Note to readers: The Town of Rockland Town Board and Livingston Manor School Board meeting reports for the month of December 2025 will not appear in the paper, but will be published here.
Replacement of Roscoe waste clarifier discussed
By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink Mentor
Town Board meeting of Dec. 4
Report to come.
Town Board meeting of Dec. 18
Councilperson Christine Routledge was absent from this meeting.
Resolutions: Due to a failure in publication, the following resolutions were rescinded by the board:
Resolution #140, “Resolution & Order after Public Hearing”
Resolution #141, “Bond Resolution”
Public Hearing: A public hearing was opened for the Roscoe Sewage Treatment Plant Emergency Clarifying Project. Since there was no public comment, the hearing was closed. Supervisor Rob Eggleton informed the board that a meeting was held with DEC to review violations and discuss a backup plan in case the other water clarifier should fail. This was then added to the compliance schedule. The town will have two years to complete the project and repay the loan for the project.
Public Hearing: A public hearing was opened for local Law #2-2025 regarding zoning and subdivision laws. Since there was no public comment, the hearing was closed.
Public Hearing: A public hearing was opened for the 2025 Supplement to the Town of Rockland Comprehensive Plan. Again, there were no public comments, so the hearing was closed.
Minutes: The minutes of the Dec. 4 meeting were approved.
Correspondence: Bold Gold Radio sent information regarding submitting PSA updates on weather-related delays, cancellations and early dismissals. A newsletter was received from the Rockland Central School District introducing Interim Superintendent Keith Lewis.
OLD BUSINESS
Resolutions Required: The following resolutions, having been rescinded by the board, had to be once again passed.
Readopt Local Law #2-2025 for increase and improvement of the facilities of the Roscoe Sewer District, at an estimated cost of $301,500
Authorize the issuance of $301,500 serial bonds of the Town of Rockland.
NEW BUSINESS
The town rents the courthouse parking lot, and the fee will be increased next year by $300.
Resolutions Required: The following resolutions were required and were passed by the board.
Appoint Kelly Bertholf to full-time court clerk.
Add Dan Pacek, Gwen Schantz and Lisa Lyons to the Riverwalk Committee.
End summer seasonal employment for parks employees James Corless, Brooke Coman, Glen Eggleton, Jason Meola and Alex Feeney.
Hire Alex Feeny as a part-time maintenance worker for the winter season, up to 20 hours.
Purchase a 2023 Dodge Ram from Robert Green on a state bid of $38,654. The Code Enforcement Jeep broke down because it bottomed out at several locations.
Approve Russell Budd’s Roscoe Sewage Treatment Plant contract at a $55-per-hour rate, not to exceed $12,000.
Modify the 2025 Budget in the itemized ways. Its numerous modifications can all be found in the town's minutes.
Department Heads: Chris Bury, Water and Sewer: There was a water main break on Arts Blvd. over the weekend. Roger Decker, Highway: Grant checks were received from soil/water for over $60,000. Prices on replacement items for the department trucks have doubled, and will need eight to nine weeks lead time when ordering. Glenn Gabbard, Code Enforcement: Permits are closed for the year. There were 250 issued in 2025.
Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract #24 were approved.
Executive Session: The board moved into executive session at 7:47 p.m. and came out at 7:58 p.m..
All details of money amounts and a word-for-word reading of all the motions may be found at townofrocklandny.gov, under the minutes of Dec. 18.
RCSD board welcomes Interim Supt. Lewis
By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink Mentor
School Board Meeting of Dec. 2
Executive Session: The board went into executive session at 6:31 p.m., and came out at 7 p.m.
Administrative Reports: Reports were given by Middle/High School Principal Adam Larson, Athletic Director Chris Hubert, Director of Special Services Lauren Marrero-Nielson, Elementary Principal Robin Francisco and Business Manager Jeff Froehlich. The specifics of these reports can be found in the video of the meeting on the District's website at the end of the report.
Superintendent’s Update: Interim Superintendent Keith Lewis thanked everyone for the warm welcome. He said he is looking forward to working with the faculty, staff and the community. Supt. Lewis also said he is aware of an issue regarding a board member, but had no further comment.
Public Comment: There was none.
Minutes: The board approved the minutes of the Nov. 3, 4 and 18 meetings.
Business Report: The board approved the treasurer's reports as submitted, and approved the warrants for Oct. 12, in the amount of $4,186,990, and for Oct. 24, for $546,879. The budget transfers recommended by Supt. Lewis were accepted.
Action Items: CSE,CPSE and Section 504 were approved as presented.
Academic calendar changes: The changes are for the proposed Superintendent Conference Days for professional development. Half days are scheduled for Dec. 19, Feb. 13 and March 27. The December and February dates were passed, but the March date will be reassessed. Policy 7020 as adopted as presented.
A tax refund for the 2025-26 tax year based on the Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) was approved.
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was approved as presented.
Resolutions Required: The following resolutions were required and were passed by the board.
Appoint Louisa Feliciano to the permanent position of administrative secretary, effective Oct. 15, 2025.
Appoint Jaclyn Day as a special education teacher for grades K through 6.
Approve the appointment of Supt. Keith Lewis to the following positions for the 2025-26 school year: Committee on Special Education; Clerk Pro Tem in the absence of the district clerk; APPR Lead Evaluator; and Independent Evaluator.
Approve Aiden Johnston as youth basketball coach; Emily Kinne as sophomore class co-advisor; Stephen Rogers as weight room monitor; and Jake Rogers as AV coordinator.
Approve Jack Hubert as a substitute teacher.
Board Discussion: Supt. Lewis recommended that the board have two voting locations in May for at least another year. The board agreed.
Executive Meeting: The board went into executive session at 7:19 p.m. to discuss negotiations and exited at 9:44 p.m.
The specifics of all action items and those in the consent agenda are not read aloud at meetings. However, all dollar amounts and specific details of action items and the consent agenda can be found at rcsd.us/meetings under the minutes of Dec. 2.