Trustees Discuss Zoning, Staffing Changes

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
COOPERSTOWN

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 22, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown discussed issues including the exit of Police Chief Frank Cavalieri, upcoming zoning hearings for a proposed apartment building and rezoning of the Cooper Inn, the status of different grants, permits for local events, and more. The board also accepted the resignation of Deputy Treasurer Kathy Caffery and voted to advertise for a replacement.

The board considered several permit requests. They included permits for Village property use for a bass fishing tournament on October 5, an “Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest” at Three Mile Point Park on October 4, pending safety and liability concerns to be resolved, and book sales on sidewalks in the fall and spring.

The board voted to accept a zoning official’s report on a potential zone change for 15 Chestnut Street, the site of the former Cooper Inn. The building is now being used as office space. The property owner, Leatherstocking Corporation, is seeking to have the zoning designation changed so that the portion of the land with the building can be altered from residential to business.

“We believe that this change would reflect the historic and ongoing business usage of the building at 15 Chestnut, while protecting the residential nature of Lake Street,” Leatherstocking Corporation’s Director of Operations Padraic MacLeish wrote to the board on July 17.

Board members also spoke briefly about another proposal for a special use permit for a four-unit apartment at 26 Walnut Street. Members voted to have a public hearing for both on Monday, October 27.

A proposal for a 50-unit housing complex at 217 Main Street has already been approved, and funds have been sought for demolition there to begin.

During the Public Safety Committee reports section of the meeting, Trustee George Fasanelli said, “We will be losing our chief shortly, and it’s going to result in a new chief.”

Village officials have known that Chief Frank Cavalieri would be retiring for some time. He will be replaced with Officer-in-Charge Jess Lanza.

Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh reported on the status of various grants and projects. The village has received a signed contract from the New York Department of State for its NY Forward grant. The inflow and infiltration study has received comments from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on a plan developed by engineers hired for the village. Round 9 of the Restore NY grant for demolishing 217 Main Street has been approved.

The board appointed Bruce MacLeish as the first alternate to the Water and Sewer Board. The board will also be selecting a new member of the Watershed Supervisory Committee at the next meeting on Monday, October 27, Mayor Tillapaugh said.

Full meeting recordings and corresponding minutes and agendas can be found at https://www.cooperstownny.org/board-of-trustee-meetings/.