Log in Subscribe

Moving up the ranks in Mamakating

Samantha Montagna
Posted 5/26/23

MAMAKATING - During the May 2nd Mamakating Town Board Meeting, Town Supervisor Mike Robbins lamented Fred Harding’s resignation from the Mamakating Local Development Corporation (MLDC).  

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Moving up the ranks in Mamakating

Posted

MAMAKATING - During the May 2nd Mamakating Town Board Meeting, Town Supervisor Mike Robbins lamented Fred Harding’s resignation from the Mamakating Local Development Corporation (MLDC). 

Robbins reminded those at the meeting that Harding was one of the founding members of the MLDC, and that “we’re sorry to see him go.” 

The current vice president, John Lavelle, will be moving up into Harding’s position. Robbins noted that Lavelle would do a good job, and they are looking for someone to take the vice president position. 

In addition, the board voted to accept William Pooley to replace Harding’s spot on the board. 

IMA Approved 

Supervisor Robbins also announced that the Board of Education of the Ellenville Central School District would be willing to split the cost of the Kohl’s Tax Appraisal. The Democrat previously reported in January that the Kohl’s Distribution Center on Route 209 requested a tax reduction by half. They had previously entered a PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) Agreement with the Town of Mamakating, but that is coming to an end. 

Town Attorney, Ben Gailey, recommended a new tax appraisal and suggested that the board see if Ellenville School District would be willing to share the costs since Kohl’s also pays taxes to them as well. 

During the May 2nd meeting, the board voted to enter an Inter-Municipal Agreement (IMA) with Ellenville School District to split the costs of the appraisal. The cost would be about $14,000, and each municipality would pay $7,000, according to Robbins. 

 

Pole Barn Bid and other projects 

The board has been working on a project for a new pole barn in the town park for the highway department to store equipment. Robbins noted that it’s “nothing big,” a structure of about “30 by 30,” but the project needed to be put out to public bid for the labor portion. He said the town will take care of the materials. 

Councilman Tyler Wood explained that the bidding process probably won’t change the quotes they received, but he can’t guarantee anything. In any case, the board could approve the contractor and materials in June. 

Councilman Peter Goodman asked what the difference is between the bid and what they were doing. Town Attorney Gailey explained that if the project goes over $35,000, then the project must go to bid. 

If it is under, then the town can solicit three contractors for quotes. Wood explained that the town is planning to operate as a General Contractor to save on markup cost, but the labor must be put out to public bid. 

In addition, Robbins announced that he is getting prices for solar panels to put on Town Hall, the highway department building, and the barns. He said he received two prices so far, but they will see how it goes. Robbins added that they are working on a grant through US Congressman (NY-19) Marc Molinaro’s office to pay for the panels. 

Robbins also announced plans for the Touch a Truck event this summer, but he said every weekend for the Town Park is booked in June, but he figured that it would be in August. 

He noted that this event would be better at the Town Park, so kids can play in the park and at the pool once they are done looking at the trucks. 

He said there are also plans to improve the event with food and less sirens. One complaint that the town received about last year’s event was the lack of food, so this year, Robbins said Pasta D’Oro and others have offered their food service this year. He also said that the first hour will not have any sirens as it scared the smaller kids last year. “The town is looking forward to putting this event on for the kids,” Robbins said. 

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here