TOWN BOARD MEETING OF AUG. 1

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Correspondence: Supervisor Rob Eggleton read a few quotes from a Sullivan County Democrat editorial approving the board’s moratorium on land development to safeguard the environment and the local population. The Sullivan County Youth Bureau is offering grants for groups that provide services for kids.

A resident on Beaver Lake Road requested a reduction in the speed limit there. Eggleton said he would refer the matter to the Sheriff. The Courtyard restaurant in Roscoe solicited a contribution to a golf tournament they sponsor to raise money for needy local families. Eggleton suggested they might consider holding the tournament at the town course next year. The NY State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets inspection of the town’s dog shelter service was found satisfactory.

Old Business

Presentation: Code Officer Glenn Gabbard presented a series of photos that showed the unsafe condition of buildings at 549 Old Rte. 17 and 315 Elm Hollow Road, which had been condemned that day. Gabbard said that the town had been cleared to proceed with demolition.

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

Reaffirm the unsafe and unsecured condition of the buildings at 549 Old Rte. 17 and 315 Elm Hollow Road and condemn and demolish these structures. Transfer funds to the Building Dept. to secure 120 Main Street and 315 Elm Hollow Road. These funds will be used to hire a contractor to clean up the interior and exterior of these properties before their demolition.

The Town of Liberty has now received a revised estimate of the cost from NYSEG for hooking up the Town of Rockland’s proposed solar farm on Fishman Road. The initial cost was projected to be $300,000, but NYSEG is now asking over $1 million. The possibility of the project is now unsure.

The initial engineering studies of both Livingston Manor and Roscoe water systems have been completed, and estimates are for somewhat over $8 million for upgrades in both cases. Public hearings on the matter will be held in the future.

New Business

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

Authorize the Livingston Manor and Rockland Water Districts to use the fund balance to pay for the cost of water infrastructure upgrades, with the anticipation that the expenses can be reimbursed through the NY State Environmental Facilities Corp.
Credit the sewer bill for 175 Main St. in the amount of $130.
Purchase new parts for the Roscoe Sewer Plant clarifier for $2,897.
Modify the general fund by $2,250.
Modify the Manor water fund by $13,015.
Accept the agreement with Genius Loci for Planning & Zoning Review upgrades.
Donate a round of golf for two, including a cart, at the Twin Village Golf Course in Roscoe to the Roscoe Rockland Ladies Auxiliary.

Department Heads: Chris Bury, Water and Sewer: Ronald Crover passed one test and will take one more to become licensed. Rural Electric is coming to check out Rockland’s electric costs, which they feel are too high. The department has ordered a brush to clean pipe interiors, thus eliminating the need to dig up roads. Roger Decker, Highway: A few department trucks have broken down, but Marshall Machinery came out and honored their warranty. Coating of Back Shandelee and Hazleton Roads is continuing, and will go all the way to Roscoe. The NY State Soil & Water Conservation committee has approved the pipe work on Brown Settlement Road, so the town will only have to pay for rental and labor. Glenn Gabbard, Code Enforcement: The department is very busy with short term rentals. There are 106 now, and four more were just found. A building permit was received electronically for a solar panel display on Amber Lake Road. The Roscoe dog park closing sign is going up.

Public Comment: Sheila Shultz expressed concerns over one of her neighbors who has what she called an “automobile museum.” She wondered if zoning permitted such a use. John Hendrix mentioned that the minutes of the board meetings were not always up in a timely fashion. He also commented that revenue at the Twin Village Golf Course was reported, but not the course’s costs.

Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #15 were approved.

Details of all dollar amounts, etc., can be found on the town’s website, townofrocklandny.com, under the minutes of Aug. 1.

TOWN BOARD MEETING OF AUG. 15

As Supervisor Rob Eggleton was not present, Councilman Andrew McRell chaired the meeting.

A moment of silence was held for Travis Davis, a town Highway Dept. employee, a resident and friend, who was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved.

Correspondence: Upper Delaware Council registration will be held at the Villa Roma on Oct. 15 and 16. A two-day hike will be held on the O&W Rail Trail, starting on Oct. 4.

Old Business

Information about Rockland’s NY Forward grant application is now on the town’s website at townofrocklandny.com and at the clerk’s office. A survey for public input will be available at town hall and on the website until Aug. 26, and anyone in the downtown area planning renovations or signage should fill it out and return it to the town clerk.

Several cameras have been installed in town hall, and two or three others will be installed covering Main Street in front of the building. The town has decided to accept the bid from Tweedie Construction Services, Inc., for the renovation of the Highway Dept. salt shed.

New Business

Fall Dump Day has been set for Sept. 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a rain date of Oct. 5.

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

Proceed with hiring Tweedie Construction to repair the salt shed foundation footing at a cost of $73,460.
Support the Livingston Manor Library with any future building plans that might require the town to abandon the use of Casey Way.
Hire one or two part-time workers as fill-ins for the club house at Roscoe’s Twin Village Golf Course.

Department Heads: Roger Decker, Highway: Last week’s unusually heavy rains washed out a number of roads in Roscoe and downed a lot of trees in the Manor. Paving has not been completed because the department is short-handed and the storm set the work back. The situation was further complicated by the loss of Travis Davis, a great employee. The mower is still down and the department needs to hire a new mechanic.

Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #16 were approved.

Details of all dollar amounts can be found on the town’s website at townofrocklandny.com under the minutes of Aug. 15.

Note to readers: School Board meetings have been moved from the third Wednesday to the fourth Monday of each month. Because they now occur after Manor Ink goes to press, the paper will post meeting reports online at manor-ink.org, and whenever possible in the print edition.