ELDRED, NY — At the Highland town meeting on December 10, Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek, provided a summary of the new county $233 million budget with an emphasis on southern Sullivan.

Potosek reported on the planned replacement of the CR 33 bridge in the hamlet of Eldred, planned completion of the fishing access on Route 97 south of Cedar Rapids, and the replacement of another, undesignated bridge in Tusten.

He said the county would initiate composting bins at the transfer station in an effort to reduce the amount of water in waste. Potosek said up to 70 percent of the waste weight hauled currently is liquid. He predicted that a new operator could get the Sullivan County Airport fiscally self-sustaining within two-years.

He heard concerns about who is paying for Industrial Development Authority (IDA) tax breaks and the condition of River Road (CR12A).
Reporting a $2.4 million increase in the estimate of sales tax revenues from casino gaming, Potosek said the casino had new management. “We’ve been working with them. They’re still losing money, but it’s gotten better.”

In other business, the town honored Constables Marc Anthony and Bob Maas for completing 30 years service; Supervisor Jeff Haas predicted that the new highway barn is nearing final completion. “We’re actively closing in on completion of the shop, and we hope to be in completely by January 31.”