Council Explores Sharpening Code Enforcement - Joint Comprehensive Plan & Water/Sewer System Underway

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MIDDLETOWN - Middletown Council members discussed strengthening enforcement regarding unregistered vehicles following accusations of an unpermitted junkyard operation at the March 12 meeting.

Junk Car Complaint

The council received an anonymous complaint regarding an undisclosed property accused of operating an unpermitted junkyard for five years. The council decided to keep the property location concealed until further information is gathered. The complainant accuses their neighbors of maintaining roughly five unregistered vehicles.

Supervisor Glen Faulkner reported that Code Officer Hiram Davis had been informed of the complaint and visited the property. It is believed the special permit the owners possess permits 10 unregistered vehicles. Davis is still investigating.

The complaint opened concern for other unregistered vehicles throughout town. Councilmember Brian Sweeney asked that Davis explore other glaring issues with numerous unmarked vehicles. Sweeney noted the town code allows for just one unregistered vehicle on a property at a time. "I do think it's a problem," he said. Sweeney asked that Davis provide a timeline to remove vehicles for violating individuals.

Councilmember Nelson Delameter echoed Sweeney's concerns adding that some vehicles have license plates with no registration.

Faulkner agreed to inform Davis the council wants to "sharpen our enforcement with these issues."

Before the discussion, Davis provided an annual report for 2024.

Joint Water/Sewer

With the FEMA Grant on pause, Councilmember Robin Williams is working with the Syracuse Environmental Finance Center to secure water infrastructure grants. The free program provides grant writing support. They have found an engineering grant that could help update the engineering plans previously drafted by Lamont Engineering for connecting the Arkville and Margaretville water districts.

The town began exploring connecting the districts as a means to increase sustainability, explained Faulkner. The issue was first discussed in 2024. Benefits include creating redundancy and financial sustainability through additional customers paying into the system, he said. Another major advantage would be to support new construction opportunities in areas along the New York Route 28 corridor that currently have no access to community water or sewer, said Faulkner.

Joint Comprehensive Plan

After an unsuccessful RFP (request for proposal) attempt, the council decided to join forces with villages Margaretville and Fleischmanns to update the comprehensive plan.  

A comprehensive plan is a policy document used to guide the growth and development of a jurisdiction and unify common goals. The procedure can be used or quoted for grant applications, and when in opposition to state or federal regulations.

Both Margaretville and Middletown have individually secured $50,000 Smart Growth Grants to update their plans. The two municipalities agreed to include Fleischmanns despite their lack of funding.

"I think we are attached at the hip," said Faulkner, "I think it tmakes since, it would be hard to exclude one small segment of our overall community."

In other business

The Margaretville Telephone Company (MTC) franchise agreement was approved. A public hearing on the matter was held at a previous meeting.

The council successfully transferred $250,000 to NYClass, a municipal investment bank.

Roxbury, Middletown, Andes, Hardenburgh, Haucketsville, Fleischmanns, and Margaretville representatives are meeting with Westchester Medical officials to discuss updating primary care and hospital services. Ambulance staff shortages are expected to be on the agenda.

Middletown was one of 315 municipalities awarded the Justice Court Assistance Program grant for 2024-2025. The town received $6,850.95 to install a security half-door, TV video system, and door access system.

Due to staffing shortages, aging equipment, and operational expenses, Delaware County will not renew the cemetery support mowing service contract with the town of $3,500. The town cemetery task force has been charged with identifying mowing needs and alternative options.

Ulster County is acting lead agency regarding health and safety issues for the Mountain Jam Festival at Belleayre Mountain scheduled for June 20 to 22. The council received correspondence from concerned residents regarding a proposed off-site RV campsite in Highmount. A public informational regarding the festival is scheduled Monday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Shandaken Town Hall, 7209 NY-28. Faulkner and Nelson plan to attend.

MARK Project was hired at $500 to write an O'Connor grant to update the HVAC system at town hall.

