Stamford To Set New Process for Privilege of the Floor

HOBART – Members of the Stamford Town Board heard a presentation from Julie Rockefeller, regarding a kickoff party for the proposed new library in the village of Stamford, put a hold on a CDBG home rehabilitation grant application and learned the Hobart Farmers Market is moving from the town hall parking lot to a local inn and will change its day of operation.

Rockefeller, a newly appointed  member of the Stamford Library board of directors, provided information regarding the new library building coming to 139 West Main St. in the village of Stamford. She said town and village officials, along with state representatives have been invited to attend the kickoff party for the building campaign, set for 1-4 p.m. on May 30 at the site of the new library. All of the library board members will be present and she said attendees will be able to get a concept of the new building's footprint. They will be able to visualize where the new community room, garden, children's library, adult library, reading garden, teen room and history room will be located. It will also be handicapped accessible and have ample parking. She explained it is an association library and is an important asset not just to Stamford, but to many other local communities. Fundraising continues and grants are helping bring the project to fruition, with the smaller, individual donors expected to get them over the finish line. The new library will not be constructed until the financing is in place. She projected a new library will hopefully be in place by 2027. There will be family friendly activities, food and festivities to celebrate the next steps of the process, which will include finalizing the plans. Rockefeller said they are at the halfway point both in the planning and the fundraising and they will now begin designing the interior spaces and decorating. She said many years of work have gone into getting to this point. Resident Lori Betz commented that she believes it is an excellent project and is needed and gave it her approval.

Supervisor John Kosier announced that a new planning board member is needed and anyone interested should contact the Stamford Town Clerk.

Kosier said he will return the port-a-john he ordered for the Hobart Farmers Market, which has traditionally been held in the town hall parking lot. He was not made aware the market will be moved to the Book Village Inn from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The market opens tomorrow.

During the privilege of the floor, resident Lori Betz said that in doing some research, she came across an account to fix walls in SouthKortright in the amount of $2,373.. She said some of the walls do need work. She also discovered a place where the highway balances were not carried forward. She pointed them out to Supervisor Kosier. She also commented that reserve funds can be designated for specific purposes and questioned what the town’s capital reserve fund is.

Resident Doug McMullen again questioned the town's capital reserve fund and when they could expect a report. He said the town should be conducting an annual audit and asked when the town is going to have one. He said the fact that they can't get the figures for the capital reserve fund seems "fishy" to him. He said numerous towns get in trouble for not following the proper procedures. He said he could go online to submit a complaint to the Comptroller's Office. "I can't understand what the secret is. This has been going on since November."

Kosier promised to get some answers. He went on to explain that the comments portion of the town board meeting is not a question and answer session, but an opportunity to hear comments from the public. He said they do not have to answer questions. He said the town board meeting is for the purpose of conducting the meeting, to pay the bills and moving forward,  a protocol for accepting public comments will be established. Those wishing to speak will need to contact the town clerk a week in advance to get on the agenda. That way, Kosier explained, the town board has an opportunity to do some research and perhaps provide a better answer. The new procedure will be added to the town website. There will also be a platform for people to submit their comments.

"There is supposed to be transparency," said McMullen. "It looks funny for whatever reason."

Kosier answered that he will find who has been doing audits for some of the other towns and in the future, the town can allocate money in the budget to pay for the audit.

Highway Superintendent Dan Miglianti said the crew is doing a good job and getting along well. They have been ditching along Roses Brook. They have also been filling pot holes with grader patch. He has consulted with the county's Soil and Water Conservation Service on a couple of projects.

It was announced that road repairs to the top of Mount Utsayantha have begun with the town of Harpersfield assisting the village of Stamford. The town was not notified as last month they tabled approval to do the shared services until they had more information regarding the project.  

Last month the town was asked to consider an application for a $300,000 Community Development  Block Grant home repair grant through the Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council (WCCRC). The application process would cost the town $2,300 to apply and if again if a second application was needed. It was determined the town will consider the application next year as they are working to get annual reports completed.

The town is also seeking a member of the town planning board, which meets as needed. Anyone interested may contact the town clerk.

The next meeting of the town board will be held June 10.