TOWN BOARD MEETING OF JAN. 4

Note: Councilman Peter DeVantier was absent from the Jan. 4 meeting.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting could not be approved because Councilman Andy McRell had been absent then and Councilman DeVantier was absent for this meeting.

Correspondence: A letter from the Sullivan County Democrat thanking the board for using the Democrat as the paper of record for 2023 was received. Gov. Kathy Hochul has decreed that all local elections will now take place on even years. Charter Communications which owns the cable service Spectrum plans an increase for most plans. The Catskill Art Space will have new exhibits and pottery classes in January and February.

Reorganization schedules were then distributed to the board.

Reorganization Required: The board has to determine whether a town Health Officer is actually required.

Resolution Required: The following resolutions were required and passed by the board.

Appoint Kevin Cooke and Robyn Almquist to the Zoning Board of Appeals for three-year terms.
Reappoint Ryan Edwards and Joseph Lambe to the Planning Board for three-year terms.
Reappoint Dan Smith and Perry Kuehn to the Zoning Board for three-year terms.
Adopt the reorganizational schedule and holiday schedule.

Old Business

O&W Rail Trail Update: The contract for the feasibility study of extending the trail from Parksville to Livingston Manor is in town attorney Ken Klein’s office for review.

New Business

Bill Brown will appear before the board at the next meeting to discuss the different methods for building a new water tower and the different sites being considered. The process required to apply for grants and undertake the project means it will likely take two years to complete.

Zoning Board meetings start in February and their main topic will be the control of residential water meters.

Department Heads: Glenn Gabbard, Code Enforcement: Real estate was very busy in 2023, with a 26-percent increase in revenue to the town. Roger Decker, Highway: The new salt dome is starting to go up.

Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #1 were approved.

Details of all dollar amounts, etc., can be found on the town’s website at townofrocklandny.com under the minutes of Jan. 4.

TOWN BOARD MEETING OF JAN. 18

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were passed as were the minutes of Dec. 28.

Sake Brewery Presentation: Bon Yagi, a New York restaurateur, appeared before the board to outline plans for property he owns on Pleasant and Main Streets in the hamlet. Explaining the proposed use of buildings on a large map was Michael Tucker from Parmiters Point Advisors of Port Washington, NY. Yagi said that no buildings would be torn down and no new ones would be erected, that everything will be done in remodeled existing buildings. He also said that the new businesses on the site would provide between 59 and 63 new jobs in the Manor. The proposed site plans, however, are still undergoing a zoning review as well as engineering and architectural planning.

Old Business

Bill Brown from Delaware Engineering of Albany came to discuss the needs of both Roscoe’s and Livingston Manor’s water supply. Project loans after grant funding are based on a district ad valorem, i.e., according to value of the project. After a board discussion, it was unanimously decided to apply for a grant for the largest cost and then scale back, if and when needed. A site for the new well in Roscoe has not yet been finalized.

Resolution Required: The following resolution was required and passed by the board.

Purchase a Morbark Chipper for the Highway Dept. for $64,378.

New Business

Zoning Board meetings will be held on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. The next one will be on Feb. 8, when revisions will be made to the Comprehensive Plan, since none have been made in five years.

Resolutions Required: The following resolution was required and was passed by the board.

Modify the budget of the Highway Dept.

Department Heads: Chris Bury, Water and Sewer: Everything is going well. Thanks to Roger Decker for the use of the Highway Dept.’s shop to service the backhoe. Roger Decker, Highway Dept.: Everything is in good order.

Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #2 were approved.

Details of all dollar amounts, etc., can be found on the town’s website at townofrocklandny.com under the minutes of Jan. 18.