Hancock, Fremont might reconsider byway participation

By DAVID HULSE

NARROWSBURG, NY — Two towns which chose to stay out of the Rt. 97 scenic byway project might be having second thoughts, byway planners learned at their October 29 meeting.

Sullivan County Planning Commissioner Alan Sorensen said that that Town of Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe has said his town board may be more amenable to the idea and suggested a discussion among representatives of the town, byway and the bluestone industry. Concerns that new state regulation associated with the byway could harm the bluestone mining industry were the primary reason that Hancock and Fremont abstained.

Rowe, Sorensen said, also felt that neighboring Fremont might reconsider if Hancock does.

Sorensen suggested that, given the opportunity provided by Rowe, the byway panel should move quickly to arrange a meeting to also include the Department of Transportation and a Department of Environmental Conservation official with “proper authority to speak on the issue.”

An earlier DEC opinion, regarding possible changes in project environmental reviews in the byway was a big part of the bluestone industry concerns.