Coop Residents Raise Concerns over Fire Pits, Parking Burdens, Water Billing Dispute

By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
COOPERSTOWN

A slew of issues and pointed public comments were raised at the Monday, July 27 Cooperstown Board of Trustees meeting, where residents raised concerns on parking‑ticket processing, a disputed water‑billing matter and the health impacts of recreational wood‑burning fire pits. The meeting opened shortly before 7 p.m., and speakers urged trustees to address what they described as growing strains on local systems and lapses in communication.

The first concern came from Town of Otsego Board Member Deb Dalton, who told trustees that the Town of Otsego Court is overwhelmed by the volume of parking citations issued within the village. Dalton said more than 2,900 citations had already been issued this year, with dozens more added that same day. She explained that the court now spends “80 percent of the time” processing parking tickets, even though all fees collected from those citations are returned to the village. Every ticket, she said, requires intake, data entry, docketing, processing and reporting through the court’s management system—even when paid online.

Dalton urged the village to consider hiring part‑time staff to reduce the burden on the town court, noting that the village benefits financially from parking enforcement while the town court absorbs the administrative workload.

Dalton’s comments were later reinforced by Town Justice Tom Russo, who said the Town of Otsego Court handles far more than parking violations, including felony complaints, misdemeanor charges, small claims, restraining orders and domestic‑violence matters. Russo said the court is on track to process “at least 4,000 parking citations this year,” calling it a “tremendous burden” that could delay the village’s receipt of parking‑ticket revenue. Trustees discussed whether automation could reduce manual data entry, but noted that state oversight requires the court to manually upload citation information regardless of how tickets are paid. One trustee added that the Town of Otsego had previously budgeted $15,000.00 for additional clerk help but never filled the position.

The meeting then shifted to a long‑running water‑billing dispute when Eric Hage read a letter on behalf of his father, Chuck Hage. The letter described excavation work performed in February 2025 on Pioneer Street after water began flooding a neighbor’s basement. Chuck Hage wrote that his own water pressure remained normal, suggesting the leak originated from the village water‑main line rather than his property’s lateral line. According to the letter, a contractor hired by the village first dug a hole in front of Chuck’s home before determining the leak was elsewhere, requiring a second excavation across the street. Chuck argued he should not be billed for “misdirected digging,” and said he never requested the work. He also said none of the invoices he received over 17 months itemized or separated the cost of the village’s excavation from the actual valve repair.

Chuck Hage wrote that he was never invited to participate in discussions about the billing, despite meeting minutes indicating he should be. He said the village went silent for 13 months before adding a $2,500.00 line item to his May 2026 property‑tax bill and returning his tax payment.

Eric Hage added his own remarks, saying the situation reflected “months of unprofessional billing, poor communication, and a process that lacked transparency and basic fairness.” He urged trustees to remove the lien and eliminate the bill.

As public comment continued, Jessie Ravage asked trustees to consider reducing recreational wood‑burning fire pits in the village. Ravage cited health concerns, noting that wood smoke contains particulate matter and toxins harmful to children, older adults and individuals with compromised lung function. She said smoke from fire pits lingers for hours and can affect neighbors’ ability to enjoy their property. Ravage referenced studies and state fire‑code provisions, arguing that current regulations focus on property‑loss prevention rather than health impacts. She suggested education as a first step and said that she was willing to partner with a committee to explore solutions. Trustees asked clarifying questions, including how enforcement might work and whether concerns applied to indoor wood‑burning stoves. Ravage said the concerns were specifically about outdoor recreational fire pits.

As the meeting moved toward committee assignments, Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh referred each issue to the appropriate body for review. The concerns about recreational fire pits were sent to the Community and Environment Committee. The water‑billing dispute raised by the Hage family was referred back to the Water and Sewer Board for further examination. The parking‑ticket burden was directed to the Public Safety-Fire Committee, with trustees noting the need for a clearer understanding of the court’s workflow and potential solutions.

Mayor Tillapaugh also reviewed the history of court operations, explaining that the village abolished its own court around 2013, shifting all infractions to the Town of Otsego Court. She noted that the village retains revenue only from parking violations, while fines from speeding, stop‑sign violations, and other moving infractions go to the town and state. Trustees said committees will review each issue and return recommendations.

Residents argued that the issues raised Monday affect fairness, public health and government efficiency. Parking‑ticket volume is straining court resources; the water‑billing dispute raises questions about transparency and due process; and wood‑burning fire pits, Ravage said, “infringe on neighbors’ ability to peacefully enjoy their property.”

The board is expected to revisit each matter once committee recommendations are complete. The meeting can be viewed in full at https://cooperstownny.gov/board-of-trustee-meetings/.