Harpersfield Starts the New Year

HARPERSFIELD – The town of Harpersfield opened the new year by reappointing a sole assessor, approving a resolution granting an exemption to volunteer first responders and heard the year end report on the town planning board, as they gathered to organize on Jan. 17.

Laurie Bedford was appointed the sole assessor for the town and was praised by Councilman Patrick Funk and Supervisor Lisa Driscoll, for all her hard work on assessments. The town had to backtrack, after appointing two assessors last month. Only one person can be appointed to the assessor position. Rudy Tim, who is also certified will serve as Bedford's assistant.

A question on building permits from last month was clarified. Code Enforcement Officer Tom Little has asked the formula be based on the cost of construction rather than square footage, which will not make a substantial difference in the fees.

In answer to a question by North Harpersfield resident Ed Slicer last month, Driscoll said the $100,000 paid to Headwaters EMS is for everyone in the town. There have been no special districts created and is no different than an overlap in other districts. Slicer believes some residents are paying for ambulance service in more than one fire district.

Those volunteer first responders wishing to claim the 10 percent property tax exemption on a primary residence, must file the paperwork with the assessor by January 30 and must be deemed an active member by the respective fire district.

Dean Darling, chairman of the town planning board, provided a recap of the projects and issues that came before the planning board in 2023. 

He said it was a busy year with the planning board reviewing and approving a pair of solar projects. He said the site on Weaver Road consists of  239 acres, of which 29 acres will hold solar panels. "There were a lot of environmental (water) concerns and sight concerns for the neighbors of the Weaver Road project. There will be buffers and landscaping at the site. He said the planning board has certain regulations to go by. and they reviewed the project and and he believes it is a good project.

A second project off Bruce Hill Road, which consists of two 5 megawatt projects as one, was also approved. Construction on the projects is expected to begin in the spring. A third project off Bruce Hill Road is anticipated.

 The Bruce Hill site involves 230 acres, with 29 acres of solar panels on two sites, proposed as one project, it is located solely on property owned by the Eklund family and will not be highly visible.

The third site to be proposed, faces state Route 10 and is also a fairly isolated project, he said. More plans will be forthcoming on that project.

A subdivision on Colonel Harper Drive was approved. It involved a minor subdivision.

The planning board is continuing its review, from the Fall of 2022, a revised site plan for NYSafety Track. He said the planning board is still working on its review of the site plan, with ongoing issues. There is a great deal of public concern and he said they are moving slowly and addressing the issues the best as they can. It is likely to require a full environmental assessment.

Next month's meeting of the town board has been moved to February 15 to avoid Valentine's Day.

There was also discussion of appointment of a legal newspaper and what the parameters and cost differences. 

Board members then entered an executive session to discuss personnel. No action was taken when they returned to regular session.

Official appointments and designations were made, as follows: Allyson M. Phillips, town attorney; Karen Kropp, bookkeeper; Thomas Little, code enforcement officer ; Dale Downin, deputy code enforcement officer; Joy Musella,court clerk; Jeffrey Bell, dog control officer; Thomas Giaguzzi, town historian; Dean Darling, planning board chairman; Walter Keller, reappointed to the planning board; Otis Schermerhorn, deputy highway superintendent; Linda E. Goss, registrar of vital statistics; Diane Grant, deputy registrar of vital statistics 01/01/24 to 12/31/24.

Regular meetings will be held the second Wednesday of the Month at 7 p.m.  

The Equalization Committee had been disbanded and was not reappointed.

Approval was given to  pay the bills when due  for electric, telephone, fuel etc.when due in order to avoid late fees.

Mileage for official town business will be paid at 67 cents per mile.

Erik R. Reeve and Patrick F. Funk, we reappointed to the highway committee.

Supervisor Lisa M. Driscoll will be the representative for the Town on the Catskill Rail Committee.

The Daily Star was designated the official newspaper.  They also approved the investment policy, depositories, procurement policy and Standard Work Day for NYS Retirement.

The next meeting will be held February 15.