The Council is expected to discuss a three-year contract with Rave Mobile Safety for $2,500 annually at the next regular meeting on April 9. The service would provide emergency messaging, road closures, and other alerts to residents signing up. The council is applying for an O'Connor Foundation grant to help fund the service.

The council entered an executive session to discuss personnel issues and legal matters. 

 

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Galusha to Present on Watershed History

CATSKILLS REGION — Local author and historian Diane Galusha will be presenting about the history of the New York City water system and the Catskills Watershed this Saturday, March 22.

She is the author of Liquid Assets: A History of New York City’s Water System and is president of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown.

Galusha will be presenting “Esopus Dreams: How New York City Reshaped the Catskills,” at the Morton Memorial Library in Pine Hill at 3:00 p.m March 22 for World Water Day. The presentation will include a broad overview of the water system, then focusing on the Esopus Creek and the Ashokan Reservoir in Ulster County.

Galusha said that New York City “reconfigured” the Catskills “stream by stream.”

The Esopus Creek originates on Slide Mountain, the tallest peak in the Catskills and meanders through the Oliverea Valley and Big Indian where it is joined in Shandaken with waters from the Schoharie Reservoir, delivered through an 18-mile tunnel. The combined waters then flow into the Ashokan Reservoir.

The reservoir was built between 1907 and 1915, displacing 2,000 people and “wiping out” or relocating twelve communities. This is similar to later takings in which communities were leveled as the city built five more reservoirs through 1965.

“New York City basically owes its life to the Catskills,” she said, calling it a “pretty incredible system.” In addition to New York City, Catskill water flows to Putnam, Westchester, and Ulster Counties. Approximately 60 communities, water districts and institutions use this water, including about 85% of people in Westchester.

Many people do not realize that the Catskills and Delaware Aqueducts which carry water from the reservoirs to the delivery system in New York both tunnel under the bed of the Hudson River.

“Think about how that was constructed,” in the age of mules and without tunnel-boring machines, she said. This included blasting vertical shafts to solid bedrock before tunneling horizontally with dynamite, picks and shovels. 

“The Ashokan is known as the last of the hand-made dams,” she said, calling it a “marvel of engineering. The work camps were “little cities,” she said, including churches, sewer and lighting systems, recreation centers with libraries, and mess halls. Workers sometimes bought their families for the duration of the project.

 

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Former Mayor William "Bill" Stanton Died March 18

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MARGARETVILLE - Former Margaretville Mayor William "Bill" Stanton died on March 18. Stanton was elected as a village trustee in 2001 and served until 2003 when he was elected Mayor. Stanton went on to serve until 2009 and after a brief respite was elected Mayor once again from 2011 until 2013.

Former Mayor Diana Cope, who took office following Stanton, had nothing but kind things to say. Cope lived next door to Stanton and his wife Mary Ann. "Bill convinced me to run for mayor," Cope recalled, "I said no no, and he said I should and I did." Cope reflected fondly on the mentorship Stanton offered her while in office. "The door was always open for him and he was really supportive," she noted. Cope laughed and added, "And if I did a bonehead thing he would let me know, he'd be nice about it, but he'd let me know."

In recalling Stanton's time as mayor, Cope said he was thrown a curve ball in his final term when in August 2011 Hurricane Irene ripped its way through Margaretville. With so much of the village in parallel, Stanton worked 24/7 to lead the community. The damage was unexpected and devastating, said Cope. "It was a lot and it really took a toll on his health because he was so concerned about the village," she said, "We were a mess and he loved this village, it was everything to him."

Even after Stanton had served his term, Cope said he volunteered to join the NY Rising Committee. The committee was formed after the village was awarded federal funding to rebuild. Stanton had the experience and knowledge the committee needed, she explained.

"He was not just present as mayor, he was present all the time in the village. Everyone knew Bill" declared Cope, "We are broken-hearted that he is gone."

