KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — “Walkability, bikeability, signage, traffic flow, some green elements.” Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm said those are among the areas being addressed as the Bethel Town Board considers sprucing up Kauneonga Lake, a hamlet that has seen significant growth since the opening of Bethel Woods in 2006.

Sturm said a committee, with representatives from the town, the county, Sullivan Renaissance and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), had been working on ways to achieve those goals. Three plans have been proposed. The cost for the engineering work on the proposed changes came to $22,000. Sturm said the county kicked in $10,000, Renaissance and CCE donated $7,500 and the town picked up $5,000. Sturm said it was a joint coordinated effort among the groups.

There were two public sessions held on August 23, with people giving input on the various plans. Sturm said no decision has been made about which plan will go forward, and the town is still seeking input from the public. This can be done by contacting the town clerk at 845/583-4350 ext. 101, or sending an email to bethelclerk@hvc.rr.com.

Parking has been a concern since the neighborhood has prospered, and the three plans would result in an additional 15 or 16 parking spaces located near the restaurants and other businesses by the lake.

After the final plan is agreed to, Sturm will look into state and federal funding to pay to have the plan realized.