Granting Stewardship on Mt U

STAMFORD –  A program that would provide information and education to visitors atop iconic Mount Utsayantha in Stamford got the go-ahead from village board members. They also approved a sealed bid process for the sale of foreclosed properties and agreed to resell one property to its previous owners during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

Mount Utsayantha holds a special place in the hearts of many. It's a place that is visited for its breathtaking views. It is a place people take their friends, relatives and guests to visit whenever they are in town. 

Mt. U, as some refer to it, is one of the highest peaks in the Catskill Region and towers over the village of Stamford. Its fire tower was part of the network of 127 fire towers owned by the state Department of Environmental Conservation's Bureau of Forest Fire Control that dotted the landscape to keep an eye out for forest fires. Fire towers were used by the Bureau from 1909 to 1990. 

Laurie Rankin was on hand Tuesday to explain the Fire Tower Stewardship Program, belonging to the New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association. It is aimed at protecting areas that see a great deal of visitor traffic and educating those visitors, which is part of the Catskill Center Stewardship Program.

While Mount U.  is not in Catskill Park,  it has been a popular spot for visitors for more than a century. It overlooks the village of Stamford which owns the 20 acres at its summit. Dr. Churchill, a benefactor of many things, willed the mountaintop to the village so that people could continue to visit this great mountain, enjoy it and capture its breathtaking views.

Ownership of the tower was transferred to the village in 2003 and a group was formed to restore the fire tower and make other improvements to the mountaintop park. Restoration was completed in July 2005, the village working with the state Forest Fire Lookout Association (NYSFFLA). It's situation is a bit more unique as the property is owned by the village of Stamford and is part of a park area. It has hiking trails, picnic facilities and a composted porta potty. In addition to the fire tower, there is an observation building, which is closed the public.

With the village's permission, Rankin can move forward with the stewardship program. The program, she said, provides an enrichment of the resource where stewards, who are volunteers, meet and greet the public. She said the most popular visiting times are determined in order to have stewards present during those times. It is an opportunity to interact with visitors and to educate them. They can also take care of graffiti and make minor repairs and assist the village with development  of the stewardship program. Part of the education includes "Leave No Trace" and teaching outdoor ethics, along with providing maps of nearby trails and pointing visitors to other attractions and activities. The stewards would wear a uniform and must attend training. They know basic first aid, have give-aways for visitors and provide some history of the fire tower observers . An American flag is flown to let people know when a steward is on site.

She said they are a 501 c 3 organization and have insurance. She said they are also involved in the Fire Tower Lighting Program. She said if the village agreed. a booklet would be created specific to Mount Utsayantha and they would work with the best person for the task from the village board to ensure they would be including what the village board would want them to impart on visitors to the park. Rankin said they could provide reports to the village board monthly or quarterly.

Lucas Flachs provided a report on the village water treatment facility, saying it had a few hiccups in getting back on line, but with the replacement of some equipment and other changes it is now running "as good as it ever was". "We are in a good place right now with the water system," he reported.

The same is true of the wastewater treatment facility. He asked to switch waste haulers for the sludge from Casella to Chris Albano, who is able to haul any day as opposed to just two days for Casella. Board members also like the fact he is a local contractor.

A budget workshop for the water and sewer is scheduled for Feb. 11.

Trustees passed a resolution to override the tax cap if needed and set the public hearing for 6:45 p.m. on April 15 to enact a local law.

Trustee approved the notice of sale of foreclosed properties, which will be sold by sealed bids. The properties and the bidding process will be placed on the village's website. The village reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withdraw any of them from the sale. The village will provide "quick claim" deeds to the successful bidders. 

A property at 28 Lake St. was removed from the list after previous owners approached the village and must pay all the arrears taxes. Trustees authorized the sale to Stonefield Boall LLC.

Board members also approved the purchase of a  new boiler for the Churchill building at 117 Main St.. The village will utilize a $35,000 Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation grant and will owe a  balance of  $8,900. They approved the purchase in the amount of $43,900 from BPI Boiler.

The village is currently working to draft a license agreement to present to Brent Trimbell who is proposing to use the facility as an agility training camp for the region's high school athletes.