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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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founded in 1808
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otesgo county NOT IMMUNE FROM national issues, page 4 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 218, No. 15
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, April 9, 2026
Newsstand Price $1
Board Reviews Path Forward for Comp Plan, Discusses County Community Event Grants By BILL BELLEN OTSEGO COUNTY he Otsego County Board of Representatives got to business right away at its April 1 meeting. Representatives Daniel Wilber and Nora Mendez were both absent during roll call, though Wilber arrived shortly thereafter. In a stark contrast to the board’s meetings as of late, no one chose to speak during privilege of the floor, moving the meeting along to petitions and notices.
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There was a summons with notice by Michael Stavola against the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, specifically Sergeant Craig Morrison and Deputy Sheriff Jessica Thornhill. The notice asserted violations of Stavola’s Fourth Amendment rights, including the right to privacy in the home and the abuse of police power. Money damages sought are in excess of $300,000.00. Planning Department Director Tammie Harris gave a presentation on the potential scope and benefits of a comprehensive plan for Otsego County. Harris said that Continued on page 11
Trustees Set Annual Watershed Septic Inspection Fee, Approve Mutual Aid Contract Addendum By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL COOPERSTOWN t its regular meeting on Monday, March 23, the Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees voted to set an annual $50.00 fee for properties within Otsego Lake’s “zone of protection” with wastewater treatment systems subject to inspection. Trustees also approved an addendum to a law enforcement mutual aid agreement clarifying the village would not participate in immigration enforcement and adjusted reserved parking spaces on Fair Street. After hearing from current and former members of the Watershed Supervisory Committee, the intermunicipal body responsible for protecting the Otsego Lake watershed, the board voted to move from a $150.00 every three years fee to a $50.00 per year fee for properites with wastewater treatment systems. The affected “zone of protection” includes properties “within 500 feet of the shoreline of Otsego Lake or 100 feet from one of its tributaries,” according to village law. “After much discussion, the WSC unanimously decided that a fee seemed reasonable,” said Dr. Bertine McKenna, the chair of the WSC. She said the decision came after consultations with multiple other lake communities. “We felt that the annual fee in the zone of protection would be a reasonable way to do it, and that was Lake George’s approach.” “There already was a fee, there has been for about a year now,” Dr. Jacob Continued on page 8
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► portelli expounds, page 2 ► hobby horse rides, page 3 ► dmc promotes, page 4 ► LEAF educates, page 5 ► stamp club meets, page 6 ► tillapaugh rebuts, page 7 ► beetle protects, page 7 Follow Breaking News On
Easter Overload!
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SPRINGFIELD—Hyde Hall Executive Director Jonathan Maney announced on Monday, April 6 that more than 700 children and their families attended the Easter Egg Hunt at Hyde Hall/Glimmerglass State Park on Saturday, April 4. Maney described it as “a perfect day of sunshine and fun.” The event was sponsored in part by Stewart’s Shops.
Catan, Rockefeller Honored as Woman Trailblazers By JULIA DELPOZZO SUNY Institute for Local News ONEONTA he City of Oneonta honored two local women for their leadership and community impact during the annual Oneonta Woman Trailblazer Award ceremony held on the evening of Wednesday, March 25 at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center. This year’s Trailblazer Award recipients were Michelle Catan and Kelsey Rockefeller, both recognized for their professional achievements, community involvement, and the example they set for other women in the Oneonta area. The Trailblazer Award is given
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to “a woman in the Oneonta area who has enhanced the visibility and importance of women.” According to the City of Oneonta website, a trailblazer is “one who has opened pathways for others to follow; a pioneer, a forerunner, a trail breaker, a mover and shaker.” The ceremony opened with remarks from Ryan Selzner, chair of the Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights, which oversees the award for the city. Selzner introduced the event before welcoming Mayor Daniel Buttermann to the stage. Buttermann read a proclamation and spoke about what it means to Photo by Julia DelPozzo be a “trailblazer” before presenting This year’s Woman Trailblazer Award recipients Michelle Catan and Kelsey Rockefeller with City of Oneonta Mayor Daniel Buttermann. Continued on page 9
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
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