LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The first order of business at the Cochecton town board’s February 12 meeting was a formal tribute to former town supervisor Salvatore B. Indelicato, who died on January 13. His voice choked with emotion, Supervisor Gary Maas read aloud the board’s tribute, recognizing Indelicato for his strength of character as well as his contributions to the town as citizen, councilperson and supervisor. Twelve of Indelicato’s 18 years of service on the town board were spent as supervisor, a position he held from 1998 to 2009; he served as councilperson from 1992 through 1998.

The tribute read in part, “During his 83 years of life, [Sal] served God, country and family well, refusing to compromise his values and earning the respect and admiration of all who worked or became associated with him, and always conducting himself with dignity, honor and kindness toward his fellow man and for the welfare of the Town of Cochecton…. His death leaves our community with a deep feeling of sorrow for the loss of such an honored and respected citizen.” Full text of the tribute can be found on the Town of Cochecton website, www.townofcochectonny.org.

Following the tribute reading, the board stood at attention as Maas presented a framed text of the tribute to Indelicato’s widow, Helene Indelicato, of Cochecton Center, who wept as she said, “Sal would have been so pleased by this tribute because he loved all of you and the Town of Cochecton.”

In private remarks after the meeting, Maas credited Indelicato with mentoring him during his early days on the board. “As the only Republican on an otherwise Democratic board, I thought it was my responsibility to challenge Indelicato on key issues. We got into a disagreement at one meeting that drew heated remarks from both of us. After the meeting, Sal told me that, as elected officials, we had to set a better example for the public. From then on, I took my cue from him. He taught me everything I know about professionalism and honoring the public’s trust.”

Councilmember Larry Richardson’s planning board report sparked discussion about Lake Huntington’s inability to attract small businesses to the lakefront main street district. Speaking on behalf of the planning board, Earl Bertsch informed the town board that business people interested in starting or relocating their businesses in Lake Huntington have been consistently discouraged by the lack of sidewalks and limited parking around the lake. Town board members left open the possibility of creating one or more municipal parking areas.

Highlights from Richardson’s Upper Delaware Council (UDC) report included survey results claiming that one third of second homes in the area are purchased primarily for greater access to fishing, boating and other water-based recreational activities; the fact that an estimated 25 billion gallons of water in snowpack is currently surrounding New York City water supply reservoirs; and the scheduling of the annual UDC awards banquet for Sunday, April 27.

Tax Collector Eileen Hennessy announced that she will be available at the Cochecton Town Hall during February to answer questions and address tax payment concerns on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. She can be contacted at 845/932-8360, ext. 17, or by email at taxcollector@townofcochectonny.org.