Rutland Herald
Danby considers its future
June 24, 2000
By SANDI SWITZER Herald Correspondent
DANBY - Townspeople have provided officials with a laundry list of ideas to consider as they continue the process of revising the town plan.
About 75 people gathered in the Currier Memorial School gymnasium Tuesday to review a draft of the town plan.
The Danby Planning Commission has been updating the expired document over the past three months and wanted input from residents before putting on the finishing touches.
And there was no shortage of opinions regarding ways to improve the quality of life in this town of 1,186 people.
Annie Rothman suggested an ambulance service was necessary to meet the needs of an aging population and wondered whether the local fire department was up to the task.
"The front line guys are all fat and 50," said Planning Commission member Marge Abbott. "The young people are not volunteering."
Abbott added that a private ambulance service would be a "very expensive proposition."
Rothman also suggested light industrial development would provide badly needed jobs without diminishing the quality of life.
Helen Belden said Danby needed sidewalks and more restaurants, while Kim Corey said she did not want to see the town adopt a zoning ordinance.
"I don't want anybody telling me what to do," she said.
Patricia Fernon mentioned there should be more oversight regarding such matters as septic system installations.
"Somebody can put in a septic system, but nobody in this town oversees that it's done right," she said.
Jim Drake took issue with a number of these suggestions.
"If the ambulance service and fire department and other services aren't good enough, I'd suggest moving to another town that has those services," he said.
Drake later added that he enjoyed the freedom of living in Danby and would not want the "septic police" knocking on his door.
Planning Commission Chairman Bradley Bender said once the town plan is finalized, it is presented to the Select Board.
That board then schedules a public hearing and can either adopt it as presented or with changes, according to Bender.
It is then submitted to the Rutland Region Planning Commission for consideration, he said.
Robbo Holleran noted the regional commission has the option of vetoing the document.
"The less you can put in it the better because it'll come back to haunt you later," he said.
It was quickly pointed out that Holleran, a Chester resident, provides land management services for a dozen property owners in Danby, including OMYA Inc.
Nearly two hours into the hearing, there were some verbal fisticuffs regarding OMYA's proposal to begin quarrying activities near the Danby Four Corners area.
Some residents characterized it as a "strip-mine operation" that would have an adverse impact on the town, while others said it would boost the local economy and provide new jobs.
At times, project opponents pleaded with supporters to be silent so they could speak to an issue that they said could impact the town for the next 100 years.
Meanwhile, one resident characterized project opponents as "out-of-towners" interested in putting a stop to an industry that's been in Danby for 150 years.
Bender closed the hearing by reminding citizens a second forum has been scheduled for June 27 at 7 p.m. at the Danby Four Corners Town Hall.