NARROWSBURG, NY — At the recent Town of Tusten board meeting, it was announced that various long-awaited projects had been completed. One is the town solar panels and another is the basketball court in the park on the Flats.

The chair of the energy committee, Brandi Merolla, said the solar panels that will power the town’s electricity (with the exception of the street lights) are currently being installed and will be finished by the end of this week. She said the crew is working really hard and the project is creating jobs. “I’m really proud,” Merolla said. “This is the first town in Sullivan County to have a solar array.”

She also reported that she has looked into an option to go with MEGA (Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance) for energy, as per the request of Councilman Ned Lang. However, she said she was not entirely happy with their energy sources, which are nuclear or natural gas. She said, “We’re taking the next step to see what they can do for us.”

It was also brought up that Lang sent emails to the board accusing Merolla of lying about the savings the town will see from the new solar array. Merolla said, “I’m not a liar. This [the saving] is documented.” The rates for solar are higher at first, but then they get lower and will get to a really low point and become free after the 25-year lease is up. Merolla said it will save $200,000 in energy costs in the long haul.

The basketball court in the Flats is now ready for action. The old court was in need of serious repair, and the town board has been working toward improvements for the past several years. Many in the community were unhappy with the inaction. But now, a new fence has been constructed, and volunteers Merolla and Sean Harrington recently painted the lines on the court. They purchased a template to paint the lines.

Joan Santo was at the meeting to proclaim that the Narrowsburg Honey Bee Festival will be held this year on October 8. The event celebrates the honey bee and includes vendors, food, a parade and more. She said they will be closing Main Street this year (which they didn’t do last year), and the public parking lot will remain open. They also plan to break the world record for the most people dressed in bee costumes. Anyone can participate, and they need volunteers to help count the costumed bees. To be considered, one must wear an antenna, wings and a yellow and black striped shirt.

The Narrowsburg Beautification Group (NBG) announced that they did not receive a Feather Award from Sullivan Renaissance at its recent awards ceremony, but rather only the Showing of Flowers Award for $1,000. They had their hopes aimed high. This year, Sullivan Renaissance focused on urban areas that are in need of improvements in infrastructure and health. But Supervisor Carol Wingert said, “The town recognizes and appreciates all of your work.” At the town meetings, it is often brought up how much work the NBG does to beautify Main Street and the town. Star Hesse of the NBG said, “Narrowsburg is talked about as being beautiful, it is an established reputation.” (See Narrowsburg News, page 9.)

After the Tusten Heritage Community Garden had its insurance taken away, it implored the board to extend the insurance through the growing season. At this meeting, the board heeded their request, and extended the insurance until the end of the year.