Town to seek sole assessor

By TOM KANE

HORTONVILLE, NY — The Town of Delaware Board voted on June 18 to authorize a November referendum asking voters to approve a sole assessor.

Delaware and Neversink are the only towns in the county with three elected assessors.

The vote was four to one, with Councilman Arnold Baum objecting.

Voters turned the measure down about 15 years ago.

“Times are changing, the town is growing every day,” said supervisor Bill Moran. “We’ve had 28 building permits so far this year. People are coming to the town hall looking for an assessor and often one is not present. They’re part-timers.”

Moran said that if a sole assessor were appointed, he or she would have regular daily hours in the town hall to assist residents.

“The sole assessor would be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,” he said. “The remainder of the day is spent in the field.”

If the measure is approved by the voters, the board will appoint the sole assessor.

Baum’s objection was that it was taking away from people the opportunity to exercise their vote.

“It’s against democracy,” he said.

The rest of the board did not agree.

In other town matters, town clerk Tess McBeath announced that a 5K River Run a  Delaware Youth Center fundraiser,will be held along River Road in Callicoon on July 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

In another action, Syeus Mottel, a retired college professor from Long Eddy, presented the idea of a musical series at the Callicoon Creek Park during the summer. His organization is called Bring Your Own Chair Performing Arts Center (BYOCPAC). He will present opera venues, plays, folk music, poetry and classical music.

His events would be held on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Before approving his program, Moran directed that Mottel contact the group of residents responsible for events in the park to coordinate scheduling.

The board further suggested that Mottel contact the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance for assistance.