Sullivan County ag districts open

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The 30-day window for new parcels to enter an existing Sullivan County Agricultural District (ag district) will be from April 1 to April 30. Under recent legislation, each county can designate a 30-day open period for land to be entered into such districts. Previously, the only time land could enter an ag district was once every eight years.

Ag districts are large blocks of land in which agriculture is the primary land use. An ag district will contain farm land, forest area and open land as well as rural residences. Agricultural districts supercede local zoning and provide for various protections over and above local zoning.

Sullivan County currently has two agricultural districts. District #1 is the largest and is in the western part of the county. District #4 is in the eastern part of the county.

To find out more about ag districts or to enroll parcels under the 30-day window provisions, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County at 845/292-6180.

Bethel Now! to sponsor visual preference survey

BETHEL, NY — Bethel residents are invited by Bethel Now! to photograph sites in Bethel to help formulate goals for the town’s visual appearance. Many areas of the recently adopted comprehensive plan discuss “preserving the character” of the Town of Bethel, and facilitating projects that are “in keeping with the character” of the town. The photo project is a way for residents to convey in concrete terms what that means visually.

Suggested items to address are signs, storefronts, roads, views and vistas.

Bethel Now! is a group of Bethel residents who believe in “smart” growth and development and are committed to active engagement in the process of deciding the future for the Town of Bethel. The group focuses in particular on Bethel’s rural character and natural resources, and the importance of passing them on to future generations. Photos can be emailed to deniseafrang@aol.com, or call 845/583-5477 to arrange delivery.

Local company is big cheese at national contest

HURLEYVILLE, NY — Formaggio Italian Cheese Specialties of Hurleyville has won the top three awards in the Open Class Soft Cheese category of the United States Champion Cheese Contest held in Milwaukee, WI. The contest dates back to the late 1890s. This year it took over three days to complete, and received 1,158 entries. The awards presentation ceremony will be held Thursday, April 19 at the Wisconsin Cheese Industry Conference in La Crosse, WI.

The winning Formaggio specialty entries are their Gold Medal Fresh Mozzarella in Italian Spices, followed by second place Fresh Mozzarella with Grilled Vegetable Salad, and bronze-medal winner Hickory Smoked Mozzarella. Formaggio cheese also won third place in the string cheese category. This is the first year it has entered the contest. For more information visit www.formaggiocheese.com.

Wurtsboro elects all-female slate for village government

WURTSBORO, NY — Wurtsboro hit a historic benchmark on Monday, April 2 at 3:00 p.m. when, for the first time, all four positions in village government in the Village of Wurtsboro were filled with local women.

Mickey Maher, formerly a village trustee for seven years, was sworn in by Mamakating Town Justice Judge Joel Walsh as mayor. Barbara Piper, a lifelong resident of Wurtsboro and a Wurtsboro planning board member for three years, along with Barbara Semonite, (who served as Wurtsboro village clerk for at least 10 years prior to serving as the principal of Emma C. Chase Elementary School), were sworn in as the new village trustees. Audrey Scott was appointed by newly-elected mayor Maher as village attorney.

Smallwood developer pushes ahead

BETHEL, NY — Despite a request by the Town of Bethel Supervisor to withdraw his plan, the developer of the controversial townhouse development in Smallwood has informed the town he intends to push forward. At a town board meeting on March 22, Bethel supervisor Harold Russell asked the developer, Robert Van Zandt, to withdraw the project, as proposed, due to “lack of community, support.” In a letter dated April 2, the developer’s attorney informed the town his client “will not” be withdrawing his current plan.

The 200-unit project of connected buildings has been the source of much public criticism in the hamlet for its failure to blend in with the character of Smallwood, as well as concerns about a private sewer plant, water quality and the long-term effects the project may have on Smallwood’s aquifer. Speaking for Preserve Smallwood Country Life, Gail Rubenfeld said that the group will continue to raise concerns and objections as the project works through the pipeline.

Subdivision on the block in Highland

BARRYVILLE, NY — Mountain Partners will sell a fully approved 190-acre luxury equestrian development in Barryville to the highest bidder on April 28, according to Robert A. Doyle of Absolute Auction and Realty, Inc.

John Corso, president of the private development firm, Mountain Partners, and a 25-year resident of Barryville, acquired the property when it was a sawmill, with the intent of creating a luxury community. The residential parcels will be offered with all installed roadways, utilities and infrastructure. The auction also includes approximately 40 acres of commercial land on New York State Route 97. The entire project, including a sales office, stables, barns and fenced pastures, will be sold to the highest bidder in a “winner-take-all” format.

Sixteen approved home sites will be offered at the auction, and the seller represents that there is potential for nine additional home sites. Four homes have been built and sold to others and are not part of the auction.