WURTSBORO  — The Town Board of Mamakating approved the Municipal Separate Storm Systems (MS4) waiver during their meeting Tuesday night. Last month, Town Engineer Larry Paggi came before the Board to thoroughly discuss what the MS4 report was all about.

He explained that an MS4 is a municipality that has been designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to have to implement the requirements of a permit.

According to Paggi, the MS4 Waiver would save the town money should they keep filing this report every year. 

“It’s something that [would make it so] we would have less work to do,” reminded Town Supervisor Michael Robbins. “I’d rather save a little bit of money.”

Mamakating was designated as an MS4 because of a small area on the Southern Border with Mount Hope.

The Supervisor also noted that Paggi was the one who recommended that the Town ask for a waiver, who previously stated that the town no longer meets the threshold to be considered as an MS4 municipality.

Councilman Peter Goodman absolutely agreed with the sentiment.

“It also lets us off the hook from any potential audits from the DEC,” noted Councilman Matt Mordas. “[This is] in regards to our records-keeping involving the MS4.”

Pickleball court progress

On the topic of the anticipated Pickelbal court, Supervisor Robbins said that its progress is “going pretty well.”

Robbins explained that he went to order all the nets and the posts for the courts and the single tennis court, however the sleeves for the net are already installed, and painting the lines began Thursday.

“They came back more than our procurement which is $3,000,” explained Robbins. “Anything between $3,000 and $20,000 we have to get three quotes.”

Robbins only had the one quote [$4,500, for the four pickleballs and one tennis court] and further efforts to get the other two proved unsuccessful, with Robbins stating, “They haven’t gotten back to me.”

“We have a deadline for this to get done,” stated Robbins. “I’m asking the Board that when I get all the quotes back, I’ll send it to everybody. and then you guys can decide.”

Robbins figured they’d go with the lowest quote anyway, but he wanted the Board to vote on it so it could get done.

“We did ask for an extension. We were supposed to do it by October 1, but because of certain situations, we haven’t been able to get it done yet,” discussed Robbins. “We did get the extension and it sounds like Sullivan 180 is going to give us until November 1st.”