A post on the local media outlet IMBY today shows that the concerns over the Claverack Town Board's recent decision to demolish the old Town Hall are escalating. My last post raised some questions, but others are raising more.
To refresh, the TB made this decision at their July workshop meeting with no posted agenda and no public comment.
Supervisor Kippy Weigelt moved to demolish the structure, mentioned a $90,000 cost, has given no reason why this must be done, has not notified NY DEC (required process for asbestos remediation), and wants to put a new building behind the town office within the Claverack Park (violates NYS laws against removing parkland from park use). He has mentioned and appears to prefer buying and installing a simple prefabricated structure.
The post on IMBY today, written by longtime resident Brenda Shufelt, offers a direct (some might say scathing) rebuke of Weigelt for his precipitous action that disrespects residence, showcases shortsighted governance, and may violate laws and safety regulations. It appears (see the picture) that the town highway department began demolition of the building, apparently without the required asbestos remediation and undoubtedly without a DEC permit to do so.
The Claverackian has obtained a recent engineering report (Crawford and Associates, June 2022, commissioned by the Claverack TB) that dcouments that asbestos was present in the roof that was demolished and removed. Did the town protect it's employees? Did it protect nearby residents? Where did they take or put the contaminated waste material?
Why the urgency? Why the secrecy? Why no plan, and no public involvement? What's so urgent that state regs and laws should be ignored? Is the Board prepared to answer to the state, or to the public in Claverack? Is this mismanagement, or malfeasance?
Next Town Board Worshop meeting is August 28 - the public can attend but the Board can refuse to take comments. Next Board meeting is Sept 14. Both are held in the old town library at the corner of Rtes 23 and 9H, in the Claverack hamlet. Both are at 6 pm. Details at townofclaverack.com.
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