Skate park idea lacks initiative

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

NARROWSBURG, NY — After the August town board meeting, Tusten Supervisor Richard Crandall contacted the town’s insurance provider to discover what it would take to build a skateboard park in Narrowsburg.

At the Monday, September 8 meeting, he reported that an agent from New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) told him that an unsupervised park could be insured and that an average set-up cost is roughly $20,000. The agent also told Crandall that many parks, soon after being built, fail to interest skateboarders who would rather seek the thrill of skating in town streets.

Kids interested in a Narrowsburg park expressed an attitude that suggested otherwise at the August meeting, saying they want a place to skate with impunity. They presented a petition with 300 signatures and appealed to the board for help.

Crandall made dutiful inquiries, but no supporters came to the September meeting to hear the supervisor’s point of view.

“Until I see some activity from the parents and kids involved, I’m not going to pursue this issue. I haven’t seen anyone,” Crandall said.

Meanwhile, kids continue to skate at the town hall despite repeated rebuke from officials and citizens.

The board also presented the 2004 Town of Tusten preliminary budget, and Crandall said the general budget would increase by about 2.7 percent in 2004. The board will consider approval of the budget at the next meeting on October 13.

Also, in response to questions about the 300-foot communications tower Rick Lander plans to raise for wireless telephone service in Tusten and adjacent towns, Crandall said Lander is waiting for approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.