Harpersfield Sets Hearing on 100% Veterans Exemption

HARPERSFIELD – The town of Harpersfield has agreed to settle litigation over tax assessments on two commercial properties and tabled new building code permit fees during their regular meeting on March 11. They also set a public hearing for a 100 percent veterans tax exemption.

The meeting opened with a thank you letter from Wolf Den Pack 32 for allowing them to generate revenue by placing a shed at the transfer station to collect returnable bottles and cans. Having the bin helps them to raise money to fund activities and camp for the scouts. 

In reviewing proposed building permit fee changes, a campground permit fee has been added:  50 sites and under would be $250 and anything over 50 sites the cost would be $500. Supervisor Lisa Driscoll would also like to see the form structured differently. The board had several questions and changes, so they will revisit building permit fees again next month. The schedule is also merging the certificate of occupancy, for which there seem to be a large number that were never sought and is required for a property to have a clear title. The town is currently attempting to determine the number that are outstanding.

The proposed fees are an attempt to streamline the permitting process and make it easier for applicants to figure out the permit costs for a project. The proposed fees are available on the town's website.

A public hearing will be held on a local law providing a 100 percent service disability according to the state's real property tax law. The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the Harpersfield Town Hall. A copy of the proposed law is available at the town hall. 

Tax Law Section 458-a authorizes  municipalities to establish a real property tax exemption for veterans who have a 100 percent service-connected disability, as defined in Real Property Tax Law Section 458-a. The section includes: Have a qualifying condition under NYS Veterans’ Services Law, defined as:  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or  Military Sexual Trauma (MST), or  Be a discharged LGBT Veteran with an other-than-dishonorable or bad conduct discharge; and Have a 100 percent disability rating with a Permanent and Total designation from Veterans Affairs; and • Have a Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) designation from the VA; and  Qualify for the VA’s specially adapted housing grant.

The board discussed the fluctuating fuel bid accepted last month and learned the tanks have been filled at the lower rate, prior to recent increases.

The town did not win the bid to purchase a used backhoe on the auction network. Highway Superintendent Russ Hatch said he will keep looking. A new bucket has arrived for the skid steer and the broken windshield will be replaced again with a heavier duty version.

The town is working with the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation Service on a grant to pay the town's 25 percent share of the work for Gunhouse Hill Road.  The town has received a $500,000 grant for the work which is estimated to cost $650,000. Other grants are being sought to help with the town's share of the project.

Following an executive session, town board members approved the settlement offers for1 Grant Place (formerly Vastas)  and 5 Lake Street (formerly Walgreens).