FORESTBURGH — The Forestburgh Town Board passed numerous resolutions at their annual reorganizational meeting on January 5, establishing town employee salaries and positions for the new year.

While a majority of the positions were filled, vacancies remain for County Youth Representative, Zoning Board Secretary, and Cultural Series/Sullivan First positions.

Town Supervisor Dan Hogue Jr. appointed Councilman Steve Budofsky as Deputy Supervisor and Sabina Toomey as Town Historian. Town Clerk Joanne Nagoda appointed Teresa Collins as Deputy Town Clerk and Tax Collector.

Two resolutions were passed separately that reappointed Edward Pajak to the Forestburgh Zoning Board of Appeals for another five year term, and Richard Robbins appointed to the Forestburgh Planning Board for a seven year term. Robbins was also reappointed as Chairperson of the Planning Board for 2023.

Carl Amaditz was reappointed as Chairperson of the Forestburgh Zoning Board of Appeals for 2023. Town Clerk Joanne Nagoda was appointed as marriage officer for 2023 with no additional compensation.

The town’s Board of Health was also established for the upcoming year. Positions are as follows – Town Supervisor Dan Hogue Jr. as President, Councilman Steven Budofsky as Vice President, Town Clerk Joanne Nagoda as Secretary, and Dr. Abraham Garfinkel as Health Officer.

First Regular Town Meeting of 2023

The Town Board’s first regular meeting of the year 2023 was held immediately after the reorganizational meeting.

Dog Control Officer Steven Budofsky reported to the Board that a recent seizure and rescue from a “hoarding situation” resulted in the recovery of over 35 cats and 13 small dogs. 

According to Budofsky, some of the rescued animals are currently being held at a care shelter in Middletown and a number are at the Catskill Animal Rescue Shelter in Ferndale. Budofsky asked those who are able to adopt one or more of the recently rescued animals in need to do so.

For further information, please contact Dog Control Officer Budofsky at (845) 480-9414.

Members of the Town Board also discussed the potential next steps in filling the recently vacated position of the Town’s Planning Board Attorney.

The town’s search for a new Planning Board Attorney is due to the ascension of Jacqueline Ricciani, Esq., who now sits on the bench as Sullivan County’s Family Court Judge.

In light of this, Supervisor Hogue announced that the role currently has two potential interviewees vying for the position.

The updated zoning regulations were also on the agenda. After five and a half years of rewriting and revision, the Forestburgh Zoning Committee has completed a first draft of the updated zoning regulations. According to the Town Board, the current regulations set in place date back to the mid 1970s.

A draft of the rework can be found on the town website at www.forestburgh.net/departments/building-development/zoning.

The Town Board decided on a date for a public hearing on the recently announced zoning law revisions, which is currently set for February 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall, 332 King Rd.