 

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Shandaken Exploring Water Revitalization Committee, Parks Budget, Future of Phoenicia School

Staff Report

SHANDAKEN — The Shandaken Planning Board met on March 3 to discuss a variety of current issues and upcoming events, including a Water Revitalization Committee in Pine Hill, the possibility of taking over the Phoenicia School for public and governmental uses, and the Mountain Jam music event.

The idea of revitalizing the Pine Hill Water Committee was proposed to get people involved and address water issues, including a possible new committee. A motion was made to put out an announcement to request volunteers for the Pine Hill Water Committee, with the goal of gathering interested individuals to join the committee.

The town is seeking volunteers for water-related tasks and is reviewing options for handling permit fees and professional services.The water committee met on Feb. 4th and recommended Jameson Joyce as a candidate for hire for the position of deputy superintendent. Issues with broken hydrants and water pressure were also discussed.

A public hearing is being held to discuss the installation of a new water metering system for Pine Hill, which would include meters, transponders, and readers. The current water meters in Pine Hill are over 25 years old and are “no longer remotely readable,” requiring manual digging to access them. Dynamic, a company that presented to the board six or seven months ago, has provided a quote for the new system, which would be funded 75% by a loan from the Water Loan Fund.

A discussion was held about monitoring water output and detecting leaks in the water system, with a metering device that can send information to a computer system

In other water related news: 

The Water Conservation Advisory Council is working on emergency preparedness as well as a community climate action plan, with a meeting scheduled for May 17th at 6:30 pm. A meeting will be held on June 10th to address flood mitigation. A separate meeting for household preparedness on fire and a further meeting on individual preparedness for fire will be scheduled. 

The town is considering options for the Phoenicia Elementary school building, including a potential lease agreement with the school district, which would allow the town to use the building for various purposes. The town is considering the possibility of taking over operation, maintenance, and future repairs of the school. If leased, the town indicated that it would be used for town business, as well as being rented out for use to help offset the costs of use and maintenance of the building. The town indicated the school would only be rented out for uses that are for public good, to certain not-for-profits, or to other governmental entities that the town feels would be for the public good. The town emphasized the need for more information before a decision could be made. 

A music event, Mountain Jam, is planned to take place at Belleayre Mountain in late June, organized by Gary Chetkof, who presented plans to the board. Plans for the event include power, electricity, fireworks, public relations, staffing, food service, and non-food vending, with ticket sales capped at a certain point.

The event is expected to have around 1,600 attendees per day, with 1,200 coming for the weekend and the rest split between the three days. The town's approval is related to the campsite, and the county is evaluating the event itself, with the town not requiring separate approval from other agencies.

A public assembly permit is being filed, which covers campgrounds, and a State Environmental Quality Review Act is being sought to reform the process. The town is being asked to be the lead agency for the review, and to confirm that separate approval from other agencies is not required since they are already obtaining approval through other means. A mass gathering permit is being filed with the Ulster County Department of Health, which has detailed reporting requirements, and the town is being asked to authorize the law firm Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna to circulate a notice to interested agencies.

A special meeting was planned for March 13th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the Mountain Jam event, including a public hearing and a potential SEQR review. A motion was made to hold a public hearing for the Mountain Jam event on April 7th at 6:30 p.m. and to hire an engineer for a SEQR review and appraisal inspection.

The Parks and Recreation committee has a budget of $30,000, with allocations for a match of $20,000 for Crest funding, $5,000 for a summer recreation program, and $5,000 for various parks projects, and is seeking donations and volunteers for park improvements.

The committee is seeking donation of a concrete culvert for Glenbrook Playground. Anyone who knows of a culvert, contact the committee at shandakenparksproject@gmail.com

The Parish Field Committee aims to have nine mini golf modules in the park by September 1st and is working with the parish for storage, with a survey of Smith Park and Glenbrook Park also planned.

In other news: 

• A resolution was passed to pay all bills, and another resolution was discussed regarding the relinquishment of various cemeteries to the town.

