Verizon Tower Awaits Judges Ruling, American Legion Asks Town to Relinquish Deed

HARPERSFIELD –  Residents who signed a petition to deny the location of a Verizon communications tower on town property have until April 22 to provide information on their primary residences to the attorney representing the town,. The attorney will return to the judge for a decision on whether or not to hold a public referendum via  special election.

Ken Cole, commander of the American Legion Post in Stamford, along with Arty Sprague, vice-commander, was present to ask the town board if  the town could be removed from the deed for the property where the Stamford Veterans Club is located. "We are here to ask if something could be done with our deed," he said. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) originally purchased the building in 1947. A few years later the American Legion also used the building, along with the auxiliaries for both organizations. "The American Legion is the only one left and we are still in good shape with our membership. When the deed was done, it was written so that if the veterans organizations ceased to exist or were finished with the building, it would revert back to the town of Harpersfield."

The reason for removing the town from the deed is  to open up the opportunities to receive grants to help repair and maintain the building. "If we own it it opens us up for funding. The building is well over 100 years old. We took down the old ice house and stables a few years ago. It would benefit us if you were not on the deed."

Sprague explained that they can't apply to be a 501c3 corporation as long as the town is on the deed. Their expenses, which included a new septic system, are exceeding their income. Without remodeling and repairs, they are limited in their capacity to fundraise. He said they have very few young members, which is what almost all organizations complain about. The average age is around 70-years and he said they are looking to form a new veterans organization that includes veterans of all eras. They have had a couple of younger members join and they are hoping it will lead to more.

They will research how they would proceed to create the new organization and what would happen to the building, or how it could be prevented from being offered for sale on the open market. Sprague said they do plan to contact an attorney. 

What they are looking for is a clear title to the deed and the town is looking for what could happen if they are removed from the deed and the veterans organization ceases to exist.

Councilman Pat Funk asked why the town would give up its interest to have it revert to a national  or state organization and not reap any local benefit. Supervisor Driscoll said that the town having ownership may not be necessarily be that beneficial, particularly if they are unable to secure funds to repair and maintain the building. She is in favor of helping the veterans secure grants that will allow them to make the improvements.

It was agreed that more discussion and research is needed in order to determine the best course for the future. Driscoll asked the veterans to do some more research and return to the board next month. 

"We are trying to do something to keep this organization going," said Sprague.

They will be on the agenda again for next month.

Software that will benefit code enforcement, will also provide beneficial information for the town assessor as well as community development was approved. The IWorq program was approved for $2,900 over City Reporter's quote of $4,325. Both systems were tried out and everyone favored IWorq, said Driscoll. At some point the town will make it available online, which will cost more. However, Driscoll said they want code enforcement and the assessor to work with the program before it goes live online.

She announced the Certificate of Need will be closed for the ambulance service as Headwaters Emergency Medical Services now has its own CON. They are now working off their own CON, although bank accounts will remain open as billings continue to be settled. They will review and audit the invoices to ensure the money that came in matches the money that went out.

The JCAP grant to provide new cameras for the town hall is $2,500 short and the town will pay the difference. It was suggested Supervisor Driscoll reach out to CORE or the O'Connor Foundation to get additional funding to pay for the security cameras.

The town is introducing Aflac insurance for those employees who may be interested in the plan. It is supplemental insurance and three people are needed in order to receive the town discount for the rates. It also provides coverage for some additional categories and a representative will come in May to provide an overview.

The town is also comprising a list of surplus items, many of them outdated copiers and computers, as well as highway equipment. Some is scrap metal. A motion was approved to scrap the surplus items.

Supervisor Driscoll said there had been some vandalism at the highway department and she said from now on no one will be allowed behind the building without permission. Highway Superintendent Russ Hatch is meeting with the Sheriff's Office regarding the vandalism.

Funk, under Council members items, said he wants his road, Gunhouse Hill Road, patrolled by the Sheriff's Department. People speed along the road constantly and someone recently ran his fiancé off the road.

The town assessor is also looking into the cost of revaluation.

The next meeting will be held May 14 at 7 p.m..