Chicken Processing Plant Application Withdrawn - Stamford Code Officer Resigns

STAMFORD  – The village of Stamford is advertising for  a new code enforcement officer and verbally honored a long time trustee who is stepping down, during their meeting on Tuesday. They also gave their stamp of approval for an Eagle Scout project to beautify an area in Indian Trail Park and praised the good work of Rich Irwin, who has resigned his position as village code enforcement officer.

Deputy Mayor Jim Kopp presided over Tuesday's meeting of the Stamford Village Board, which opened with a presentation by Cole Seeley, who is working to complete his Eagle Scout rank as a member of Jefferson Scout Troop 50. His project is centered at the village's Indian Trail Park where he plans to plant six to eight shade trees (maple/oak), plant perennial flowers in planters and extend the existing sidewalk with gravel to the center of the park where there will be picnic tables. The area is located where the old swimming pool was located.

Street Superintendent Jesse Calia said he is in favor of the project and said it will fit in perfectly with his future plans to have a pavilion with the picnic tables inside. "I think it will look great," he said. Trustees also gave it their stamp of approval.

Later in the meeting, Calia received approval for his plan to redo the tennis courts and basketball courts and to swap the handball court for a pickle ball court. The original plans called for lines to be painted for pickleball on the tennis court. He said he didn't think the tennis players would appreciate  having those lines on the same court and redid his proposal. Calia said he will use reallocated Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation grants. The total cost of the project will be $35,978, of which the village would be responsible for $8,000. This will give the village a separate pickle ball court inside of the existing fencing. He also plans to use some new colors that will make everything look fresh and new. "I think it's going to look really nice when it gets done," he said.

He has also been working to determine a course of work to replace sewer lines under Churchill building and he said he would like to redo the area on Mount Utsayantha to improve the area around Princess Utsayantha's grave.

Kopp said a program  in the village of Hobart regarding the Fire Towers, which focused on the history of the fire towers and Mount Utsayantha in particular, was well attended. The fire tower is now part of the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge. He said another program on the fire towers will be done at the Stamford Library in April.

Calia reported the policy to remove the winter snowflakes from the light poles along Main Street will take place in June when the banners for high school graduates will go up. Those complaining about the lights in the snowflakes which are still lit, are LED lights, which are much cheaper than the former wreath lights.

A report from Lucas Flachs regarding the village water treatment plant indicates the electrical wiring needs to be overhauled in the very near future due to exposure to the chemicals used inside the plant. The village electricians are currently working on quotes.

Code Enforcement Officer Rich Irwin gave his final report, announcing he has turned in his letter of resignation. Trustee Hanway thanked him for everything he has done over the past two years with the village. "I would like to thank him for everything he has done. He brought everything up to date." Kopp said he really brought the village a long way. "He did stuff that hadn't been done in 20 years."

Irwin thanked the board. Before closing his report, he announced the application for chicken processing facility has been withdrawn at this time. 

Despite his absence, Schneider provided a letter to express his thanks to Trustee Darren Hanway for his 10 years of service on the village board and five years with the village planning board. In his letter, Schneider stated: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Trustee Hanway for his many years of service to the village of Stamford. Darren's expertise has been an invaluable asset to the village and has influenced many important decisions made by trustees.

"Over the years Darren, with his extensive engineering background, has guided us through complex decisions regarding improvements to the village's infrastructure as well as, the day to day operation of the village.

"Additionally, Darren has been a moderating influence when issues get out of hand. It is easy to become frustrated while navigating the numerous pitfalls of associating with the state of New York, its agencies and requirements: Darren Always takes this in stride, flushing out the lowest common denominators of seemingly complex situations.

"I know I speak for the trustees, village employees as well as residents of the village in offering a heartfelt thanks for all Darren has done for us. Trustees are volunteers and the spirit of volunteerism while fading in general, is alive and well in Trustee Hanway. We will soldier on knowing he will be impossible to replace."

The village will hold a workshop and its annual meeting on April 7  at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.