By Joe Mahoney Staff Writer

March 10, 2015 — Community support for a proposed commerce park that would extend from the village of Richfield Springs into the town of Richfield is growing, officials said Tuesday.

Richfield town planning board member Daniel Sullivan said Alexander “Sandy” Mathes, chief executive officer of the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency, drew favorable reaction when he outlined the commerce park plans in a Monday night meeting for the planning board and local residents.

On Tuesday, Mathes spoke to members of the Richfield Springs village board. Mathews later told The Daily Star the community appears ready to move forward with the project. First, however, all three local boards will likely hold a joint meeting in early April.

“I have been incredibly impressed by the interest thus far,” Mathes said.

The IDA chief is slated to appear before the town board in Richfield next Monday night. The project already has the enthusiastic backing of Richfield Town Supervisor Fran Enjem.

The proposed 137-acre site runs along both sides of Cemetery Road, between Lake Street and Butternut Road. The IDA has executed an option for the property.

Mathes said it is important that local residents have a discussion about “how they want to grow as a community.” He pointed out there were “lots of good questions” at the village meeting, and the overall mood was “very positive.”

The host municipalities, officials said, do not have to put up any of their own money for the project, and the IDA is prepared to cover about $200,000 for planning and to initiate the required State Environmental Quality Review Act process.

Sullivan said it is anticipated that a new sewer district, one that is separate from the current sewer district for the village, will need to be created in order to accommodate the commerce park, as part of it extends outside the village. Zoning changes will also be needed, he said.

“To me, this is a one-time opportunity to restore prosperity to our area,” Sullivan said. “We need to give this 100 percent off our effort.”

Published in The Daily Star, March 10, 2015