NARROWSBURG, NY — The Tusten Town Board set Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m. as the public hearing date for proposed amendments to its local dog law. The decision, made at the board’s June 22 meeting, followed lively discussion at the recessed June 9 meeting about unacceptable dog behaviors. That discussion came in the wake of an unleashed dog attack in April and observation of an increasingly serious dog waste problem on the Narrowsburg flats.

Supervisor Ben Johnson asked dog control officer Nico Juarez to meet with town attorneys to review the town’s existing leash law. The meeting takeaway was a recommendation that the law be amended to include clearer, updated language regarding dog and dog owner behavior and additional requirements for dog licensure. Specifically, the proposed amendments will require owners to leash dogs at all times in public spaces and to remove dog waste from all public and private property. Proof of rabies vaccination is required when purchasing a dog license.

The board rescinded the $185,000 bid award to Reeves Mountain Construction for replacement of the town hall roof, as approved at the June 9 meeting, and will reopen bids for that job.

Replacement of two doors inside the town hall, at a cost not to exceed $3,000 and free installation, was approved.

Deputy supervisor Jane Luchsinger announced that One Grand Bookstore in Narrowsburg would like to make “Fridays on Main” a weekly evening event during the summer months. The event, which could include readings, art exhibitions and poetry slams, would take place outdoors on Main Street, but will not require street closure and should not disrupt traffic flow through town. The board ascertained that no permits were required for this event.

Debate over whether the next regular board meeting on July 14 should be live or via Zoom, congregations of up to 25 being permissible in Phase II of New York’s reopening plan, ended in the decision to remain on Zoom, for now.