function localExists(filePath) {
  const stats = statSync(filePath, { throwIfNoEntry: false });
  if (!stats) {
    return false;
  } else if (stats.isDirectory()) {
    return 'd';
  } else if (stats.isFile()) {
    return '-';
  } else {
    const err = new Error(`Bad path: ${filePath}: target must be a file or directory`);
    err.code = errorCode.badPath;
    throw err;
  }
}
Checks to verify local object exists. Returns a character string representing the type
type of local object if it exists, false if it doesn't.

Return codes: l = symbolic link
              - = regular file
              d = directory
              s = socket

@param {string} filePath - path to local object
@returns {string | boolean} returns a string for object type if it exists, false otherwise