Delhi Board Seeks Collaborative Effort To Move Town Hall Code Fees To Change, Comp. Plan, & Pool Plans

DELHI - Delhi Town Board members discussed issues with their proposal to move the town hall.

The town has been working with village representatives to collaborate on shared services. One discussion is sharing offices, such as the municipal hall, police, and court.

“Neither of our current buildings can house all four departments,” noted Supervisor Maya Boukai.

If a shared office space were secured, the current town hall at 5 Elm Street would be sold.

The board is also exploring renovating the current structure to house shared offices, or to house them for the town alone if an agreement is not met. The hall requires urgent repairs to the roof and insulation, among other things.

In addition, Boukai said, “We have outgrown the existing space (5 Elm St.)…” She added that during renovations, the space could be expanded by removing some walls.

Boukai reported a potential $300,000 budget for the project from the building reserves.

The council views the Delaware County E-Center at 5 1/2 Main Street as a potential site for shared municipal office space. The center is operated in collaboration by the Industrial Development Agency of Delaware County (IDA) and Catskill Development Foundation (CDF).

Boukai and Councilmember Josh Morgan agreed that an in-person meeting is necessary to discuss potential outcomes. Both noted resistance to ideas presented in back-and-forth communications. The two suggest a meeting with Economic Development Director Glenn Nealis and representatives of the town, the village, CDF, and the IDA.

“It seems like the path of least resistance is preferred to any kind of (discussion),” said Boukai, “Yeah it might get a little messy, we might have different opinions, but that’s part of why we’re here is to work through that for the betterment of the community.”

What is proposed would help taxpayers in both the town and the village, noted Morgan, and would place another building back on the tax rolls. “It's a little frustrating,” He said of the resistance to discussion.

“It has always been the goal of the town and village once we have a consolidated location to return the town and village hall back to the tax rolls, doing so in a way that ensures the property is used for commercial and or residential, which are desperately needed in the village, is one way to achieve that,” said Boukai, “We are hoping the IDA feels similarly.”

“Both facilities (town and village) have issues that must be addressed in the ever nearer future, so we are trying to explore any and all possible alternatives,” said Delhi Mayor Jeff Gearhart, “By jointly working to find our best means of resolving this, it is to the benefit of both the residents of the village and town.” Gearhart noted the E-Center as a cost-efficient and effective solution and would put two properties back on the tax rolls. He added that the E-Center is already tax-exempt. “The facility would require minimal work to adapt it to our needs and we would still be visible and accessible to our constituents,” Gearhart concluded.

“The decision is the CDF’s to make,” said Nealis, “If they choose to discontinue the facility and sell it to the town and village, the IDA is willing to work with the town and village on options for repurposing their existing buildings.” Nealis noted that the CDF board has indicated it is no longer interested in operating the business center. “If the CDF decides they no longer want to operate the business center, but would like to see the business center continue,” he said, “The IDA would be willing to take on that role.”

Code Enforcement Fee Schedule

The council reviewed draft adjustments to the code enforcement office fee schedule.

Major changes include adding a fire inspection fee and shifting away from a square-footage fee for new builds. Property owners can expect a fee of 0.3% or 0.003 of the total costs for new structures.

Morgan, who serves as code enforcement officer (CEO) in several neighboring towns, explained the reason for the adjustment. He noted that a stick-built home requires more inspections compared to modular or manufactured homes, making a fee based on square footage unfair.

The board will review the cap regulations for commercial projects set forth in local laws. Morgan suggested removing such caps. A project in another town, where Morgan is CEO, has far exceeded the $20,000 cap after three years.

Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan survey is now closed. The committee has tentatively planned a public forum for Thursday, June 4th, at the American Legion. Boukai will announce a formal date at the May board meeting.

Village trustees have contacted the board, confused about the requested funding for the joint comprehensive plan. The village has been asked to pay $10,000 of the $60,000 project. Boukai will suggest they secure a grant through the O’Connor Foundation. The town has secured a $50,000 grant.

For more information on the comprehensive plan or to view meeting minutes, visit townofdelhiny.gov/compplan

The Pool

The board approved a $2,300 contract for topography mapping of the playground and pool area. The map is required for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grant. Delhi was awarded $469,569 from the EPF for the park and pool expansion project.

A new pool cover was purchased for $19,321, funded by the EPF grant.

The town received eight lifeguard applications and is fully staffed for summer 2026. They are still accepting applications and seeking a water aerobics instructor.

Boukai is reviewing language for advertising the pool's Venmo account. While admission will remain free, the account will encourage contributions, she said.

Councilmember Simon Purdy is seeking repair of the kiddi pool control board, which was originally thought to be complicated and expensive, but may not be, he said.

Other Business

Town Historian Marianne Greenfield plans to table at the July 3rd Fair on the Square.

Highway bids were awarded to Gester Trucking for hauling and Allison Oil for heating oil. No bids were received for diesel fuel.

Hitt’s Landscaping will conduct weekly mowing, edging, and landscaping from May through October at the town hall, highway garage, and pool area for $185.

Highway Superintendent Daren Evans will determine whether the NYSERDA grant, originally intended for a water heater installation at the pool, can be used to replace the failing boiler at the highway garage.

The board entered into a short executive session to discuss

The town will host a free open meeting law training prior to the town board meeting on Monday, May 11, at 5 p.m. Sign-up informa

tion is expected to be announced soon.