Murder Search Leads To Alleged Junkyard Debate

By Leila Crockett

WEST FULTON — In the second half of the December Town of Fulton meeting, Dog Control Officer Joe Durma gave his report which included the issue of the county dog shelter being inundated with dangerous dogs as well as animals that had been hastily acquired during the pandemic and then discarded.

During The final segment of the meeting, Privilege of the Floor, Joyce Hodder addressed the board and submitted a complaint citing Local Law #3 (2014), Section 3, Section 4, about property at 151 Clauverwie which is owned by Town of Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe. Hodder addressed Skowfoe directly while expressing concerns about the value of her own property which is in close proximity to 151 Clauverwie.

Hodder argued that her health and safety were violated when the recent murder of Jeffrey E. Mickle, triggered a three-day search of the property causing her property to be overrun with rats. The duration and nature of the search are unconfirmed at this time. Hodder’s complaint also includes the presence of dumpsters on the property being used to store trash for extended periods of time.

A report from Town of Fulton Code Enforcement Officer, Brian Caron, dated Dec. 11 references an October complaint from Hodder and a fire safety inspection performed by him on Dec. 7 in which he discovered the following violations: A broken window, Electrical service in the process of being upgraded, Unmounted fire extinguishers that need signage, missing exit sign, lack of emergency lighting, vacant building with open entry that needs to be closed and scrap metal piles cluttering the property.

In his report, Caron expresses the need to confer with the town’s attorney to discern whether local law considers the property to be a “junkyard”. Caron believes the facility is within its rights to have some scrap metal and vehicles in disrepair on site as specified by Part 82 Regulations of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Motor Vehicles Repair Shops section 82.11 and Title 6. Caron also noted that the Department of Environmental Conservation Chapter IV Quality Services, Subchapter B, Solid Wastes also supports his initial finding.

A follow-up inspection is scheduled and a verbal agreement has been made by the property owner to periodically remove scrap metal that could amount to clutter.

Town Supervisor Skowfoe declined to comment at this time.