• The town is planning for summer activities, including a children’s trip to a Yankee game at Yankee Stadium on July 31st, with tickets available for purchase online, and a limited number of 120 tickets available. 

• The Shandaken Historical Museum hosted events, including a rug hooking demonstration and a multimedia presentation on the early days of skiing in Phoenicia, and is looking for volunteers.

• A motion was made to review and update the Planning and Zoning fee schedules, with a public hearing to be scheduled for April 7th at 6:45 p.m.

   

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County To Consider $35.87M Bond For Broadband

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors will consider at its Friday morning, March 21 meeting floating a $35.87 million bond that would fund a $33.6 million broadband project aimed at providing every county resident with the ability to connect with the Internet.

Details of the borrowing were discussed at the Wednesday, March 12 meeting of the county's Economic Development Committee, chaired by Supervisor Werner Hampel of Cobleskill. According to him, County Treasurer Mary Ann Wollaber-Bryan, and others, the plan would be to pay back the bond in stages with a $30 million New York State ConnectAll grant the county is expected to receive for the project.

The grant is a reimbursable one wherein the county fronts money for the project and is then reimbursed from the grant at various milestones along the way. In addition to anticipated money from the bond, also available to fund the project is $204,000 in leftover American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money.

Hampel, Wollaber-Bryan and others said there is a good chance all the money from the $35.87 million bond would not be needed.

"The idea is you go for the full amount because if you don't and more is needed you won't be able to get it," Wollaber-Bryan explained at the March 12 committee meeting.

Hampel said in a phone conversation on Monday that one of the reasons the project might come in under its estimated cost is that more cable than originally thought can be laid underground rather than strung on poles, and underground is cheaper.

To be considered at Friday's meeting are three resolutions connected to the project, a SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) resolution, a resolution with details on the bond and one with details on the project.

In other news from the March 12 committee meeting, Hampel gave an update on the Ramada by Wyndham project that will replace the long-closed Best Western Hotel in the Village of Cobleskill.

Hampel, who has been closely involved with the project, estimated that the 76 rooms, indoor swimming pool, conference room and banquet room will be ready to open by mid or late May. He added that the restaurant/bar and bowling alley would not be ready until sometime in the fall.

Hampel said furniture has been ordered but it's taking awhile and that all the room doors had to be replaced with new key cards, among a lot of other work.

 

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Planned Richmondville Power Outage In The Works

The Village of Richmondville board will hold a budget workshop meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at the municipal building, 295 Main Street. Photo by Chris English.

 

By Chris English

RICHMONDVILLE — It will be lights out for Richmondville Power & Light customers on some day in the not-too-distant future, but it won't be due to any act of nature.

At the Monday, March 17 village board meeting, Mayor Carl Warner Jr., RPL Director Tim Smith and the Trustees discussed a planned power outage to occur for several hours on some day either this spring or fall. No further details are known yet, but when they are, customers will be notified so they can prepare, village officials said.

Power needs to be taken down so that some needed work can be done at a substation in the village. Warner said the possibility of providing substitute power while the work is being done was explored, but it turns out that would be prohibitively expensive.

In other actions at the meeting, Warner introduced Jen Golden as the new Trustee replacing Cindy Miller, who recently resigned. The mayor appointed Golden to fill out Miller's unexpired term until Dec. 1. Golden was sworn in before the meeting, Warner added. During a break in the meeting before the board went into executive session, he declined to elaborate on the reasons for Miller's resignation.

Golden said she grew up in the Cortland area but has lived in Richmondville the last 12 years. She has been active in various village groups, including one that helps out with operation of the village swimming pool and other recreational activities.

A budget workshop meeting was scheduled for Thursday, March 20 at 5 p.m. at the village municipal building, 295 Main Street. Richmondville, like all villages in the state, is working to adopt its 2025-26 budget by the May 1 deadline.

"We're in budget time," Warner said. "The health insurance end of it has been a bear, it's been a struggle."

