MAMAKATING — Mamakating Town Supervisor Mike Robbins gave a few updates during his supervisor’s report at the most recent town meeting.

First, he announced New York State’s burn ban is in effect from March 16 to May 14. Robbins said that no one should burn anything between those dates. After, Robbins announced that there are three new Zoom cameras. The cameras debuted on March 1 for their trial run, and Robbins said they are working great.

Now, residents who choose to Zoom in to town meetings will see the board, the podium where residents make public comment and Highway Superintendent Rob Hufcut, who sits to the right side of the board, all at the same time.

Robbins said the new Zoom cameras were also used during the Planning Board meeting. During the meeting, Councilman Matt Mordas attended via Zoom. Mordas was able to vote and make comments to the board through Zoom without trouble.

Robbins also gave an update on the roof repair at the Dutch Reformed Church in Bloomingburg. Previously, the roof repair was delayed due to the prior contractor not having the proper scaffolding insurance required by New York State. Robbins said the current contractor is waiting on the weather to break to start repairs, and it will have to be soon since the roof must be completed by April 29.

In addition, new updates to the town website will be upcoming this summer to make it more user friendly, Robbins said. There is also a TV in town hall that will show all the town events on it for visitors to see. Robbins also announced that Mamakating and the Mamakating Environmental Education Center (MEEC) will participate in the 2022 Sullivan County Litter Pluck. Transfer Station coupons are available at the MEEC and the highway department. The event encourages residents to pick up litter and bring them to Sullivan County Transfer Stations (with their coupons) to dispose of it for free. More information is on Mamakating.org.

Proposed Bloomingburg Firehouse debate

On the agenda in Mamkating was a resolution to waive permit and professional fees for the Bloomingburg Fire District for their proposed firehouse on Ski Run Road.

During public comment, Chris Leser voiced his disapproval for the project as a whole. Leser stated that fire districts have “exorbitant” amounts of money at their disposal and there was no need for this firehouse.

Councilman Matt Mordas stated that he was not against waiving the fees but wanted to table the resolution, so he could do more research on the need for the new substation.

Councilman Thomas Morrow replied that the board does not need to investigate anything. Bloomingburg has elected five commissioners, and their own taxpayers have to approve the project, not Mamakating, he said.

Morrow continued that he did not want to get involved and without the approval or disapproval from the taxpayers in the district, the board is “overstepping our bounds.”

John Capello, Planning Board Attorney, stated that the Planning Board would not be responsible for approving the project in general. Instead, the Planning Board’s role is to evaluate the construction of the project to make sure it is aligned with local laws.

After more discussion about the Planning Board’s role, site plans, and procedure questions, Supervisor Robbins said he will get more information, and the resolution was tabled.

Sullivan Renaissance Grant and Short-Term Rental Workshops

In other news, Supervisor Robbins announced that the town would be applying for a Sullivan Renaissance Impact Grant to improve the town park.

He said he had intentions to fix the tennis courts since they currently have many cracks. In addition, a pickle ball site would be added.