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Salomone talks redistricting

By Samantha Montagna 
Posted 8/1/22

MAMAKATING — During the last Mamakating Town Board Meeting on July 19, County Legislator Nicholas Salomone gave a report about the upcoming redistricting of the Legislature for Sullivan County. …

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Salomone talks redistricting

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MAMAKATING — During the last Mamakating Town Board Meeting on July 19, County Legislator Nicholas Salomone gave a report about the upcoming redistricting of the Legislature for Sullivan County. This process occurs every ten years to ensure that each of the nine legislative districts cover the same amount of people, Salomone explained. The county website states that “each district must encompass approximately 8,627 residents” with a deviation of 5 percent allowed. 

Salomone presented three options that were drawn up by a consultant to show the different possibilities that the county will vote on before the end of the year. Salomone also explained the differences in town populations that warrant the redistricting. 

For example, the Town of Rockland saw a population loss of approximately 400 people while Mamakating saw a population growth of approximately 600 people. 

Mamakating is now the third largest township in Sullivan County whereas it was fourth largest in 2010, Salomone stated. 

Salomone also announced there is a public hearing on August 11 at 11 a.m. in the Hearing Room of the Government Center at 100 North Street in Monticello. The public will have the opportunity to hear a presentation on the redistricting process and give feedback. Salomone noted that the maps must be voted on by December.

O&W Rail Trail Alliance

Back in February, Freda Eisenberg from the O&W Rail Trail Alliance gave a presentation with updates to the O & W Rail Trail and explained who the alliance is. 

The alliance is made up of municipalities that feature chunks of the rail trail, and the goal is to connect the trails together. 

In February, Eisenberg asked for a formal commitment from Mamakating, but residents and members of the board had questions about finances. At their most recent  meeting, Town Supervisor Mike Robbins noted that the board did not like the way the resolution was written, and the town attorney, Ben Gailey, worked on it to better suit Mamakating’s needs. 

Robbins stated that in the new resolution, the board did not have to put any money up to become a member of the alliance. He also stated that this is a good project for Mamakating to be involved in because Mamakating’s O&W Rail Trails will eventually be connected to the County’s trails. 

Short-Term Rental Workshop

Robbins announced that the next short-term rental workshop will occur on August 10 at 6 p.m. with public comment after. 

The format will be much the same as previous workshops. He noted that the last workshop was productive, but there are still some items to be hashed out. 

“The more workshops we have, the better off we will be with getting things straightened out and agreed on for everybody,” Robbins said. 

The board hopes to have something to present to the public for feedback after this workshop. 

Speed Limit Change

Mamakating has been voicing concerns about speeding cars over the past year. Several residents have complained about speeders as well. 

Last year, one resident, Daphne Hodgson, complained to the board about speeders on County Route 56 and requested a lower speed limit for the road citing that her neighbors are afraid to walk their dogs.

The board passed a resolution to lower the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph but had to wait on county approval for the limit to take effect. 

In June, the board passed a resolution to lower the speed limit and remove the passing lane on Mamakating Road to Mountain Road to the Bloomingburg Village line. This prompted Hodgson to ask about the status of the speed limit on County Route 56. 

Robbins provided the update on July 19, saying that the county approved the speed limit change on County Route 56 to 45mph. 

He stated that the county is responsible for speed limit signs, and that information will be forthcoming. He also noted that Mountain Road speed limit decision will likely take another six to nine months as County Route 56’s decision took that long.

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