ELDRED, NY — Tom Ebers, longtime Town of Highland highway superintendent, tendered his resignation, effective November 1. Citing health reasons, he requested that his health insurance be maintained by the town until his new policy takes effect on December 1. The board accepted his resignation and moved to cover the cost of extending his health insurance through November.

Deputy superintendent Robert Robertson gave the highway report at the October 11 town board meeting. At the meeting’s end, the board met in executive session on a personnel issue. In a later interview, Robertson said that “he was comfortable doing the job until the board appointed someone else, or until someone runs for the position,” but was not interested in running for the elected superintendent’s role.

Eldred Central School superintendent Traci Ferriera and business manager Caleb Russell were on hand to introduce the school district’s December 6 bond vote. The district is proposing facilities upgrades and renovations at George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School and Eldred Junior Senior High School. If voters approve, the school district will borrow a maximum of $12.04 million, to be paid back over 17 years. The total project cost will be $13,295,000, with the remainder coming from district funds. The funds will be borrowed only after two existing bonds are paid off in 2025 and according to Russell, there will be no tax increases to district residents as a result of the new bond proposal. (See full story on the bond next week.)

As part of the supervisor’s report, Jeff Haas announced that the 2023 budget is in the works, and that increases in insurance rates will trigger some reductions in other departments to keep a potential tax rate increase to between two and three percent. The rateables were still coming in, he said, and a budget workshop is scheduled for October 19.

In other business, the board announced that the electronic speed signs that will be placed along Route 97 in Barryville have been delivered and the highway department will work with the NYS Department of Transportation on installation. In response the question of progress on the constables, Haas said that the board is still in conversation with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.

The board moved to exempt a $139,000 property at 12 Carmine Ln. in Highland Lake from the tax rolls because it now qualifies as a religious institution, and said it was continuing to work with the Laberge Group on planning for a cannabis dispensary within the town borders. One person has asked to be considered for the vacant town board seat, due to the resignation of town board member Jim Gutekunst. The board expects to interview applicants and to fill the seat by appointment. The term expires at the end of December 2023.

The November 8 board meeting will be held at the Highland Senior Center on Route 55, due to elections taking place at the town hall.