FORESTBURGH — The Town Board of Forestburgh adopted their budget for 2023 at their meeting on November 3, as well as passed a local law regarding animal shelter holding times and updated the public on their recent grant bids.

Despite Councilwoman Susan Park-Landis and Councilman Vincent Galligan being absent from the meeting, a quorum between Supervisor Dan Hogue, Councilman Steve Budofsky, and Councilwoman Karen Ellsweig was held and allowed the budget and Local Law #3 of 2022 to be passed after two brief public hearings before the meeting.

Local Law #3 of 2022, dubbed “Amendments to Chapter 56-12 of Animals (Elimination of Subsection E) of the Town of Forestburgh” stated that “the Town’s local laws, code, rules, and regulations related to retention of dogs for redemption was no longer practical and did not adequately provide for the proper administration and enforcement of the Town Code…”

Essentially, this local law rolls back the 10 mandatory days that dogs must be kept in retention down to five, allowing them to be adopted quicker. 

Town of Forestburgh Dog Catcher Steve Budofsky spoke previously on the recent push for the local legislation at last month’s meeting in October, stating that it will allow faster adoptions and lost dogs to re-find their forever homes.

He also previously stated that he believed the original purpose of requiring the 10 days was to give people who were visiting the town and nearby areas from further away ample time to be alerted, travel and recover their dog in conjunction with the formerly held contract with a shelter whose services are no longer utilized by the town. Due to the updated circumstances, the law was considered to be no longer fitting for the town.

All three present council members voted in favor of the legislation.

Budofsky said that the next step in the process is negotiating the implementation of the new local law with the shelter that the town utilizes in the matter, the Catskill Animal Rescue C.A.R.E. Shelter in Ferndale.

DASNY grant update

Members of the Town Board and the public thanked Councilwoman Karen Ellsweig for her work as she announced the town was entering the final steps of securing the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) grant, totaling $125,000 for renovations for the Town Hall and surrounding property. 

Ellsweig confirmed that once New York State signs the contract, the town can start to submit their expenses.

The majority of the funds are set to be used to purchase and finalize repairs for the roof of Town Hall, as well as secure standby generators and propane tanks for Town Hall and for the town’s Highway Department building.

Forestburgh Highway Superintendent Joseph Ruggeri said that the upcoming upgrades to the Highway Department building are very important, and that should an emergency arise going into the winter, residents are given another place to seek help or shelter.

Previously, Ellsweig stated that the town would have a remaining $20,000 after it all shakes out. The board asked the public their thoughts on what should be purchased with the remaining money at the last meeting, with some suggesting further upgrades to the main Town Hall building. 

Following their suggestions, Ellsweig announced the current plan is to expand the playground area with new equipment that would be placed all around the property. The hope is that the equipment will be able to be used by people of all ages, not just young children. 

Before adjourning, the meeting was called into executive session by the board regarding ongoing litigation.