LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Highway superintendent Kevin Esselman’s request to have his current two-year term extended to four years prompted discussion at the Cochecton Town Board’s May 14 meeting of term changes for other elected officials as well. Esselman’s request was made after he claimed that the demands of campaigning can interfere with an incumbent’s job performance, which in his case often requires round-the-clock work.

Councilperson Larry Richardson was of the opinion that the voters should be able to choose elected officials every two years, noting that frequent campaigning forces elected officials to stay in touch with constituents’ needs and serves to discourage incumbent complacency. However, he appeared to be in the minority.

Supervisor Gary Maas seemed initially inclined to grant Esselman’s request, adding that he did not think it appropriate to increase term length for board members. But, after hearing fellow board members’ complaints about the time, effort and expense of campaigning every other year, he was amenable to further consideration of the issue. It was eventually decided that term length is an issue on which voters should have a say; a referendum will be added to the town’s November ballot.

Nancy P. Hackett, superintendent of Sullivan West Central School District, addressed the board, calling attention to the excellent work done by the district’s board of education in complying with the state tax levy cap while maintaining valuable programs and staffing levels. She also pointed out that, per a survey conducted by a local newspaper, the district is currently the most economical in Sullivan County and is fourth most economical of all mid-Hudson counties surveyed. Remarking on the harsh winter just ended, Hackett said that 10 snow days had been required. Seven were allocated in the district calendar, and three additional snow days were subtracted from conference and vacation days. Hackett attributes the relatively low number of snow days used in large part to the outstanding work done by Esselman and his crew, thanking them for their unstinting hard work and cheerful attitudes during wee hours of work in awful weather conditions.

Two disparate town problems may be solved with a common technology solution: surveillance cameras. Richardson has long been on the case of illegal roadside dumping of garbage, tires and other bulk items at several sites. Esselman recently reported minor vandalism to two town trucks parked outdoors overnight. It is hoped that concealed, strategically located video cameras will serve to deter vandals and illegal dumpers and/or aid in their apprehension.

Tax collector Eileen Hennessy petitioned the board for purchase of a new office computer. “Grandma Moses,” Hennessy’s nickname for her ailing ‘90s-era PC with unsupported Windows XP operating system, must now be left on 24/7; turning her off risks reboot failure forever. Maas agreed that Grandma M’s day is past. She will be laid to rest with full honors as soon as a suitable new computer compatible with existing tax collection/payment software is purchased and installed.

Complete meeting minutes and additional information on Cochecton town government can be found at www.townofcochectonny.org/.