Richmondville Town Court Trying for New Sound System

RICHMONDVILLE — Town of Richmondville Justice John A. Leggieri is hoping a grant can fund a new sound system for his court.

At its Thursday, Aug. 13 meeting, the Town Board approved a resolution authorizing the court to apply for a grant of up to $8,400 from the New York State Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) during the 2026-27 grant cycle. Town Supervisor Jeffrey Haslun voted in favor of the resolution along with Councilmen Todd Sperbeck, George Horning and Eric Haslun. Councilman Harry Rode was unable to attend the meeting.

Jeffrey Haslun said the court applied for JCAP money for a sound system last year and received money for other items but not the system. The Court is hoping for better luck this time around, he added.

Leggieri has gotten a quote of $8,374 for a new sound system, Haslun said. He added that one of the Justice's main concerns with the current system is having rulings possibly overturned because of poor sound quality. 

In other actions from the Aug. 13 meeting, town board members, Codes Officer Cliff Dorrough and Town Attorney Marvin Parshall went over page by page a proposed new Local Law for administration and enforcement of building codes by Dorrough. The proposed law includes regulations on building permits, certificates of occupancy, fire safety and property maintenance inspections and many other items.

The board set a public hearing on the proposed law, possibly followed by a vote, for its next meeting on Sept. 10.

After a detailed discussion, board members, Dorrough and Parshall arrived at an excavation fee of $722 to be charged by the town on Schoharie County's $46 million broadband project aimed at providing every county resident with the ability to connect with the Internet. Much of the fiberoptic cable being laid for the project is going underground.

The fee was based on a $50 permit levy, plus 32 cents per every $1,000 of the $2.1 million cost of the project just in the Town of Richmondville.

The board approved a $22,582 quote from LG on installation of several heat/air conditioning units throughout Town Hall and Town Court, both located in a building just off Podpadic Road.

During her report, Town Clerk-Tax Collector Maggie Smith read letters of resignation from Recycling Attendant Michael Ferguson, Dog Control Officer Jennifer Larrabee and Court Clerk Paige Bulmer.

Jeffrey Haslun said he and Sperbeck recently spoke to a possible replacement for Larrabee and were enthusiastic about her possibly coming on board. The person studies about canines at SUNY Cobleskill, Haslun and Sperbeck noted.

Highway Superintendent Brian Manchester reported he and his crew have been doing some ditching and shoulder cutting on various roads, and also recently helped the Village of Richmondville Public Works crew cut some shoulders on Neary Road.

The Richmondville Town Board at the Aug. 13 meeting also approved a resolution establishing that all voluntary animal shelter contributions collected in connection with dog licensing should be for the benefit of the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, as the town's contracted animal shelter provider.

Also approved was a resolution establishing the mileage allowance for town officers and employees specifically authorized to use their own motor vehicles in the performance of their official duties shall be 76 cents per mile for the final six months of 2026.