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Bethel talks numbers

Sarah Clark - Reporter/Photographer
Posted 7/13/20

BETHEL — On July 8 at 7 p.m., the Town of Bethel held their second in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The meeting was held at the Dr. Duggan Community Center in the Meeting Room.

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Bethel talks numbers

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BETHEL — On July 8 at 7 p.m., the Town of Bethel held their second in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The meeting was held at the Dr. Duggan Community Center in the Meeting Room.

The Supervisor's Monthly Report stated that compared to last year, the Town of Bethel has increased their revenue by 1.3 percent, “which is a good sign considering the year we've had so far,” Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm said.

“Revenues are doing relatively well, we're on target, and also the expenses [are] eight percent lower in expenses year-to-date.”

According to Sturm, the town has spent 48 percent in the general fund this year, which is five percent lower than last year at this time, and the Highway Department has also had an increase in revenue because of equipment that was sold. The Town of Bethel has only spent 39.1 percent of their overall budget this year, where last year 45.5 percent of the budget was spent.

Building Department in fees were 18.4 percent higher than the year before, which Sturm said “is a very good economic indicator that things are still happening in the Town of Bethel. People are still fixing things and building things and doing things as evidence by the report.”

A request for speed reduction was submitted to the board for Lt. Brender Highway in Ferndale. The current speed limit on the two lane, residential road is 55 mph, and there is a considerable amount of traffic because of Garnet Health Medical Center, (formally known as Catskill Regional Medical Center), and the Town of Liberty Landfill. The request that was submitted recommended that the speed should be lowered to 35 mph. The Town of Bethel board voted to submit a letter to the county and state regarding the request.

The fireworks in Bethel that were scheduled to take place on July 3 have been tentatively rescheduled for Woodstock Weekend in Aug. at Kauneonga Lake. The board noted that as long as the numbers of COVID-19 cases do not increase drastically, the fireworks will be able to take place.

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