THOMPSON — The town board held a public hearing on Tuesday to amend the town code to create a new court clerk position.

The resolution that was on the table was to change the court Clerk and Deputy Clerk to Clerk, deputy clerk I and deputy clerk II at the budget amount of $30,000.

“This is a position we had for a long time,” said Town Supervisor Bill Reiber Jr. “It was part-time, now we have to make it full-time and the money is in the budget.”

It will be adopted as Local Law No. 2 of 2018 and was unanimously voted in by the board.

Another public hearing was set for their next meeting on April 3 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the town code amendment which would require homes to install backflow preventers in their basement.

The reasoning being to prevent sewage backing up into basements of homes and homeowners will be given 12 months to comply. The current plumbing code only requires backflow preventers be installed in new homes. If adopted into the town code, all homes would need to have them installed in homes at risk of flooding.

Water and Sewer Superintendent, Michael Messenger, said at a recent board meeting, that Emerald Green will be one of the districts that would be affected by this amendment due to the majority of the homes, having been bulit below the lake.

According to Messenger, a typical valve can cost up to $200 with installation costing up to $1,500.

The board will also consider potential grant money that could alleviate some of the cost to homeowners.

Furthermore, the State Legislature recently changed the law regarding Cold War Veterans property tax exemptions, and did away with the 10- year limit. If Thompson adopts this into a local law, the exemption would last for as long as the owner remains at the property and qualifies.

Towns such as Bethel and Mamakating have already amended their town codes to extend the real tax exemptions for Cold War Veterans.

April 3rd's public hearing will also allow discussion about the exemption.

Sullivan Renaissance

A letter was received from Sullivan Renaissance regarding a $25,000 beautification grant that was recently awarded to the the town.

This grant will help with Phase I of Thompson's efforts to beautify public spaces, enhance code enforcement and to build a healthier community.

The grant will be formally announced at the Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference which is slated to happen on April 28 at Bethel Woods Center for Arts.

The renaissance staff will need to approve any forthcoming new welcome signs and banners that will line the Route 42 corridor, which is a part of the town's rebranding campaign.

Additionally, the town will work with the Renaissance to identify seasonal camps and bungalow colonies that are located and leading to the new casino and wellness spa that might be eligible for the Property Enhancement Grant Program.

The grant will also help promote the “Healthy Heart Trail,” located at Thompson Park and will be included on the trailkeeper.org web site.

DEC Violations

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) issued a violation for Emerald Green Sewer Treatment Plant during a recent snowstorm March 2.

According to the violation, power was not restored to pump stations No. 9 until March 4 and resulted in a discharge of approximately 750,000 gallons of untreated sewage into Davies Lake. The violations are subject up to $37,500 per violation, per day.

Currently a new pump station No. 9 is being built and the town entered into a bond of $600,000 and will replace the failing pump.

Additionally, the town board approved recently to enter into a $3.1 million bond for the improvements to the collection system of the Emerald Green Sewer District.

Entertainment

Village

A site plan has been approved for a new hotel will be built near the casino and water park by the Adelaar Developer, LLC. The hotel will be around 69,000 square feet and will be four story building.

Currently named, “Entertainment Village,” the hotel will feature 105 rooms as well as mixed use spaces for coffee shops, restaurants and retail shops along with parking for 289 cars.

According to Reiber, there will be a covered walkway from the new casino leading to the 105-room hotel and will feature a less expensive alternative to the casino hotel.

The planning board issued Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and the town board approved site inspection fees for the Entertainment Village.