BETHEL — A letter from George Van Arsdall, Jr., General Manager of the Bethel Motor Speedway, was submitted to the Bethel Town Board February 12. The letter is an application to acquire a renewal permit for the 2025 season at the racetrack, which is entering its 65th year as an auto racing venue.

The letter states, “We remain as focused as ever on our mission statement to offer spectators affordable, exciting racing at a family friendly facility.”

It lauds its professional management in working “very hard to be good neighbors…creating a family friendly  affordable and enjoyable destination.” 

It is “not requesting any additional dates past [those] allotted from 2024…tentatively, Saturday evenings from April 12, 2025 – November 1, 2025; and one Sunday a month, May 18, June 29, July 13, August 3, September 28, and October 12”.

It goes on to request “our once a month Thursday practices remain in place” and to move them to the third Thursday of the month to avoid confusion.

To alleviate road congestion on 17B during Saturday night concerts at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, it asked to renew the option to open gates early, helping “patrons that would like to attend both shows” – also asking for the same option during colder winter months, April, October and November.

The letter iterates that in 2024, Saturday operations started at 4 p.m. and had a hard stop at 11 p.m. 

“We take our deadline very seriously and have made every effort not to breach it.” 

In support of the racetrack’s request, a letter from Monticello resident, John E. DeGennaro, was read aloud, which states that it is an attraction of continual “benefit to the Town of Bethel.”

Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm thanked Mr. Van Arsdall for the installation of a fence as had been requested last year. 

Councilmember Lillian Hendrickson commented on the audiences she has seen first hand attending the racetrack: “It is amazing how well behaved the little kids are with their parents.”

A public hearing in light of the request for permit renewal was set for March 12, at 8 p.m., at the Duggan School in White Lake.

Additional consultant engineer appointed by Planning Board

A letter from Bethel Planning Board Chairman Daniel E. Gettel announced the intention “to contract with Mary Beth Bianconi of Delaware Engineering to act as a consultant to the Planning Board”. Her service it states, “at this time is to be limited to our review of the Swan Lake Nest project currently under review.”

Supervisor Sturm welcomed her assistance and said, “We would like to add her to the list of Town Planners and Consultants”, which was agreed upon by the Board. 

He added, “I want to make sure the Planning Board has whatever tools they need.”  He congratulated and thanked “all [who] work together to support the town.”