Newfield Mobile Home Park Violating Codes

The Town of Newfield Board of Trustees is prepared to take the owners of Newfield Estates Mobile Home Park to court if code violations are not corrected by mid-January. Harry Wright, code enforcement officer, approached the board at its meeting on January 8 to report that a final notice had been sent to the owner of the park and that the next step is to have the court enforce action.

Wright explained to board members that the new owner of the park lives out of state and has never seen the property. The man had employed an on-site manager who left the area without notifying the owner, Wright said. The board’s main concern is road maintenance in the park. Unplowed and unsalted roads make it difficult for vehicles to pass and the board is concerned that emergency vehicles may not be able to reach a time sensitive situation.

A certified letter listing all code violations and outlining a timeline for repair has been sent to and received by the owner. If the repairs are not done on time the issue could go to court for fining. The town also has the legal option of repairing all violations and billing the owner.

Board members expressed concern for the residents of Newfield Estates, especially if the court decides to close the park, but acknowledged that the situation has reached a point where going to court is the only option.

The board approved an agreement between the town and the Tompkins County Soil and Water department for testing during 2009. This year the agreement has a cost cap of $15,000 to control testing. Last year’s work amounted to about $11,000 but Cindy Schulte said the cap was added to be safe. The $15,000 has already been allotted as part of the 2009 storm water budget, totaling $25,000.

In conjunction to the soil and water testing contract the board approved up to $1,500 to help fund a floating classroom at Newfield Central School District. The sixth grade class helps test the water and the funding partially fulfills the town’s state mandated education requirement.

Richard Pyhtala, of Jackson Hollow Road, approached the board during privilege of the floor and asked about the status of the windmill moratorium. Pyhtala would like to build a residential windmill on his property but the moratorium currently prohibits the construction.

The moratorium ends this month and the board said it would not extend the ban. Before it sets any permanent legislation the board is waiting to see what actions the Town of Enfield takes.

Participation in the town’s recreation program is growing, reaching 140 participants in basketball and cheerleading this winter. The town is also setting up a modified basketball team for seventh and eighth grade boys. There are no modified sports for this age range between December and April and the town would like to give everyone a chance to play, not just select teams. The current recreational basketball team is for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.

The board will be holding a work session later this month to discuss the windmill moratorium, water rates, the possibility of expanding a water district and a sign variance request for the Millard Hill Road sub-division.