Highland happenings

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY — High praise was handed out, a hearing was cancelled, a curfew was enacted and budget talks were scheduled at the Town of Highland’s monthly meeting on September 8.

Patrolman Marc Anthony was singled out for his heroic river rescue efforts on August 19. Anthony received a letter of appreciation from chief of patrol Mike Walton, who noted that, while off-duty, Anthony responded to an emergency on the river, helping a young man who almost drowned.

“Your actions during the entire sequence of events were nothing less than what the town of Highland has come to expect from an officer of your caliber,” read the letter. “You maintained professional composure in a highly stressful situation, getting this individual to safety while maintaining control of the situation. Your conduct has once again shown what an asset a well-trained and dedicated officer can be to the town and its neighbors.”

“It might have been the recovery of a body and not a rescue if not for Marc being there,” added Walton.

A public hearing to discuss the request for abandonment of Clark Road, previously scheduled for October 13, has been cancelled after the board received additional information from the town attorney regarding the process for abandonment.

“I am not comfortable that we’ll have enough time to fully understand what needs to be done, as well as the long and short-term implications of it,” said Palecek. The hearing has been postponed until further notice.

The board passed a resolution enacting a Halloween curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. nightly from October 30 through November 1 for any minor under the age of 18 not accompanied by an adult during the curfew.

The board established a series of budget workshops beginning on September 17 at 7:00 p.m. and continuing each Thursday thereafter unless a conflict arises. The workshops will be held until the budget is completed. Palecek noted that revenues are down and will make for a more challenging budget process. Budget meetings are open to the public, and Palecek urged all residents to attend.