WHITE LAKE - The Town of Bethel and the Sullivan County Treasurer's Office have partnered to collect Bethel property owners' County and Town taxes this year, following the resignation of the Town Tax Collector.

“Thank you to the County Treasurer's Office and the Legislature for helping us out at a moment's notice,” remarked Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm. “We're extremely pleased with Deputy Treasurer Kathleen Lara, who is collecting taxes at our town hall. This has been a positive experience for us amidst a difficult circumstance.”

“Collaboration is what my office is all about, and I'm very glad we can meet this pressing need without costing the Town of Bethel anything extra,” Treasurer Nancy Buck said. “We are collecting taxes at no charge to the Town, and all interest and penalties stay with Bethel.”

Sturm estimated the Town is also saving money, in the form of the vacant Town Tax Collector position's $15,000 salary. In all, the County and Town expect to collect more than $14 million from 7,000 parcels Townwide.

Residents can pay their taxes at two different locations, at their convenience. The Bethel Town Hall on Route 55 in White Lake is open for tax payments in January on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and on Mondays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in February (closed on February 17), along with February 28 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Or they can visit the Treasurer's Office inside the Government Center in Monticello between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every weekday (closed February 12 and 17).

“Our agreement is a shared service,” Sturm noted, “one municipality helping another.”