County union comes to agreement and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region September 15 to 21

Posted 9/14/22

County union comes to agreement

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County main unit of Teamsters Local 445, representing the majority of the county’s public employees, has come to an …

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County union comes to agreement and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region September 15 to 21

Posted

County union comes to agreement

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County main unit of Teamsters Local 445, representing the majority of the county’s public employees, has come to an agreement with the county after two and a half years of negotiations. County employees ratified the contract on August 24; the Sullivan County Legislature’s human resources committee approved the contract on September 9.

Under the new agreement, county employees will receive a two-percent annual increase in salary from 2020 (retroactively through 2025, with an additional five-percent increase over the next three years given to those employees who did not receive a five-percent increase under the previous contract. The agreement does not alter county employees’ health insurance coverage; the county hoped to switch employees from the Empire plan to the less costly Excelsior plan, which had been a sticking point earlier in negotiations.

Pike County kicks off comprehensive plan update

MILFORD, PA — At the Pike County Commissioners meeting on September 7, the county officially launched the process for updating its county comprehensive plan. The county updates its comprehensive plan every 10 years to provide a framework for future growth, development and preservation activities. The planning process will take place over the next 18 months, with expected adoption in spring 2024.

Beginning in fall 2022, the county will hold community-based engagement activities, including a community-wide survey, to receive input and feedback on future growth and development in Pike County.

For more information, contact Michael Mrozinski, Pike County planning director, at mmrozinski@pikepa.org or 570/296-3500.

One drowned, one missing in one week on Upper Delaware River

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER — On September 3, area first responders responded to a drowning on the Upper Delaware River, a mile and half below the Roebling Bridge in Barryville, NY. Ricardo Ismalej Xujar, 47, from Flanders, NY, had attempted to swim across the Delaware River at approximately 1:30 p.m. when he became fatigued and went under the water and did not resurface. The National Park Service indicated that Xujar was not wearing a life jacket. Xujar was located at approximately 6:43 p.m. and was pronounced deceased by a Town of Highland Ambulance paramedic.

On September 8, at approximately 7:25 a.m., area first responders responded to a report of a missing fisherman on the Delaware River near the town of Deerpark, NY. Two men were fishing on the river near Cherry Island State Park when their boat capsized. One of the fishermen was located on the shore and received medical treatment. The other is still missing as of September 12. If confirmed, this will be the third drowning in the Upper Delaware River this season.  

Police shooting in Wawarsing

PINE BUSH, NY — On September 9, the New York State Police and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to assist the Ulster County Mobile Mental Health crisis team at a residence located on Clark Road in the Town of Wawarsing. When patrols arrived, they encountered a distraught male, later identified as 41-year-old Daniel K. McAlpin, who was inside the residence and armed with a large knife. Law enforcement officers attempted to engage McAlpin in conversation, however, he was non-compliant and ignored repeated commands to drop the knife. In an attempt to take McAlpin into custody, Trooper Elias E. Strickland tased McAlpin; however, he advanced toward the officers while threatening them with the knife. Trooper Jason T. Wurtz then discharged his issued firearm, striking McAlpin, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Pursuant to Executive Law Section 70-b, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident in conjunction with the New York State Police.

Hearing discusses PA liquor laws

HAWLEY, PA — With the goal of modernizing liquor laws and bringing more business to Pennsylvania, Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) brought professionals and local brewery owners together to testify before the House Majority Policy Committee. A good portion of breweries in the commonwealth desire to expand their operations to include distilled spirits; however, current liquor laws in Pennsylvania impede this development. Under current law, a brewery and a distillery may not operate at the same location, nor may they have on-premises consumption at the same location. Fritz’s House Bill 2757 would change the law to remove this impediment to commerce and support breweries that choose to expand, a news release stated.

Tax relief for 1.8 million low-income New Yorkers and families

ALBANY, NY — Four hundred and seventy five million dollars in tax relief for eligible low-income New Yorkers and families has been announced as part of the New York’s ongoing effort to combat inflation and improve affordability. New York State will soon begin sending direct financial assistance to 1.75 million New Yorkers who received the Empire State child credit and/or the earned income credit on their 2021 state tax returns. New Yorkers can expect to receive their checks by the end of October. The program will provide an average payment of $270 per eligible recipient. Eligible New Yorkers do not need to take any action to receive their checks; checks will be mailed automatically.   

Voter registration access expanded for eligible Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf has signed Executive Order 2022-03 to expand access for eligible Pennsylvanians to ​obtain voter registration information whenever they do business with commonwealth agencies. The executive order builds on the requirements of the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that certain state agencies are required to provide voter registration opportunity to clients with whom they interact. Wolf’s new order designates seven agencies and programs that, as voter registration distribution agencies, will be required to provide voter registration materials and information to their clients.

Nonprofits welcome to apply for discretionary funding

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature will accept applications for the 2023 legislative discretionary contract program from eligible nonprofit agencies. The process ties applications to county and municipal goals.  

The application deadline is October 1, and applications must be submitted in one of the following ways: complete the application online via fillable PDF form at sullivanny.us; submit the application and supporting documentation as email attachments to assistant county manager Michelle Huck at michelle.huck@sullivanny.us; or mail or hand-deliver the printed application and supporting documentation to the Office of the Sullivan County Manager, c/o Michelle Huck, County Government Center, 100 North St., Monticello, NY 12701.

Sullivan County Union, Teamsters Local 445, Pike County Commissioners, Upper Delaware River, drowning, Wawarsing, police shooting, PA liquor laws, Jonathan Fritz, tax relief, voter registration information, discretionary contract program, nonprofit agencies

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