Sangerfield Fails To Meet Requirements

Failure to complete the requirements by the Town of Sangerfield forced the Town to give back a grant to improve housing.

Despite numerous extensions by the federal government for the Community Development Block Grant, the Town sent a letter Aug. 5, saying it was withdrawing its application.

Doing so allows the Town to apply again.

Missing the last deadline granted would have eliminated consideration for future grants.

The matter came to light at last week’s Town Board meeting.

Town officials disagreed on what caused the grant application to be withdrawn.

In his letter to the New York State Homes and Community Renewal agency, Town Supervisor William Fredericks said, “Unfortunately, as you know, it has been a struggle trying to get the proper information needed from our Sam.gov account, along with other problems.’’

During the discussion at the meeting, Fredericks blamed Thoma Development of Cortland.

Thoma was hired by the Town for $7,500 to prepare the application last year.

Thoma is used by several area towns and villages to obtain similar grants.

The grant allows homeowners who qualify to receive repairs and upgrades to their homes at no cost to them.

Fredericks said someone from Thoma came to the Town Hall and helped him fill out the paperwork.

However, he said the application was rejected several times.

Councilman Phil Olin and Town Clerk Joanne Miller said the missing piece was the Sam.gov identification number that Fredericks had to apply for as part of the grant.

Olin said he made multiple attempts to contact Fredericks ...