Neighbor Gives Kudos For Westholms Removal

STAMFORD  - The monthly meeting of the Stamford Village Board got off on a positive note Tuesday as Mariellen Myers thanked them for the removal of the former Westholm Hotel. They also discussed the Comprehensive Plan and approved payment for a grant writer for the NY Forward Application.

Mayor Robert Schneider also presented a summary of a recent meeting of the village mayors in Delaware County. 

Mariellen Myers, along with her husband, Chip, were present to give kudos to the village board and others involved in seeing the demolition of a dilapidated old hotel next door to her home on West Main Street. She said she wished to thank the village of Stamford, all of the trustees over the years, the code enforcement officers, the village clerk, and the treasurer for all their efforts in seeing that the former Westholm was razed recently. "You worked to find a solution and we thank you, my health thanks you and every student at Stamford Central School and our neighbors thank you. She also praised the company that did the work, calling them professional. Thank you to our village government for a job well done.

Myers suffered from the mold that emanated from the building for years and said how nice it is to sit out front with her grandsons and enjoy the fresh air.

"That was a refreshing change," said Schneider and everyone agreed that it was nice to receive some praise for a project that took years to happen.

The village has agreed to make application to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative under the NY Forward Program, which will require an updating of the village's Comprehensive Plan. 

Schneider asked Sandra Collins to determine what the village needs to do to update its seven-year-old plan. Trustee Robert Orcutt said he was on the planning board when it was last updated and suggested passing it along to the planning board. 

Trustees approved a quote from Laura Potter to do the grant writing for the NY Forward grant application. They approved $25 /hour, not to exceed 10 hours per week. The NY Forward program provides funds for technical assistance, from pre-application to implementation. Because the village has submitted an intent to apply form they have access to "target capacity-building and consultants who can provide guidance on application development. The village has yet to name a committee, but there is an impromptu group that has been meeting.

In relation to that, the village must adopt a resolution that promotes housing and it must be included in the Comprehensive Plan.

The village is also looking to apply for a New York State Swimming Pool grant for infrastructure improvements. Despite having a brand new facility, they would seek to enlarge the kiddie pool, do mitigative concrete work, and change the guard station. A meeting will be scheduled to come up with some estimates for the grant application.

Schneider said the use of the pool has increased over the old pool.

It was also suggested the rest of the park should be incorporated with the use of the pool with picnic and other areas. The old bath house is due to be demolished, according to Jesse Calia, department of public works superintendent.

Trustees also discussed approving each committee designated by the village, in order to provide notification to the board. There is a need for the village to know these committees exist and are meeting as an issue of liability. 

The park use forms are intended to cover other activities. That was the suggestion for a local man seeking to have a cars and coffee event, so the village is aware of the events, when they are taking place, and if the sponsor has liability insurance.

The two burned-out buildings at 60 and 64 Main Street have been boarded up, and are now under the liability of the village, following condemnation proceedings. Although there is a buyer interested in the buildings, the village took the initiative to put up fencing and board the buildings to prevent access. The fate of the two buildings is not yet known, nor is the time frame for possible sale. Code Enforcement Officer Rich Merwin said the buildings are structurally unsound. He said an assessment could be made by an engineer and a plan developed to use the buildings. However, there is no time frame for when that would take place and Mayor Schnieder suggested a time frame be attached to whatever the plan may be going forward, so the buildings do not sit in limbo indefinitely.

Trustees also discussed a home on South Street that is earmarked for removal because it is located next to the stream. The county Planning Department has considered purchase and removal as a way of mitigating work that needs to take place with a failed stone culvert at that location. The project falls under the county Soil and Water Conservation District.

Treasurer Sandra Collins also asked trustees to consider a more secure doorway at the entrance to Churchill Gym. She will look into re-establishing an electronic lock system.

Trustees then entered an executive session to discuss litigation.