Stamford Initiates Zoom Meetings

HOBART  – Members of the Stamford Town Board held their first zoom meeting on Aug.12 and in the future, residents can tune in to town board meetings by going to the website and getting the link. Supervisor John Kosier has been researching and working to get the zoom established after residents asked for the remote option when they don't have time to attend the actual meeting.

"The information on the zoom meetings will be on the town's web page," said Kosier. The electronic camera zeros in on whoever is speaking and makes its way around the room. The trial last Wednesday  was a success and residents will now have the option of zooming in on the meetings.

At the end of the meeting, board members approved a motion to allow a vendor market to be held in the parking lot at the Stamford Town Hall on Maple Ave. in the village of Hobart. Lauren Temple, a neighbor to the town hall, who operates a garage sale, asked board members if there is any way to get the Hobart Farmers Market moved back to the town parking lot. "The vendors have been reaching out to me and asking if I can get it back," she said.

The market was previously held each Friday evening in the parking lot of the town hall, but this year, organizers announced the move to Book Village Inn. It was felt the market on Friday was not holding the customers and it was moved to the inn, where it was believed there might be more to hold the crowd. 

Andrew Flach, who manages the Hobart Market, in response, said that everyone involved in the market agreed to hold it at the Book Village Inn for 2026. They will reconsider for 2027, but, he said they will finish out at the inn for this season.

Supervisor Kosier said the town has nothing to do with the market, except they used to locate a porta potty there for the season. He said the town still has the insurance for the market and board members gave the okay for vendors to set up in the town hall parking lot if they wished.

Supervisor Kosier also noted he has contacted an accounting firm to conduct an audit of the  town books. However, it is recommended they close out this year and audit for 2024, 2025 and 2026. That way, board members will know how much to budget for the audit. A motion was approved to do that.

The town is four years behind and it is recommended they finish the current year's financial reports before conducting the audit. Kosier said the pandemic played a role in the reports getting behind.

The town will add a clause to dog license renewals for those who wish to make a donation to the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society when they renew their dog license. Board members also renewed the annual contract with the Heart of the Catskills. Brian Warner has also been named the new dog control officer for the town of Stamford.

Scott Roe has been appointed deputy highway superintendent by Highway Superintendent Dan Miglianti, who reported he has been very short-handed lately with vacation and other leaves. The town is currently advertising an open position. A CDL license with no automatic restrictions is preferred and those who are residents of the town will be given preference. They should contact the highway superintendent at 607-538-9971 for more info or a job description. Applications are due by Aug. 31.

Board members then adjourned into an executive workshop at 6:30 p.m. to work on increasing  building permit fees, which have not been updated in several years. "We will bring them to the next town board meeting," said Supervisors Kosier.