LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Cochecton Town Board passed a resolution at its July 12 meeting adopting a one-year moratorium on summer camps. The vote came after a public hearing convened on June 14 and recessed to July 12. The moratorium is intended to forestall camp permit applications until the board has explored zoning ordinance specifications appropriate to town needs.

Town planning board chair Earl Bertsch stated his board’s opposition to permitting of summer camps at the June 14 hearing and reiterated it at the July 12 hearing. Said Bertsch, “We are opposed to a moratorium because it indicates a willingness to consider permitting summer camps, which we think are inappropriate for Cochecton.”

Town attorney Karen Mannino responded that without either a moratorium or summer camp zoning ordinance, Cochecton would be vulnerable to litigation from prospective camp founders alleging discrimination.

Mannino said the current ordinance in neighboring town Bethel, home to several summer camps, will serve as a starting point for Cochecton’s research. Supervisor Gary Maas said there will be talks with community leaders in municipalities where summer camp zoning has been adopted.

In other business, board member Paul Salzberg announced a 1 p.m. July 22 meeting of the Lake Huntington Homeowners Association at The Nutshell Art Center. Lakefront property owners are invited to attend; any such property owner who has not received notification of the meeting or has not yet responded to the invitation, is asked to contact Mike Popolillo at 845/807-1508.

A quality-of-life pursuit long championed by Salzberg moved closer to reality, as code enforcement officer (CEO) Greg Semenetz described the recreation complex envisioned jointly by the youth commission and the town board. The complex, to be located adjacent to Solly Katzoff Memorial Park, will feature a combination basketball/pickleball court in addition to a walking trail lined with exercise equipment.

Pickleball, a paddle sport melding elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, is adaptable to all ages and skill levels. With simple rules, the game is easy to learn, but can morph into a fast-paced, competitive game for athletic players [www.usapa.org/what-is-pickleball/].

Both the court and walking trail are based on a Bethel model. Semenetz, who is also code enforcement officer for Bethel, said the Bethel facility is enjoying great popularity. Informed of Cochecton’s plans, Bethel pickleball players issued a challenge to Cochecton. Semenetz said, “The gauntlet has been thrown down.”