Recent storms and flooding dominated the Town of Delaware August 13 meeting. The town board authorized an emergency stream restoration and flood mitigation program and also a relief program for households that need help with replacing items damaged in the storms.

The council passed two resolutions to authorize the programs.

It authorized the stream and flood related work, “because a public emergency has arisen from recent flooding that has affected the life, health, safety and property of inhabitants of the Town of Delaware, particularly in the greater Kohlertown area” the resolution stated.

“We’ve been busy working on this,” said town supervisor Edward Sykes, “The permits are in place.”

Work will take place as follows:

Removal of gravel deposits, sandbars and downed trees in the Callicoon Creek from Hughson Park to the rear of Kohler Lumber & Building Supply, and along the Chellis Horse Track.

Reconstruction of a berm protecting downstream properties between the convergence of the two tributaries that form Hess Brook and the rear of the Starkweather property.

The council approved the work unanimously, stating that all the above work will be paid from the general fund because it requires immediate action and cannot wait for competitive bidding.

The second storm-related resolution was to authorize a program for low-income households to apply, through Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) and the Green Jobs-Green New York program, for replacement of appliances, heating systems and water heating systems damaged in the storm. Councilmember John Gain and town clerk Tess McBeath are going to work to get as many people as possible to take advantage of the program, including going to talk to people personally, said Sykes.

According to the website www.rupco.org, “Green Jobs-Green NY is a statewide initiative established by the New York State Legislature in 2009 to (1) promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and clean technologies; (2) reduce energy consumption and costs; (3) reduce greenhouse gas emissions; (4) support sustainable community development; and (5) create green job opportunities, including for emerging, unemployed and displaced workforce.’

RUPCO is an independent contractor working for the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), which recently gave a presentation to the council.