Schalck and Kinch contend forhighway superintendent

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

NARROWSBURG, NY — Months of uncertainty ended for Ron Schalck when Tusten officials signed papers on September 23 to refinance a federal loan on the town’s sewer treatment plant.

Schalck, Tusten’s water and sewer superintendent said the decision will protect him from federal Hatch Act violations as he runs for Tusten highway superintendent in the November election. The Hatch Act prohibits anyone paid by or administering federal funds from seeking public office.

In May, Schalck notified the town that by refinancing the $300,000 balance of a $1 million Farmers Home Administration (FHA) loan, which originally financed the treatment plant in the early 1980s, taxpayers would save roughly $50,000 over the next 10 years.

The National Bank of Jeffersonville approved the new $300,000 loan with a 4.1 percent interest rate. Instead of paying off the FHA balance in 12 years at six percent interest, the loan will be paid off in 10 years, a refinance that Tusten Supervisor Richard Crandall said will save taxpayers $40,000.

“If we have to pay interest, it is nice to return it to a local institution,” Crandall said.

Prior to his nomination, Schalck was endorsed by the Tusten Democratic Committee. He will run against George Kinch, a Republican who has worked as the deputy superintendent under Tusten Highway Superintendent Nathaniel “Skip” Feagles for 18 months and served the highway department since 1994.

Schalck wants to run the highway department with a back-to-basics approach. “My theory is that proper ditching and maintenance of rights-of-way can save the town materials and money,” he said. His father worked for the department for 12 years.

As the water and sewer inspector, Schalck has led the initiative to solve Tusten’s problem of high salt concentrations in its well water, and he believes he can save taxpayers money by accessing federal grants to construct a better drainage system on the flats, where wells one and two exist.

“I would treat this job like my own finances,” he said.

“We’re just as entitled to federal money as any other town.”

Kinch said his experience with highway duties and the annual budget make him more qualified to perform the job and keep the department within its budget.

With five employees, he said he plans to work full time to supervise their progress.

Regarding the ongoing problem of high concentrations of sodium in two of Narrowsburg’s three wells, he said, “I’m going to try to different materials than salt. This is a big issue, and it will have my attention.”

Election day is November 11.