Department of Public Works Director Eric Jones reported that the new sign for River Street was recently put up after there had been no sign for quite awhile. Jones added that his crew has replaced 29 water meters so far in the ongoing effort to replace or repair water meters so all usage is being measured accurately and all customers are being billed fairly.

Plans for the annual Richmondville Days celebration Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 30-June 1 are rapidly taking shape, Trustee Lisabeth Kabel reported. Vendor, patron and sponsor forms are available at the municipal building.

Among the many events will be line dancing, a bounce house for kids and a pancake breakfast at the Richmondville Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday morning, Kabel noted. There will also be many other highlights.

She and Warner said the Hometown Heroes veterans banners should be up along Main Street again before Memorial Day (May 26) after being stored away for the winter. Kabel added that additional banners are always being added and that soon Main Street will be full and banners will start being hung on Holmes, Summit and other streets.

Fire Chief Floyd Seales reported that the annual bus trip to the 9/11 Monument in New York City will be Nov. 1 and will include himself and several other firefighters or first responders, village officials and anyone else who wants to go as space allows. Warner and Trustee Robert Hyatt often make the trip, Seales noted.

He said the Yankee Trails bus line has traditionally been the one used for the trip and discounts the per-person price from $130 down to $50 since the trip is geared to first responders.

 

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Richmondville to Hold April 3 Sewer Project Public Hearing

By Chris English

RICHMONDVILLE — Town of Richmondville Supervisor Jeffrey Haslun and fellow board members still hope a multimillion dollar sewer improvement project can kick off fairly soon despite a recent glitch in the process.

At its Thursday, March 13 meeting, the board approved a resolution setting a public hearing on the project for 6 p.m. April 3 at the town municipal building, 104 Municipal Lane, just off Podpadic Road.

The purpose of the hearing is to "hear all persons interested in the proposed increase in the maximum amount authorized to be expended for the project" from $12 million up to $16 million.

Haslun said it's the fervent hope of he and other board members that the project does not reach a $16 million cost, but that the resolution was required to reflect a 30 percent contingency _ or cushion _ in the project that village officials were advised was needed.

The town supervisor added that the resolution approved last Thursday is essentially the same as a resolution from May of last year but it turned out that one had a technical deficiency.

"We were advised the  one from last May was in the wrong format," Haslun said. "Next to nothing has changed but bond counsel used the wrong format. We're disappointed because we were hoping to bid in April and start construction in June and this will delay things and probably kick it out another 30 days."

The hope is that all or most of the project can be funded with federal and state grants the town has already been awarded, he added. The project will provide public sewer service to a large part of the town, including most of Warnerville, and it's hoped that will spark more development and bolster the tax rolls, among other positives.

According to the resolution approved last Thursday: "On August 23, 2022 the town board authorized the establishment of the Town of Richmondville Sewer District No. 1 and the acquisition, construction and installation of improvements to the District, including but not limited to the construction of 15,000 linear feet of collection sewer piping in addition to the replacement or rehabilitation of sewer mains, manholes, pump stations and other facilities, and the acquisition of machinery, equipment or apparatus received in connection therewith."

The latest resolution adds that the "proposed method of financing the costs of the project consists of receipt of federal and New York State grants for approximately 89 percent of the cost of the project and the issuance of town serial bonds and bond anticipation notes for remaining costs.....The estimated maximum cost of the District to a typical property therein is now expected to equal $653.80 per year."

In other news from the March 13 board meeting, James Becker appeared to tell board members that Schoharie County is considering three locations within the county for some infrastructure needed for the ongoing $33.6 million broadband project aimed at providing every county resident with Internet access.

One of the locations being considered is somewhere on the property of the Town of Richmondville municipal building and Highway Department on Municipal Lane, just off Podpadic Road, said Haslun. He added that town officials are agreeable if the county decides to choose Richmondville. There would be a lease, but Haslun noted that, speaking for himself, he would only favor charging the county $1 a year or some other nominal amount that would be the minimum requirement of such leases.

