PUBLIC HEARING
Village of East Syracuse
August 3, 2015
7:00PMRE:Amending Municipal Code Part 74
§740.0 Domestic Animals
RE: Local Law to amend Municipal Code creating new section §740.0 defining Domestic Animals.
Mayor Robert T. Tackmanopened the Public Hearingregarding proposed changes to Municipal Code for §740.0 Domestic Animals to order at 7:01PM.
Local Law No. 2 of 2015, reads as follows:
§740 Pets Permitted
(LL4 of 1986)
§740.0 Definitions
§740.00 DOMESTIC ANIMAL includes dogs and cats, as well as other common household pets, such as fish, hamsters, gerbils, and birds, which are commonly maintained indoors. This term shall exclude all farm animals (horses, mules, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, livestock, geese, fowl, and poultry, etc.) and wild or other dangerous animals.
§741.00 Exotic Animals
are any live animal, except:
§740.000 dogs and cats;
§740.001 non-poisonous tropical and goldfish;
§740.002 domesticated rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs;
§740.003 captive-bred parrots and parakeets;
§740.004 moths and butterflies;
§740.004 other domestic animals as defined in §®107 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
§740.01 Pet
is any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
§740.02 Vicious Animal
is any animal, other than guard dogs. that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals.
§740.1 MAINTAINING, HOUSING OR HARBORING
§740.10 No person shall maintain, house or harbor any animal, other than a domestic animal as defined in §740.0 in the Village of East Syracuse.
§740.2 Prohibition
No one shall keep any exotic or vicious animal as a pet.
§740.3 Exotic or Vicious Pets Penalties
Anyone convicted of violating this section shall be fined $25 per day of violation and will be required to surrender the animal to Village authorities.
COMMENTS:
Mayor Robert T. Tackman welcomed everyone attending the hearing and thanked them for coming tonight. Over the past several months have received numerous complaints regarding chickens in the Village – complaints about noise, smell and unhealthy sanitary conditions. The proposed local law attempts to define a “domestic animal” and prohibit keeping farm animals, including chickens. Looking for a way to resolve this problem. Open to hearing all sides of the issue and any input or suggestions.
Kathleen Gross, 210 West Ellis Street, stated that she lives next door to a house that has chickens. She does not smell the chickens or hear any noise. The children take care of the chickens. Finds having them there therapeutic.
Nancy Carr, 105 Kinne Street, commented on article in the Eagle News stating that health concerns for chicken is less than other animals. The average chicken produces .003 pounds of manure where an average dog produces ¾ pounds per day. Chicken waste can be used in gardens where dog waste cannot. Chickens don’t attract insects – they eat them. Roosters are noisy, chickens are not. Chicken coop on the front yard may hinder appearances but there are other ways to handle that. Comments that eggs can be purchased at Wegman’s don’t take into consideration that the costs of a dozen eggs have doubled in the past six months.
Research shows that cities are moving to allow chickens including: Portland, OR, Ventura, CA, Sacramento, CA, Seattle, WA and Fort Collins, CO.
Why not propose a limit to the number of chickens allowed instead of an outright ban. Last few months the Village Board has banned other things. Doesn’t make it a family friendly village.
Morris , 115 Mosher Street, salutes the effort to address the problems but why can’t make laws that can be followed instead of strictly forbidding. He has chickens. No one has complained in his neighborhood. Have ½ an acre and live at the end of the block surrounded by woods and the railroad. His chickens are clean. The children in the neighborhood come over to play with them. Have a good coop and the chickens are healthy.
Would prefer a law that distinguishes on how they are cared for not just forbidden. Urge the Board to try to find a way to resolve the problems and address noise, space and smell.
Cats and dogs can be hoarded and live in miserable conditions.
Have invested time, money and love in his chickens. Please don’t forbid. Been in East Syracuse for a year. Does what he can to be a good citizen. Do something about the mis-treatment because not all chicken owners are the same.
Mayor Tackman noted that he drove by his house. Sees no issue with how his chickens are cared for.
Peg Riley, 109 Mosher Street, lives 3 houses from Morris. Has met his chickens. If didn’t know, would know he had chickens. There is no waste and no odors. Waste is composted not put in the trash system. Hope that will work with residents that take care of the chickens.
Janet Forest, has family that lives at 209 West Ellis Street, Spends time on this block and where the smell has gotten better there were times that the smell was so bad that could not sit outside. Even the garbage men complained one time when 10 bags of animal waste was put out. With the water leaking and the smell it was horrendous.
Understand that people love chickens, but they have to be cared for. When they are not cared for it’s a big problem!
Trustee Daniel Wagner noted that goes for all animals.
Janet Forest continued noting this property on West Ellis has a lot of animals – cats, dogs and chickens. Understand she owns her house and can do what she wants, but others have to smell it. Appreciate that the Board wants to make the Village look better by limiting garage sales, but look around.
Hear all the wonderful things people say about chickens and children love them, but it’s not right to impose it on every other person in the neighborhood. Not fair to make everyone else suffer.
