LIBERTY — During the most recent meeting of the Liberty Town Board on January 21, councilmembers approved two vouchers for Blauer Associates and Delaware Engineering totaling $7,130 for work related to the White Sulphur Springs Water Project.

The board also sent a letter from Supervisor Frank DeMayo to the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) requesting a final extension for the Town Hall porch reconstruction and restoration grant. Out of the $50,000 in grant funds awarded to the town there remains a balance of more than $6,500 that must be used by February 20.

“I am respectfully requesting one final extension of this grant which would allow the Town of Liberty time to spend down the balance,” reads the letter from DeMayo.

“Unfortunately, the work which would be required to be completed, in accordance with the scope, is exterior work to the building. Our municipality is located in a very rural area in the Hudson Valley. Winter months tend to be inclement and would preclude any contractor from completing the project satisfactorily.”

Temporary homeless housing

Councilmembers expressed some concern during board discussion about the location of a Homeless Intake Center being considered by the County Legislature.

In 2018, councilmembers in Liberty were against a Homeless Intake Center being proposed for the Human Services Complex on Sunset Lake Road out of concern about its proximity to Hanofee Park.

“While the temporary Homeless Intake Center is listed in the 2020 Capital Budget, no commitments have been made in funding or construction,” said Sullivan County Director of Communications Dan Hust. “The current Legislature will be reviewing the concept and discussing it with both County staff and the Town of Liberty prior to making a decision.”

A separate resolution passed by the Legislature's Health and Family Services Committee on Jan. 16, and later at the meeting of the full board on Jan. 23, renews an agreement with Dorm 10, LLC “for temporary housing services located on Hilldale Road, thereby lessening the need for the usage of hotels.”

Temporary homeless housing on Hilldale Road in the Town of Fallsburg is a separate project from any Homeless Intake Center being considered.

The resolution continues, “This location is also optimal due to the proximity of staff and services located at the County Human Services Complex, allowing for closer supervision of the program. The size of the location is beneficial giving the County the opportunity to have certain services centrally located.”

Walnut Mountain Forestry

Town Resident Dale Kortright suggested during public comment that the board hire a forester to assess Walnut Mountain Park.

“A well managed forest is going to be much more appealing for people who are walking and biking instead of a forest that has trees past their prime dropping onto three of four other trees,” Kortright said. “You just don't have a healthy forest up there.”

Kortright said he spoke to Cornell Cooperative Extension and they referred two foresters, one of whom lives in Bethel.

Councilman Brian McPhillips added that Walnut Mountain Park is highly ranked in New York State as a mountain biking destination.

“It's heavily used for biking. There's a lot of things that are happening there,” McPhillips said.

The Town has made improvements to Walnut Mountain in recent years, including the construction of bathroom facilities and a disc golf course to compliment over 13 miles of mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country trails.

“I respect Dale for taking the time to present this to us,” said DeMayo. “I think it's definitely something worth looking into.”

Resignations and appointments

The Town Board accepted a letter of resignation from Keri-Ann Poley as Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor effective January 24.

“I have enjoyed working with the employees, residents and community. I am thankful for the relationships and friendships which have formed during my tenure as Confidential Secretary,” read the letter from Poley addressed to the the Town Supervisor. “I hope that the positive strides which have been accomplished during the last 26 months continue to move forward under your leadership. I know you have the drive and passion to lead this town in the right direction.”

The board also accepted letters of resignation from Assessor Renée Ozomek and Data Collector Joe Maxwell.

In other news, board members appointed Kip Gerow Sr. as Deputy Dog Control Officer for the Town of Liberty and Appointed of Kytt McManus as Alternative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

There remain two vacancies on the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Board.