Esperance Village Adopts 2026/2027 Budget

ESPERANCE — The Esperance Village 2026/2027 Budget discussed during April 4th’s Budget Hearing was adopted during the New Business portion of the regular Esperance Village meeting on April 13th. The motion was made by Trustee Paul Roberts, seconded by Trustee Rachel Jeffers, and passed all in favor. No additional questions or comments about the budget were brought up in advance of the adoption when Privilege of the Floor was open. Clerk/Treasurer, Michelle Parks shared Monies Received and Vouchers Presented For Payment amounts for the month and explained the Fire Department Abstract #11 of $27,574.70 was because their insurance policies renewed.

Angela and Howard Burman were present at the meeting and received praise for Fish Fry Friday Dinners that the Esperance Fire Department offered February 20th - April 3rd. Bryan Deffer spoke for the Fire Department, “Just want to thank the Village for the support and everything for the Fish Fries, guess they went well, right?” The Burmans confirmed the events went really well and Mayor Royce Gage added, “Thank you Howard and Angela for all the hard work and everything; dedication for the Fish Fry and everything you do for the Department and the Village.”

In return, Angela Burman shared her appreciation of the Village Officials for their recent installment of a Dog Waste Station in front of the Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church on Main Street. It’s equipped with bags and a built-in garbage can to pick up after dogs on walks. Mayor Gage said they also have another separate box that just holds bags that will be installed once they find out legally where they can hang it.

The Esperance Historical Society & Museum had a big update to share. Jeffers read, “On April 12th was the annual meeting and Election of Officers and Directors. The directors whose term ended and were elected were Ken Jones, Janet Fritz, and Scott Lavigne. Karen Bruhn was stepping down after thirteen years as the Director and Collections Curator. A collection is being taken in honor of Karen’s service to support the Museum. Carrie Ann Fonda was elected to replace Karen, and the others named were re-elected to a three-year term on the Board. In addition, Janet was reappointed Librarian and Scott as Carriage Barn Curator. Carrie Ann will also replace Karen as Collections Curator. Officers re-elected were Ken Jones, President; Willard Martin, Vice President, and Andrea Oliver, Treasurer. The Office of Secretary is yet to be filled as Secretary Linda Feuz is stepping down. Those attending at the Two Saps Sap House were treated to a pancake dinner and enjoyed a program on The Flags of the Revolutionary War presented by  Vic DiSanto. The next event is May 16th at the Village-Wide Garage Sale where the Carriage Barn will be full of items for sale to raise money for the Museum.” After the meeting, Jones added a statement that, “Sandy Farah was reappointed Exhibits Curator.”

Mayor Gage mentioned that Deputy Clerk, Leslie Price, is working on obtaining a grant to cover putting siding on three sides of the Esperance Historical Museum (excluding the front side because of the sliding door), and that Matt Deffer and Mike Jacobson will be painting the building before Memorial Day.

Another improvement slated to be completed before Memorial Day is the replacement of flower pots in the Village that Mayor Gage said are completely falling apart, then Matt Deffer will be putting flowers from the Girl Scouts into them. 

Matt Deffer is also a part of the Playground Committee and Parks updated that Deffer mowed on Thursday to get ready to add the porta-potty there for the season soon. Mayor Gage included that the process with the playground grant is still going well and the hope is to have it secured in time to work on completely redoing the playground next spring.

Former Mayor and property owner, Steve Miller, and Code Enforcement Officer, Cliff Dorrough, attended the meeting to follow up with Village Officials in regard to the property Dorrough mentioned in last month’s report, which is one of Miller’s rental apartments.

Miller apologized for what is going on with the property and has been working with Dorrough to speak with the tenants and resolve the issues. Dorrough mentioned after Miller was cited, things were picked up from the property for a short period of time, but the tenants have already since brought it back. 

There are also concerns about animals on the property that Miller’s wife attested some are constantly caged and other animals of the tenant’s Miller detailed have attacked residents. 

Parks plans to look into who the Town Dog Control Officer they are currently subletting to is after knowing changes have been made to that position in the County, while Dorrough brought up the option of fining the tenants instead of fining Miller and added he isn’t sure if The Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley can help with the animals on the property because of a list they have of certain breeds they won’t take for insurance purposes. Miller shared how disheartened he is to see the current state of the building he put so much time, money, and effort into and plans to take legal action against the tenants, knowing the legal process could take months. Mayor Gage appreciated the update and said he will be hoping for the best with this situation outcome. 

Esperance Village meetings are every second Monday of the month, 7 PM at Village Hall (115 Church Street). May’s meeting will be on the 11th. 

April’s regular Esperance Town Board meeting is this Thursday, 4/16. Their meetings are every third Thursday of the month, 7 PM at Town Hall (104 Charleston Street). Their May meeting will be on the 21st.

“2025-2026 Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award; Is presented to; Heather Skinner; For Outstanding and Meritorious Service to Humanity, By Esperance, NY Lodge No. 2507 and the Grand Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.” After the Esperance Village meeting’s Pledge of Allegiance, I was presented with this plaque by Mayor Royce Gage and Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Parks sporting her Esperance Elks Lodge shirt. Mayor Gage announced, “As past Exalted Ruler of the Esperance Elks Lodge, and Michelle as an Officer of the Elks Lodge, we’d like to present you with this Citizenship Award and everything you do for the Elks Lodge and for the Village. We appreciate it.” I would like to share my deepest gratitude to The Elks Lodge for thinking of me for this award and to Mayor Gage and Michelle Parks for presenting it to me. It means the world to me to know my writing makes a difference to both Mountain Eagle & Schoharie News readers and to those I write about; I am honored to be a part of the community and to get to share about all the wonderful things you do and offer as a Reporter since April of last year. Thank you all for this distinction and for reading!