Stamford To Offer Referendum for Appointed Highway Super

By Liz Page

HOBART – Stamford Town Board members again debated the issue of an appointed highway superintendent versus an elected one, during their meeting on March 12. In the end, they passed a motion to offer a referendum for town residents to decide the issue.

Council members have been discussing the issue for six years and the recent passing of Jon Ballard, the town's highway superintendent, brought the issue back to the forefront. Supervisor John Kosier listed the options for council members last Wednesday.

Those options included appointing Kevin Rinehart, the deputy superintendent, to fill out the year and fill the seat with the elections in November or they could appoint him to serve out the remaining two-plus years of the term. There was uncertainty about putting the issue on the ballot next fall and also having an election for the seat on the same ballot.

There was discussion of checking with the county Board of Elections to see what putting it on the ballot in November entails, with filings for the ballot due shortly. They were also going to check on adopting a local law that would allow persons living outside the town to run for office.

Currently, the town requires the highway superintendent must live in the town of Stamford in order to serve. Rinehart could be appointed, but could not run for the position as he does not live in the town.

If they move to an appointed position, they could change it to allow someone outside the town to serve in the appointed slot.

If he were appointed, Rinehart would no longer be a member of the union.

Brent Trimbell, who has expressed interest in the position and is a former council member, resigning his seat last June, said Rinehart is doing a great job but because he has no authority over the crew, it isn't operating efficiently.

Council member Dave Post said he would like to put it to the public to decide. He favors the move because he believes a decision by five people is better than one person having all the authority. With an elected position, the town board's only control is through the budget.

The town has already received a letter for someone interested in filling out the term and others are believed interested in running for the position.

Board members entered an executive session to discuss the options.

When they returned from the session, Trimbell reminded them of why they were talking about appointing a superintendent last year, while he was still seated on the board. He said the problem was that the highway crew had no leader, due to Ballard's frequent absence due to ill health. Post said the board could set a job description for an appointed official.

A motion was made to leave it up to the voters by working with the town lawyers to put it as a referendum to decide if the position of highway superintendent should be elected or appointed. Supervisor John Kosier was checking on the process the town will need to take and was waiting for an answer from the Board of Elections.

The meeting opened with a presentation by Molly Oliver, policy director for the Friends of the Upper Delaware River, based in Hancock. She outlined how the organization can benefit the watershed. While they have been working with communities in the lower end of the county, such as Deposit, and more recently in Sullivan County, she said part of their work plan this year is to work with watershed municipalities. She was present to see if there is anything FUDR can do for the town of Stamford.

They find out what is needed and provide help, whether it is grant writing or to help manage projects related to recreation, water quality, flooding or habitat.

She asked if there are any small projects that are not getting attention. Kevin Rinehard said there are culverts to be replaced.

She said information can be found on the website FUDR.otg or she is available by email at Molly@FUDR.org.

They can help to find matching funds for projects and provide expertise to combine funding sources for projects. "We are not here to force ourselves, but to let you know we can help," said Oliver. She was asked what the lead time is for applying and receiving a grant. She said it depends on the funding source. "We are trying to see where we can fit in on this end of the county and to address problems in a creative way."

Board members also heard a report on services and grants provided by the Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council (WCCRC) and there was discussion of those running for office next fall.

Members of the Stamford Fire Department used their aerial ladder truck to untangle the American flag at the Stamford Town Hall in Hobart last Thursday night. Ken Goppel, a town resident, had asked the town board last year if he could work on repainting the sign for the town hall. He also enlisted the help of Brad Tripp to rewire the lights for the sign. He also noticed the tangled flag and called Stamford Fire Chief Don VanEtten to see if the department could lend a hand.