ELDRED – The Town of Highland Board on Feb. 10 began reinstating its constabulary, created new accounts for $175,000 in state grants, warned of pending funding cuts for the Barryville river gauge, approved Town Hall technology upgrades, and outlined plans for a student internship program.

Highland’s New Constable

The board voted to reinstate its constabulary and hired Jason Sarnoff, a retired NYPD officer, as a probationary constable.

Sarnoff will attend Basic Peace Officer training from March 9 through April 10 in Queens. Supervisor John Pizzolato said the town must have at least one trained peace officer before restoring its Department of Criminal Justice Services registration.

“We have to have one peace officer training… in order to apply for our Department of Criminal Justice number to reinstate our constabulary,” Pizzolato said.

Sarnoff will be paid $18 per hour during the reestablishment period. Pizzolato cited his background and experience.

“He served in Jamaica, Queens. He worked with the Hewlett Bay Fire District, has been an emergency medical technician, and worked for the City of Long Beach Police Department before the NYPD. He’s a very decorated officer, so we feel very lucky to have him,” Pizzolato said.

The move comes as the town continues to rely on state and county law enforcement for local disputes. During public comment, a resident described ongoing tensions and limited enforcement tools.

“That’s one of the big reasons we want to have our own constabulary force so that there can be easier mediations, and there can be easier solutions to disputes amongst neighbors,” Pizzolato said.

The town plans broader recruitment once reinstatement is complete.

Highland Establishes Separate Accounts for $175,000 in State Grants

The board approved two dedicated bank accounts to manage $175,000 in State and Municipal (SAM) grants: $75,000 for Town Hall renovations and $100,000 for Sullivan Health Access improvements.

Pizzolato said the structure will streamline accounting and reimbursement tracking.

“SAM grants are funded from the interest sold as state bonds… the state purchases and sells bonds to the general public… and then they take the projected interest… for towns, municipalities and not-for-profits to collect those funds and administer these grant programs,” he said.

He emphasized the grants require no local match.

“They’re not at a match. It’s a reimbursement grant. It’s a hundred percent reimbursable,” he said.

Under the process, the town pays expenses upfront and seeks reimbursement through the state system.

“Your money is going to your town versus going to any other town,” Pizzolato said.

Barryville River Gauge Needs New Funding Source

Funding for discharge monitoring at the Barryville Delaware River water gauge will expire after 2026 unless new support is secured.

Christine Martin, a member of the Upper Delaware Council, said the National Park Service stepped in after U.S. Geological Survey funding ended.

“The National Park Service took up the stop-gap funding in 2025 and 2026,” Martin said.

The discharge measurement tracks river volume in cubic feet per second and costs an estimated $12,000 to $13,000 annually.

“This data is crucial for flood management,” she said.

Other measurements at the gauge are funded separately through Pennsylvania partners. Without renewed funding, discharge monitoring would end in 2027.

Town Advances Technology Upgrades, Staff Training

Highland officials reported the imminent implementation of new Town Hall computers, saying the equipment should arrive soon. The keyboards have already been received, and the transition will be phased in to avoid disrupting operations.

Laura Burrell said outdated equipment in the code enforcement office can no longer support the town’s permitting and code enforcement system.

“These computers are really running on some tape and goodwill right now,” Burrell said.

In addition to the hardware rollout and website migration to a .gov domain, the board approved $600 for a four-hour training session on the permitting and code system, including individualized support for staff.

Town Developing Municipal Internship Program; Sullivan 180 Positions Continue

Highland officials are working with Eldred Junior-Senior High School to develop a municipal internship program that would provide students with hands-on exposure to Town Hall operations.

“We’ve been meeting at the school and talking about different programs to get all the students involved,” Pizzolato said.

Separate from that effort, the town continues Sullivan 180-supported beautification internships.

“The interns that work for Sullivan 180 are compensated pretty well… 17 plus 401k… it’s a really great gig,” he said.

“If you guys know any students… it is a really wonderful opportunity,” Pizzolato added.