NY notaries must log every time they sign

MONTICELLO, NY — A new state law requires notaries to now keep track of every instance in which they provide their services. The record must include the date, approximate time and type of notarial acts performed; the name and address of any individuals for whom a notarial act was performed; the type of credential used to identify the principal; and other elements. Sullivan County clerk Russell Reeves noted that the records must be kept for at least 10 years.

Sheriff’s department to host boater safety course

MONTICELLO, NY — On August 6, 2019, Gov. Cuomo signed Brianna’s Law, a comprehensive boater education law requiring all power boaters (including those operating sailing vessels with auxiliary power) to complete a boater safety course. Due to the changes brought about by Brianna’s Law, all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate by January 1, 2025.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office will host a boater safety class on April 1, 2023 at the Sullivan County Government Center, Legislative Hearing Room, 100 North Street, Monticello, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To register, email scsopatrol@sullivanny.us (the preferred method) or call 845/794-7100, ext. 1 and indicate how many will be in attendance, age, and a contact phone number. There is no fee to register, and you must be 10 years of age or older to attend. Meal break will be provided or feel free to bring your own lunch.

Rep. Molinaro opens five district offices

BINGHAMTON, NY — U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) will open offices in Binghamton, Leeds, Liberty, Hancock and Oneonta. These offices will allow residents in New York’s 19th Congressional District to meet with Molinaro’s constituent-service team, which will be available to assist with federal issues like navigating a Social Security claim, tracking the status of a tax refund with the Internal Revenue Service, or obtaining earned benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Sullivan County district office will be located at 59 North Main St. in Liberty. The Delaware County district office will be located at 661 West Main St. in Hancock. These offices will be open by appointment only; appointments can be made by calling 607/242-0200 or emailing  molinaro.house.gov/contact/.

Improvement project at Jadwin Dam nears completion

HONESDALE, PA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District and its contractor, Mohawk Valley Materials of Marcy, NY, have been improving the upstream embankment of the General Edgar Jadwin Dam in Wayne County, as recommended by a multi-year risk assessment. The $4.9 million contract included the installation of a geosynthetic liner system on part of the upstream slope and crest of the dam. Work is estimated for completion this spring.

Jadwin Dam is a dry dam located on Dyberry Creek north of the borough of Honesdale. It controls 64.5 square miles of the Dyberry Creek watershed in the county, providing 24,500 acre-feet of storage to the spillway crest and 47,300 acre-feet of storage at maximum pool, and has prevented approximately $40 million in flood damages since its construction.

SALT caucus established in Congress

WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Pat Ryan joined Democrats and Republicans in establishing the bipartisan SALT Caucus for the 118th Congress, a group dedicated to restoring the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. The 2017 Tax Law imposed a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction; according to research by the National Association of Realtors, in New York, 35 percent of taxpayers claimed the SALT deduction in 2016 before it was capped.

The current limit is set to sunset after 2025.

Rural Sullivan Housing Corporation under RUPCO umbrella

KINGSTON, NY — On January 1, the Rural Sullivan Housing Corporation became an affiliate with RUPCO, a Hudson Valley organization that creates and maintains housing and rental opportunities. The union, according to a press release, will preserve access to foreclosure prevention counseling and enhance access to homebuyer grants, single-family home repairs and manufactured home replacements in Sullivan County, while maintaining the delivery of much-needed homeownership services to the region. Rural Sullivan Housing Corporation will remain in its office at 33 Lakewood Ave. in Monticello, with Serra McDowall as the operations director.

Neversink fire district holds public hearing

NEVERSINK, NY — The Neversink Fire District will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m. at the Neversink Firehouse , which is located at 7486 State Rte. 55, on the proposed adoption of a resolution granting a partial real property tax exemption pursuant to Real Property Tax Law §466-a for the primary residence of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers. The exemption would be in the amount of 10 percent of the assessed value of a primary residence, granted upon a minimum service requirement of two years.

COVID at the care center

LIBERTY, NY — The Care Center at Sunset Lake on February 12 informed family members and friends of residents that it is conducting outbreak testing, based on positive COVID-19 results. At that time, the center identified additional 16 positive cases among its residents. Information from patient advocates indicate that there were eight positive cases leading up to February 12. The center identified one staff member as testing positive as of February 12.

E-file in NY

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded taxpayers of the fastest and easiest ways to file their tax returns, check their refund status, and receive their money as quickly as possible. E-filing is safer, faster, and more efficient than sending paper returns through the mail; for e-filing, and other tax information, visit www.tax.ny.gov. A free file program allows you to electronically prepare and file both your federal and New York State returns at no cost through the tax department website. If your 2022 income is $73,000 or less, you may be able to take advantage of this program.

Historic sign disappears from Lumberland Cemetery

LUMBERLAND, NY — On February 6, observers of the Van Tuyl Cemetery in Lumberland saw that the historic sign outside of the cemetery had vanished, leaving just a metal pole behind. The previous day, a black RAM truck had been observed driving slowly past the graveyard, according to a nearby resident; “At first, we thought they just were honoring a loved one, but they were driving slowly, and suspiciously.”

Molinaro to serve as chairman on House Small Business Subcommittee

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) was selected to serve as chairman of the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development. Serving as a chairman is typically a responsibility that is reserved for more senior members of Congress. The subcommittee will be focused on policies that spur economic growth, innovation, and job creation within small businesses and propel the development and adoption of emerging technologies.

Brown wants AEDs in schools

HARRISBURG, PA — A long-time advocate for accessible cardiac technology, Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40) has now introduced Senate legislation, which she also prime-sponsored when she was a member of the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 375 requires schools to have an automatic external defibrillator (AED) present at all athletic and practice events and a detailed emergency plan to be utilized if a sudden cardiac arrest occurs.