Cochecton bedeviled by thefts

Sewer extension approved

By FRITZ MAYER

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Brian DuBois asked the board, “How many Devils Road signs do you want me to buy? They may be cheaper by the dozen.”

DuBois, the highway superintendent, put up a new Devils Road sign at Shortcut Road just a little more than two months ago, but a thief or thieves have once again made off with it. At the Cochecton Town Board meeting on September 10, DuBois told the board that the matching sign at Nearing Lane is still in place but, if history is any guide, that one might not stay up long either.

Dubois has replaced the signs so often in recent years that councilman Gary Maas speculated that somewhere, not too far from the town, is a closet chock full of Devils Road signs.

In May, the board considered changing the name of the road, thinking that some name other than Devil would not be as enticing to the pilferers, but the people who lived on the road were up in arms over the prospect of having to change their official addresses.

The board then considered adding a second name to the road as is often done in New York City to discourage the thefts, but the folks who run the 911 system in Sullivan County were not at all pleased with that suggestion.

So, for now, taxpayers will have to shell out another hundred bucks or so to replace the sign on the road, which because of emergency considerations can’t be left unsigned. It was suggested, however, that DuBois anchor the signpost in concrete this time.

Sewer Extension

Other developments at the meeting were more encouraging. There was virtually no opposition at a public hearing regarding a request to extend the Lake Huntington Sewer District. The extension was requested by developer Jeff Boyd of Mount Hope in Orange County.

After the public hearing, the board voted unanimously to extend the sewer system, which will be paid for entirely by the developer. Councilman John Reggero said the project would be good for Lake Huntington.

The development will consist of nine lots, located on Route 116 near the Presbyterian Church. Boyd told The River Reporter that he does not intend to sell the lots to developers, but rather intends to build the homes himself. He said because of market uncertainties, he is not sure whether the homes will attract weekenders or full-time residents.