Harpersfield Sets Hearing On Law Governing Mobile Home Parks and Campgrounds

HARPERSFIELD – Harpersfield Town Board members adopted an amendment to the town's Cell Tower Communications Law, discussed the change from an existing ordinance on Mobile Home Parks and Campgrounds to a local law, heard a request to adopt the Cold War Veterans property tax exemption and approved a shared services agreement with the village and town of Stamford to repair the roadway leading to the summit of Mount Utsayantha.

They also discussed a resolution recently adopted by the town of Cincinnatus urging an immediate review of electric delivery charges, demanding improved cost controls and transparency and authorizing formal complaints to the New York State Public Service Commission regarding the escalating cost of electricity. Dwayne Hill brought up the issue, saying he had received the information in an email.

It seeks to encourage towns to approach the issue with the state Public Service Commission, NYSEG, the governor, the state Legislature and neighboring municipalities served by NYSEG in a coordinated action. Supervisor Lisa Driscoll said she wanted to discuss it with the county supervisor chair before taking any action.

Hill said the issue of increasing electric bills is widespread. "I am in favor of supporting the resolution, but I'm not sure it does anything," said Driscoll. She blames it on the state's policy to push for green energy. 

No one spoke during the hearing on the change in the Cell Tower Communications Law which makes it the applicant's responsibility and not the town board's responsibility to notify adjacent landowners.

The hearing was closed and the town board adopted the change.

As the town continues its review of laws and ordinances, the Mobile Home Parks and Campgrounds Ordinance has come up for review. The planning board made some changes recently and the majority of the changes are related to the Department of Health, bringing the ordinance up to code and changing it to a local law.

Town Planning Board member Walt Keller was present, saying the planning board should get input from all stakeholders and its possible impact over a wider area. He said it should be considered in updating the town Comprehensive Plan and looking beyond just the local impact. "It shouldn't stop at the town line," he said. "Other considerations need to be put into these laws as we do our review.” Nne else spoke. The public hearing was closed and board members went on to adopt the local law.

Members of Headwaters Emergency Medical Services and staff were on hand to provide an update on the not-for-profit ambulance service supported by the towns of Harpersfield, Stamford and Kortright. Eileen King, president of the HEMS board of directors, introduced the new director of operations, Rich Knapp. He said the organization has seen a change in faces and three new employees came on board just this week to do ride-alongs and be approved. To date there are 24 people employed by the service, which, he added, is not exempt from the staffing challenges that exist in the industry. One of the two ambulances is down for repairs and King reported the village of Hobart had accepted the bids on replacement ambulances. Meg Hungerford, treasurer, said that payments sometimes lag as insurance payments can take a long time to "trickle in". She offered to provide an audit with the town of Harpersfield to close out their account and said because they are members of the New York State Charities Bureau, based on their revenue, they are required to have an independent audit.

Keller asked the town to consider the Cold War Property Tax Exemption, available to those who served on active duty in the United States armed forces, during the time period from Sept 2, 1945 to Dec. 26. 1991  and  was discharged or released therefrom under honorable conditions, or  has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.

Board members indicated the town already offers a veterans exemption which would include Cold War Veterans and that he could apply to the town assessor for the exemption.

They also discussed a new 100 percent disability for veterans. It was tabled to the March meeting.

The lone fuel bid from Mirabito for diesel fuel was accepted, using the fluctuating bid.

Supervisor Driscoll reported on the shared services agreement with the village and town of Stamford to help repair the roadway to the summit of Mount Utsayantha. The road is owned by the village and recent inclusion of the fire tower in the Fire Tower Challenge has prompted urgency to get the road repaired. The towns will provide the equipment and manpower and the village will provide the materials. She referred to it as "the neighborly thing to do" under the shared services contract. The village is to develop a plan and get back to the towns.

The NYS Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association is providing a free presentation about Fire Tower History with a focus on Mt. Utsayantha on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. at The Hobart Exchange 40 Cornell Ave. Hobart.

In other business: The town will sell the back hoe at the transfer station and the skid steer to get a newer back hoe. The town agreed to accept the auction prices for the sales and Highway Superintendent Russell Hatch will use his best judgement to look at the new used back hoe and what it is worth.

Board members then went into an executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation.