NARROWSBURG, NY — Impending town projects, a smoke test of the water and sewage system and a discussion regarding toilets on Main Street were the highlights at the Tusten Town Board. The meeting was held on July 11. 

A smoky solution

On July 11 and 12, the Narrowsburg Water and Sewer Department conducted a routine smoke test of the sanitary sewer system. 

The test is designed to detect deficiencies in the sewer pipes and the sewage system. Smoke tests can be especially important after episodes of heavy rainfall. Smoke testing is designed as a low-cost and effective way to identify water infiltration sources. This type of situation, known as inflow, can cause the system to become filled with stormwater overflow that it cannot handle. In those instances, raw and untreated sewage could be released and inhabit areas such as basements, playgrounds or the river. Remediating leaks detected by the smoke testing eliminates the possibility of sanitary sewage overflows from occurring. 

Craig Snedeker, a water and sewer operator with the Town of Tusten, said, “We blow smoke into the sewer lines and try to pressurize it enough so that smoke will be forced out cracks or breaks in the pipe and come up to the ground.”

Any leaks will reveal what areas must be repaired, he said. 

As part of analyzing the results, the department obtains the information it needs to reduce the amount of rainwater that enters the sewer pipe, which helps reduce the amount treated at the sewer plant. Utilizing this technique cuts down on costs and limits the likelihood of the sewer plant being overloaded by rainwater, making treatment more difficult, Snedeker said.

As part of community notification, the board alerted the public that during the time of testing, smoke will rise out of manholes and vents to notify the department that the sewer is in good condition. The smoke is not hazardous and will not stain. 

“[The smoke] is specially designed for this. It’s safe and nontoxic [and] has a distinctive smell… it’s liquid smoke and it gets blown into, basically, a giant fan that blows it into a manhole or a sewer cleanout,” Snedeker said. 

Only one-third of the system was completed, as there were issues in finding areas to smoke test. To complete the testing, which would take a week, Snedeker said, the department require more manholes to detect the smoke. 

Troubles with toilets 

In public comment, Town of Tusten resident Star Hesse expressed concern regarding the availability of public bathrooms during town events, a topic that she has repeatedly brought before the board.

During the summer season, Hesse said, Narrowsburg hosts a variety of events, such as the Fourth of July Parade and Riverfest. These events bring an abundance of visitors to the town, some of whom are in search of public restroom facilities. 

In June 2022, the board had previously voted on renting a portable toilet to be placed behind the building at 93 Main St. At the following month’s meeting, Hesse brought to the board’s attention that the portable restroom was not ADA-compliant, nor did it contain a hand-washing station. 

Hesse mentioned that during the Fourth of July Parade, multiple spectators asked about a restroom while she was working to maintain the Narrowsburg Beautification site at the post office on Main Street. She said that local businesses should not have to supply restrooms to non-patrons. 

Hesse’s primary concern was concerning the upcoming Lavapalooza Festival on Saturday, August 5. The nonprofit Growing Old Together will host a fundraiser for all ages with live music, games and food. 

Town supervisor Ben Johnson said that the Lavapalooza event will not be a problem as it will be held at Blue Hills Farm. Parking and restrooms will be available at the property and will not be a concern for community members. 

Upcoming projects

Upon the request of Sullivan 180—a local nonprofit organization that combined with Sullivan Renaissance earlier this year—the Town of Tusten will provide maintenance for plantings on Kirk Road. The shrubbery and landscaping will be cared for once a week for at least two hours until the end of the summer season. 

In other busines, the Tusten Cup notified the town of its intention to apply for a liquor license. The board authorized the motion to register that it had no objection to the town’s staple coffee shop applying for a New York State liquor license. Additionally, the roof at 93 Main St., the former bank building on Main Street that the town is leasing to the Big Eddy Brewery, had been experiencing severe leaking. The board said that it is responsible for the repairs and moved to fix the issue.

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8.