Cobleskill Seeks Archive Grant

COBLESKILL - The Cobleskill Town Board met on Monday evening to discuss a possible grant opportunity for sorting through their old records, as well as new end-of-year appointments.

Town Clerk Tina Ward explained that their old history room within the library used to include the records of both the Town and Village. However, when they moved out due to the library’s renovations, everything was piled together inside of a storage unit and left to gather dust.

Now, in an effort to separate the records and incorporate them back into their new history room, the Board will be pursuing a grant to give them enough funding for sorting, analyzing, recording, and hopefully digitizing for public viewing online.

Mrs. Ward expressed that since their old records are mixed together with the Village’s, it would be easier to ask the Village if they would like to join their efforts, saying “If it’s a combined grant, there will be more chances for more funding.”

It didn’t take long for the Board and Supervisor Werner Hampel to concur with her assessment, and they approved someone reaching out to the Village to see if they would be interested, with Supervisor Hampel concluding “I don’t see why they wouldn’t be.”

In other news, the Board also approved the appointments of several long-time Town employees back to their usual roles.

ADA Coordinator Joe Nelson was appointed for a one year term, with Mike Piccolo being appointed as the Fair Housing Officer for a similar term.

Court Clerk Karen Fletcher and the two deputy court clerks also received appointments of four years following the Town Justice’s recommendations. 

Finally, Supervisor Hampel mentioned that their Town kennel building needs to be rehabilitated to be brought up to the mandatory state requirements from Agriculture and Markets.

Receiving an estimate of the work needed, the interior would cost $36,800 while the exterior would run another $43,400 for a grand total of $80,200.

While the price was staggering for some of the Board members, Supervisor Hampel ensured that they would seek out a grant to help keep the kennel running and provide a place for sheltering dogs.