NARROWSBURG, NY — The recent train accident near Hancock was on the minds of the townspeople attending the August 13 monthly Tusten Council meeting. They engaged in an energetic exchange with council members about what might be done to eliminate such events in the future.

Council member Tony Ritter noted that a state of emergency was in effect at the time of the accident due to the torrential rains and flooding possibilities, and asked why trains continue to operate during such a time. He said that time was not of the essence for delivery of the cargo being hauled, and that the fact that it was superfund waste made a delay in transporting even more sensible. Supervisor Carol Wingert suggested that with the technology available today, drones could surveil the tracks ahead of the trains to alert officials to possibly dangerous conditions. It was decided that railroad officials should be invited to address the safety concerns of all of the river towns. Wingert will reach out to the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) to coordinate such an action. A community member stated that, with the current election just ahead, the candidates for Congress should also be invited to opine on the problem.

Council member Jane Luchsinger announced that the town received a $25,000 Bronze Feather award from Sullivan Renaissance as well as a $5,000 Judge’s Choice award for youth engagement at the children’s garden, the result of efforts of the Tusten Youth Commission and Crystal Weston, town clerk. These funds are in addition to the previously received municipal partnership grant of $25,000. Wingert thanked all who volunteered time and materials to the beautification projects, saying that their efforts were a hundred times above and beyond the norm. Council member Jill Padua concurred, noting that many people in the town worked together to make it happen.

The board unanimously authorized Wingert to sign a purchase agreement with NYSEG for the armature and the lights attached to utility poles in the town. The poles will remain the property and responsibility of NYSEG. Final approval by the Public Service Commission is expected within 90 days. During this waiting period, work will continue on the design and build of the LED lights which will replace NYSEG’s lights. Facilitated by the New York Power Authority, this process will be undertaken jointly with the towns of Bethel, Fallsburg, Delaware, Rockland and Thompson, the Village of Monticello and the County of Sullivan. This consortium is responsible for replacing more than 4,000 LED lights, which is a greater number than anticipated and will result in even greater economies of scale to be enjoyed by all of the participants.

Catskill Hudson Bank is sponsoring a shredding day on September 1 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the library parking lot on Bridge Street.

Narrowsburg’s Main Street will be closed from the interstate bridge to the post office on September 22 for the Honey Bee Fest. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In September, the regularly scheduled meetings resume on the second Tuesday of the month.