Farm decries Colonie hurdles
Owners say town officials’ roadblocks hurt businesses
COLONIE — Eight years after opening Forts Ferry Farm, its owners have removed their farm stand and halted all future development for the public at the multimillion-dollar property and business in Latham because of what they characterize as a town bureaucracy of “archaic regulations and questionable values” that is “nearly impossible to navigate.”
The farm, which last year raised 25,000 pounds of produce across 300 varieties, will continue to sell its wares at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on Saturdays. But the property is largely closed to the public, ending programs including free public and school agricultural tours, wellness classes, live music, theme nights including pizza and movies, and events like Halloween parties and cruise-ins for classic cars.
The owners said they are so frustrated by roadblocks from town officials that they will be moving their farm stand to Columbia County, with a projected opening in midsummer. The farm will use its website to sell prepared foods, pantry items and farm-themed gifts, available for shipping or on-farm pickup.
Complaints about the Colonie bureaucracy from Forts Ferry Farm were echoed in interviews with multiple owners of small businesses who have had recent dealings with town regulators and inspectors. All of the owners said Colonie officials have created a climate that seems to welcome deeppocketed developers, big-box stores and other national chains but regularly stymies independent owners.
Veronika Degiovine, senior associate town attorney for Colonie, rejected the characterization of the town as unfriendly to small business.
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Coming in at No. 9 was Fire Chief Dan Mareno.
Police Chief Eric Clifford described Desbiens as a “rock star” who loves his job and volunteers to work on weekends and during inclement weather when others turn it down.
“He worked as much as two officers, he did his straight time, and then he would work probably another 40 hours, which is like the equivalent of another officer, he worked at that rate,” Clifford said. The chief said he has concerns about officer wellness and makes it a point to check in with Desbiens and other officers, who work a huge amount of extra hours.
“They are hard workers, and they thoroughly enjoy their job,” the chief said.
Clifford said he believed the department paid out more in overtime in 2022 than it did in 2021.
Despite the ability to make a good salary and earn a retirement pension after 20 years, the department has struggled to retain staff for the 156-member department, he said. He said the problem is exacerbated by what he characterizes as well-intentioned but outdated civil service rules that don’t account for a shrinking pool of potential police candidates.
The police department is down about 25 officers, a number that includes officers who are out on longterm military leave or rookies training at the academy. Clifford said it also contends with retirements that lower levels.
Mayor Gary Mccarthy, who is running for a fourth term, blamed the overtime expense in part on the department not being at full strength.
“They’re not at full staffing, and yes, I’d always like these (overtime) numbers to be lower, but I have to staff these positions,” he said. “When you got a call in, the police or fire department, I’m thankful these people step up and are available to work.”
He noted that as per the police contract, some of the overtime the officers earned is mandated to ensure that the department meets minimum staffing standards.