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Volume 18, No. 33
Otsego Sheriff’s Lieutenant Arrested on Felony Drug Charges; Oversight Questions Mount
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By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
A
OTSEGO COUNTY veteran Otsego County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant is facing felony drug charges after a months‑long investigation by New York State Police and the Otsego County District Attorney’s Office—an arrest that has quickly spilled into the already‑heated race for sheriff. The case, which involves allegations of drug trafficking across multiple counties and the use of county‑owned vehicles, has raised sharp questions about internal oversight, departmental culture and the future
direction of the Sheriff’s Office. State Police announced that Lt. Christopher Fellrath was taken into custody following an undercover inves‑ tigation into alleged drug distribution. According to the State Police release, investigators allege Fellrath used his position—and at times, county‑owned vehicles— while participating in the distribution of controlled substances. He was charged with multiple felonies and arraigned in Otsego County Court. Authorities have not released details about how long the alleged activity may have been occurring or whether additional arrests are Continued on page 8
Manocherian Advances Plan To Build Homes in Otsego, Springfield By DEBRA MOFFITT
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OTSEGO COUNTY prominent Manhattan real estate owner has taken another step toward building 126 homes on a 1,525-acre site west of Otsego Lake. Representatives for Manocherian Brothers/Pan Am Equities presented a revised sketch plan to both the Otsego and Springfield town plan‑ ning boards last week. The proposed housing development spans both towns with 776 acres in Springfield and 749 acres in Otsego. Originally proposed as 111 singlefamily lots, the sketch plan for the subdivision now includes 126 dwell‑ ings due to a 46-unit multifamily duplex community planned for McRorie Road in Springfield, which will require a special permit. Manocherian plans to build: • 50 single-family homes in the Town of Otsego, where the minimum lot size is currently three acres. INSIDE
► NEW BOAT LAW MAKING WAVES, page 2
• 30 single-family homes in Springfield, where the minimum lot size is five acres • 46 multi-family homes in the duplex community, also in Springfield As they did last summer, members of the public filled planning board meeting rooms with questions about how the project will impact roads, the water supply and the environment. No public comment was permitted at the sketch plan stage, but planning board members raised questions of their own, with some saying they lacked the expertise to assess such a complex proposal. With so many new homes needing well water, Otsego Planning Board member Alexander Nirenberg ques‑ tioned whether the local aquifer could “bear that load without affecting the groundwater of all the other residents.” Otsego Planning Graphic provided Board member Jeffrey Banner asked The proposed Manocherian housing development, if approved, would result in 126 new single- how much of the potential open space family and multi-family home in the Towns of Otsego and Springfield. Continued on page 9
Shirey, David Will Lead America250 Parade on July 4th
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SPRINGFIELD he Springfield Fourth of July Committee announced on ► BE FRAPPE! bAKED AND Friday, June 5 that Patrick Shirey and Stewart David, both BREWED MOVES, page 3 Springfield Fire Department and EMS first responders, will be this year’s Fourth of July Parade grand marshals. Together, offi‑ ► ASTEROIDS, COMETS & METEORS, OH MY! page 4 cials said, the two have contributed nearly 100 years of volunteer service, with Shirey serving 35 years in Springfield after roughly ► missed opportunity to 15 years with the Van Hornesville Fire Department, and David in honor heroes, page 4 his 48th year with the Springfield Fire Department, where he serves as fire lieutenant. ► News in brief, page 6 According to a press release, countless residents and visitors have ► glamorous gateway in benefited from this dedicated duo, who are often first on the scene the making, page 7 of emergencies—whether fires, motor vehicle accidents or medical crises. These days, a phone app transmits emergency alerts, but it is ► be on the lookout for Shirey and David’s old fashioned community spirit that continues garlic mustard, page 8 to drive their service, officials said. “The biggest thing we get out of it is a ‘thank you’ from the ► flag day music, page 9 people we help. That makes it all worthwhile,” David commented. Springfield Fire Department Chief Craig Hysack emphasized the pair’s positive impact. Continued on page 8 1 98715 21709 4
Photo by Andrea House
Patrick Shirey and Stewart David will be the grand marshals for this year’s Fourth of July Parade in Springfield.
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