NEVERSINK  — Town of Neversink Parks and Rec. Director Tanya Huggler delivered the final update on the planned summer camp during the Town’s Wednesday night meeting.

Huggler regretably informed the Board that the camp was a no-go for this upcoming summer season.

“We just didn’t have the enrollment unfortunately,” stated Huggler. “I think a lot of factors played in: the timing...a bunch of different things.”

Huggler affirmed that they would be continuing to work with Frost Valley, stating that they would be setting up a meeting with local community groups like themselves and Little League and Tri- Valley School to figure out the best times to offer camp.

She also stressed that Frost Valley did not leave any family “high and dry” and were “super generous” in offering anyone who signed up for camp to go up to Frost Valley for camp and ride the bus with no extra charge.

Additionally, Huggler stated that Frost Valley had also offered all of the counselors they had hired a job at Frost Valley.

“Kudos to Frost Valley, I’m really very thankful that they were so generous with what they did for our Town,” affirmed Huggler. “I do look forward to working with them in the future.”

Supervisor Mathews clears air with Frost Valley

Town Supervisor Chris Mathews took the opportunity to discuss the recent conversation with Neversink Aquatics Director Janet Carey.

He acknowledged that Carey’s orientation with the planned Summer Camp Program was recently published by the Sullivan County Democrat.

“[After being published] there was some feedback from Frost Valley,” acknowledged Mathews. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank our friends at Frost Valley. We appreciate them and I look forward to working with Frost Valley in the future.”

He stressed his desire to keep the lines of communication with them open and wants to be a part of the process in order to ensure a successful relationship and move forward in the future.

He noted that it was himself who invited Carey and wanted to thank Carey for always being there to help the Town.

“She’s been an amazing asset for the Town. Her expertise is appreciated and I want people to know her expertise is appreciated,” affirmed Mathews. “[She has] an amazing career with the Town of Neversink, she has done so much for us, and I want people to know we value and the Town values her service.”

Mathews also thanked Huggler for her “excellent work” in trying to get the camp together. He was “sure it’s gonna happen in the future.”

A Golden Feather of grants

Mathews’ praises to Huggler also came in the form of a Golden Feather Award grant from Sullivan 180 as the Town wouldn’t have gotten the grant without her hard work to obtain it.

He also thanked Councilperson Nicole Gorr and Councilperson Jim Schmidt for their presentation to get the award.

What is this Golden Feather thing all about? Huggler explained that the Town submitted a grant to make the Ice Rink permanent in which they were “super excited about” and were awarded the grant in the amount of $150,000.

“We’re very excited to be able to do that,” explained Huggler. “I was also going to thank Nicole and Jim for pitching for me. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there but I appreciate it.”

She stated that they have the grant and Mathews had signed it.

To Huggler it seemed “pretty straightforward” [to get the reports being asked for], and she is looking forward to going to the next level with the rink, citing that it has reached so many people and that “everybody looks forward to the rink each year.”