ELDRED, NY — After approving legal action against a proposed Mail Road resort in April, and then dropping that action in May, the Town of Highland last week conditionally approved two resolutions supporting a waiver of a state liquor authority 30-day review period for its licensing.

Following an executive session in April, the board approved a resolution to begin a state Supreme Court action for a restraining order against Catskill Woods, William Zaccari and Larry Rosner of 211 Mail Road LLC.

The resolution alleged that Zaccari and Rosner violated various local laws, building and fire codes at the property.

Attorney for the town, Michael Davidoff, last month reported that the town’s civil action against the owners of the former Sokol Woodlands was no longer needed, as the owners of a proposed restaurant, lounge and motel there, had since allowed town officials inspection access to the property.

Supervisor Andrew Boyar, returning after a two-month health-related absence, last week explained that the waiver was standard action taken by the board to prevent the loss of a month’s business during the short tourism season. “We’ve done it many times,” he said.

He added that, “The town board does not endorse or suggest approval to the liquor authority. That’s not our job,” he said.

Chuck Petersheim, who has announced his candidacy opposing Boyar’s re-election this fall, opposed the action. He claimed that the developers have not complied with town permitting requirements to date and that their completion of construction and issues such as parking, lighting and site development in time to open this season is not likely. “There is no reason to fast-track this. This is the largest project that this town has seen in years. You’re here to protect the town, not to get them an extra month of summer,” he said.

“That’s where we differ,” Boyar said.

He said the developers have been at the planning board since March. He asked Petersheim, who is a builder, how he would feel about waiting until June for a decision.

Livery operator Julius Robinson also questioned the time issue. “Anyone who does business here knows the season runs May to October…Why weren’t these applications filed in December or January?”

The town planning board was scheduled to host a special June 17 public hearing for the project, 211 LLC, which is seeking a special-use permit to operate a family resort, bar/lounge and restaurant, which would include a 20-room motel, exercise room and pool.

Councilman Scott Hallock proposed that the town board endorsement be conditional on the planning board’s June 17 approval of the project. The amendment was adopted and the resolutions for waivers for the resort were approved unanimously.

Boyar said that should people still have questions about the project, they should take them to the state liquor authority.

Separately, at the recommendation of town resident and county planner Heather Jacksy, the board authorized a committee to review Highland’s zoning in contemplation of new development that could come with the advent of casino gambling in Sullivan County.

“We have a number of large undeveloped tracts now held by hunting clubs…their development (for clustered housing and planned unit developments [PUDs]) would have significant impacts for the community and schools… We are not going to be a town of 2,500 forever,” Boyar said.

The board also authorized a second committee to consider uses and plans for a parcel of riverfront land on River Road, which was “gifted” to the town and aside from mowing, has seen no further public development.