If won’t ban chickens then make people take care of them. Otherwise all we get is a smell, nasty Village.
Laura Mann, 214 West Ellis Street, complains that she has been awoken every morning at 4AM by a rooster. Can’t handle it anymore. There needs to be controls.
Sally Seeley, 203 East Ellis Street, asked if there are any grandfathering provisions.
Mayor Tackman responds that would probably phase in by allowing 60 to 90 days if passed.
Kelly Parker, 107 East Heman Street, noted that situations are different. She has ¾ acre with a large back yard and an empty lot next door. The girls raised chickens in school. Can remember raising chickens herself with her grandfather. The girls got excited about raising chickens at school. Have a few chickens, but no roosters. Understand that un-cared for chickens are obnoxious but so are un-cared for dogs and kids! Have called in the past for odors and mess of neighbors un-cared for cats. Need to be taken care of properly. Need to find a way to take care of this situation better. Noted the research that there are more toxins in dog waste than chicken waste. Chicken waste makes great fertilizer.
Peg Riley asked if would consider a permit for chickens and maybe limit the number allowed depending on the space. Noted comments on Syracuse.com – make provisions for distance from other properties, and require ways of disposing of wastes. Should be able to find middle ground.
Mayor Tackman reminded that the proposed local law is to define what a domestic animal is, not just chickens. Has talked to residents, looked at the chicken coop on Mosher Street. May consider ways to regulate, but also need to consider costs to maintain and to enforce. The Board is willing to consider options.
Trustee Wagner noted that it is not just chickens, its pigs and goats and others. Can’t cut our noses off to spite our face. This proposed law is poorly written.
Unidentified woman, asked about property values to the houses that live next to those with chickens.
Kelly Parker noted that some houses in the Village have other problems than chickens.
Nancy Carr noted if places like Portland Oregon and other major cities can make it work we should be able to too. Maybe limit to 3 or 4 chickens. Should not take away everyone’s rights because of one bad place.
Janet Forest acknowledged that there may be some places in the Village with large enough lots and far enough away from their neighbors but if it spills out to the front yards your place might be too small. Understand that people love their chickens but not everyone does! This is a Village. This isn’t the country.
Matt Parker, 107 West Heman Street, says it’s not a big deal if maintained or taken care of. Urges the Board to re-visit the subject. Take a look at it again. Find a way to regulate. Not fair for people that do maintain and take care of their chickens to be told to get rid of them because others do not. Having chickens has been a good lesson for the girls – they learn responsibility, learned how to garden and care for the environment. Prohibiting may be going too far too fast.
Suggest forming a committee. Would be happy to serve on this committee to write up an alternative. Understand that do not want to drag this out but need to take time to consider everything.
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Tackman closed the public hearing regarding proposing changes to Municipal Code Part 74 and defining Domestic Animals at 7:32PM.
PUBLIC HEARING
Village of East Syracuse
August 3, 2015
7:00PMRE:BOA Final Report
Mayor Robert T. Tackmanopened the Public Hearingregarding the Brownfield Opportunity Area Final Report for the Village of East Syracuse to order at 7:32PM.
Comments:
Mayor Robert Tackman noted that we have been working on this for the last 3 or 4 years. The Steering Committee working with the consultants Saratoga Associates have put together a plan. Working with the Village’s Vision Plan for the main street prepared by SU in 2009. Looked at pocket parks, sidewalks, setbacks, streetscaping and landscaping. Now ready to accept this Final Report and see if the State will advance to the next step.
Liz Landry noted that the Planning Board reviewed the Nomination Report and support the plans for reinvestment and revitalizing the Village.
Hearing no further comments the Mayor closed the Public Hearing regarding BOA designation at 7:35PM.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Village of East Syracuse
August 3, 2015
Following the Pledge of AllegianceMayor Robert T. Tackman called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Village of East Syracuse Board of Trustees for Monday, August 3, 2015 to order at 7:35PM.
Present: Trustee Janet L. Mattox, Trustee Carol Para, Trustee Daniel J. Wagner,and Mayor Robert T. Tackman.
Also Present: Village Justice Joseph Zavaglia,Village Clerk Patricia J. Derby, Acting Assistant Fire Chief Chris Shields, andDirector of Code Enforcement Randy Capriotti.
Excused: DPW Superintendent Ron Russell, III, Parks Director Tom Richardson,
Approximately 20 Village residents and guests attended including John Guariglia from Saratoga Associates and representatives from CNY Central – TV, Eagle News, and Syracuse Post Standard.
Review of Correspondence A record of recent correspondence has been distributed to the Board of Trustees and all department heads to assist in monitoring activities.
Motion – by Trustee Mattox, seconded by Trustee Wagner - To accept the following vouchers for payment:
From Consolidated Fund Abstract, vouchers numbered 52721 through 52952and Abstract in the amount of $127,661.93.
