A funny thing happened on the way to building a community pavilion this year in the Town of Rathbone.
Workers constructed part of it on Steuben County property, near Steuben’s access road to a county bridge over the Canisteo River, just off County Route 119.
While the county is within its rights to ask Rathbone to tear the pavilion down, the county Legislature’s Public Works Committee agreed Monday to allow the town a 10-foot perimeter around the structure for a nominal lease. The town also must provide insurance for and agree to maintain the property, and include a “hold-harmless” clause to protect the county.
County Public Works Commissioner Vince Spagnoletti said he was unaware of any other time a town has inadvertently built on Steuben’s land.
Spagnoletti said he learned of the issue, after Legislator Dan Farrand, R-Rathbone approached county Bridge Engineer Steve Catherman about the situation.
Farrand, who did not attend the committee meeting, also is the disputed Rathbone town supervisor, whose election in November 2011 is under investigation by the Chemung County District Attorney’s office.
Farrand did not return The Leader’s calls.
A funny thing happened on the way to building a community pavilion this year in the Town of Rathbone.
Workers constructed part of it on Steuben County property, near Steuben’s access road to a county bridge over the Canisteo River, just off County Route 119.
While the county is within its rights to ask Rathbone to tear the pavilion down, the county Legislature’s Public Works Committee agreed Monday to allow the town a 10-foot perimeter around the structure for a nominal lease. The town also must provide insurance for and agree to maintain the property, and include a “hold-harmless” clause to protect the county.
County Public Works Commissioner Vince Spagnoletti said he was unaware of any other time a town has inadvertently built on Steuben’s land.
Spagnoletti said he learned of the issue, after Legislator Dan Farrand, R-Rathbone approached county Bridge Engineer Steve Catherman about the situation.
Farrand, who did not attend the committee meeting, also is the disputed Rathbone town supervisor, whose election in November 2011 is under investigation by the Chemung County District Attorney’s office.
Farrand did not return The Leader’s calls.
