GLEN SPEY, NY — After several months’ discussion, the Lumberland Town Board on July 10 agreed to a $74,424 proposal to repair the roof of the former highway garage, which now serves as a garage for Eldred Central School District buses.

The sole response to a request for proposals came from RA Mickelson & Son LLC of Woodbourne, NY. Noting that Mickelson was the sole bidder, councilman-deputy supervisor Leigh Sherman said town engineer Joe Gottlieb had confirmed that the bid was “a fair bid,” and that the contractor also was bidding summer work in the Town of Forestburgh.

Supervisor Jenny Mellan said that the current town budget would only be obligated for $34,424 of the cost and the remainder, $40,000, would come from a $140,000 surplus which the town has accumulated over the past three years. “These were taxes already paid, so there was no need to levy them again,” she said.

The contract was approved by a four to one vote; councilman James Akt was opposed and did not comment on his opposition.

Other business included the following: opting into a Sullivan County program, approving funding of $893 for a digital message board to serve the town hall and administration building, following a public hearing adopted Local Law #2, which created a zoning change for two properties in the Mongaup area.

The board agreed to accept a $725 low bid for the replacement of the hot-water heater and associated valve at the bus garage by McKean Plumbing and Heating of Highland Lake; accepted the resignation of custodian Maryann Farrell and agreed to advertise for a replacement; accepted a $7,000 donation to benefit the general fund, constables, fire department and cultural series from the Kadampa Meditation Center; and accepted a $500 donation from Orange & Rockland Utilities to benefit the summer youth program.