Schoharie County will own the new broadband network for 10 years after it's finished. The infrastructure discussed at last Thursday's meeting would consist of a small building roughly 10 by 12 or 14 feet on a concrete pad, and related amenities, Haslun said.

The county Board of Supervisors — of which Haslun is a member —0will consider three resolutions connected to the broadband project at its meeting this Friday morning, March 21.

 

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Schoharie County Democratic Committee Files Legal Challenge Against Board of Supervisors for Violating Election Law

SCHOHARIE – In a decisive vote, the Schoharie County Democratic Committee voted on March 4 to fund a law firm to file an Article 78 proceeding against the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors. That article was filed last week. This legal challenge comes in response to the Board’s failure to follow New York State Election Law in the appointment process for the Democratic Commissioner of the Schoharie County Board of Elections.

The committee asserts that the Board of Supervisors disregarded legal procedure by refusing to consider the committee’s recommended candidate, Michael Dugan, and instead unilaterally appointed their own choice without proper authority.

To fight back, we have secured legal representation from the Luibrand Law Firm, a respected firm with a strong track record of holding government officials accountable. This is a serious legal challenge, and we are committed to seeing it through. 

“The Board of Supervisors is not above the law,” said Theresa Heary, Chair of the Schoharie County Democratic Committee. “Election Law is clear that the role of the party committee is to put forth a qualified nominee. The Board can reject the committee’s recommendation, but it cannot unilaterally install someone they choose. By ignoring this process and appointing their own candidate, they have overstepped their legal bounds. Their action undermines the integrity of the county’s electoral process and sets a dangerous precedent for political interference in election administration.”

“This is not just about one appointment; this is about the Board of Supervisors manipulating the system to exert control over an office that is meant to be independent,” Heary added. “Their actions violate the democratic principles that ensure fair elections in Schoharie County.”

The Article 78 proceeding is a legal process that allows individuals or entities to challenge the actions or decisions of government agencies or officials. It is essentially a mechanism for judicial review of administrative actions. Further updates on the legal proceedings will be provided as they develop.

 

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Call for Commercial Property Improvement Grant Applications in Sharon Springs - NY Forward Small Project Fund to Revitalize Downtown and Support Small Businesses is Now Open

SCHOHARIE COUNTY – Sharon Springs, recognized by both the National Register of Historic Places and the New York State Register of Historic Places, in Schoharie County, was awarded $2.25 million in funding as part of the NY Forward initiative. This funding, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, will enable the village to undertake several transformative projects, revitalizing its downtown area (from Main Street to the Adler Hotel) while preserving the rich history, mineral springs, creeks, waterfalls and art community culture that has made it a unique destination.

As part of this initiative, Sharon Springs will benefit from the Small Project Fund, with a $300,000 allocation aimed at supporting small-scale projects that enhance the Village’s Historic District. The fund will be used for historically sensitive building renovations, public art installations, upgrading housing in mixed-use commercial buildings and installing energy efficiency measures to better the operational performance and sustainability and elevate the village as a vibrant hub for both residents and visitors.

"We are pleased to receive this transformative funding through the NY Forward program,” said Denise Kelly, Mayor of Sharon Springs. “I’m particularly excited about the Small Project Fund, which offers critical support for local businesses and organizations, helping them bridge funding gaps and make meaningful improvements. These investments will have a lasting impact on Sharon Springs for years to come." 

SEEC is overseeing the Small Project Fund, with applications now open until May 1st. Applicants are invited to submit their project descriptions and initial cost estimates online at seecny.org/small-project-fund. To assist applicants throughout the process, SEEC will host an orientation and Q&A session via Zoom on Wednesday, March 26th, from 7-8 PM. Interested attendees can register at seecny.org.

Applicants will also be paired with an environmental specialist to assess and address any potential hazardous building materials, as well as a designer to optimize the visual and functional impact of projects along Main Street. Submissions will be reviewed throughout May, with recommendations sent to New York State in June. Conditional award notifications are expected by July, with construction slated to begin in 2026 and project completion anticipated by the fourth quarter of 2027.

