MAMAKATING — At the start of a well-attended town meeting, Mamakating Supervisor Mike Robbins did not waste any time to address Town Highway Superintendent, Rob Hufcut.

Hufcut was arrested on May 31 on two counts of sexual conduct with a child that allegedly occurred twenty years ago.

Robbins started the meeting by saying that JoAnn Salomone, the Deputy Highway Superintendent, has stepped up to be the acting Highway Superintendent, and the town board will assist Salomone as best they can.

Furthermore, the Summitville Fire Company announced on their social media page that Mark Wharton is the new fire chief. Hufcut had been serving in that role before his arrest.

Robbins noted that the board did not have any additional information on Hufcut’s case. 

The town attorney, Benjamin Gailey, has advised that the board not take any action yet against Hufcut since he is an elected official, Robbins said.

During the highway superintendent’s report, Salomone approached the podium to give the report on the work that has been done on the roads.

She also asked for patience during the transition and thanked the highway workers and the town board for their support with a special thanks to Richie Dunn and Tiffany Kinloch.

Robbins thanked Salomone and said, “the board very [much] appreciates you stepping up and taking care of this.”

Salomone received a large applause after her report.

JoAnn Salomone bears no relation to Sullivan County Legislator Nicholas Salo-mone.

Fuel prices and other updates

The board has been discussing the rise in fuel prices for several weeks. Robbins stated that Councilman Thomas Morrow and John Rufer have been working together and have decided that $100,000 dollars of highway department money could be moved to be saved for the winter fuel costs. The board voted unanimously to approve the transfer.

During his supervisor’s report, Robbins reported that the Dutch Reformed Church roof repair was complete, and the board was looking forward to the next part of the restoration with an incoming bid package.

Robbins also reported that the first Farmer’s Market of the year was a success. He said that many people attended, it was a beautiful night, and everyone had a good time.

During public comment, former Councilman John Lacey thanked the board on behalf of the Veterans of Sullivan County and the American Legion for helping fund the Memorial Day Parade.

He also thanked the Village of Wurtsboro for their role as well. He said the event could not be funded without the board’s help, and it was greatly appreciated. Lacey received a large applause after his statement.

Film project

Robbins stated that a filmmaker, Cody Knotts, approached the town board for permission to film in the Chester Stanton Cemetery in August 2022. Robbins said the filming would be very short with very few people involved, but they still need a permit to film, which Gailey has drafted.

During public comment, Virdanna Lawrence, the town historian, asked the board if the filmmaker could donate something for the upkeep of the cemetery in exchange for filming there. Robbins said he could take her suggestion into consideration and see what he could do.

Daphne Hodgson asked what kind of film is being produced. Councilman Morrow described the film as an “ultra-low budget film,” and Robbins said that based on the pictures, it seemed like it would be a “scary, cemetery” film.

Knotts is a filmmaker from West Point, New York, and is known for his film, Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies, which has appeared at the Cannes Film Festival.

Knotts has also filmed in Mamakating before with his 2021 film Transubstantiation, which is a horror film that has been selected for the Life Beyond Life Film Festival in Turin, Italy.

Transubstantiation notably starred David Lybolt, a Mamakating Local Development Corporation secretary, as a “church elder,” and Knotts gave special thanks to former Town Supervisor Janet Lybolt for her support for the film among others.

According to Knott’s IMDB page, he is currently working on a documentary, and has two horror films, The Visitants, and Death Letter: God, Sex and War, in pre-production.