Sawmill decides to shut down rather than fight

Gregg’s Custom Sawing, a business accused of failing to comply with conditions set for its operation, is shutting down.

Town Building Inspector Alvah Weeks said business owner Gregg Weeks (no relation) has “decided to just terminate the business” in light of court action the town was taking.

“That was on his on doing,” Alvah Weeks said. “It wasn’t something the town was looking to do, but he decided he’d rather cease and desist.”

The town took action against Gregg Weeks in state Supreme Court after a December 2017 inspection of the business at 186 Patch Road found it was operating beyond the scope of the approval granted by the Saugerties Planning Board in 2002.

According to court papers, the sawmill, which is in a residential area, was authorized to operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, could not have more than one non-family employee and was prohibited from having 18-wheel trucks make deliveries or pick-ups.

The owners of adjoining properties reported the business was operating seven days a week and that logging trucks were arriving after 6:30 p.m. two to three days per week. Also, the town said, the inspection found the sawmill had been placed on an adjoining property owned by Weeks Trust.

The court papers allege Gregg Weeks was reported to “crumple up” a stop-work order when it was given to him in December and ordered the town code enforcement officer off the property.

Gregg Weeks could not be reached for comment Monday.