By Heather Skinner
ESPERANCE- September’s Esperance Town Board meeting turnout filled almost every open seat. Many in attendance, including Town Attorney, Mike West, were there for the RV & Camping Regulations discussion. West said it’s an issue that’s been going on for 4 or 5 years and encouraged, “That’s the magic of this whole thing, is being able to talk.”
The Town Board set out to vote if The Town of Esperance Zoning Law needed changes (*see Mike West photo caption for law.)
One resident said he didn’t want to have to subdivide his property to put houses up expressing, “ I like country, I assume a lot of people that moved out to the country like country,” wanting to see those who buy acres keep them well-groomed and, “If you want city, move to the city… You don’t come out here and try to change everything.” He brought up there’s always something that could be criticized, but not everyone does because, “That’s what these people have and that’s their quality of life. It’s not hurting you.”
In response to that, another resident in attendance spoke up with concerns of how a situation is impacting her by, “Affecting my property value.” Saying visitors take notice, “And when I go to sell my home that’s going to be a problem because I feel like people aren’t going to want to live there if they see there’s a campground right up the road.”
Board official Harold Conklin asked West how long a specific zoning case in Schoharie has been in litigation expressing, “I don’t want all the taxpayers in this town to get tied up in that kind of litigation.”
West explained, “My opinion, this is a problem county-wide, it is not a problem in just this Town.” After citing examples like someone living in an RV while building a house, then the building never comes to fruition, West added, “But generally it’s 99% of the people are good campers and that they’re good citizens and they follow the law. But, it’s always the one person that creates all the problems.” West acknowledged, “We have two issues with some of these properties, one is the RVs, and the other is the code violations.”
Town Clerk, Jessica Castle, read from Planning Board minutes that, “There was a motion to recommend to the Town Board to keep the current law as is, and it passed.”
West concurred, “I have no problem with the law that you have here, I mean, there’s nothing bad about it, it’s just that enforcement is going to be the key no matter what you do. West also pointed out that the state codes provide an enforcement mechanism to back it up with steps: talking, giving an order to remedy, giving 30 days, ticketing, etc.
The Town Board agreed with the Planning Board and West, carrying a motion to keep the law as is.
To stay involved in zoning discussions, volunteer for the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III explained during July’s meeting that every town is supposed to have a comprehensive plan to base zoning regulations on, and added during this month’s meeting that if the Committee thinks anything should be changed in the plan, they report back to The Planning Board & Town Board with their recommendations. Van Wormer would like to see diverse representation of Esperance residents from the Town, Village, Sloansville, Central Bridge, etc. Those interested in being considered in addition to the current 5 names on the list, call Town Hall (518-875-6109) or email supervisor@esperancetown-ny.gov.
Assessor Erin Smith updated, “Data collection is almost finished in Esperance.” About a week and a half ago, Smith was told there was one more road and Route 20 left before they will move on to Schoharie.
Smith’s up for reappointment. The Board discussed an intermunicipal agreement between the Towns of Esperance & Schoharie and the appointment agreement. The Town of Schoharie would become Smith’s employer, while Esperance subcontracts with them. Hiring carried, paperwork was signed and will be sent to Schoharie for their signatures, then Van Wormer said he hopes Smith will also sign to accept in a meeting after that.
Public hearing for, “Local Law #1-2025 Increasing the Maximum Income Eligibility Level for Persons Sixty-Five Years of Age and Older Pursuant to Section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law,” opened and closed within the meeting. To enact it, the motion to approve made by Board official Barbara Sharpe carried.
Highway Superintendent Michelle Brust updated that the sign they asked the County to move on State Street was moved as much as it could be, but DOT still hasn’t filled the pothole; Brust will be calling again about it.
Lape Road will get needed chip sealing in place of Tater Barn Road that has less of a need for it, and while equipment for the work will already be there following John Scrima’s chip sealing. Shoulder work will also be conducted on Lape Road.
Van Wormer announced, “I just want everybody to know that if you live in an area subject to flooding in Schoharie County, it doesn’t necessarily mean just the Schoharie Creek.” He largely credited Colleen Flynn from Emergency Services for the work they put in to receive FEMA’s tentative approval that, “Everybody will get 10% off of their flood insurance cost, which makes us the only town in Schoharie County or village that actually can offer it to their residents.” Van Wormer added, “Anytime you can save people money it’s a good thing.”
Esperance Town Board meetings happen every third Thursday at 7 PM, which will fall on October 16th next. Typically these meetings are held at Town Hall, but October’s meeting will take place at the Shelter at 200 Lape Road for the 2026 Tentative Budget Review.
Esperance Village Meetings are every 2nd Monday at the Village Hall at 7:00 PM, next being October 13th.
Both meetings offer the opportunity to share your thoughts, concerns, and questions during Privilege of the Floor.
Left: Assessor Erin Smith. In regard to Smith’s reappointment Van Wormer expressed, “My experience with Erin Smith is nothing but good. Anytime I’ve went over there for any information either personal or relative to the town, she’s always there, she’s always got an answer. If I call her on anything she always responds. So my recommendation is that we would offer her this contract. The contract is a 6-year term.” To Smith’s right, Planning Board member Mark Fitzgerald asked during privilege of the floor about the status on a County “Moratorium on bio sludge.” Van Wormer said, “At this point, it looks like we're going to recommend to continue on with another six-month moratorium while it’s being investigated. I know the health department is looking into it as well as our ag. people within the County, Caroline Myran , who’s our Ag. Marketing Specialist, she's involved with it.” Van Wormer said that until they get some scientific feedback from it, they’re continuing the moratorium.
Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III watching Town Board official Benjamin Gigandet look through art choices for an upcoming display. All work will be donated except for one up for bid. Van Wormer named local artist, Patricia Brar Coforte, as well as Wendy Manis, whose work is seen hanging in the top left of this photo in the Town Hall.
Mike West reading Town of Esperance Zoning Law paragraph 12.9 in front of Esperance Town Board officials Michael Keller, Harold Conklin, & Barbara Sharpe: “Temporary Storage of Trailers: Nothing in this Local Law shall prohibit the storing or parking of an unoccupied camping or travel trailer. The temporary parking of an occupied travel trailer on any residential lot is permitted for a period not longer than six (6) months in any twelve (12) consecutive months. The above mentioned trailers must not violate the required minimum yard dimensions for the District in which located.”
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