Note to readers: The Livingston Manor School Board meetings have been rescheduled for the fourth Monday of each month, often too late to be published in a timely manner in the print edition of the paper. Manor Ink’s monthly reports will thus appear regularly here online, and in the print paper whenever possible.
Also, because our January 2025 “Happiness” issue had no news, our Town Board reports appear here only. In February they will again be found in the print edition.
Board to accept public comments in written form only
Town Board Meeting of Dec. 5
By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink mentor
In the absence of both Supervisor Rob Eggleton and Deputy Supervisor Andrew McRell, the meeting was conducted by Deputy Town Clerk Rosemary Hawkins.
Public Hearing: A public hearing was held to present information regarding the Livingston Manor Legacy Holdings project and the town’s Restore NY grant. The hearing provided an opportunity to hear citizens’ views relative to Legacy Holdings’ application to reuse the facilities located at the former Keiser Equipment site as a sake brewery and other related businesses. Since there was no public comment, a motion was made by the board to support the submission and the hearing was closed.
Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Correspondence: Beaverkill Valley Land Trust, which holds the conservation easement on the Twin Village Golf Course in Roscoe, sent a letter to remind the town that they will visit the property annually to certify that the land is being cared for in accordance with the easement’s specifications.
Town of Rockland has been certified as a Pro-Housing Community, which now makes it eligible for various discretionary funding programs, with up to $650 million in funds.
Presentation: Livingston Manor Central School Superintendent John Evans, Roscoe Central School Board President Gary Dahlman and LMCS Special Ed Teacher Laurie Allen-Kuehn came to give the board a summary of what is involved with the proposed school merger. After reviewing the history of the failed 2022 vote and this year’s renewed effort, Evans outlined the process of gathering the required signatures on petitions and the submission of those and all other documents required by the state. Once approval is received the vote will take place in the gymnasium of both schools on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
Resolutions Required: The following resolution was required and were passed by the board.
Modify the budget in the categories as presented to the board.
Department Heads: Chris Bury, Water and Sewer: There are issues with the Badger Meter program, and it might be best to look for a different vendor, as had been originally planned. Roger Decker, Highway: Several trucks broke down after the last storm; one had to go to Robert Green Chevrolet in Monticello. The problem may be a bad solenoid in the transmission.
Public Comment: Laurie Allen-Keuhn asked Roger Decker how the plowing of snow on the town’s works day-to-day. John Hendrix asked how the Beaverkill Land Trust works, and also asked the town clerk about budget modifications.
Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #23 were approved.
Details of all dollar amounts can be found at townofrocklandny.com under the minutes of Dec. 5.
Town Board Meeting of Dec. 19
In the absence of Supervisor Rob Eggleton, the meeting was conducted by Deputy Supervisor Andrew McRell.
Moment of Silence: A moment of silence was held in honor of William Rajewski, long time employee of the town, Roscoe FD chief and Fire Commissioner. It was mentioned that Edward Van Put, son of Agnes Van Put and long time advocate for fly fishing in our area, has also passed away.
Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Information Session: McRell read the description of the properties on the former Keiser property that will be submitted for Restore New York grant funds.
Correspondence: Holiday cards were received from Jeff Bank and the Ladies of the Mother Divine Program in Livingston Manor.
Old Business
Resolution Required: The following resolution was required and was passed by the board.
Approve a rate of pay of $50 for Mary Hankins for her conducting the Town Board meeting on Dec. 5, in the absence of Supervisor Eggleton and Deputy Supervisor McRell. This will come from the Supervisor’s personnel budget line.
New Business
The library sent notification for numerous activities during the balance of December and into January They are all listed on the library website.
Resolutions Required: The following resolutions were required and were passed by the board.
Modify Budgets: With the year closing, there were many budget items that needed some modification. They are too numerous to include here, but they can all be found in detail in the town clerk’s minutes of the meeting.
Hire Prestige Energy Solutions of Mongaup Valley to insulate the utility shed at the Twin Village Golf Course.
Set the year-end Town Board meeting for Friday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m.
Department Heads: Roger Decker, Highway: The Ram 5500 is still at Robert Green. They can’t seem to duplicate what happens to us, but may have to test the truck with a load. The department is still down a mechanic. Ice is building up on the old barn roof because the attic is too warm; it may require additional insulation. Chris Bury, Water and Sewer: The Roscoe pump station had a problem with a generator, but the department has borrowed one from the country while waiting for a replacement part. The repair will be done in-house. Two new check valves came in.
Public Comment: The comment policy is being changed. Any comments or questions must be put it in writing and submitted to the board. The board will then try to have an answer by the next meeting.
Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #24 were approved.
Details of all dollar amounts can be found at townofrocklandny.com under the minutes of Dec. 19.
Boards OK merger petition
By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink Mentor
School Board meeting of Nov. 25
Administrative Reports: Reports were given by Adam Larson, high school principal; Chris Hubert, athletic director; Lauren Marrero, director of special services; Jeff Froehlich, business administrator; and Julie Buck, elementary principal.
Superintendent’s Update: Superintendent John Evans gave a brief update on the proposed merger of Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central Schools. If the state Commissioner of Education signs off on the merger as expected, a vote will take place from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, in each of the district’s gymnasiums. This vote, which now follows a boost in funding from the state, must receive a majority of the votes cast in both districts to pass. Informal meetings on the merger before the vote will be held at 3 p.m. at the Roscoe Public library on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Livingston Manor Library.
Public Comment: The subject of live streaming board meetings was brought up by several attendees.
Action Items: The following items were voted and unanimously passed.
Minutes of the previous meeting, treasurers’ reports, revenue status and budget appropriation reports.
Warrants, CSE, CPSE and Section 504 recommendations
Approval of a 30-ft. easement with NYSEG.
Accept Tax Collectors Trial Balance report
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved as presented.
All dollar amounts and specific details of action items and the consent agenda can be found at mcs.k12.ny.us/page/board-of-education under the minutes Nov. 25.