TRR photo by Tom Kane Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service President George Banta digs at the new project site. (Click for larger image)

Volunteers and donations keep state police in Narrowsburg

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — Narrowsburg was in danger of losing its state police station when authorities expressed dissatisfaction with the current site on Route 97.

So, a lot of people got moving to start building a new site next to the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service building on Route 97.

Already, the foundation for the walls has been dug and laid and the ground cleared for a parking lot.

“Volunteers and donations from businesses are going to account for most of the cost,” said George Banta, president of the ambulance service.

The Cortese Brothers Construction Company is donating equipment and manpower, excavating equipment has come from the Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camps, Wayne County Ready Mix has given a good price for concrete, Tenbus Construction will work on parts of the building, the Town of Tusten is donating gravel and a promise of help from the highway department if needed and members of the ambulance corps are providing much of the labor as are a few troopers—all volunteers.

“Everybody benefits. The town will pay the rent to the ambulance corps so it will provide us with some income,” Banta said.

“The town didn’t want to loose the station so it’s backing us completely,” he said.

Total cost for the project will be as low as $30,000. “That will cover materials, electrical work, plumbing and such things,” Banta said.