LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — A series of unfortunate events came to light between recess of the September 14 Cochecton Town Board meeting and its reconvening on September 28. Burglary, a leaky roof, an urgent sewer plant add-on, a dangerous hairpin curve and demolition of an unsafe building were added to an agenda originally intended mainly for 2017 budget preparation.

The single bid received for demolition and removal of an unsafe mobile home, its outbuildings and debris on the surrounding property came in at $6,000. Supervisor Gary Maas said that seemed to be a reasonable fee, noting that a simple removal of debris recently at a home on Shortcut Road cost well over $5,000. The board voted unanimously (minus absent Anna Story) to accept it.

Maas said he’d been contacted by the Sullivan County Department of Public Works (DPW) about the hairpin curve rounding Lake Huntington between Olsen Road and Shortcut Road. Construction of a new house there brings to 12 the number of driveways accessing the road within a few feet of the blind curve. In light of a DPW recommendation to lower the speed limit in both directions approaching the curve, the board voted unanimously in favor of a survey to determine safe speed for the section.

In the absence of sewer officer Michael Walter, Maas also detailed an add-on to the recent sewer plant upgrade, prefacing his remarks with the comment, “Recently, I’ve learned more about sewer plant operation than I ever wanted to know.” One feature will be added: a ventilation system to cool the ultraviolet light bulbs, at a cost of $1,200.

And an existing water storage structure will be modified to reduce maximum flow through the filtration system. Each light is designed to purify 115 gallons of water per minute, which is more than adequate for the plant’s normal flow. But, periodically, the storage structure dumps its contents all at once, overwhelming the purification system with more water than it’s designed to handle.

The simplest and most cost-effective solution, said Maas, is to reduce the holding capacity of the storage structure. That will be done by partially filling it with concrete blocks. The exact cost is dependent on the purchase price of the blocks, but total cost will be defrayed by town highway department transport of blocks to the site.

Superintendent of Highways Kevin Esselman reported that highway department headquarters (HDH) in the old town hall was burglarized two weeks ago. Four chainsaws and battery-operated drills were taken. Entering through the only door not clearly visible from either of two intersecting roads, the burglars broke the door down, cutting through a deadbolt lock. Esselman said replacement costs would be covered by insurance, less a $500 deductible. This is the second town chainsaw theft in as many years; the first was from a pickup truck parked in the driveway of Esselman’s home.

Maas has consulted a security firm for advice on detection, alert and suspect identification systems. Cost of installation in both the HDH and the town hall will depend on the systems selected.

Maas and Esselman reported jointly that a leak in the HDH roof will necessitate its replacement, at a cost of approximately $20,000. Both think the durability of a metal roof is preferable to that of the existing shingled roof. Advised by contractors that removal of existing shingles will safeguard against rusting from below, they agree it should be done. And both hope the job can be completed before the first snow of winter.