TRR photo by David Hulse Helga Rupnick of Lumberland’s Sullivan First group, second from the left, and Ann Danuff of the town’s Environmental Management Council are shown with town board members Joe Carr, Faber Wilson, John LiGreci and Nadia Rajsz on May 8, as they displayed recently won commendations and awards from the Upper Delaware Council, the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Benjamin Gilman, state Senator John Bonacic and Assemblyman Jacob Gunther. (Click for larger image)

Towns seek improved county snow contract

By DAVID HULSE

GLEN SPEY — Lumberland Highway Superintendent Charles Hallock says Sullivan’s town highway departments, who annually contract to clear winter snow and ice from many county roads, need more money to provide the service.

County officials say they are already making a profit.

Hallock told the town board on May 8 that two negotiating sessions between the county Department of Public Works (DPW) and a delegation of town highway superintendents have been unfruitful. “They want to give no increase. It’s been six years with no change,” he said.

Hallock said that the county legislature’s zero-increase budgeting policy is simply passing increased costs onto the towns. “Salt, fuel, labor, everything we buy is up. They can’t keep DPW at a zero line,” he said.

County Manager Dan Briggs said the towns are already realizing “a huge profit” from the contracts. If they’re not, they have to “show us the numbers. That’s negotiations,” he said.

DPW Commissioner Peter Lilholt said the towns are being paid $4,100 per mile, “and I can do it for $3,500.” Beyond that, Lilholt said he did not want to negotiate in the media.

Hallock said the continuation of the contract makes sense for everyone. “The county can’t do it. I’m here already…but they’ve got to pay for it.”