Harpersfield Adopts Vets Exemption, New Building Permit Fees

HARPERSFIELD – No one spoke during a public hearing to provide a tax exemption to military veterans who have a 100 percent service-connected disability and town board members adopted a resolution establishing the new exemption. It is available on the town’s website and veterans must apply for the exemption.

Town board members also adopted new building permit fees and approved an application for a liquor license at the Stamford Golf Course.

The town's new building permit fees now include certificate of occupancy and certificate of compliance instead of requiring the applicant to return to pay an additional fee to receive the certificate. Permit fees will be doubled for anyone starting a project prior to the issuance of a permit and renewal of a permit for a project exceeding one calendar year will be $40. The permit fees and what requires a permit is available on the town's website or at the town clerk's office.

The new concession at the Stamford Gold Course will be known as the Tavern on the Hill. Johnson Culinary Concepts LLC will operate the concession at the golf club, serving golfers and members of the public. The board approved their request for an on-premise liquor license.

Board members also set a deadline of June 15 for all employees of the town to receive their required training and letters will be going out to those affected to let them know which trainings are required.

Tom Giaguzzi was appointed to represent the town at the Catskill Revitalization Corporation meetings, which oversees the Delaware and Ulster Railride in Arkville. He will replace Lisa Driscoll in that capacity. Driscoll had meeting conflicts for those meeting dates.

Town board members approved the purchase of new security cameras at the highway garage, upgrading the cameras and switching to a system that is the same as the transfer station and town. The new cameras will allow viewing from other locations, other than the highway garage. The estimate provided is $4,842.98.

Highway Superintendent Russ Hatch said the list of roadways for summer CHIPS funding may change, due to the late state budget and no firm numbers known for the program.

He is also working to purchase a used backhoe for use at the transfer station.

A report on Headwaters EMS by Liz Page indicated the agency is operating two ambulances and additional personnel is being cleared to help improve staffing for the ambulances. She said a meeting was held recently with town officials and there is discussion to provide transports to help fill the gap created by a large percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients. The agency is seeking ways to increase revenue and fill that gap. The transports would not take away from providing service to the towns. Eric Reeve asked if the rates were increased if it would solve the problem. Page answered that only a certain amount is approved by Medicare and Medicaid. She said what needs to be done is for the state to recognize Emergency Medical Services as an essential service. 

The next meeting of the Harpersfield Town Board will be held May13.