LIBERTY — Like many towns and villages across Sullivan County, Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo said he's still awaiting specific instructions from the Governor's Office about opening summer camps during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Town has operated a popular day camp program at Hanofee Park for many years. There was a discussion during the board meeting on May 18 about whether or not the camp would open at all this season.

The Mid-Hudson region was recently granted Phase I status for reopening, but summer and day camps like Hanofee Park don't come into play until Phase 4. That could mean they're not permitted to open until the middle of July at the earliest.

DeMayo said he's been in close contact with Assistant Recreation Director James Guara and Parks and Rec. Working Supervisor Kevin Delaney, as well as Linda Darnell-DeWitt from the Parks and Recreation Board.

“I honestly don't see a way [to open Hanofee Park day camp]” DeMayo said. “Good luck trying to keep kids six feet away from each other. That's just not realistic. I don't want to say ‘don't open camp,' but I think we'd be irresponsible if we did.”

Councilman Vince McPhillips said, “Camps should be open when the governor says they can open.”

He qualified that, stating that the town should take necessary safety precautions to prepare to open camps so that they're ready for such a scenario.

Guara said they are preparing and doing Facetime interviews with candidates to fill staff positions, but said it's been a challenge securing the bulk medical and cleaning supplies necessary for running a day camp.

“It's difficult to figure out how we're going to run camp with the restrictions that are going to come,” Guara told the board.

DeMayo said the board will resume their discussion about Hanofee Park's day camp program during the town's Department Heads meeting on Monday, June 1.

Municipal Partnership Grant

DeMayo announced that Liberty was recently selected by Sullivan Renaissance for a $9,500 Municipal Partnership grant.

Allison Cappella, Community Development Program Manager for Sullivan Renaissance, delivered the grant in early May along with a binder for the town to document their progress.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the necessary limitations and restrictions that have been imposed for public health and safety, the 2020 Renaissance program has an adjusted timeline,” said Sullivan Renaissance Executive Director Denise Frangipane in a letter to Supervisor DeMayo.

“Projects must be completed and project summary, financial documentation and photos submitted no later than Wednesday, September 30. The judging process has been suspended for the 2020 season,” she said.

The Town of Liberty will use the money toward a variety of projects involved in caring for public spaces, including the town hall, Lapolt Park, the Parksville Rail Trail, the ‘Welcome to Liberty' planter, Triangle planter, and two Route 52 roundabouts.

The town has also expressed interest in using some money to maintain and beautify the Swan Lake Community Park.

Councilman Brian McPhillips said that there may already be money allocated in the town's budget for the maintenance of flowers on the two roundabouts.

“We didn't want to start something and not be able to fund it,” McPhillips said.

“If we have to make adjustments with Renaissance, we will,” DeMayo said. “They've been very understanding.”

Glass Partitions in Town Offices

Supervisor DeMayo added another voucher to the May 18 agenda related to just over $4,000 to purchase glass partitions from Keller Glass Specialty Inc. for town offices in Liberty.

“That's going to be a critical path on reopening to the public,” said Councilman Dean Farrand.

DeMayo agreed adding, “I don't think we can consider opening [town offices] to the public until we have these glass partitions up.”

DeMayo said once reopened, they might require appointments and face masks depending on what executive orders are still in effect.

“No mask, no entry until some of these regulations change,” he said.