Bylaw Changes Widen Pool for Appointments to Village ZBA, Planning Board

STAMFORD  –  There was a full house in Stamford Village Hall on Tuesday as village trustees adopted new bylaws that will allow them to draw from a larger pool of possible candidates for appointment to the village's Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board. It followed a public hearing on the proposed changes with more than 25 people in attendance. 

Previously, appointments to either board required residency within the village of Stamford. The newly adopted bylaws, one for the ZBA and one for the Planning Board, expands that to include a resident of the town of Stamford or the town of Harpersfield and/or owning a business or property within the village. 

The number of board members, in the case of the ZBA, has been reduced from 5 to 3. The three members would include two regular members constituting a quorum and an alternate member. Terms would be three years each, with staggering terms, so that not all three terms expire at the same time.

Trustees believe this expands the pool of possible candidates to hopefully make it easier to seat members on the two boards. It requires training within a certain time frame to fill the positions. All new members must complete respective state Department of State webinars that provide an overview of the positions and responsibilities, to be taken at the discretion of the village board.

Resident Michelle Decker asked trustees what they have done to reach out to the public in order to fill the positions. She said she has never heard of the vacancies and indicated she is an "online" person and does not read newspapers. "No one has approached me to have interest in the board."

Hanway responded that his term as trustee expires in three months and he said someone in the room needs to take over his board seat. He went on to say vacancies are posted on the village website and the village Facebook page, which are online, and the legal newspaper. 

Mayor Schneider said residents have a certain responsibility to keep themselves informed. 

"We are here at Village Hall and I am here for a period of time each day for anyone who wishes to engage the village. We can't scour the countryside to find people to take these positions," he said. "They require a certain amount of time and energy along with educating yourself as to what is required of the position. Filling board positions is challenging. I believe the interest right now is driven by certain circumstances."

Jess Moderos said she is an attorney and lives in the town of Jefferson, but her practice is located within the village. She asked if she would be able to serve on the boards and the answer was no. The only other expansion the village could offer would be to be a resident of Delaware County, under state statute. Village Clerk Jamison Hanway said it would require a vote of the legislature to include territory beyond Delaware County.

Josh Wietzner asked if it had to be a brick and mortar business. The answer was as long as it is a business within the village, it does not have to be brick and mortar.

Tara Nordbrock wanted to know how they could ensure those with an agenda who may not necessarily have the interest of village residents at heart are not appointed to the boards. She was told the Mayor recommends the appointments, which must be voted on by the board of trustees. They public must rely on their elected officials to ensure that doesn't happen.

Answers to some of the other public questions, included: There is no specified ratio of residents vs. business owners. If a business is sold, the individual could not continue to serve. The residency requirement would be a primary residence for  tax purposes. Appointees would be designated at the mayor's discretion and voted on by the board of trustees.

Copies of the new bylaws are available on the village website: https://villageofstamfordny.gov.

Board members then moved into the regular monthly meeting.

Mayor Schneider read the policy for speaking during the public forum, which requires notifying the village clerk in advance with the topic that will be addressed, with three minutes allowed for comment.

No one spoke during the public forum.

Street Superintendent Jesse Calia also reminded residents that there is a snow removal ordinance in effect which prevents overnight parking on village streets to allow for effective snow removal after snowstorms. Vehicles should not be parked on village streets from 1-7 a.m.. The ordinance is in effect from Nov. 1 to April 31.

Trustees adopted a resolution to override the allowable tax cap. A public hearing on the override will be held on April 15, 2026 at 6:45 p.m.

They approved a motion to halt any further development to replace the River Street culvert until all research has been exhausted on a final plan. According to Mayor Schneider the $1.1 million Bridge NY grant through an engineering consultant was more than enough to complete the project. However, the state Office of Historic Preservation has become involved in the historic structure and the cost is now upwards of $1.4 million. The village has already invested $88,000 of the grant, which will have to be repaid if the village decides to abandon the project. Trustee Jim Kopp said it is only going to get more expensive. Trustees approved halting the project until a final plan is researched.

Trustees also approved a contract with the Catskill Athletic Club, provided the necessary changes are made to the contract. The mayor is given permission to sign the corrected documents.

Laurie Rankin, of Bloomville, who chairs the local New York State Chapter of  the Fire Tower Lookout Association was present to address the project at Mount Utsayantha. She said they are looking for volunteer stewards to provide information to visitors. Because Mount Utsayantha has the distinction of being a tower people can access by vehicle, she believes it will have more visitors through the Fire Tower Challenge. The local fire tower was recently added to the statewide challenge. There is hiking and areas for picnicking in addition to the spectacular views. Anyone wishing more information may visit the website https://nysffla.org/. She is hoping to add Mt. Utsayantha to stewardship program. Trustees gave her the nod to initiate the stewardship program on Mt. U.

The next meeting of the village board will be held Feb. 17 at 7 p.m..