New building for the Town of Highland

On the 2025 Highland Horizon

By RUBY RAYNER-HASELKORN
Posted 12/31/69

HIGHLAND, NY — Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the town’s purchase of 564 Route 55 at a public hearing come January and a new comprehensive plan through a …

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New building for the Town of Highland

On the 2025 Highland Horizon

Posted

HIGHLAND, NY — Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the town’s purchase of 564 Route 55 at a public hearing come January and a new comprehensive plan through a questionnaire, and come spring handle DMV business in town.

Potential purchase

The public can weigh in on the town’s decision to purchase the building up for sale adjacent to the town hall at 564 Route 55 on January 7 at 7 p.m.

The town has placed a refundable $7,000 deposit on the property listed on a real estate site One Key posted by Boller Properties for a price of $99,000 as of late November. 

The price was negotiated down to $78,000. The town plans to use its remaining $78,000 of ARPA funds toward the purchase. 

Frequent public commenter Mel Carney alluded to the real estate agent being a friend of the supervisors and raising the properties price prior to the town closing on the purchase.

According to Sulivan County sale records, the property was sold in 2017 for $15,000, and then in July 2024 for $27,500 to Sal Martorano. The county assessed the property at $29,000 in 2023 and 2024. 

The property is listed on a real estate site One Key posted by Boller Properties for a price of $99,000. The listing price was last updated 62 days ago and reduced by $48,500. 

Pizzoloto said he has no personal connection to the reality group and town board member Tom Migliorino told the River Reporter he first proposed the purchase and reached out to the property agent. 

Carney pointed out that the additional costs associated with the property, like demolition or property-use details, had not been communicated to the public.

Pizzolato said the deposit was needed to be able to use ARPA funds and the purchase is not final.

Migliorino reconfirmed the space will be used for parking and that Peck’s Markets—whose parking lot is often used by patrons of the town hall—has requested the town find alternative parking. 

DMV 

According to town clerk Sue Hoffman, motor vehicle tasks can be handled at the town hall with Sullivan County’s mobile unit come spring on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for at least six months as a trial period. 

Survey

Highland residents will be asked to contribute to the town’s new comprehensive plan—a document that will set out the town’s vision and aspirations for the next 10 years—by responding to a survey that will be sent out in the New Year by mail or online. The survey will include five to 10 questions per topic (e.g. short-term rentals, environment, healthcare, etc.) and responses will be considered in the re-write of the comprehensive plan.



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