Harpersfield Approves Electric Easement for Cell Tower

HARPERSFIELD –  Harpersfield Supervisor Lisa Driscoll signed the lease for a Verizon tower to be erected on town property, after board members approved a resolution to provide an easement for the electric service to the tower. The resolution is subject to permissive referendum. 

The town is now collecting paint at the shared transfer station facility and more signage will be used to tell people when the paint collection is open and closed. There are some rules attached to the paint disposal. An Amish shed is now in place at the transfer station to house the used paint. It will be accepted when the transfer station is open to the public and is restricted to those residents already permitted to use the transfer site, including residents of Harpersfield, Kortright and Stamford. Containers that are leaking, empty, or without the original printed manufacturer’s label will not be accepted. The paint should not be dry, if it is dry it can be discarded as hazardous materials during the annual Clean Sweep event next fall. There is a limit of five gallons per day and an attendant must be present in order to accept the paint. Aerosol paints will not be accepted and it is expected a complete listing of the rules and acceptable paints will be listed. The paint will be collected by PaintCare and recycled. Paints that will be accepted include: interior and exterior architectural paints including latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, and enamel (including textured coatings).

Highway Superintendent Russell Hatch submitted his 284 list of roadways to be repaired in the upcoming season under the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding. He plans to apply a single surface of oil and stone to: Middlebrook Hill Road, from state Rt. 23 to County Rt. 29; 1.03 miles of Moxham Road, from Middlebrook Hill to the town line; .88 mils of New Road from Shaver Road to Hornbeck Road; 1.13 miles of Parker Schoolhouse Road to Quaker Road; .24 of Zimmerman Road; Wilcox Road from Rt. 23 to Middlebrook Hill, .06 miles of Fenn Hill Road; 2.12 miles of Hornbeck from Rt. 23 to the dead end. The total for repair is 10.39 miles.

Hatch said the town needs to develop a policy regarding the plowing or sanding of private roadways in emergency situations. He related a recent incident where Delaware County 911 dispatch had contacted him to sand a driveway for the Headwaters EMS ambulance on the scene of an emergency call in the town of Harpersfield. He wanted to know how the board felt about using town trucks to respond to an emergency. Board members indicated it would like to develop a policy not to respond. Supervisor Lisa Driscoll said the county has a policy they will not come out after hours. Councilman Erik Reeves suggested Headwaters put a private contractor on a retainer and add the cost to the patient's bill. Councilman Patrick Funk said village homeowners must keep sidewalks clear and that homeowners have an obligation to keep private roadways and driveways accessible for emergency vehicles. A resolution will be drafted and the supervisor will consult with an attorney.

Hatch reported there had been an accident where a vehicle had run into the rear of a town truck as it was slowing down and coming to a stop. He said he has not read the accident report yet, but it is protocol that all accidents are reported.

He said a recent check of the new town truck, which is still in the process of being constructed, indicated the wrong body was being placed on the chassis. Fortunately, he said they caught it in time. The town had ordered a stainless steel body and they were installing a steel body. The time frame for the truck's arrival will be delayed and he is hoping it will arrive before the end of the season.

Board members audited the justice books and approved the audit.

Assessor Laurie Bedford reported that she is done trying to find any new improvements, with the March 1 deadline for filing this year's assessment role approaching. She said there are a few senior and ag exemptions still outstanding as they get down to the filing deadline.

Board members then entered an executive session to discuss personnel and litigation.

The next meeting will be held March 12 at 7 p.m.