Thompson supports Sorenson proposal on exporting waste

THOMPSON, NY — The Town of Thompson Town Board has passed a resolution supporting county legislator Alan Sorensen’s resolution, introduced to the county legislature, mandating that the Sullivan County Manager solicit bids for exportation of the county’s solid waste.

To date, the county’s operation of the landfill has resulted in approximately $40 million in bonded debt and an estimated $25 million in projected closure and monitoring cost. Sorensen has called on the legislature to create an Enterprise Fund for Solid Waste and to provide an objective analysis of the fiscal and economic feasibility of the proposed Phase II Expansion, but the idea has not gotten past the legislature’s public works committee.

Sorensen said, “We have an obligation to ensure public funds are being used wisely and cost effectively. To date, the county continues to compound its mistakes in the landfill.”

Both Town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini, who introduced the town resolution, and Sorensen feel the landfill site should continue to be used as a Solid Waste Transfer Station and Recycling Center for local refuse, but they are adamantly opposed to the Phase II Expansion.

Sullivan County to benefit from state transit aid

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Sullivan County will be the recipient of over $490,000 in state-funded Transit Capital grants, to be used to improve the county’s public transportation system.

Senator John Bonacic (R/I/C – Mount Hope) said that an investment in public transportation will not only assist commuters, but will also encourage transportation agencies and municipalities to reduce pollution by using clean-fuel vehicles.

“I am pleased to work with Governor Spitzer to ensure the needs of Sullivan County are addressed and important funding is made available. Many commuters of Sullivan County do not own a vehicle,” said Bonacic. “Quality public transportation is a necessity.”

Cell tower coming to Tusten

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Town of Tusten has signed an agreement with a company called J & S Enterprises to erect a cell tower in the town. The 168-foot tower will be located on town-owned land behind the highway department on Route 97. At the town board meeting on February 11, supervisor Ben Johnson said that the tower would be owned by the town and would earn revenue from it. The tower is being erected to address public concerns regarding communications in the highway department, the fire department and the ambulance service, but private companies will also be able to access the tower to improve cell phone service. Building inspector David Sparling said it would take up to five months for the company to obtain the necessary permits to erect the tower.

Monticello woman killed on icy road

THOMPSON, NY — Michelle Perlmutter, 44, of Monticello, was killed at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, February 10 when her car slid off a curve of Route 42 heading into Monticello and crashed into a tree. Road conditions at the time were icy.

Police reported that Perlmutter was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Route 42 was closed down for approximately an hour after the accident occurred.

Advocacy group protests skimping of domestic violence programs

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) is protesting reductions in funds for domestic violence in the federal and state budgets. President Bush’s recently released budget request for fiscal year 2009 proposed to cut $120 million from domestic violence services created by the Violence Against Women Act, and further cut the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA was reduced by $35 million in the fiscal year 2007/2008 federal budget just passed by Congress. The fiscal year 2008/2009 budget just proposed by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell does nothing to offset these reductions; it contained no increases, including no cost-of-living increase, for programs designed to curb domestic violence.

“PCADV is deeply dismayed by the government’s failure to prioritize—at both the federal and state level—the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims and their children,” said Susan Kelly-Dreiss, PCADV’s executive director.

“The proposed cuts by the President and the freeze by the governor will make for a bleak year ahead for these programs and the victims who turn to them in times of crisis.”

Local assistance for victims of domestic violence may be found by calling the Victims’ Intervention Program at 570/253-4401.

Gunther bill would prompt flooding studies

ALBANY, NY — A bill proposed by assemblywoman Aileen Gunther that would require a stepped-up effort into researching and improving the management of the New York City watershed so as to reduce the risk of flooding has passed the New York State House.

The legislation would require experts at both the federal and the state level to join with the commissioners of the Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to review the West of Hudson River New York City drinking water supply program and come up with ways to mitigate the threat of flooding while preserving water quality.

The bill specifically includes a requirement that there be a hydrological study of the Esopus Creek to identify areas at high risk of flooding.

The New York State Senate has yet to act on the bill.