NARROWSBURG, NY — The purpose of the November 20 Tusten Town Board special meeting was to discuss the Little Lake Erie Dam. However, the agenda was upended by the presence of two officers from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department who shared the news that a two-time sex offender had moved to the town.

Undersheriff Eric Chaboty and Deputy Sheriff Pat Costa apprised the board of the situation and provided background on the individual.

Recently released on parole from the state prison in Otisville, Rory Dolan now lives at 4618 State Rte. 97 in Tusten, approximately one mile north of the Roebling Bridge. He is listed on the state sex offender list as “level 3,” which means likely to reoffend.

Dolan was convicted in 1995, and his sentence would have had him in prison till 2034 if he had not been let out early on parole. He is supervised by a parole officer in Poughkeepsie and wears a satellite tracking anklet. The anklet is designed to activate an alarm if he deviates from a regular schedule.

At the time of the report, Dolan did not have a driver’s license or a car, but is not precluded from obtaining either. Still technically in custody, he is forbidden from using drugs or alcohol. His parole officer is aware of the potential danger and will be making unannounced inspections of Dolan’s home.

The two crimes of which Dolan was convicted were very similar, involving morning home invasions where the 40-year-old victims were handcuffed and raped. His victims were listed as non-strangers and were likely acquaintances. The crimes occurred in Suffolk County on Long Island, where he resided at the time of the crimes.

He registered with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office as required by law.

Costa will be making frequent surveillance of the area. When asked whether neighbors would be notified of his presence, she responded that the sight of a marked patrol car patrolling the area often causes neighbors to take notice and ask questions.

Both officers suggested that concerned citizens review the information posted on the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Facebook page. This will lead the reader to the NYS sex offender website. As is the case with all offenders, Dolan’s page states that “anyone who uses this information to injure, harass or commit a criminal act against any person may be subject to criminal prosecution.”

There is also a link to the sex offender directory on the town website.

Sex offenders are assigned a level of 1 to 3. Level 1 is for those convicted of misdemeanor offenses that are not considered likely to reoffend; level 2 offenders are considered moderately likely to reoffend; level 3 offenders are considered highly likely to reoffend. Only level 2 and 3 offenders are included on the state list.

In other business, the board unanimously approved the expenditure of $9,730 to Schumacher Engineering to inspect the Little Erie Dam Bridge to determine whether temporary repairs need to be made to the structure.

The next scheduled town board meeting is December 12 at 6:30 p.m.