JEFFERSONVILLE  — The Town of Callicoon accepted bids for various equipment at auction, purchased a barely-used front-end loader to replace their old one, set the dates for the Fall Cleanup, and suspended the annual car show at their meeting on Monday, June 9.

Highway Superintendent Ryan Bose said “We’re trying to work between rain storms; out there ditching and trying to work on the dirt roads but it’s been hard because it wants to rain every few days and just makes mud.” 

Bose reported that his crew has been mowing the road sides. Bose reported that he received the following bid results from the surplus auction:

$17,000 – 2017 truck

$80 – chain saw

$45 – weed whacker

$250 – 2 pole saws

$25 – backpack blower

$45 – grease pump

$5 – playground slide

The board accepted the bids for all of these items, and Bose expressed contentment that the old playground slide (which was under warranty) found a new home and won’t add to a dumpster cost. 

Supervisor Tom Bose said they’ve been looking at replacements for their 20-year-old front-end loader. “They cost a lot to repair.” After considering a few different options from John Deere, Caterpillar, and Volvo, Ryan Bose made the recommendation to purchase the Volvo 2023, which costs $182,251, and includes delivery and a 2-year warranty. Ryan said,”I think we should do the used one from 2023 - the Volvo is basically brand new.” 

The board approved the purchase and gave Ryan the authority to slightly alter the bid to accommodate a 3-year warranty if it isn’t cost prohibitive.

Ryan Bose reported on his trip to Ithaca College for Local Road School training: “We went up to Ithaca College, it was two-and-a-half days of seminars and workshops.” Bose said the first day was a panel of highway superintendents and supervisors discussing ways to work together, while the second day was a legal panel during which participants could ask questions. “You do learn a lot [from the] legal panel and also by sitting and talking to other highway superintendents.” Bose said there were 9 highway superintendents from Sullivan County and over 600 from across the state who attended.

Code Enforcement Officer Kristoffer Scullion said he had issued 54 building permits so far this year and completed inspections on many short-term rental properties.

Supervisor Tom Bose said the Town of Callicoon shipped 34.4 tons of trash from the Spring Cleanup. With an total annual allotment of 84 tons with no tipping fees, Bose said they have plenty left for the rest of the year and set the following dates, with the approval of the Town Board, for the Fall Cleanup: Friday, September 12 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, September 13 from 8a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tom Bose said, “I regretfully suggest we suspend the car show for this year. We’ve been doing it for 11 years, it’s a good community event. Last year was the first year we [lost money].” Bose was concerned that if they didn’t host the event, the calendar date would be taken by another local event, but reiterated that it takes too much work to operate and he can’t support hosting it if the financial result is uncertain.

Bose reported on the Youngsville Water Tank Project, saying that the shed was delivered, the concrete has been poured, and the construction of the water tank will take place in two weeks. The board approved paying Tweedie Construction $47,500 for the project, which is being funded by a state-approved grant.