Schadt to leave Town of Highland’s helm

By LISA CUTRONI

ELDRED, NY — “I put in a long time in this town. Maybe it’s time for new blood,” said Allan Schadt.

The Town of Highland supervisor for the past 10 years, Schadt will not run for re-election in November. He said he decided against running because he wants to spend more time with his family and friends, and plans to become more involved with the Federation of Sportsmens Clubs of Sullivan County.

Schadt said his job as a manager at Shop Rite in Monticello for the past 23 years, has, at times, kept him from devoting the necessary time to leading the town.

Schadt was a Town of Highland councilman for six years, prior to becoming supervisor. As supervisor, he has been responsible for all financial matters concerning the town and worked closely with the town clerk and highway department. “Being a smaller town, you work together,” he said.

The most difficult problem he has faced over the course of his tenure has been the damage caused by Tropical Storm Ivan in April 2004, he said. Schadt coordinated the evacuation of Barryville, assessed the damage and assisted residents in filing their insurance claims.

Admitting it when you’re wrong and staying strong when making hard decisions are two of the most important traits a good town supervisor has, Schadt said. Getting along with townspeople and knowing the financial end of things are also important qualities, he said.

Alan Hochhauser and Steve Barnes, both of Highland, are vying for the elected position.

Hochhauser recently resigned as a Town of Highland Justice, a position he has held for the past 20 years, in order to run under the endorsement of the Democratic Party. Barnes, who will run on the Republican and Conservative tickets, owns a car dealership.

Highland’s budget this year is $ 1,571,600, of which $1,156,950 has to be raised through taxes. This year’s budget increased 16 percent, while the amount to be raised has gone up seven percent.

This slight raise is equivalent to four cents per $1,000 in valuation. The tax base of over $305 million has seen an increase of $50 million in the past year. In new growth alone, Highland has seen a $4 million increase, from $23 to $27 million in the past two years. This can be accounted for by the increased amount of real estate sales, which has propelled almost every Highland resident’s assessment up 30 percent.

With the responsibilities of the supervisor position comes the concerns of the town. “The main issue the town is currently facing is that of growth,” Schadt said.

For the past two years, he has been working with local officials to dissect and update every town law. In the past year, 20 new homes have been built. Like many towns in Sullivan County, Highland is attempting to transition from a community mainly supported by seasonal residents to one supported by year-round residents, a challenge the new supervisor is sure to face.

Schadt attempted to have a town shop and park built, but the endeavor proved fruitless. “There is nowhere in town for parents to take their children,” he said. “I would have really liked to see these things worked out.”

Upon entering the position, the new town supervisor will oversee the same staff that worked under Schadt.

Running for the position of town justice are Katherine Sweeney and Paul Bertram.

Elections for town supervisor and town justice will be held Tuesday, November 8 at the Highland Town Hall in Eldred and the courthouse in Barryville. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.