THOMPSON –– Eight of 15 town supervisors were on hand at the Association of Supervisors meeting at the Thompson Town Hall in Monticello earlier this month. They discussed county-wide topics and received updates from Sullivan Renaissance, the Sullivan County Drug Task Force, Public Safety Commissioner Tom Farney, Fire Coordinator John Hauschild and Sheriff Mike Schiff.

The Supervisors in attendance were Gary Maas of Cochecton, Dan Hogue Jr. of Forestburgh, Tom Bose of Callicoon, Dan Sturm of Bethel, Janet Lybolt of Mamakating, Chris Mathews of Neversink, Bill Rieber Jr. of Thompson, and Frank DeMayo of Liberty.

During the meeting, representatives of various organizations made presentations before the group of Supervisors.

Sullivan Renaissance’s Updates

During the meeting Sullivan Renaissance Executive Director Denise Frangipane introduced a new member of their team, Shannon Cilento, Community Development Program Manager. Cilento spoke on Renaissance matters that related to the municipalities throughout the county, and spoke of her plans for the hope of Renaissance’s future involvement within the townships through various programs and grants. The municipal partnership grants were also highlighted by Cilento, and a time frame was given for the application process.

Sullivan County’s Drug Task Force Updates

Representing the Drug Task Force was Wendy Brown, who also serves as the County’s Deputy Commissioner of Health & Family Services.

During her time speaking with the Supervisors, she provided updated information regarding the Task Force’s progress in Sullivan County.

Important updates introduced by Brown included the Task Force’s intentions to utilize a recent drug settlement that put Sullivan County in line to receive money, Narcan trainings and information and asking the Supervisors to consider making secure drug drop-off sites available to help people safely dispose of drugs.

She also spoke of the program, Hope Not Handcuffs, which is a pre-arrest diversion program designed to help people who struggle with substance use help themselves.

“It gives people an option. It opens the door for people with a substance use problem to walk into a police department and say ‘I need help’,” Brown told the Supervisors.

Brown asked the Supervisors to assist in the struggle against drug and substance abuse.

“If it’s coming from the town leadership, it gives us more starch in our shorts to go in,” she said.

Commissioner of Public Safety Introduced

Thomas Farney introduced himself to the Supervisors as the Commissioner of Public Safety.

Farney was appointed in September to succeed former Commissioner of Public Safety Rick Sauer.

Farney affirmed his intentions to continue to work into the new year contacting supervisors and building a relationship between himself and the municipalities within the county.

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Comments

Making an appearance before the supervisors were Sheriff Mike Schiff and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty.

Schiff spoke on the topic of drug related issues being dealt with by law enforcement in the county and their plans to continue solving the recurring issues.

Speaking on the Hope Not Handcuffs program that was mentioned by Brown minutes prior, Schiff expressed his support.

“It gives you an opportunity to take someone and get them directly into help,” Schiff said.

“It’s been very helpful and it’s one of the better programs I have seen,” Schiff said due to the responsiveness of those who help coordinate the program.

Schiff continued to warn of the possibility of drug related issues growing as it has in many other parts of the United States.

“We’ll be working on going after the guns, the drugs and we're working on getting a couple of task forces going here,” Schiff said.

Moving on, Schiff spoke on active shooter cases, and stated that he is going to try to work alongside Hauschild and Farney in terms of prevention and safety planning. ”They are going to crack down on this stuff and keep our families safe,” Schiff said.

Fire Coordinator update

Fire Coordinator John Hauschild gave a short update to the supervisors on the topics of Airbnb’s in the area and tax breaks for emergency workers.

“We do have a lot of things we’re working on in the upcoming year,” Hauschild said.