Summit Holds Unsafe Building Law Hearing

By Karen Cuccinello

The regular March Summit Town Board meeting was well attended by the public and opened with approval of the February minutes and supervisors report.

Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble reported they have been repairing roads and filling potholes. They had to put the plows back on Thursday for potential snow. Will be getting prices for a new pick up truck. The dump truck that was ordered over a year ago might not be delivered until next year.

Assessor, Dave Jones, reported that the exemption season is over and getting ready for the release of the tax rolls May 1st. He asked about getting a new laptop as the office computer has not been working well for a while. The laptop needs to be ordered through Schoharie County, costing $957.80. The Board approved the purchase.

Historian Karen Cuccinello reported that the flash drive that the NY Genealogical & Biographical Society sent of the digitized Summit 1820-1830 minutes, has been placed in the archives cabinet. Still hoping to get more information and or photos of old Summit farms for 2026 book, ordered more 2025 Farm books with donation monies and the Maple Festival booklet has the Summit Revolutionary Veterans article in it. Board member Kearney said that the town clerk should have a copy of the minutes flash drive. Cuccinello stated that the clerk has easy access to the flash drive as she has a key to the archives cabinet.

Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Wilcox reported he's keeping up on open building permits, is overseeing two orders of remediation, working on 2025 training classes, issued one new building permit, one research and two building permit renewals.

Board of Appeals chairman, John Foote, reported nothing new.

The Board approved sending a letter to National Grid requesting that they not spray defoliants near homes.

Meeting open to the public, no responses.

Public hearing on Unsafe Building Law opened. It is a law providing for the securement, repair or removal of unsafe buildings and collapsed structures. John Foote gave an overview of the law that updates the Unsafe Building Law of 2012.

Comments from the public.

Dave Knight commented; If a homeowner receives an appearance ticket from the code enforcement officer to repair an unsafe situation the timeline for repairs taking place within 60 days might not be long enough.

Attorney Mike West commented that if the remediation of an unsafe building goes to court, judges are usually more than willing to work with the homeowner. Judges would prefer monies go towards repairs rather than fines.

Jen Stinson supports the law as it has more detail than the 2012 law and hopes that it will help to address home owners that don't live in Summit.

Supervisor Vroman mentioned a letter he received from National Grid that states smart meters will be getting installed within the next two years.

Board member Georgia Shafer gave a report on the Summit Revitalization Committee (SRC). Unified Posting sub-committee on hold. Park sub-committee formed and will work with Summit Neighbors to procure land next to their green space on Rte. 10. Farmer's Market sub-committee working with Caroline Myron of Schoharie County Ag & Markets to survey where markets are needed. Complete Streets sub-committee will make a presentation and will speak about grant possibilities at the April 17 town board meeting. Next SRC meeting April 3 at 7pm.

April 5th will be the first White goods/scrap collection at Summit town hall parking lot 1580 Charlotte Valley Rd. 8-11am. For information call James Morrell 518-701-4049. Will continue every first Saturday of the month until September.

Meeting adjourned 7:40pm and the Board went into executive session with Attorney West.