Harpersfield Lowers Escrow for Mountaintop Airfield

HARPERSFIELD – The Harpersfield Town Board rescinded a  resolution they made last month and replaced it with a revised one, during their June 10 meeting.

Board members agreed to establish an escrow account for a site plan amendment for Mountaintop Airfield and set the amount of the escrow at $20,000 based on past practice. The attorney for Mountaintop Airfield had asked for it to be reduced. Supervisor Lisa Driscoll said the taxpayers should not have to pay for the application and board members based their decision and previous performance by the same applicant.

However, following an executive session on June 10, they rescinded the previous resolution and replaced it with an amended resolution to set the escrow amount at $7,500 and to add to the escrow when it falls below a certain level, when it must be replenished within five days. The Supervisor is authorized to execute the revised Escrow Agreement  to enable the retention of professional consultants to provide legal counsel and technical assistance to the Planning Board in connection with its review of the application under the Town of Harpersfield Site Plan Review Law and SEQRA. 

The town will apply for a $30,000 Robinson-Broadhurst grant toward the purchase of an excavator, estimated to cost $125,000 under state contract. Highway Superintendent Russ Hatch is working with Eklund Family Farm Machinery on the purchase and the specs are still being developed. Otherwise the purchase must go out to bid. Board members indicated they were willing to keep the purchase local and utilize the state bid contract.

A new rate was approved for retaining legal services with the town attorney.

A permit for the Stamford Fire Department to have a fireworks display on July 25 was approved.

None of the council members had any concerns this month.

A new guide rail has been installed on Gunhouse Hill Road, along a curve where vehicles have often run off the road. The state budget was recently passed and the highway crews are hoping to begin sealing town roadways in a couple of weeks. Hatch said the uncertainty over the cost of oil remains and he wants to get the work done before oil prices go even higher. He said the cost of a new industrial walk-behind 32-inch mower will be split with the town and the shared transfer station.

The next meeting of the town board will be held July 8.