what zoning can’t do

My neighbor has a tree with branches over my roof. Can I cut the branches off?

• My neighbor wants to cut branches off my tree that goes over the property line, can he do that?

• There is a right-of-way across my property to allow people to walk to the lake. Can they drive their car down the right-of-way?

• Can they launch a boat at the end of the right-of-way?

• Can they drive four-wheelers up and down the right-of-way?

• Can they park in the right-of-way?

• Can I put big rocks in the right-of-way so cars can’t drive down to the lake?

• There are always a lot of deer in my neighbor’s yard and then the deer come and poop in my yard. Can I make my neighbor clean it up?

• Will the town come and clean the goose poop off my waterfront?

• My neighbor is building a new deck and putting siding on the house. The workmen are starting too early. Can you tell them not to start until at least 9:00 in the morning?

• I share a dock with another family and they use all the dock area for their boats and I can never park my boat there. Will the Code Office tell them to remove a couple boats to make it fair?

• Why does the town let all the deer out on Friday afternoon when the traffic is ridiculous around town?

• My neighbors rent all summer long to different people. Many times these people are rude, loud and obnoxious and have parties late into the evening. Will you tell them they can’t rent to noisy people?

• Can I live in a house boat out in the water?

• If this is a New York State Park, how come so many people seem to live here?

• Does the state own all the houses in town and rent them to people to run the restaurants for the summer?

• How do I get on a list to rent a house in Old Forge?

• Why should we leave a tip for the waitress if she works for the state as a state park employee?

• If South Shore Road is part of the snowmobile trail system, how come there are cars on the road?

• Do bears actually live here?

My neighbor at the lake is planting trees which will ultimately block my view of the water. Can you please go and tell them they can’t do that?

• My dock is only ten feet from my neighbors. When he parks his boat there it takes up too much room so I can’t park my boat. The town doesn’t have any regulations on docks?

• If we are only using our “camp” three months a year, can we have all the septic water go a 55 gallon drum out in the yard?

• What’s wrong with a 55 gallon drum for our septic system?

• Can we tear the camp down then remodel the boathouse into a camp?

• Is it okay to feed the deer?

• How can I show my children the right way to feed the bear?

• Does your office have a copy of the local bus service?

• Does the Adirondack Train go to Buffalo?

• What is a better way to get to Old Forge than driving north on Rt. 28 from Utica?

• What is a better way to get to Old Forge from Blue Mountain?

—The most common thread in all these questions is the answer. Each summer season is sure to bring all kinds of questions. Some are logical and understandable.

Others, well… you answer politely, then jot them down in your scrape book for a future chuckle.

You have to love summer. Summer brings lots of business, lots of people and many different perceptions of what this area is all about.

Four more weeks, relax, enjoy your stay, be patient, eat well, drive safe, enjoy the wildlife… school starts soon enough.