NEWS

Esperance Prepares for Increasing Park Safety, Pre-Winter Repairs, Holiday Events

By Matthew Avitabile · September 14, 2025 · The Mountain Eagle

A friendly orange cat often seen walking Church Street with one distinctly smaller ear than the other, tried to attend this month’s Esperance Village meeting. The cat received some pets from Trustee Dan DeFilipps before being brought back outside before the meeting began. Those empty seats next to DeFilipps filled in quickly with all representatives present (in order of how they sat): Trustees Dan DeFilipps and Paul Roberts, Mayor Royce Gage, Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Parks, and Deputy Clerk Angela Burman. Also present were Matthew Deffer (Fire Chief, ZBA member, and Playground Committee representative), and Howard (EMS) were present. Still in the vicinity after the meeting let out around 7:20 PM, the cat had to be coerced out from sitting in the middle of the road for its safety.This photo was taken on July 26th, after this Church Street Playground fixture’s head had just been reattached. This wasn’t its first repair and has been a topic of conversation at many monthly Esperance Village meetings this year, often referred to as the caterpillar. At September 8th’s meeting, Mayor Royce Gage revealed to (Playground Committee, ZBA member, & Fire Chief) Matthew Deffer that the fixture’s head has been removed again. Plans were discussed to remove this fixture entirely from its concrete pad in the park and replace it with something new. Deffer was disappointed by the continued vandalism, expressing, “They ruined it for the little kids that play there after school every day.” It was decided that either way, it won’t be left as is to ensure no one gets hurt by it in its broken state.Village of Esperance Village Hall and Fire Department at 113 Church Street. Visit every 2nd Monday of the month at 7 PM for Village meetings, and for their upcoming events: Halloween Party for kids on Oct. 31st from 4 PM- 8 PM and Dec. 20th Christmas in Esperance for breakfast from 7 AM - 11 AM and come back at 3 PM for vendors and their tree lighting. Next door at the Esperance Historical Museum’s gazebo on September 14th at 11 AM will be a First Responder Church Service with food provided by the Esperance Elks Lodge.

ESPERANCE- With Fall on the way it’s getting darker earlier, and many topics covered during the monthly Esperance Village meeting on September 8th reflected that with preparations underway for the change of seasons.

Plans were discussed for security camera installation and increased sheriff patrolling at the Church Street playground and park. A sign at the park sets closing time at dark, which Fire Chief, ZBA member, and Playground Committee representative, Matthew Deffer, pointed out is by 8 PM currently. All in meeting attendance shared safety concerns about the amount of activity and the full parking lot there after closing where cars idle, peel out, and race.

Running the meeting was Mayor Royce Gage, Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Parks, Deputy Clerk Angela Burman, and Trustees Dan DeFilipps and Paul Roberts. In addition to Deffer, EMS representative, Howard, was present.

Deffer updated on ambulance maintenance; a new chassis is being painted before they send another one of their ambulances to be remounted, and another rig was just confirmed to be wrapping up its seat installation.

In preparation for Winter weather, Deffer wanted to make sure the Historical Society will be updated that the water spigot on the back of their new school house is still dripping. He noticed it while mowing, left a message, and doesn’t want to see it destroyed by still leaking when cold weather ramps up.

Deffer also has parts to fix the street sign at the corner of Charleston and Feuz, which was brought up in a message read during the meeting sent for Gage to address from resident Patricia Eaton. Eaton also wanted to raise awareness of road base and drainage pipe culvert repairs that need addressing before snowplowing begins. Gage said he reached out to Eaton recently to let her know they are working on it.

Those examples of Deffer’s attention to detail with the water spigot and dedication to helping out with projects like the street sign repair are prime examples of why from the agenda Parks relayed, “Micheal Jacobson & Matthew Deffer are doing an excellent job keeping the Village looking great, thank you Matt!”

Two more members are still needed for the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals), which Deffer explained last month is a great opportunity for those interested in seeing how things work with properties, livestock, etc. in the Village. If you want to volunteer, all you need is an open mind and to let your Village representatives know (while attending a monthly meeting or by calling 518-875-9044). ZBA meets on a month to month basis. Also at last month’s meeting, Sylvia Williams signed up to be a part of the Planning Board, leaving only 2 members still needed to join the Planning Board as well.

In regard to zoning and safety concerns, DeFilipps shared New Business about a resident on Feuz Terrace, named on the agenda as Andrew Young, whose multiple infractions have been witnessed and recorded by DeFilipps. One of the actions includes burnouts that meeting attendees seconded being impacted by hearing nonstop all weekend long and all throughout times of the night. DeFilipps brought up the smoke and rubber from conducting so many burnouts that are traveling to those around the property, as well as the asphalt being dug down what he gauged to be around an inch and a half saying, “That’s destruction of government property. He’s taking down the roads that we have put in there and this has to stop.” Parks offered to bring the situation to the attention of Code Enforcement Officer, Cliff Dorrough.

Esperance Village Meetings are held each 2nd Monday of the month (the 2nd Monday of next month will be October 13th), beginning at 7:00 PM in the Meeting Room of the Village Hall, which is located at 113 Church Street.

Esperance Town Board Meetings take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month (this month being September 18th ) at 104 Charleston Street, also with a 7:00 PM start time. Both meetings offer a chance for you to share your thoughts, concerns, and questions during privilege of the floor.

Mayor Gage continues to express that he would love to see more Esperance residents come out to experience and be a part of these monthly meetings. Also, Village representatives are currently planning exciting upcoming events like their Village Hall October 31st kids’ Halloween Party from 4 PM- 8 PM and December 20th Christmas in Esperance event that will kick off with breakfast from 7 AM - 11 AM, then at 3 PM will include vendors, food vendors, their Christmas tree lighting, and they are hoping the school choir will be caroling this year.

This Sunday, September 14th at 11 AM, come out to the Esperance Historical Museum’s gazebo at 123 Church Street for a service honoring first responders. Parks confirmed the Esperance Elks will be presenting the responders with a check for $500 and will be providing lunch in the park following the service.