1 MINUTES GENESEE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND ...

MINUTES
GENESEE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION BOARD
January 17, 2007
A meeting of the Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board was held on
January 17 th , 2007 at 7:00 P.M. in Genesee County Building No. 2 Planning Conference
Room. Members in attendance: Donn Branton, Lorie Cleveland, LuAnn McKenzie, Jim
Duval, Beverly Mancuso, and Dale Stein. Staff present: Felipe Oltremari.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Stein for approval, and seconded by Mrs. McKenzie and carried
unanimously, that the minutes of the October 18, 2006, meeting of the Genesee County
Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board be approved.
Old Business
Waterline Extension – Byron
Mr. Oltremari passed around a copy of Mr. Branton’s letter to Bob Somers of Ag & Markets.
Mr. Branton explained the situation of the waterline on NYS Rt. 237 from Stafford to Byron.
The waterlines were moved from the original design in the west side of the road to the east
side of the road to avoid fiber optic lines and use an existing easement on the land being
worked by Branton Farms. Apparently, the portion of the waterline in the Town of Stafford
did not receive the level of scrutiny that it did in the Byron portion. As a result, some
hydrants were placed as far as 20 feet into the field. The hydrants were moved to the edge of
the road with help from an Ag & Markets inspector. However, in-line gate valves have to be
1,000 ft. and these could not be moved and will have to be worked around. Drainage tile lines
were also broken and were repaired. Ag & Markets gave the Town a letter that Mr. Branton
had to sign off to make sure the situation was resolved to the farmer’s satisfaction. To
prevent this scenario from happening again, Tim Hens will be double checking the drawings
in future.
Agricultural Districts Consolidation Plan
Mr. Oltremari let the Board know that the Consolidation Plan was adopted by the County
Legislature, however the State did not approve it before the change in administration. Ag &
Markets should approve it before the next meeting of the County Agricultural and Farmland
Protection Board. The County is proceeding with the plan with the assumption that it will be
approved after reassurances from Ron Mead of Ag & Markets that it would just be a matter
of time. January 26 th starts the 300-day process for the review of Agricultural District No. 1.
This district will become the parent district and absorb Districts 7, 8, 10 and 11. It will create
a large district in the southwestern quadrant of the County in the Towns of Darien,
Alexander, Bethany, Stafford, Batavia and Pembroke. The public hearing for the review will
be held June 19, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Large Conference Room of Genesee County
Building No. 2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia. The review coincides with the Annual
Enrollment Period (Jan. 26 – Feb. 24).
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Wind Energy
Mr. Duval noted that this is still a hot topic in the County and it will become more so as
moratoriums expire and the boards act to ban or allow the large commercial projects. Ms.
Mancuso explained that Cornell Cooperative Extension is still planning a program around the
region that will talk about wind energy, but now it has been broadened to include all
alternative energies. The program is planned for the first quarter of 2007.
Mr. Duval showed the Board the binder of materials gathered by the Stafford preservation
group that opposes wind energy. Mr. Stein thinks that the projects in Wyoming County
might change the minds either way of some people in Genesee County. Mr. Duval explained
how wind projects could be viewed as public utilities in the future and keep the Towns from
being able to restrict them.
Western New York Ag Preservation Conference Wrap-up
Mr. Duval said the conference went well and the group who presented would like to have a
follow up in February or March on Ag preservation at the Town level, real things that the
Town Boards could do.
New Business
Draft Wastewater Systems Study
The draft was passed around and digital copies were provided to those members who wanted
a copy. Mr. Duval explained that the County is undertaking a wastewater systems study of
all the Development Areas of the Smart Growth Plan. The current draft talks about the cost
for putting in conventional sewer, the alternatives to putting in conventional sewer, current
need, projected population growth and development. The purposes of the study are to address
economic development and health issues in the Development Areas.
Waterline Extensions – LeRoy
Mr. Oltremari passed around the Preliminary and Final Notice of Intent on the waterline
extensions No. 3 and No. 8 to the Consolidated water District in LeRoy. Extension No. 8 is
on Randall from Rt. 19 to Keeney and on Keeney from the abandoned rail road tracks south
of Britt Rd. to Quinlan Rd. Extension No. 3 is a 4,200 foot extension on Asbury Rd. going
south from the Town Highway Garage to Mud Creek. Mr. Stein asked why the proposed
Keeney waterline extended north of Randall Rd. to the old railroad bed when there is not a
single house on that portion of the road. Mr. Stein made a motion that we look into why
the waterline is being run through open farm fields in a portion of the road with no
houses and dead-ending in the railroad bed. Mr. Branton seconded the motion and
carried unanimously.
Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board Chair
Mr. Branton said he had heard from County Legislator Earl LaGrou that the Chair of the
Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board had to be from the Legislature and wanted to
make sure that his chairmanship was legitimate. Mr. Duval explained that was not his
understanding, but will check to make sure.
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Telecommunication Towers and GPS repeaters
Mr. Branton asked what the procedure was to put a repeater on an existing
telecommunications tower. Mr. Duval said it depends on the Town, but that the Planning
Department has recommended co-location of equipment on existing towers.
Set Next Meeting Date
The next meeting date was set for Wednesday, March 21 st , 2007 at 7:00 P.M. in Genesee
County Building No. 2 Large Conference Room.
A motion was made to adjourn by Mr. Stein, seconded by Ms. Mancuso and carried
unanimously.
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