Workshops to further community involvement in Dryden Comp. Plan

Three virtual public workshops based on the town of Dryden 2045 Comprehensive Plan will take place in January and will give the community an opportunity to provide input.

Scheduled for two Wednesdays, Jan. 20 and 27, and one Tuesday, Jan. 26, the workshops will touch on six thematic topics in Dryden — affordable housing, transportation, land conservation, walkable communities, economic development, and energy and sustainability.
Samuel Gordon, senior projects manager for Syracuse-based company Environmental Design and Research (EDR), will lead the workshops.

At last Wednesday’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meeting, Gordon said each workshop plans to address two thematic topics at a time. Gordon added that the workshops are slated to discuss the goals and strategies of each thematic topic, while addressing “the needs, concerns and issues from community input to date.”

Each topic discussed is also an opportunity to brainstorm, Gordon said.

“It’s a chance to capture thoughts and ideas and gives people a chance to discuss and have conversations with one another,” he added.

The majority of the time allotted for the workshops will be for community engagement, said EDR Planning Principal Jane Rice. She added that there is essentially no time limit to the workshops.

“We want everyone to have an opportunity to ask a question,” Gordon said. “Every idea is a good idea. No ideas are bad.”

The Comprehensive Plan for the town of Dryden was first drafted in 2019. Gordon said 2020 has been focused on community engagement and draft components, with 2021 the targeted year to finalize goals, plans and strategies and to work with the town on moving toward an adoption of the plan.

Gordon said if any community members are not able to attend the workshops, the deadline to submit additional comments is Feb. 10.

“We appreciate as much feedback as possible from the community,” he said.

At the meeting, Rice asked if the workshops would be postponed if positive COVID-19 test numbers spiked in the town. Deputy Town Supervisor Dan Lamb assured that it wouldn’t be an issue, adding that the workshops could see more of an engagement virtually than in person.

At Thursday’s Town Board meeting, Lamb said he’s “very optimistic the workshops will get a big group of participants.”

“I can see it being very interactive,” he said. “We want as many town residents involved as possible.”

The Steering Committee recently held a public forum that involved high school students from Dryden and Ithaca school districts and New Roots Charter School.

Alice Green, member of the Steering Committee, said the virtual get-together was a “very engaged group of young people.”

The proposed Comprehensive Plan is centered on the future leaders and community members of the town. Green said the students related to a lot of the topics shared with them.

Green added that the committee asked the students what would make Dryden a good place to stay, live, work and raise a family in, and followed up with questions about challenges Dryden faces and what initiatives and projects the town should undertake.

The majority of the feedback centered on climate change and how the town should tackle it and the need for racial and cultural diversity, including in connection to affordable housing.

“The replies were thoughtful. These kids are thinking ahead,” Green said. “The students appreciated us taking the time to reach out and listen to them.”

Joe Wilson, a member of the Steering Committee, said one of the students wants the town to continue to “include them in the process.”

“The students even said ‘We’re going to be here in 25 years,’” he said. “That was great to hear.”

Town Supervisor Jason Leifer said he is hopeful the high school students will return for the workshops.

“They’re a big part of this plan we’re attempting to put together,” he said.

Each workshop is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Further information about the workshops will be released closer to the dates, Gordon said. For more information on the town’s comprehensive plan, go to
www.dryden2045.org.

In Brief:

Vacancies

The Town of Dryden Safety and Preparedness Advisory Committee has two vacancies for new members to serve three-year terms. The Committee meets once a month. Town of Dryden residents with an interest in safety and preparedness can obtain more information and an application form from the S&PC chair at dmagnuson16@gmail.com.

Applications may also be downloaded at http://dryden.ny.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Volunteer-Board-Application-Revised.pdf.

Holiday Happenings at Southworth

Looking for some ways to experience the holidays safely? Come to the Southworth Library at 24 W. Main St. to pick up a Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt Sheet and solve the riddles to find the 12 nutcrackers displayed in village businesses and organizations. When you have found them, just turn in your sheet to the library for an opportunity to win prizes. All sheets must be turned in by Dec. 21.

All kids can sign up for a free Holiday take-home bag with crafts, activities and a free book as well by emailing the library at southworthlibrary@gmail.com.