ELDRED, NY — After serving the Town of Highland for 22 years, Doreen Hanson will retire from her position of town clerk March 28.

At the town’s March meeting, Hanson presented the council with a letter of her resignation, where she said its “time for another journey” and it has been a “great honor to serve the people of the town Highland.” Hanson thanked the many supervisors and council members she has worked with for their “bipartisan leadership.” To her family and her husband, Hanson thanked them for their support in the “crazy politics” while she was in office. She expressed appreciation to the many township employees who she has enjoyed working with and the deputies who have been supportive. She is assisting the next town clerk in the transition of positions.

Attorney Michael Davidoff said in his experience as town attorney through the years, there has been “no finer individual who is more competent and done more for a town” as Hanson.

Also discussed:

Supervisor Jeff Haas reported that work is underway to sanction the American Rescue Plan relative to the Town of Highland. Working with Congressman Antonio Delgado’s via Zoom, things are looking “very positive for us” because the township will be able to “clean up some of our COVID related issues” that are “kind of manifesting themselves again from last year to this year.” Because of “shortfalls in grant funding,” the town has been limited a “couple of $100,00” so time is needed for congress to pass a bill and the president to sign it so “money comes our way.” That will then be a “big help for Highland,” and put the township “back to where we belong before COVID” Haas said. In the meantime, “we’re doing what we can with what we’ve got to work with, and we’ll rise to the top again.”

Allison Capella from the Sullivan Renaissance spoke and answered questions about the project and the town applying for the Sullivan Feather Community Impact grant for the Barryville area worth $125,000. Created last year, Capella said the grant is meant for “very impactful projects and capital improvement projects” that have a “transformative impact in the county.” A municipal grant that’s also a reimbursable grant, the town will have to “put the money up front” and Sullivan Renaissance would reimburse the town. Capella said “on this level” the Sullivan Renaissance is a new program.

John Pizzolato, the chairman of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and a member of the board of directors of the Barryville Chamber of Commerce said there are community partners who will contribute funds.

As of now, the town has the preliminary application to be reviewed. As the applicant, the Town of Highland is working with the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce, Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Capella acknowledged there may be concerns with the town putting $25,000 in to be matched, but there are ways to meet the sum by working with volunteer groups to raise funds or partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

Board member and Deputy Supervisor James Gutekunst said he isn’t against the project because anyone putting “$100,000 into Highland is my friend,” but as a “representative of taxpayers” he’s concerned with committing $25,000. One project might be Riverside Park, which according to Gutekunst has been a “troubled piece of property” since he’s been a board member so he’s “concerned about neighbors” and the town getting into trouble.

From what he heard at the meeting, Gutekunst said he wasn’t comfortable making a decision until he receives further details. The council will have to pass a resolution in order to sign the application. The council will have an additional meeting March 23.

With rumors of what the project may be, as of the meeting Haas said nothing has been determined but the town must submit the grant application by April 1. 

The 2021 county-wide roadside litter pluck will be April 1 to June 30 where trash is accepted for free, at the county transfer station. Free disposal stickers for the roadside litter club trash bags and highway regulations regarding the litter pluck-ups are available at the town hall and county operating transfer stations and the Sullivan County Parks and Recreation office.  

In February, the Town of Highland constables: were on patrol for 125 hours; spent 22 hours in court; totaled 13 investigated hours; had 22 administrative hours; with over 100 hours for the month and issued multiple warnings and citations. There were eight incidents recorded.

The American Legion Ambulance responded to 16 calls, traveled 313.7 miles, served 84 hours, answered 14 emergent type calls, were on standby once and mutual aid once.

During February, members of the Yulan Volunteer Fire Department responded to: eight calls, two drills, two meetings and eight trainings for a total of 20 event hours, 162.72 personnel hours with 289.7 personnel hours for the year.

Members of the Highland Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded to: six calls, worked one night, had one training class, had one-man hours with 20.5 call, spent 45-man hours and had 245 personnel hours this year.

Councilwoman Kaitlin Haas reported that there was a mobile medic meeting with the American Legion Ambulance Corp about a billing agreement and so, a press release will be issued with an update about the current “lack of agreement for billing agreement between the American Legion Ambulance and mobile medic for ALS services for Medicare patients.”

Gutekunst reported that the town is missing money from “some outstanding grants with the COVID Relief Act in Washington.” He believes there’s a “good chance we’re going to recover the money” but “it’s a process” to recover it. Gutekunst said its “quite a bit of money.” 

Councilman Fred Bosch reported that because of a recent power outage, the fire alarm system at the senior center has to be reset. This meant when the “electric goes out” the fire alarm system must be checked.

Because the tree lights have been changed to LED lights, the town is saving $100 a month. 

The last day for applications, pictures and payment for the Hero Banner project is March 31. The cost is $150 per banner.

The town has a salt and sand contract with Eldred Central School that’s similar to the Town of Lumberland contract with the elementary school. Now, Haas said Lumberland would like to use Highland’s sand and salt with a per ton charge.

The town has transferred services from Port Jervis Deerpark Humane Society to the Catskill Animal Rescue. According to Haas, Highland’s Animal Control Officer Fawn Schneider has requested the change because of problems with the facility, not receiving the correct paperwork and a “bad incident” that occurred in a neighboring town.

The public health emergency plan for the Town of Highland was approved.

Deputy Town Clerk Sue Hoffman was approved to take online classes for the New York State Town clerk’s association at a cost of $125 and a notary class of $129.

Hoffman was added to the town’s three checking accounts, allowing her to be a signee of checks and issue checks.

Hanson’s resignation was accepted.

The town purchased a used paver from Carter’s Trucking and Black Topping for $16,000.

The town purchased a used roller from Carter’s Trucking and Blacktopping for $18,000.

Solar permit fees for commercial solar over 25kw were approved by the planning board with a review fee of $500. A new permit will cost $5,000 and for an additional expansion, it’d cost $2,500.

The board approved the payment of three 2021 claims that have been reviewed by Haas and the board in amount of $15,543.78.   

Payment of the Eldred street lights for about $994,26 was approved.

Hanson said the county would like a list of homebound persons to be put on a calling list in case of emergencies. So, anyone who may be homebound should contact the town.

The meeting concluded with the council going into executive session for litigation and personnel issues. 

The next Town of Highland board meeting is scheduled for April 13 at 7:00 in the town hall on Proctor Road in Eldred.