Harpersfield To Update Permit Fees

HARPERSFIELD   – Members of the Harpersfield Town Board ran down the list of official appointments and designations as they got organized for the new year last Wednesday. They also discussed changes in the building permit fees, heard the annual report from Planning Board Chairman Dean Darling and approved a 100 percent veterans exemption for qualifying veterans.

The town of Harpersfield will have transfer station stickers for residents in the towns of Stamford and Kortright, but only when residents have no other recourse to get one from their local town clerk and Highway Superintendent Russ Hatch ran down the list of roads he plans to repair next season.

Code Enforcement officer Christopher Plante said existing permit fees are confusing and require residents to return for certificates of compliance or certificates of occupancy, which they don't always do. He is recommending the town charge the fee right up front with the permit fee. There are a lot of residents who are missing their COs. The town will send letters to those who need a CO and give them six months to obtain it at no cost. New software will allow the town to track those who had building done, but no CO was ever issued in order to get things up to date. Homes built prior to 1983 would not have COs or permits prior to the state uniform building codes.

Board members approved a motion to allow Plante to update the fees. He then gave his annual report.

Dean Darling said the planning board did one subdivision, one boundary line adjustment, a site plan for the new cell tower, and worked on four solar projects. He said the Weaver Road Solar Project is now complete, however, it has not been tied into the grid.

The three Bruce Hill Solar projects, two of which were approved for construction last year, are expected to begin construction this spring. A roadway has been constructed into the sites.

He said Delaware County Planning is attempting to put together online training and utilizing the COMIT program to review site plans, boundaries, etc. He said they are also looking at the town's Comprehensive Plan to determine what needs to be reviewed. They are currently reviewing the Campground Ordinance, which is in the hands of the town attorney.

The board is still looking to seat an alternate member. No one has come forward at this time.

Assessor Laurie Bedford  asked if the town had any regulations on short term rentals. She was told the town is looking into it. She wondered if it was a liability issue. The town previously did not seek to establish regulations, on recommendation of the town attorney.

Highway Superintendent Russ Hatch ran down the lists of roadways slated for repair next season utilizing Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funds. Single surface roadway work will be done on, the following roadways: Fisher, 1.29 miles; Gaffey, 1.3 miles; Beech Road, .33 miles; Fisher Road, 1.29 miles; Railroad Ave., .10 miles; Smith Road, .95 miles; Teedle Brook Road, 2.2 miles; Terry Road, .97 miles; South Worcester Road, 1 mile. South Worcester Hill Road will be paved for 1.10 miles. The total is 9.5 miles and is estimated to cost $291,000.

The town is also using a portion to purchase a five-year-old used truck from the town of Cazenovia. The cost is expected to be $190,000. The town will work to write a grant and is looking for the purchase in 2027.

The town is expected to use $427,000 in CHIPS funding with $147,000 going toward a 10-wheeler and $110,000 for a 550 truck. With PAVE NY funds and TOPS, the grand total is $308,000. Supervisor Driscoll said it will leave $50,000 to $100,000 for next year’s. She said she will have a better breakdown of the costs at the February meeting. The town is also looking a t culvert repair on Gun House Hill Road.

Official appointments and designations, included: Allyson Phillips, town attorney; Karen Kropp, town bookkeeper; Christopher Plante, code enforcement officer; Joy Musella, court clerk; Jeffrey Bell, dog control officer; Thomas Giaguzzi, town historian; Dean Darling, planning board chairman; Doug Cole and Adam Gallagher, planning board members; Otis Schermerhorn Jr., deputy highway superintendent; Heidi Stevens, registrar of vital statistics; The Mountain Eagle, official newspaper; Lisa Driscoll, representative to the Catskill Revitalization Corporation, which oversees the DURR. Meeting will continue to be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.. Mileage for official town business will be paid at 72.5 cents per mile and Patric Funk, Erik Reeve and Supervisor Driscoll will make up the highway committee.

The next meeting of the Harpersfield Town Board will be held on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m..

Board members entered an executive session and returned to regular session to approve the contract with the Jefferson Fire District.