By Heather Skinner
ESPERANCE — During the regular monthly Esperance Village meeting on October 13th, Fire Chief Matthew Deffer shared about many upcoming events, starting with 2PM-11PM on October 18th to celebrate the life of Central Bridge’s Fire Chief, Brian Baker, who passed on September 14th after battling lung cancer. Deffer said this event will give the opportunity to support Baker’s family in any way we can from just stopping by the event to say hi to them, and stay to enjoy a cornhole tournament, silent auction, face painting, cotton candy, cooking by Locomotions and chicken BBQ from BBQ Delights from 4PM-6PM.
This event is rain or shine and offers something for everyone, including a live band playing until 10 PM in respect of the noise ordinance. The Esperance Fire House where this will take place is located at 115 Church Street. Parking will be available close to the playground at Smitty’s, where they will be adding two light towers to help with visibility for getting to vehicles and a shuttle service will be provided by Schoharie’s Jack Miller’s Tractor.
In addition, “The Esperance Museum is proud to join the Esperance Fire Department on Saturday, October 18th, as our community comes together to support the family of Central Bridge Fire Chief Brian Baker. We’ll have the museum open and our Barn Sale one more time, with all proceeds benefiting the Baker family.”
Next event at the Fire Department will be on October 31st for kids to celebrate Halloween from 4PM-8PM. They will have hamburgers and hot dogs by donation, punch, treat bags, Trunk or Treat, local apple cider & donuts, music, games, and more, “Please stop in,” invited Deffer!
Starting in November, the Fire Department will offer breakfast from 7AM-11AM on the 2nd Sunday of every month. It will be served buffet and pay-by-donation style.
This year, the Esperance Historical Museum, Church, and Fire Department are offering Christmas celebrations throughout the month of December.
Linda Feuz said the Museum is preparing for Christmas in Esperance on December 6th at 123 Church Street from 10AM-3PM and expressed, “If you’ve missed that in previous years you want to make a point to come because it’s magical. As soon as you walk into the Museum there are displays of decorations everywhere, and in the library, there are things that are for sale that make great stocking stuffers or gifts, cookies, punch, cocoa. It's just a wonderful, wonderful introduction to the system and quite often Andrea will play carols in the Church. So, come if you get a chance, even if it’s just for a half hour.” There will be a raffle of donated items, beautifully decorated trees to stroll through, and kids will be able to drop their letter to Santa in the North Pole mailbox-remember to include your name and address on the letter to receive your reply.
The Fire Department’s Light Up Esperance festivities will be on December 20th from 3PM-8PM. They encourage you to put out your Christmas lights that will be judged the night before, and three top winners will receive gift cards.
Verelyn Robertson was in attendance at this month’s meeting to touch base with Deffer about scheduling a Thanksgiving turkey-themed event. Make sure to follow The Esperance Fire and Rescue Squad and Esperance Historical Museum pages on Facebook for event updates.
Improvements have been made in time for all of these upcoming events. Mayor Royce Gage thanked Michael Jacobson and Deffer for recently washing the Museum gazebo. He said it had been in desperate need and looks a lot better. Deffer reminded Gage to also thank himself for dedicating his time to help with the cleanup as well.
Feuz shared about the Museum, “We had sent a letter to the village asking for the funds from last year that did not get used and this year because we so needed a heating system. The library had no heat or cooling which affects the books.” Adding, “Due to fundraising on our own and the Village’s support with our budget, we are able to get a new LP gas furnace installed and a ductless heating/cooling wall unit in the library that’s being installed this week, and we are so appreciative.”
Playground safety is improving; Deffer has noticed increased police patrolling after closing at dark since Village officials reached out after last month’s meeting, leading to less cars parked there idling for hours. And the caterpillar has been removed from the ground after a repeated cycle of removal and fixing of its head. Talks are on-going for additional ways to keep improving safety concerns and Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Parks has asked for time while she is working on obtaining grants that will help get the park up-to-date with LED lighting, etc.
Celebrate your love of the community all year long by considering joining their 3 available spots on The Planning Board. All those interested, reach out to Village officials or attend next month’s regularly scheduled meeting. Attendees interested in joining the Beautification Committee at this month’s meeting asked after adjournment when the next meeting will be; Esperance Village meetings are held at 7PM every 2nd Monday of the month, next month’s falling on November 10th.
During Communications and 5-minute privilege of the floor opportunities, Patricia Eaton was there to follow up on her letter read during last month’s meeting regarding finding out who is responsible for culvert and drainage pipe repairs. Village officials shared information they obtained from NYCOM and experience from past events. They confirmed there is a 25 ft. right-of-way from the center of the road and that previous culvert repairs done after the 2011 flood were an exception made possible by disaster relief funds. Homeowners are responsible for culvert repairs, and if the Village repairs one culvert, they would then be obligated to work on everyone’s. Culvert repairs can be applied for through Schoharie County, and that work will be billed to the residents who applied.
Trustee Dan DeFilipps (in-person), and his wife (through a letter) shared sentiments of coming from small towns where you felt at home when people waved and said hello, even if they didn’t know them. They lodged a formal complaint about Andrew Young as a step before seeking legal action if needed. Code Enforcement Officer, Cliff Dorrough, was present at the meeting and involved in the discussion. In addition to burnouts up and down Feuz Terrace drifting harmful smoke into neighboring lots, the DeFilipps’ concerns about Young included, “Plowing the debris from his garage directly behind my house in an open field that I do not believe belongs to him. As well as the continued noise, pollution, road damage, and general disturbance of the peace.” Dan credited the slab Young installed with, “I think it’s awesome, very creative and it looks pretty cool. I appreciate that and I wish they were here, and I’d tell them good job. But the following action he took,” which was clearing the leftover building materials to leave right outside their window in a field, is a part of their complaint. Audible shocked reactions from attendees were heard as Dan described his side and how it has impacted his family. Dan ended with the encouraging message of, “Reach out, say hello. Do something, shake someone’s hand, get to know each other. ...I’d like to that my neighbor’s looking out for me if somebody’s at my house. It just begins there, I just wish it wouldn’t be that way.”
Trustee Paul Roberts is happy to see regular meeting attendance continue to increase and everyone is hoping to see you at the Village’s upcoming events and at the next monthly meeting at the Village Hall at 7PM on November 10th.
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