C

SKANEATELES PRESS, LETTERS TO EDITOR, JUNE 23, 2004

Spafford Party concerned about planning

To the editor:

Disorderly Spafford Town Board meetings, personal attacks and uncivil behavior by a few, divert public attention from important issues. A state official discussing Spafford recently called this “Conquer by Confusion."

Spafford Town issues are not monumental: sharing political power (as mandated by the election process), updating decades old zoning, initiating planning to counteract unguided development, and addressing recommendations of a state code audit for safety uniform fire prevention and building codes. Even citizens volunteering time to research the possibility of a small park with lake access for Spafford residents have been harassed at town meetings by those reluctant to explore change.

The state selected Spafford for a rare investigation and program review of uniform fire prevention and building codes. There was concern with the number of complaints received over a period of years. The perception of unfair, inconsistent or poorly enforced codes in Spafford as been frequently debated at town meetings, among property owners and environmental groups. Spafford’s extensive shoreline on one of the most pristine lakes in the US and its thousands of acres in both the Otisco and Skaneateles watersheds (both sources of municipal water supplies) further intensified concern.

Last month the state released a 24-page audit and requires the town to respond to its findings and recommendations by July 15. At 7 p.m. July 6, at the Spafford Town Hall interested persons may attend an information session conducted by the state regarding the audit findings.

Input from interested citizens will also be considered. Copies of the audit report may be obtained by contacting the Spafford Town Hall at Spafford@traknet.com or 673-4144 or by contacting Councilwoman Joyce Barnett at barnettj@att.net. The audit identified dozens of weaknesses and made many recommendations; unfortunately the town is only required to address those that are an outright violation of law.

Comments from some town board members indicate that the town is resistant to adopting most state recommendations not required by law.

Other comments deflect town board responsibility and blame “the girls who keep the records.” At the May town board meeting, no town official including the supervisor and code enforcement officer was able to answer the question, “Who does the Code Enforcement Clerk report to?”

Councilwoman Barnett’s motion to accept the State’s offer to provide an information session for the public was hotly contested before it narrowly passed; councilman Ireland and supervisor Ireland both voted against the public information meeting.

The town of Spafford’s actions (or refusal to act) regarding zoning, planning, code enforcement and environmental protection will seriously impact quality of life now and for years to come - not only for Spafford residents, but for all who share the lakes. Like it or not, the lakes are a major attraction and accelerating development is on our doorstep.

We ask the town of Spafford to focus on the important issues facing the town, improve systems, and place the well being of our communities as primary concern. Put aside the quarrelling, blaming and attacking and examine the issues.