BETHEL – The Town of Bethel Town Board voted on Wednesday night to accept an engineer’s report for the creation of the Smallwood Water District and set a public hearing for January 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The town plans to buy the current water system, owned by JD Water Company, and will assume full ownership and operational responsibility, while making improvements to the aging system. 

It will be purchased for $225,000; other costs including equipment are estimated at $275,000, bringing the total capital expenditures to get started at $500,000. 

Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm called the potential acquisition “a wonderful thing.” 

He continued, “We are going to have a knowledgeable operator running the system, and we’re going to have a new customer service and billing team ready to assist this coming season.” 

The Smallwood Water System operates on a seasonal basis, typically providing service from May 1 through October 15 of each year to the hamlet of Smallwood in the Town of Bethel. 

According to the engineering report prepared for the town, “Formation of the district will require upfront capital expenditures; however, the long-term benefits to residents and the town are substantial.”

Board votes down moratorium

After a tie vote last month, the board re-introduced a resolution that would enact a one-year moratorium on high-density development in the town. 

As we previously reported, Councilmembers William Crumley and Bernard Cohen voted against the moratorium last month, with Supervisor Dan Sturm and Councilmember Wendy Brown in favor.  

Councilmember Lillian Hendrickson, who was absent at last month’s meeting, would cast the deciding vote. She voted “no,” citing that she is retiring from the board at the end of this year and would leave it up to the next board to decide. 

Filling her spot in 2026, after winning an election with five other contestants this past November, will be Adam Gold. 

The moratorium was proposed as a way for the town to pause high-density development while the comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been updated since 2006, is currently under review.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee is expected to make its recommendations to the board in a few months. 

The proposed moratorium drew support from residents who say the environment and rural character of the town should be protected, while others voiced their opposition, saying if zoning and planning board rules are followed a moratorium is not needed. 

Town recognizes its own 

Also during the town board meeting, the board recognized and honored two public servants and community members who have recently passed, as well as retiring Councilmember Lillian Hendrickson. 

A certificate of appreciation was presented to Hendrickson, a longtime Bethel resident and town board member of 12 years, who is retiring. This was her last meeting. 

“It doesn’t matter whether we’re Republican, Democrat, or Conservative as along as we all get together and work things out it’s a wonderful thing,” Hendrickson said of her time on the board. “I love living in the Town of Bethel, I always will.”

The board also made resolutions in memory of Susan Brown Otto and James Ahearn. 

Otto, who passed on November 16, was the town’s tax collector as well as treasurer for the White Lake Fire District, committee member and past chair of the Town of Bethel Republican Committee, past secretary for the Sullivan County Republican Committee and past member of the Bethel Planning Board. 

The town is currently looking for applicants for the tax collector position. The candidate will be filling the unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2026. The deadline to apply is December 29.

Ahearn, who passed away on November 27, served on the town’s zoning board for seven years and was remembered for his devotion to his family, love of the outdoors and sense of humor.