Walden Pond at Beaverkill still ‘viable’

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — Developer Jeremy Gorelick, president of Emanon Equities, said last week that his proposed subdivision near Woodbourne, Walden Pond at Beaver Brook, is still a “viable” project despite the Town of Fallsburg Planning Board’s request to scale the development down from 575 to 400 units.

In addition to reducing the amount of residential units, the board also asked Gorelick to increase the commercial space in the planned community. Gorelick had originally proposed 45,000 square feet for commercial use, which could now be increased to 65,000 square feet, he said.

“We’re obviously not as thrilled about doing 400,” Gorelick said, but he added, “Not only is it viable; I think our project will become a more complete hamlet.” The layout of the traditional neighborhood district will change as a result of the request; Gorelick said that increasing the commercial space will allow for the creation of a more complete main street in Walden Pond. So far, ideas for the main street district include small shops and restaurants.

Tax-free shopping week continues

MONTICELLO, NY — Those who have not taken advantage of New York State’s sales tax-free shopping week have until Sunday to do so.

Twice a year, in January and May, the state drops its 4.25 percent sales tax on clothing and shoe purchases of less than $110. The tax-free week concludes on February 6.

Sullivan County has also dropped its 3.5 percent sales tax for the week, but neighboring Orange County, for the second consecutive year, has not.

Gunther hosts state attorney general’s representatives

MONTICELLO, NY — Assembywoman Aileen Gunther will be hosting representatives from the state attorney general’s office on Friday, February 4 and March 11.

“I invite members of the community to stop by my office and speak with representatives from the consumer fraud and intergovernmental departments about important issues relating to the attorney general’s office. Events like these offer constituents the chance to gain valuable information and pursue complaints that they have,” she said.

These officials will appear at the 20 Anawana Lake office on February 4 from noon to 4:00 p.m. and again on Friday, March 11 at her Middletown office, also from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Job Corps receives fed aid

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Maurice Hinchey announced this week that the Delaware Valley Jobs Corps is the recipient of a $5.78 million federal grant, which will be used to fund needed interior repairs including new heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the four-story classroom facility in Callicoon.

The century-old former monastery provides training for some 400 students from Sullivan, Orange, and southern Delaware counties. The Delaware Valley Job Corp Center is the largest residential Job Corps program in the United States, serving students 16 to 24 years of age.

Shohola delays cell tower decision

SHOHOLA, PA — The township supervisors have agreed to delay their decision on a zoning conditional use permit sought for the construction of a communications tower.

The Verizon Wireless Cell Company is seeking the permit.

Supervisors Chair George J. Fluhr said the board remains concerned that the township has not been able to reach an agreement with Verizon over a surety bond that would cover demolition costs if the tower were to go unused or if the provider were to go out of business.

The permit decision was tabled until the board’s February 10 meeting.

Village of Liberty okays five casinos

LIBERTY, NY — Meeting on January 18, the Village of Liberty trustees passed a resolution in support of Governor Pataki’s plan for five casino resorts for the Catskills. The resolution passed 5-0 and comes after other recent resolutions from the towns of Thompson, Mamakating, Fallsburg, and Liberty and Village of Monticello.

Proponents of the five-casino plan say the combined endorsements represent 63.5 percent of the population of Sullivan County.

The towns of Fremont, Delaware, Cochecton, Highland and Forestburgh have rejected the five-casino plan, and Lumberland will vote on it later this month.

Special election set for 189th district seat

DELAWARE WATER GAP, PA — Residents of Monroe and Pike Counties will be going to the polls next week to select a State House representative for the 189th district.

The candidates are Democrat John J. Siptroth and Republican Diane Hannan.

Siptroth, 58, is a life-long resident of Monroe County. He is a Smithfield Township supervisor, a position he has held since 1990, and has been supervisor chairman since 2000. He is president of the Pocono Mountains Council of Governments.

Hannan is a 30-year resident, who has operated her own communications business in Stroudsburg since 1978. She is active in civic and volunteer work. This is her first run for public office.

The election will fill the 189th House district seat vacated by Kelly Lewis, who resigned to take a position in private industry. The district includes the Pike County townships of Lehman, Greene, Delaware and Dingman.

The special election will be held on February 8

Delaware Valley dealing with space issues

SHOHOLA, PA — Children from an overcrowded Delaware Valley Middle School campus in Westfall won’t be bussed to the Shohola Elementary School, school officials assured parents last week.

Board members and Superintendent Candace Finan explained that the unfinished lower level of the elementary school is more likely to provide secondary and high school program space for students already at Shohola.

Finan said the district still needs to build a separate elementary building at the Westfall campus that would also expand secondary school space in DV’s “mega” building.