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Bethel seeks volunteers for Dog Park Committee

Patricio Robayo - Staff Writer
Posted 1/12/18

BETHEL — The Bethel Town held its reorganizational meeting with all elected officials returning for 2018. Members returning are Daniel Sturm as Town Supervisor; Bernard Cohen, Lillian Hendrickson, …

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Bethel seeks volunteers for Dog Park Committee

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BETHEL — The Bethel Town held its reorganizational meeting with all elected officials returning for 2018. Members returning are Daniel Sturm as Town Supervisor; Bernard Cohen, Lillian Hendrickson, Dawn Ryder and Vicky Simpson as Town Councilmembers and Rita Sheehan returns as Town Clerk. The Sullivan County Democrat was named official newspaper for the town board.

“I am excited to be here tonight, beginning my eleventh year as Town Supervisor and my fifteenth year on the board,” Sturm said. “Working together with our residents and staff we have accomplished a lot, but there is a lot more that we can do, and we will. As always we will not exceed the budgets, and will again be under the two percent tax cap or better for this year. That was our goal last year and we will do it again this year. We will continue our commitment to our energy efficiencies and going green where we can in our operations and saving taxpayer money in doing so.”

During the supervisor's report, Sturm expressed that the budget showed that the town was able to receive 108 percent of the budgeted revenue and the expenses was $100,000 less this year. Moreover, the revenue in the general fund was down $65,000 as compared to 2016 revenue. However, the expense was down $65,000. “It shows that we were reacting to a lower revenue,” added Sturm.

Additionally, the board decided to approve requests for celebrations and fundraisers for the 2018 season. The Allyson Whitney Foundation 5K run around Kauneonga Lake and White Lake homes will occur on May 12; Out of the Darkness Walk on September 9; Santore's July 4 fireworks on White Lake and for fireworks for September 1 at Smallwood Beach. Check the town website for details on upcoming events.

Furthermore, the first local law was introduced in order to revise the town code regarding Cold War Veterans that currently live in the town. The original exemption on real property taxes had a ten-year term. The local law will extend the exemption indefinitely. A public hearing is set for February 14 at 7:30 pm.

Equally important, the town is seeking members for the Town of Bethel Dog Park Committee. The town applied for a grant last year to rehabilitate the Forest Preserve in Smallwood but was not awarded.

“There are parts of that plan I would like to proceed with,” stated Sturm. “To utilize that beautiful property for all our residents, one way is to start a dog park.”

The proposed location will be by the golf park entrance at the Forest Reserve at Smallwood, where a fenced in area will be created for dogs and their owners acting as social center for people who share common interest and concerns, according to Sturm. The committee will seek grants and fundraising and possible funding from the town board.

“This is an exciting project for 2018,” said Sturm as he concluded the meeting.

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