Former Wayne Bank building leased

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Town of Tusten on January 18 authorized a lease of 93 Main St., formerly a Wayne Bank branch location, to Big Eddy Brewing Company. The company will use the building to operate a brewery and an associated dining establishment, with 10 beer barrels of brewhouse capacity. The lease has a five-year term, with an option to renew for five years; the tenant will pay the town $1,250 a month for the first four months of the lease, $2,900 per month in months five through 12, and an additional three percent annually.

Free tax prep available

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Volunteers trained as tax counselors can prepare and file federal and state tax returns at no cost to individuals and families through the AARP Tax-Aide program, part of the AARP Foundation, according to a press release from the Town of Mamakating.  

Appointments are required. Preparation of tax returns will be offered at these locations on these dates:

• Mondays and Wednesdays, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Liberty: 845/292-6180;
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, E.B. Crawford Public Library, Monticello: 845/794-4660;
• February 6 and 9, Liberty Public Library, Liberty: 845/292-6070;
• March 2, 4 and 7, Mamakating Library, Wurtsboro: 845/888-8004; and
• March 6 and 20, Sunshine Hall Free Library, Eldred: 845/557-6258.

The service is sponsored by AARP and the IRS, with help from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, Sullivan County RSVP and the participating libraries.

March 1 deadline for senior tax exemption

ELDRED, NY — Seniors in the Town of Highland might be eligible for the RP 467 senior citizen tax exemption. If one or both owners of a primary residence are 65 years or older prior to Wednesday, March 1, and their combined income does not exceed $28,900, they could be entitled to this partial tax exemption. The application form is available at the Town of Highland assessor’s office, or online at www.tax.ny.gov.

If one or both owners of a primary residence are 65 or older, are already receiving the Basic STAR exemption on their school tax bill, and their combined adjusted gross income minus taxable IRA distributions is $93,200 or less, they might be eligible for the Enhanced STAR exemption or credit. Contact the assessor’s office at 845/557-6563 with any questions regarding these exemptions.

Oberacker presses for public safety reforms

ALBANY, NY — Sen. Peter Oberacker (R/C-51) joined members of the Senate and Assembly Republican conferences to unveil a legislative package titled “Create a Safer New York.” The proposed measures include the repeal of HALT, the rollback of bail and discovery laws, allowing the use of familial DNA to give law enforcement more investigatory tools, and penalties to prevent the use of illegal firearms and measures to protect victims’ rights during the parole process.

A dog park and trail for Honesdale

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale Borough has been awarded $114,000 in grant funding from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to construct a dog park at Apple Grove, located on Fair Avenue (State Route 191) adjacent to the Honesdale swimming pool.

Work will include construction of the dog park, fencing, gates, ADA parking access, landscaping and a trail system connecting the pool parking lot with the dog park, as well as signage and other site improvements. Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2023, with completion no later than 2024.

ERA gets second passage

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate approved the second passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), giving New York voters the opportunity to extend the protected classifications under section 11 of the New York State Constitution. The current equal rights amendment in the state constitution was adopted in 1938, and prohibits discrimination based on “race, color, creed, or religion.” The new ERA gives New York voters the opportunity to add to that list ethnicity, national origin, age, disability or sex. The last includes pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Its passage in the Senate gives New Yorkers the chance to vote on the amendment in 2024, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Office of Transformation and Opportunity created in PA

HARRISBURG, PA — On January 24, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity. This office will be a one-stop-shop for businesses looking to grow, a press release stated, and “will work to aggressively reignite Pennsylvania’s economy—fostering innovation, supporting transformational economic development, and creating real opportunity for businesses and workers alike in the commonwealth, particularly in communities that have too often been left behind.” As part of this announcement, Shapiro named businessman and entrepreneur Ben Kirshner chief transformation and opportunity officer.

Migrants in New York State

WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) and Republicans in New York’s Congressional delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting information on the number of migrants that have been moved from the southern border to New York State and their whereabouts. They also asked for information on any pending federal plans to relocate migrants within New York State. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has discussed with Gov. Kathy Hochul the possibility of relocating migrants from the city further upstate, according to the New York Post.

“We need complete transparency surrounding any plan to relocate migrants from New York City to upstate New York. Strategic relocation meetings should not be happening behind closed doors, but in public view and in coordination with community leaders and residents that will be impacted,” said Molinaro.

Free earth-moving workshop

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne Conservation District will host a free workshop for anyone involved in excavation and earthwork. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 28 and run from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Park Street Complex at 648 Park St. Presentations will be made on erosion and sediment control, on working in and around waterways and wetlands, on the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) common plan of development, on forestry and logging, and on the Dirt and Gravel Low Volume Road program.

Seating is limited. For more information or to make a reservation, call 570/253-0930 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Probst to hold open house at Pike satellite offices

PIKE COUNTY, PA — Pike County residents are invited to join state Rep. Tarah Probst for an upcoming open house at both of her new satellite offices in Delaware and Lehman townships on Tuesday, February 7. No RSVP is required.

People are invited to visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lehman Township office, located at 193 Municipal Drive, Bushkill, PA 18324. The Delaware Township event will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry.

“This is a great opportunity for people living in Pike County to check out where we are located, have a snack and drink and talk about all of the services that my staff and I can help with on a regular basis,” said Probst, D-Monroe/Pike.

Probst said all her locations are available on a walk-in basis during operating hours, but residents wishing to avoid potential wait times can schedule an appointment at any of the offices by calling her Stroudsburg office at 570/420-2850.