MAMAKATING — Mamakating Town Supervisor, Michael Robbins, expressed his gratitude to the employees of the town and the public for helping him ease into his new role as town supervisor.

“Everyone is great,” Robbins said, “I am looking forward to working with everyone.”

He also noted that he looked forward to working with Jackie Broder, the director of the Mamakating Environmental Education Center, and the Zoning and Planning Boards.

During the highway superintendent’s report, Rob Hufcut stated that work will begin for the salt cover. The previous town board passed a resolution to use American Rescue Plan Funds to construct a salt storage cover to preserve the salt and to help prevent ground water contamination.

Hufcut also stated that ten bags of garbage were found on Ferguson Road, and he had the Sheriff and Department of Conservation involved. Hufcut explained that illegal dumping costs the town money and time to clean up. He asked if anyone sees anyone dumping to call town hall or the highway department.

Hufcut asked everyone to “keep Mamakating beautiful.”

The new town board passed the Reorganization Resolutions of Appointments, Authorizations, and Designations for 2022. Supervisor Robbins did not read the list of appointments out loud after Town Attorney Benjamin Gailey told him that he did not have to do a separate resolution for each appointment.

During public comment, Kent Findlay questioned why the list of appointments was not read out. Findlay said the board usually reads the list during the meeting for the public.

Robbins replied that there have not been any appointments for the open positions for the Planning and Zoning Boards yet. The appointments of the Planning Board chairman and deputy chairman and the Zoning Board Chairman is on the agenda for the January 18 meeting, which is now a fully remote meeting via Zoom.

The town clerk, Jean Dougherty, stated that the full list would be made available on the minutes for the public.

Deputy Supervisor John Rufer gave some updates on the library and the Parks and Recreation Department. Mamakating’s Summer Camp is hiring for lifeguards and other positions, Rufer said. Rufer also encouraged residents to attend ward meetings.

After the board returned from Executive Session, they passed a resolution to change a title of a position in the highway department due to an employee issue. The board decided to add a third mechanic position and eliminate an equipment operator position.

Councilman Mordas said the board should explain any change to the public that could impact salary structure or incur any cost to the town. Supervisor Robbins said, aside from a tool allowance, it’s just change in title.