Highway Storage Facility At Risk Of Collapse, Councilmembers Say - Request For County Transparency Accessibility Received

ROXBURY - Roxbury Councilmembers Kenneth Davie and Lisa Ciaravino reported that the highway storage facility at 54147 State Highway 30 is in disrepair and should be demolished. The two toured the facility earlier in the month and presented their concerns to the town board at the regular meeting on September 8.

"It's a liability at this point," said Ciaravino.

The ceiling is falling down, reported Davie, "One big snow storm, it could collapse."

The highway department is currently storing tires and snow plows in the building. The department would typically store summer equipment at the facility in the fall.

The two council members further reported that the building is infested with mold. "I was there for about ten minutes and I couldn't take it (the smell)," said Ciaravino.

While the council agreed that the structure is unlikely to be worth repairing, it is located in the historic district and is listed on the State and Federal registries.

Peg Elsworth said demolition could still be an option, even though the building is considered historic. She advised the town to submit a proposal for demolition, accompanied by detailed photos and information on deterioration, to the New York State Historic Preservation Office.

The council agreed to have Code Enforcement Officer Richard Briscoe inspect the structure, take photographs, and prepare a detailed report. If demolished, the council will explore options for building a new storage facility. For now, Supervisor Allen Hinkley advised the highway department to find an alternative location to store any equipment currently housed in the structure. The highway department was tasked with installing 'no trespassing' signs on the building due to safety concerns.

In another discussion, the council agreed to also have the town-owned structure, Vaga Hall, at the end of County Route 36 inspected. Hinkley said the structure was once used for community events but has not been utilized in years. The council is exploring the option of selling the property as is.

County Transparency & Accessibility

Resident Judith Maguire asked Hinkley to bring concerns and suggestions to the county board. She said that agendas for the Board of Supervisors meeting, as well as committee meetings, are not publicly available with a reasonable amount of time for the public to make comments. Maguire stated that many decisions at the county level are made during committee meetings, with no discussion held during full board meetings. She requested that agendas, dates, and times for all county meetings be made available with a reasonable amount of time before the meeting so the public can have a say or address the board with concerns or feedback.

Maguire further asked Hinkley to suggest that the board have the privilege of the floor scheduled at each meeting. "We allow it at the towns, almost all towns do at least in person, and while I know it's annoying, it's not that onerous, and residents feel valued and heard when they can express their opinions," she said. Adding, "There is a disconnect with the board of supervisors."

Hinkley agreed that most policy discussions are held during committee meetings. He noted that the regular monthly committee meeting schedule is posted on the county website. While Hinkley said he would bring concerns to the county, he told Maguire that anyone who wishes to speak at a county meeting can request privilege of the floor through Clerk to the Board Penny Bishop. Such requests are usually honored, said Hinkley.

Bishop can be reached by phone at 607-832-5110 or by email on the county website at delcony.us.

In other business

Town Assessor Bob Breglio was awarded the 2024 Excellence in Equity Award from the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services.

The council tabled hiring a contractor to purchase and install water meters after receiving bids that increased by nearly 50%. The increase was due to changes in distributor costs, as the original RFP required contractors to purchase the meters directly from the distributor. The council will explore purchasing materials and hiring a contractor separately.

The council tabled a request to revise fees for Churches applying for building permits.

Two budget workshops were scheduled for September 30th at 4 p.m. and October 14th at 5:30 p.m.

The crossing guard's pay was increased from around $38 a day to $40.

The council will draft a letter of support for the Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council's efforts to organize community activities.

The council held an executive session to discuss personnel and contractual issues. No decisions were made.

The comprehensive plan public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, preceding the monthly meeting.