MAMAKATING — At the start of the February 15 Mamakating Town Board meeting, the board held a moment of silence for former employees who have passed away. The board honored Louis Tripido, a former dog control officer, Evelyn Young, a former deputy town clerk, and John Masten Sr, a former town historian.

During the meeting, Councilman Matt Mordas read a statement about the role of the town historian and what Masten meant to him. He called Masten “our community icon” and a founding member of Mamakating Historical Society. He said that many people may consider the appointment of a historian to be more “ceremonial than substantiative.” However, he asserted that the town historian, Virdanna Lawrence, who has the job of archiving Mamakating’s history, is incredibly important.

“It’s our history that helps define who we are as a community and helps give it an identity,” Mordas said. “Imperfect as it might be, we all should be proud of this town’s history--its contribution to our nation’s fight for freedom and our economic growth. Our history is not some dusty artifact that periodically sees the light of day. We are all helping to create our town’s history right here and right now. It’s my hope that when our chapter in history is written, the narrative will be about townspeople who worked together [to help] unite Mamakating [and] grow while preserving its character and soul.” Mordas received applause from the residents after he read his statement.

In addition, during the meeting, the board voted and approved to appoint Judy Goumar Testa as the new assistant historian for the town of Mamakating.

County Update

Sullivan County District 4 Legislator, Nicholas Salomone Jr., attended the town’s board meeting to give an update on what the county has been working on for the past two years.

Salomone started by thanking the highway department for the work they do. He also praised the county’s decision to scrap plans for a proposed Sullivan County Visitor Center in Rock Hill. Salomone claimed that the move saved the county $425,000, and the county did not need a visitor’s center because people use the internet now for information.

He also said he was proud that people from all sides of the argument were able to work out turning over the 911 center to the Sheriff’s Office. The county wanted to turn over control of the 911 Center to law enforcement, and the public were hesitant to the change, Salomone said. So, the county brought in someone to help solve the issue, and all parties came together, and it was a “pleasure” to work with everyone, Salomone said.

In addition, he updated Mamakating about their doings during the pandemic.

He stated that the county did not want to lay people off, but they also took advantage of the “extra $600 a week” in unemployment that the government was providing.

Salomone said some $700,000 of federal funding came into the local economy and county employees were taken back.

Salomone also said that Sullivan County’s Legislative body is the only body in New York State to take a 4 percent pay cut.

He also said a bus route with Move Sullivan County will be coming into Wurtsboro and Bloomingburg to bring people to places like Crystal Run and ShopRite. This is still in the preliminary stages, but Salomone said he was not a fan of more government, but his “conservative heart turned a little liberal” when it comes to seniors who need transportation.

In addition, portable speed machines will be placed on Burlingham Road, Winterton Road, and on County Route 171 near the town park. Salomone also suggested that the board pass resolutions to lower the speed limit on Mountain Road to the village line to 45 mph because there is a school zone upon entering the village, and people have a hard time slowing from 55 mph to 20 mph right away.