Marlborough sets fees, dissolves police committee

By Katherine Donlevy
Posted 4/14/21

The Marlborough Town Board had a hefty agenda April 12, during which it came to a consensus on short term rental fees, dissolved its police reform committee and opted to move forward with a …

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Marlborough sets fees, dissolves police committee

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The Marlborough Town Board had a hefty agenda April 12, during which it came to a consensus on short term rental fees, dissolved its police reform committee and opted to move forward with a children’s summer camp.

The former item consumed the most time at the Monday evening meeting — after plentiful debate, the members unanimously voted to set the rates for a Planning Board application at $350, the escrow fee at $750 and the yearly recertification fee at $500. Another $50 per bedroom will be tacked onto the recertification fee for any rental with more than the standard single bedroom.

The Town Board had been debating appropriate fees for over a month. The suggested rates varied from each member — some claimed lower rates would entice higher participation and generate the economy, while others argued that property owners could quickly make up the deficit after a few nights of renting out.

“It should be fairly straightforward. They’re not subdividing anything, they’re not changing anything in terms of their property, so I wouldn’t think the engineers and lawyers would have a lot to review of anything. I would think the Planning Board could pretty much make that determination without a lot of consultation,” said Councilman Howard Baker, who had advocated for fees lower than the ultimately decided rates.

“I’m not trying to take anybody’s money. I’m just looking at what the market delivered as far as what the cost is for rentals. I don’t think we’re hurting anybody and I think there’s a big opportunity for people to make a lot of money and God bless them for doing so,” retorted Councilman Allan Koenig.

Building Inspector Thomas Corcoran joined the conversation to suggest that the lower Planning Board application fees were not sufficient, which helped sway the board’s decision to raise it to $350. Corcoran also suggested that the board consider requiring money for the Plan Review period, which would take place before applications even reached the Planning Board.

Also during the Monday agenda, the Town Board unanimously voted to dissolve the Police Reform Committee, which was formed under mandate by Gov. Cuomo after the death of George Flyod last May. Though the Town of Marlborough didn’t feel that it’s police force required modification, the municipality risked losing future state funding for not complying with the mandate.

“I consider that we did our job. The only thing, like we discussed prior, is that we want to make sure we follow up on the recommendations and tick off that list and get it completed, but I don’t plan on convening the committee again,” said Baker, who spearheaded the committee.

Police Chief Gerald Cocozza, who worked with Baker and a panel of other community leaders, agreed that the group no longer needed to regularly meet. He noted that the list of seven recommendations compiled by the committee will be included in his monthly report to the board moving forward, as well as a status update on where the department stands on reform. The list was not included in the March report because he “couldn’t get it together” in time.

Another unanimous vote the Town Board authorized Monday night was to advertise for a new camp director. The presiding director did not feel comfortable taking over the position during the duration of the pandemic, but the board members felt the opportunity for children to socialize and spend their summers outdoors was too great to give up.

“You can’t do anything without a camp director. You need somebody who knows what they’re doing,” said Town Supervisor Al Lanzetta. “At least we can try and see what happens.”

Because finding a camp director is most of the battle, there are plenty of unknowns for what summer camp will look like this year. Whether sessions will be full days or half days is uncertain, but Lanzetta stated there will be no field excursions or trips to the pools.

The Deputy Supervisor remained optimistic, however, and noted that other nearby towns such as Highland and Gardiner were taking on the obstacles in order to provide for their children.

“It’s too important not to try,” agreed Koenig.