Supervisors to Purchase 12 Acres Bordering Camp Shankitunk

DELHI - Delaware County Supervisors approved the purchase of roughly 12 acres of Delhi land for $107,000 following an executive session on April 9. The property, owned by the Dent family, borders Cornell Cooperative Extension's (CCE) 4-H Camp Shankitunk.

The county owns all the property on which Shankitunk operates. The resolution passed by supervisors is titled "Expansion of 4-H Camp Shankitunk," and it demonstrates their intent to permit the use of the property for camp purposes.

However, Andes Supervisor Wayland "Bud" Gladstone said it's not so simple. Gladstone, who represents the county in CCE affairs, said the Dent estate property lines were misrepresented for several years. In fact, he explained, portions of the property were thought to be already owned by the county. The blurred survey led to several small structures being partially built on Dent property, said Gladstone. In the passing of their mother, Gladstone said brothers John and David discovered the issue when managing the estate. The family, explained Gladstone, is a long-time supporter of Shankitunk and offered the sale of the whole estate to the county for the camp. Gladstone said the brothers approached CCE with the request, who then organized a meeting with Gladstone, Supervisor Chair Tina Molè, and Director of Planning and Watershed Affairs Shelly Johnson-Bennett. While no one agreed the purchase of the whole over 60-acre estate made sense, Gladstone said, it was agreed to maintain some additional property for the camp.

The meeting took place in March, and the whole deal came together quickly. "It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Gladstone. He added that the property offers the camp a chance to grow the forestry education program. The price point was estimated at around $7,000 an acre for an assessment of 14 acres or so, said Gladstone.

The sale includes two parcels separated by Arbor Hill Road. The property bordering the Lenox Forest—donated to the camp years prior—will be subdivided before sale. Approximately four acres will remain with the Dent family. Gladstone said the Dent brothers intend to build a house there. The agreement will include a first right of refusal, which offers the county the first opportunity to purchase if the Dents decide to sell.

Some Delhi Councilmembers were disappointed to see another property removed from the tax rolls at their regular meeting on April 14. Supervisor Maya Boukai is seeking advice on the exact tax implications of the subdivision and county purchase.

"It was unfortunate the way the information (on the sale) was not shared until the day of," said Boukai. "I don't know if having more information would have changed anything," she added.

Councilmember Matt Krzyston was frustrated with the lack of discussion with local officials and another property being gobbled up by the county. "Even if it makes sense, you can't change the fact that the history of the county disregarding the opinion of the local municipality," he said, "there you go again."

"More people could have been informed," said Councilmember Margaret Baldwin.

Boukai and Krzyston vaguely implied that the purchase was intentionally kept quiet. "I am at a loss for how to improve that," said Boukai. She added that some supervisors agreed that better communication practices could have been met.

The final sale is pending an official survey. The county has not yet approached CCE with an agreement to use the property.