COCHECTON, NY — With spring in the air, the Town of Cochecton has scheduled its annual clean-up day for residents to drop off household junk and other bulky items free of charge (See sidebar at right). At the April 9 meeting, the town board moved to authorize a lease agreement with Verizon for a cell tower, the bear to be housed at the preservation society, road improvements to Skinner Falls and Buff Road, and new town trucks. 

New Verizon cell tower in Cochecton pending approval

Before the regular meeting, the board entered into a brief executive session to discuss a new Verizon cell tower in Cochecton. The board voted to authorize a lease agreement with Verizon for a cell tower on Nearing Road pending attorney approval.

Cochecton Preservation Society gets a new bear 

Larry Richardson, Cochecton’s representative for the Upper Delaware Council and the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, said that he had successfully completed the special mission of transporting a new bear for the Cochecton Preservation Society.

The former wood-carved bear stood near the entrance to the restored train station along Route 97 and will be replaced by a fiberglass version. The new fiberglass bear will likely carry on the namesake “Woody,” held by the two bears before, but more information about a naming contest for the bear will be provided. 

Skinners Falls Road will get a makeover after the bridge falls

Highway superintendent Jeff Daub said that after the Skinner Falls bridge comes down, Skinner Falls Road will receive a new binder and blacktop to repair any damage caused by the heavy trucks involved in the work. Currently movement to dismantle the historical bridge has been paused due to a last-minute injunction filed by residents hoping to prevent the bridge from coming down. See page 1. 

New Buff Road and town trucks 

According to Daub, Buff Road is currently being widened in preparation for new blacktop, and after a retrofit for the installation of a plow, a new truck is expected to be delivered. Daub is awaiting bids to discuss the purchase of another truck at the next meeting.

The Cochecton Town Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be on May 14. A work session begins at 7 p.m., followed by the regular business meeting at 7:30 p.m.