“This funding represents a pivotal moment for Sharon Springs,” said Trish Bergan, SEEC Program Administrator. “The Small Project Fund is designed to empower our local businesses, property owners, and organizations to take meaningful steps toward revitalizing this historic downtown. By supporting projects that prioritize historic preservation, energy efficiency, and Main Street vibrancy, we’re helping to create a more sustainable and welcoming village for residents and visitors alike. We’re excited to work alongside the community to bring these transformative ideas to life.”

Sharon Springs, which once flourished as a health resort destination thanks to its therapeutic mineral springs, is once again drawing visitors with its combination of historic architecture, unique shops, and arts community. The village is also known for hosting the popular Sharon Springs Harvest Festival and for being home to the Beekman Boys' successful Beekman 1802 business, which has contributed to its revitalization.

The other New York Forward funding will support a variety of exciting projects, including:

• Historic Klinkhart Hall Renovation: A $541,000 investment will restore this iconic community building into a center for the arts, offering new cultural experiences for both locals and tourists.

• Chalybeate Spring Park Redevelopment: With a $1 million allocation, the park will undergo enhancements, including a new pavilion, improved pathways, and the relocation of the historic spring temple to create a more welcoming public space.

• Lehman Block Restoration: $240,000 will be directed toward exterior renovations of this historic building, preserving its architectural charm while supporting economic growth.

• Public Wi-Fi Installation in the Spa District: A $169,000 investment will bring free public Wi-Fi to Main Street, providing residents and visitors with improved connectivity and access to digital services.

The NY Forward program supports small and rural communities across New York State by funding key infrastructure, cultural, and business improvements to help them recover and grow. Sharon Springs is among the first communities to benefit from this innovative program, which marks a significant step in the village’s revitalization. The funding will help preserve Sharon Springs’ unique history while driving future growth by enhancing downtown amenities, improving quality of life, and attracting new visitors and businesses.

For more information about the NY Forward Small Project Fund contact Trish Bergan, SEEC Program Administrator at admin@seecny.org, call 518-517-1700 or visit www.SEECNY.org.

 

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Village Rules No Junior Fire Dept. Access

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - On Tuesday evening, the Cobleskill Village Board met to oversee the recent policy about junior members of the fire department being given their own access codes for the firehouse.

Having held their discussion before the meeting began, member Howard Burt gave his thoughts on the matter, saying “I don’t see any real need to have minors be in here alone.”

He explained that he was fine with a junior member being left in the firehouse if everyone else goes on call, but to give them access to the doors at any point “is a sizable liability.”

Mayor Rebecca Stanton-Terk and the rest of the Board agreed with his assessment, and Ruth Van Deusen followed by saying “To be clear, it’s for insurance purposes only,” noting that they encourage and welcome the junior members to be a part of the firehouse at large.

Fire Chief Todd Whittaker quickly asked for information, as he said that there are numerous occasions when a junior member shows up when the trucks are out, and asked “Are they supposed to stay in the parking lot?”

Mr. Burt responded with a resounding yes, and said that a senior member of the firehouse should “be along” to let them in, while Mayor Stanton-Terk said that there were workarounds they could figure out.

“It’s not us being hard,” Mayor Stanton-Terk concluded. “But the insurance company says it’s a liability.”

With discussion finished, the Board officially moved to not allow any minors their own access code to the firehouse, thereby amending the policy.

In other news, member Larry VanHeertum asked the Department of Public Works about the water flowing from Golding’s hill and spilling over Elm Street’s sidewalks.

In response, the Board was told that the water wasn’t a busted pipe or leak, but rather groundwater from the school’s property that naturally flows down the hill.

There were also talks of installing a catch basin on either side of the sidewalk to clean up that area, but no timeframe was given.

Finally, the Board was excited to announce that they will receive their brand-new ambulance in two weeks’ time, and made a motion to begin funding the vehicle.

 

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