To the Editor:

As a member of the Switzkill Farm Board, I would like to address some of the issues that have arisen since the change in leadership in the town of Berne. During the three years that the town has owned Switzkill Farm, there has been profound progress in developing the 350-acre parcel of land and the buildings on the property.

Whatever the feelings of the present administration regarding the future of the farm, I think they must appreciate the tremendous effort the board has made to make Switzkill Farm self-supporting and an economic benefit to the community. There have been innumerable events (including weddings, festivals, local school visits, Saturday breakfast get-togethers, snowshoeing, hiking and cross-country skiing) at the farm.

As the board liaison to the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, I have had several meetings with faculty and administrators regarding the inclusion of the farm in school programming and have found an enthusiastic response toward utilizing Switzkill Farm’s resources. The proximity to the school campus makes the farm an invaluable educational resource.

The potential to provide economic benefit to the town has only begun to be realized. After the fall political campaign, the incoming administration, which sided with those who would prefer to see Switzkill Farm fail in its objectives and to be sold off (a highly problematical outcome), have not responded to repeated invitations to meet with the Switzkill Farm Board to discuss its future.

In fact, recent precipitous actions toward tenants on the property by the new administration have shown ignorance of and complete disregard for a landlord’s legal obligations. I hope the Berne Town Board will rectify this situation.

Furthermore, I hope that members of the community who do not support the future of Switzkill Farm will come to recognize its value to the whole town.

The Switzkill Farm Board has spent many hours working on trails, renovating the lodge, planning for future events, and manning an informative Facebook page. I invite those interested in visiting the farm to take a ride up Game Farm Road, hike the trails, take in the spectacular views of the northern Catskills, and see this incredible resource that we have in our town.  

Richard J. Ronconi, member

Switzkill Farm Board

Berne

Editor’s note: see related story.