Supervisor Krahforst Agrees To Consent Order Regarding Unpermitted Construction Work
by Alex Brooks
There were a number of closed door meetings in Petersburgh on April 20, before and during the Petersburgh Town Board meeting. When the Town Board came out of Executive Session, the Town Attorney divulged what he called “a delicate situation” that has been going on behind the scenes for the past two months. [private]He said in February Petersburgh’s Code Enforcement Officer Martin Conboy became aware of unpermitted construction activity in a building owned, through an LLC Company, by Town Supervisor Siegfried Krahforst, and Conboy issued a Stop Work Order. Ferlazzo said a building permit application was then submitted by Mr.Krahforst, but there were a series of disagreements over it, and Krahforst hired Stephentown attorney Brian Baker to represent him. Ferlazzo said the Supervisor, like any citizen, has due process rights. A series of conversations between the two attorneys, Baker and Ferlazzo, resulted in a consent order being signed. Krahforst’s company has agreed to get an engineer’s report. Ferlazzo said, “it is still an active matter,” but he felt an agreement is in place that will bring the construction project into compliance with applicable building laws.
Water District
Water District Superintendent Ben Krahforst said on March 31 a very serious leak occurred somewhere in the system. All three wells were trying to keep up, but the level of water in the reservoir was dropping. April 1 it had dropped below twenty feet, and Krahforst felt that the reservoir would have been empty by the weekend if the leak had not been found. He finally found it on Depot Road at the Snyder residence, and they had it repaired.
Handicapped Access
The Town of Petersburgh has been served with a “Notice of Complaint” alleging that the Town’s buildings are not in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Town has opted to go into mediation, and there will a mediation session on May 1 to try to resolve the matter.
Highway
Highway Superintendent Rob Cottrell said he expects the County to come out this week to sweep the sand off the County roads. He said, “I’ve done my roads three times.” He also said the State has allocated extra money to help towns recover from the severe winter. Petersburgh is expected to get $12,000. Cottrell is still researching what the rules are going to be for how that money can be used.
Cottrell said security cameras are being installed at the Town garage to prevent vandalism to Town vehicles and equipment.
Other Matters
Town Clerk Deidra Michaels said she tried to reach the Dog Control Officer this month and was unable to reach her. She said the new constable Gerald Russell helped her out, but she said if the DCO is sometimes unresponsive, there has to be some kind of backup plan. Russell said he is willing to be the backup plan on a temporary basis, but the Board also felt they should talk with the Dog Officer about her availability.
Boy Scout Trevar Hall was at the meeting to tell the Board about his proposed Eagle Scout project, which is to build a sign with 4” high moveable letters for the Veterans Memorial Hall so they can announce coming events. The sign will be about eight feet high and six feet wide, with a two foot high stone base. The Town and the PVMCC is still working out exactly where it will be located. The Board thanked Hall for his efforts.
Denise Church said she and her daughter will be attending a grant-writing workshop, with the idea of seeking grants for the Town. Supervisor Krahforst said that is a good thing, because the person who had agreed to write grant applications for the Town has just notified him that she won’t be able to do that any more.
Town Clerk Deidra Michaels suggested to the Board that they hold regular workshops to move their business forward more efficiently. The Board agreed to hold workshops for a half hour before every regular Town Board meeting, so now the Board will convene at 6:30 for a workshop meeting, and then hold the regular meeting at 7.
Supervisor Krahforst has signed the Transfer Station contract with Berlin and delivered it to them, with the minor changes discussed last month, and it will be presented to the Berlin Board at their meeting next month.[/private]