BETHEL — David Bodenstein, of the Mike Preis Insurance Agency, located in Jeffersonville, was present at the Bethel Town Board meeting April 23 to speak about the town’s insurance policy renewal, effective May 1. 

Overall, the cost of $14,685 for the year is up just 4.9 percent over last year, which, according to Bodenstein, is “the lowest [increase] he has seen in any municipality.”

Town Supervisor Dan Sturm thanked him for the less than anticipated increase. Aspects of the policy, which include Property coverage with a limit up 6 percent since last year, are General Liability, Flood and Earthquake, Larceny, Public Officials, Employees, Auto, Inland Marine, Crime, Road Maintenance, Employee Benefits, Employment Related Practices, Equipment, and Workers’ Compensation.

Bodenstein assured Sturm that the gazebo and comfort station were on the policy and made a note to look into coverage for the playground at the Forest Reserve. The additional playground at the park and pool location will be added after it is fully installed by the end of May.

Kevin Smith, who attended via zoom, asked if there was coverage for Ransomware, and it was clarified that it was not included, but would necessitate another type of policy.

Other concerns 

It had been stated by Councilman Bernie Cohen, the liaison to the Town Highway Department, that road crews “are working hard” on Pine Grove Road to “keep up with the times” and that the results would turn out well. 

Because of the lack of detail in his statements, Smallwood residents reiterated the question, “what kind of work required that the trees be cut down?” 

Smallwood resident Jonathan Hyman spoke about the issue at the Wednesday night meeting, saying “It’s not a knock against the Highway Department” but “it would be helpful to everybody who travels that road to understand why so many trees were cut down. This was a beautifully tree-lined, canopied entrance into the historic hamlet of Smallwood.”

Denise Frangipane also voiced concern about the tree-cutting and brought up the need for a crosswalk between the municipal parking lot and the triangle park in Kauneonga Lake. She asked the Town Board to act as a liaison to the Highway Department to implement much needed crosswalks in the village area.

A place for community

A letter of appreciation for the use of the Duggan School to play Pickleball “during the cold winter months” from Laurie and Dennis Altgest was read aloud. It thanked Supervisor Sturm for “making us feel so welcome.” 

The couple had sent a donation of $400, which was put into the General Fund to be applied to Youth Activities. Sturm commented on the various activities conducted at the Duggan School: “We use it as much as possible to make it a true community center.” It is the site for Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Lion’s club meetings; the Men’s Club; Indoor Markets; voting; Highway Department trainings; exercise programs; the constable office; soccer, basketball, and pickleball games; and the New Hope Community residents’ recreation.