Bombard faces off withSkaneateles

The standoff that began as a dispute between Skaneateles Codes Enforcement Officer Debbie Williams and local car dealer Pat Bombard took a new step last week as Bombard and the Skaneateles Town Board exchanged heated words over the car dealer’s proposed expansion.

At last week’s town board meeting, Bombard, a Skaneateles resident, criticized the board for singling out his development. Although he was represented by attorney Joseph Coti, Bombard approached the board several times and at least twice responded emotionally.

At issue is the town’s ability to inspect continued progress on the expansion. In September, the town issued a special permit for construction of storage sheds at the dealership.

What’s in dispute is whether the town had ample opportunity to inspect the foundations of these sheds before concrete was poured.

Coti said his client made several attempts to contact the town to request an inspection so that work could progress. When those calls went unanswered, he decided to pour the concrete.

When Williams arrived for the inspection, she found contractors ready to pour the concrete and told Bombard to stop the work. Bombard refused and had the contractors pour the concrete. Later, he had holes dug so that inspections could take place.

Bombard has answered an appearance ticket and the dispute has been taken to the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the impasse is little more than a personality conflict, Coti said.

Coti urged the board to consider the project rather than personality of the owner.

“Understand his (Bombard’s) commitment to this town,” Coti said. “This is a significant project. $4,000,000 invested.”
“The town would like you to know that we wish your project success,” Skaneateles Supervisor Phil Tierney said. But he warned Coti and Bombard that the town has rules and regulations they must adhere to, and the town must have access to the property for the proper inspections.

Coti said he agreed with provisions set forth in a letter issued by a town attorney Teresa Roney that correspondance between Bombard and town should be in writing, and that both town codes enforcement officials, Williams and Todd Hall, will be allowed on the property for inspections. Coti added that there does not appear to be a personality conflict between Bombard and Hall, but his client will cooperate with whichever codes enforcement officer is assigned to the project.

Bombard lives here and loves this town, Coti said, and he is frustrated that he is losing valuable time and money.

When Coti was finished with his review of Bombard’s case he asked if there were any questions. Town attorney Mary Kendrick Gaffney asked Bombard if he had put up signs without permits?

This enraged Bombard who approached the board himself at this point. He wondered why she was asking this question while they were discussing another issue. Gaffney pointed out that he had disregarded signage codes before.

Bombard then told Tierney that he came to see him soon after the supervisor was elected to explain the project, which he called a significant upgrade to the eastern gateway to the town. He said he asked Tierney to get involved and never heard back from him.

Bombard was visibly upset and emotional, telling Tierney to not judge him unless he knew him.

When Skaneateles resident Dick Lynch, who was in attendance, criticized him for losing his cool, Bombard said, “I am always out of control because I tell the truth. I am a very emotional guy.”

Bombard told Tierney he was upset because the town keeps changing what is required of him.

“I am just trying to do my part,” Bombard said. “I don’t want any special favors.”

“We would be happy to work with you in a cooperative manner,” Tierney said.

He then told Bombard and Coti that the board would review the matter and moved on to the next order of business.

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