ELDRED, NY — Even with work drawing to a close on the town’s million-dollar highway garage, discussion at the Highland Town Board’s May meeting was largely centered on the installation of a new municipal sculpture piece.

“Dove work” at the Eldred’s Eagle Park continued in the aquatic weather that marked the first half of May as highway department workers and volunteers hustled to complete preparations for Memorial Day weekend unveiling.

The hamlet’s carved wood, eagle sculpture, for which the corner park is named, will officially be joined by one of Sullivan County’s Woodstock 50th anniversary doves in an 11 a.m., May 25 ceremony. It will mark the unveiling of the distinctively illustrated dove created by Highland artist Catherine Four, who also supplemented the grant for the installation of the five-foot high, seven-foot wide fiberglass sculpture.

Supervisor Jeff Haas said the artist, after attending a wedding in Florida, plans on flying back for a stopover to attend the ceremony, on her way to Europe.

The dove rested, largely hidden, under a coverlet inside the town hall during the town board’s May 14 meeting as details of the effort were revealed. Councilman Jim Hanson said park renovations included the removal and reinstallation of 3,600 paver stones, the installation of the sculpture’s concrete base, new floral plantings, new electrical service and LED lighting, new benches, refurbishment and installation of two streetlights.

The town received a $1,500 Sullivan Renaissance grant to fund Carol Sundholm’s floral work, a watering tank and flower dolly, while Eldred’s Churchill Motors and the Springhouse Garage donated the renewal of the streetlights.

In related business, the board approved a “very gracious” five-year, $1 lease on the Eagle Park property provided by the GFH Land Co. LLC of Bronxville, NY, which is the corporate arm of the Ablanap family, the former owners of the Eldred Preserve.

The new highway garage, which hosted the town’s annual cleanup day, also got some attention. Haas said the building’s completion date was moved up to May 17. Hanson credited Haas with the acquisition of 3,000 tons of state paving millings which avoided the cost of purchasing surfacing material for the garage yard.

In other business, the board named Nicole Hayden as director of the town’s summer youth program, approved a $3,132 agreement for Voltron Electric Inc. to install cable connecting the new garage with the electrical service, and finalized plans for use of the Yulan parish hall at St. Anthony’s RC Church as a warming station, replacing Camp Koinonia in Highland Lake.