Hancock grant turns gravel pit to park

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) presented a check for $8,125 to the Town of Hancock on June 26. The check represented Hancock’s share of a $75,000 Community Projects State Grant funding program that Senator John J. Bonacic secured for the UDC’s eight New York State member towns.

The grant facilitated the development of a new Town of Hancock Memorial Park located on Readburn Road in Hancock, enabling it to rehabilitate an old gravel pit into a five-acre recreational park featuring a baseball diamond, Little League football field and a youth soccer field. The town’s efforts were supplemented by the assistance of volunteers and through private foundation funding.

The town spent a total of $8,683.12 on this phase of the project from July 2008 through April 2009.

Lumberland man electrocuted

POND EDDY, NY — A Lumberland man was found electrocuted by downed wires on Saturday, June 27. Mieczyskaw Mil, age 64, was found tangled in arcing wires by Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputies and Town of Lumberland constables. They had been called to the scene by the Lumberland Fire Department, which had requested a police response for a disorderly subject at 1160 Route 97, the site of some downed wires.

Mil had allegedly been drinking, and became impatient while waiting for the power company to restore service. According to a witness, Mil exited his residence with a demolition saw, and attempted to cut through what turned out to be a 4800 volt feeder line that was hanging off the pole. Sullivan County Coroner Alan Kesten pronounced Mil dead at the scene.

Sheriff’s detectives are continuing the investigation.

Recovery bonds ease borrowing costs

WASHINGTON, DC — In an effort to stimulate economic growth and jumpstart the availability of financing critical for economic recovery, $62.2 million in federal economic recovery bond authority has been granted for Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties. The bonds come from the Recovery Zone Bond program, which was established as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Recovery Zone Bonds are designed to help local governments obtain financing for economic development projects at lower borrowing costs.

There are two types. Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, which are a type of of taxable Build America Bond that are administered by the local government in conjunction with the state, have 45 percent of the interest subsidized by the federal government, and will finance a broad range of qualified public development projects ranging from job training to building infrastructure.

Recovery Zone Facility Bonds are a type of traditional tax-exempt private activity bond that may be used for private use in designated recovery zones to finance capital projects, such as private hospitals or businesses.

Schumer presses new bureau chief on Catskill casinos

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said he has personally requested the new head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Larry EchoHawk, to take a fresh look at the applications to pursue casino gaming in the Catskills. Schumer noted that there has been “widespread community support for gaming in the Catskills” and that these gaming projects would bring “a big boost to the local economy, job growth and tourism.”

Schumer’s action was endorsed by Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Jonathan F. Rouis. Rouis said, “Senator Schumer continues to be a tireless advocate for Sullivan County, and I applaud his recent communication with Secretary EchoHawk, which we hope will result in a reversal of former Secretary Kempthorne’s January 8, 2008 decision.”

Conservation district compiles abandoned well list

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — As it compiles a list of abandoned oil and gas wells in Wayne County, the Wayne Conservation District is asking landowners to call.

“Many wells were drilled back in the 60s and 70s that no one really knows about anymore. This pre-dated any state rules or regulations for oil and gas activities. So, these wells aren’t identified on databases or anything in the state. And it’s a concern with all the new activity of oil and gas in Wayne County,” said Bob Muller, district manager.

The matter is of concern because of possible groundwater contamination. When new wells are drilled and fracked, the fracturing puts pressure on the shale, raising the possibility that the fractured material could come up the abandoned wells and into the aquifer.

Anyone who knows of an abandoned well is asked to call 570/253-0930.

Hinchey announces flood funds for Livingston Manor

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) on June 30 joined U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials to announce the beginning of a study that will determine the best ways to minimize damage from future flooding along the Little Beaverkill and Willowemac Creeks in Livingston Manor. Hinchey secured $796,000 from Congress for this and other flood mitigation work in the Upper Delaware Valley.

“It took a lot of work to get to this point, and I appreciate the efforts of the partners in this effort. I am very pleased that we are finally able to begin a critical study that will eventually lead to remediation work that helps to lessen the impacts of devastating flooding,” Hinchey said.