Polling the Board: Trustee Mattox – aye, Trustee Para – aye, Trustee Wagner – aye, and Mayor Tackman – aye. Motion carried.
Proposed Local Law No. 2 of 2015 – Domestic Animals
Trustee Janet Mattox proposed that this matter be tabled to allow the Board time to look at it again and possibly make changes.
Trustee Daniel Wagner agreed, stating that banning is ridiculous. Can’t adopt a law to resolve every private issue.
Mayor Tackman thanked everyone for their comments. Sees this as a starting point in the conversation. At this time, the Village Board will take time to consider those comments before taking any further action to resolve the complaints and concerns.
Brownfield Opportunities Area – Final report
Motion – by Trustee Mattox, seconded by Trustee Wagner - To adopt the Village of East Syracuse Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Step 2 Nomination Plan, including the following resolution:
Village of East Syracuse Board of Trustee
Resolution
Adoption of the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Step 2 Nomination Plan
Whereas, the Village of East Syracuse was awarded a grant through the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) to initiate a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Step 2 Nomination Report (“Nomination Report”); and
Whereas, the Village Board of Trustees (“Board of Trustees”) appointed a Steering Committee to work with the Village’s retained consultant, Saratoga Associates Landscape Architects, Architects, Engineers, and Planners, PC (“Saratoga Associates”) to prepare the Nomination Report; and
Whereas, The Steering Committee and Saratoga Associates held 10 committee meetings to evaluate existing conditions, craft recommendations and prepare the Nomination Report; and
Whereas,The Steering Committee held two public informational meetings during the preparation of the Nomination Report: April 24, 2012 property and business owners meeting which was open to the full public and a June 20, 2013 public workshop; along with a presentation to the Village of east Syracuse Planning Board on October 15, 2012; and
Whereas, the Steering Committee and Saratoga Associates prepared multiple preliminary drafts for internal review and revision; and
Whereas, the Steering Committee and Saratoga Associates prepared a Draft Nomination Report for public review and conducted a Committee Public Hearing on February 9, 2015; and
Whereas, the Steering Committee and Saratoga prepared a Final Draft Nomination Report dated March 2015 (the “Final Draft”) and formally forwarded the document to the Board of Trustees for their review and consideration for adoption; and
Whereas, on August 3, 2015 the Board of Trustees conducted a public hearing on the Final Draft;
Whereas, the Board of Trustees now intends to adopt the Final Draft.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, the Village of East Syracuse Board of Trustees adopts the Village of East Syracuse Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Step 2 Nomination Plan dated March 2015.
Polling the Board: Trustee Mattox – aye, Trustee Para – aye, Trustee Wagner – aye, and Mayor Tackman – aye. Motion carried.
Motion –by Trustee Wagner, seconded by Trustee Mattox - That the Board of Trustees accepts the SEQR determination for the adoption of the Village of East Syracuse Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Step 2 Nomination Plan dated March 15, 2015 as a Type 1 action with a negative declaration.
Polling the Board: Trustee Mattox – aye, Trustee Para – aye, Trustee Wagner – aye, and Mayor Tackman – aye. Motion carried.
Change in Meeting date
Motion–by Trustee Mattox, seconded by Trustee Wagner - Due to the Labor Day holiday the regular meeting for the 1st Monday will be held instead on Tuesday, September 1stat 7PM in the third floor Community Room.
Polling the Board: Trustee Mattox – aye, Trustee Para – aye, Trustee Wagner – aye, and Mayor Tackman – aye. Motion carried.
Justice Court
Motion – by Trustee Wagner, seconded by Trustee Para - To approve the attendance at training for Judge Joseph Zavaglia and Acting Justice Holly Glassford for NYS Magistrates Association Annual Conference Sunday, September 27 through Wednesday, September 30th in Niagara Falls, NY. Costs include: Registration (pre-registration rate) $50, Hotel $218/night ($654 for 3 nights), mileage (approximately 650 miles at 57₵) $370.50 = $1074.50 each.
Polling the Board: Trustee Mattox – aye, Trustee Para – aye, Trustee Wagner – aye, and Mayor Tackman – aye. Motion carried.
Municipal Building Lighting
Blue Rock Energy and National Grid have both completed audits of the Municipal Building to determine efficiencies and energy saving measures. Both submitted proposals to reduce the overall electric bill by using energy more efficiently.
National Grid’s proposal is for the outside lighting including 22 lights around the municipal building and poles at corner. Under their Small Business Program they estimate costs of $10,198.57 with a program incentive of $5208.49 resulting in out of pocket costs to the Village of $4990.08. The estimated annual savings are $2518.19 with pay back in 23.78 months. This could be paid for in one lump sum, or $415.84 in 12 monthly payments or $207.92 over 24 months.
Blue Rock proposes investing in LED lighting to improve the lighting quality, reduce energy consumption and correct several wiring issues. The overall project costs would be $105,084 resulting in $12,842 in annual savings and a payback in 7 years. An initial year incentive of $15,763 would reduce the first year if paid over five years charge of $26,059.