8 building permits, one marriage license, and one planning fee. $2,612.90 was disbursed to the Town Supervisor, $719.20 to NY DEC, $22.50 to the NYS Dept. of Health, and $37 to the NYS Animal Population Control Program.
Adjournment
	The meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.

______________________________________
Pamela Goddard, Town Clerk
Town Board_Minutes_20180910 • Wednesday, September 19, 2018	Page 1 of 3