HORTONVILLE – The Delaware Town Board voted unanimously to appoint Callicoon resident Leila McCullough as Deputy Town Clerk to assist Town Clerk Tess McBeath with her duties.

The action took place at Wednesday night’s regular monthly board meeting.

In other action, the board also passed a resolution to request the New York State Dept. of Transportation to review the speed limit on Route 52, west of Kohlertown, after a local resident complained of several accidents and speeding motorists by their home. The current speed limit is 55 mph on that stretch of highway.

Supervisor Scott DuBois reported that the Highway Dept. will soon be in receipt of two new trucks in time for the plowing season this winter. The Highway Dept. also added two new hires to help with the plowing this winter. A new tractor, which will be used for mowing next spring and summer, will be delivered in December, DuBois reported.

Town of Delaware Building Inspector Chris Scullion said three building permits were recently issued for “stick built” houses, one on Raum Rd. and the other two on Beechwoods Rd. He said home construction still seems to be busy in the township.

The current condition of the Fern Hotel in Kenoza Lake was also addressed and Scullion reported he will stay in touch with the owner to remedy the unsafe condition of the property.

Delaware Engineering engineer Bill Brown, who is overseeing the Callicoon Water District project, said the installation of water meters has already begun.

“Our contractor has installed 50 of the 150 in the hamlet of Callicoon,” Brown said. “It is a requirement of the Delaware River Basin Commission that water meters be installed.”

Brown said two more notices will go out to property owners and there is no cost for the installation, which usually takes a half hour. 

During installation, the contractor also inventories the water system to see if any lead pipes are being used. This inventory is required by the NYS Dept. of Health and EPA, Brown noted.

Following the installation of the meters, the town board will review the billing process and may elect to bill on a ‘per gallon’ basis instead of a “per unit” basis as it does currently, Brown said.

Brown also said that the installation of water mains and construction of a well house will begin shortly. Water main work will be on Upper Main Street and Route 17B.

A new water tank will be installed in the spring, Brown noted.

Clean Up Day

Supervisor DuBois said the Town will be hosting a free clean up day this Saturday at the Town Barn in Hortonville from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

DuBois also noted the sale of the Villa Roma, the Town of Delaware’s largest employer, to Fay Hospitality. He said this was a positive situation for the town as the new owner plans on investing upward of $7 million on renovations and will continue to be a good employer for the town, offering many amenities that attract visitors to the area.

“I’m excited to see what the future of the Villa Roma holds,” he said.

DuBois also congratulated Town Clerk Tess McBeath on her upcoming honor from the Upper Delaware Council. “Tess is very deserving and a very good employee for our town,” he said.