LIBERTY – A local law establishing a three-month long moratorium on Planned Unit Development (PUD) was passed by the Liberty Town Board at their reorganizational meeting on January 3 following public comment. The block can be extended an additional three times for three months each via resolution by the board.

According to Councilperson Dean Farrand, who led the meeting in the stead of Town Supervisor Frank DeMayo who attended virtually, the moratorium is to give ample time to the town board to discuss and possibly alter the section of the town code that regards PUD laws. 

Public commenters Cora Edwards, Michael Edwards and Harriet Dorfman each spoke during the allotted time. Cora requested that there is time specifically set aside for further PUD discussion in the future, with the possibility of designated workshops that involve the public’s input.

Her husband, Michael, highlighted the importance of the town using the opportunity to revise the PUD laws as to adhere more closely to the town’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Harriet, an Orthodox Jewish woman who has previously noted her dissatisfaction with the since disapproved Lake Hills Estates PUD project, said that Anti-Semitism has run rampant, and that “it is not about who is moving in, it’s how they are moving in.” 

Following the close of public comment, Local Law Number Three of 2024 passed. Farrand assured that this most recent public hearing would not be the last held, as the town will continue to discuss the matter at hand.

Reorganization approved

In addition to the local law being passed, the Town Board reviewed and accepted a number of housekeeping items during their annual reorganizational meeting. Those items included naming the Sullivan County Democrat as the official newspaper of the town, as well as designating custodial and depository banks. 

Supervisor DeMayo reappointed his Confidential Secretary Nick Rusin, as well as Budget Officer Cheryl Gerow, Veterans Service Officer John Liddle and Health Officer David Schwalb.

Town Clerk Laurie Dutcher was reappointed as a Registrar of Vital Statistics, as well as a Town Marriage Officer alongside Cheryl Gerow. Dutcher appointed Sara Sprague to the positions of Deputy Town Clerk, Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Registrar.

The Town is seeking anyone interested for the Historian position for a term expiring in 2027.

For a one-year term, Joanne Gerow was appointed as the town’s Dog Control Officer.

The Zoning Board received a number of appointments, including that of Robert Werlau to the Chair of the Zoning Board for one year, Robert Eaton as a board member for a term expiring on December 31, 2028, and two alternates being Ari Halpern and Brad Cobert, each for one year.

The Planning Board saw the appointment of Lynn Dowe as the Chairman for a one-year term, as well as the reappointment of Judy Siegal as a board member for a term that expires 2028. 

To fill the term of Anthony Dworestsky that will expire at the end of this year, Menachem Steinberg was appointed to the Planning Board. Eugene Thalman was named as an alternate to the board.

The Parks and Recreation Board saw the reappointment of Paige Lynn Russell for a term which will expire in 2028. Councilperson Dean Farrand noted that no one has yet to express interest in being appointed to the unexpired term of Parks and Recreation Board member Joanne McPhillips.

Donald Sherwood was reappointed to the Sullivan County Fire Advisory Board.

For the Employee Relations Committee, Sunsoree Young was appointed for Town Hall, and Steven Schroeder, Andrew Bivins, and Will DePaolo for Highway.