NARROWSBURG, NY — Responding to input from a larger-than-usual audience at its November 14 meeting, the Tusten town council determined that some issues were pressing enough that it would be appropriate to recess the meeting to November 20 rather than delay some actions till its regularly scheduled December 12 gathering.

One of those issues was the condition of the Little Lake Erie Dam. The town has received grant money for a culvert project and bridge repair, but it has been discovered that the dam is also in need of repair. The dam remediation would render useless any repairs performed with the grant monies. There was discussion as to whether it was feasible to postpone the repairs for the time it would take to reapply for a new grant to complete all of the necessary repairs. Several residents expressed concern about the prudence of delaying the work. The council voted 4-1 to contact Schumacher Engineering to appraise the situation as to whether waiting was feasible.

Councilman Anthony Ritter read the preamble to a brief survey that was developed by the committee charged with examining the need for and feasibility of hiring a part-time constabulary. Ritter stressed that the safety, health and welfare of residents and visitors was the chief concern of the committee and the council. This issue elicited significant discussion among the council members and also from the public. Many questions were raised, including the cost of such an undertaking and whether there is documented evidence of an increase in incidents that necessitates such an action. Ritter stated that the questionnaire is to gather public input and that the committee was formed in response to complaints made in prior public meetings and to individual council members.

In response to a request for submissions of a new town logo, the council reviewed the seven submittals received and unanimously agreed on that provided by Molly Kratofil. She will receive $250 in prize money as a result. A member of the public asked why the update was needed, and when the response was made that the current logo was antiquated, responded, “So is the town.” During the public comment session, another resident observed that there had been no public input on the new logo.

The town clerk’s office will assemble an email list of contractors who will be notified when a project is to be bid upon, in an effort to get a wider pool of bidders. Interested contractors should contact her office to be included. A Facebook page on which comments have been blocked will also be administered by the town clerk’s office to include pertinent postings.

Though it was not on the agenda, the lack of a contract between the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Mobile Medic was broached. Supervisor Carol Wingert stated that the town’s attorney has advised that the town is not allowed to involve itself in the negotiations.