Trail Project Suspends Funding

SCHOHARIE - On Tuesday evening, the Schoharie Village Board spoke about a new update for the Trail Project, as well as the resignation of their justice and a new lease agreement.

Started back in 2016 to 2017, the Trail Project was originally meant to be a footpath spanning along the creek’s edge, allowing residents and visitors alike a chance to soak in the valley’s atmosphere at the water’s edge.

When the Village was unable to get permission from crucial property owners, they modified it to stretch about a quarter of a mile from Bridge Street to Route 30, and design development was progressing well, but they were unable to get past that stage for years.

“When I came on, I wanted to fight to push this thing through,” said Mayor Colleen Henry on Tuesday. “We only got things as far as paper and easements.”

And having secured an ARC grant from USDA, the state took notice of the amount of time that has elapsed and has stepped in. They recently sent correspondence to the Village demanding that they de-obligate themselves from the source of funding.

With a heavy heart, Mayor Henry put forward a motion to comply with their request, and “suspend the Trail Project” until a new avenue opens up the opportunity again.

But the Board isn’t finished with the long-time project just yet, as member Sal Medak said “The designs we do have will help us when we find something else,” and Mayor Henry confirmed that she is on the hunt for other grants and investments.

In other news, the Board has officially received the resignation of elected Justice Mike Breen, with Jim Bryant filling in to help the court run smoothly until a replacement can be found.

Mayor Henry noted that County Clerk Larry Caza has given them a document authorizing the Village to appoint a new justice, and explained that their next step will be to reach out to several promising candidates, including Mr. Bryant.

“We’ll probably have a recommendation for the Board at the next meeting,” she said.

Finally, the Board reviewed their changed lease agreement to share the town hall’s space with the Town of Schoharie.

While previous years saw the Village paying a percentage cost, it will be changed in 2026 to be a total of $1,000 per month for all-inclusion access to the property and everything therein.

With their review of the document finding that the terms were standard and fair, the Board wasted no time in approving the agreement on their side, officially signing it into the meeting’s minutes.