December 17 - 23, 2015

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Your Award-Winning News Source for the Upper Delaware River Valley Region Since 1975

Vol. 41 No. 51

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DECEMBER 17-23, 2015

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www.riverreporter.com

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$1.50

Rumor raises town’s gas concerns again By DAVID HULSE

use zoning ordinances to ban hydraulic fracturing. Highland approved its ban in LDRED, NY — By state high court 2012, joining Bethel, Tusten, Lumberland decision, Highland and neighborand Forestburgh in prohibiting “fracking river towns are free of natural ing.” gas drilling, but outgoing Supervisor AnThe Department of Environmental Condrew Boyar says a gas transmission line servation (DEC) has since adopted simimay prompt another new concern. lar statewide regulations to ban the conAdmitting that he had only “rumors” troversial gas extraction method. to go on, Boyar reported on Separately, Councilman/ December 8 that Columbia Supervisor-elect Jeff Haas reGas may be planning to build ported that he attended a meeta compressor station in northing with county officials preern Highland for its Millenparing plans to share sales tax nium Pipeline. revenues with Sullivan towns Boyar introduced the issue and villages. Haas said the by recounting news coverage plan would not take place until of an Orange County home2018, and sharing would not beowner who recently abandoned gin until the county collected his family’s $250,000 home in $40.5 million. Forty percent the Town of Minisink after a of excess collections beyond controversial new Millennium that amount would be shared Pipeline compressor station according to a formula involvbegan operating one-quarter ing population and property mile away from the home. TRR photo by David Hulse values. He estimated that the The pipeline crosses State Chairing his last regular program could net Highland meeting on $30,000 or more. Route 55 about one mile south monthly of the Bethel-Highland border. December 8, Supervisor Haas also met with represenBoyar, an attorney who has Andrew Boyar, pictured, tatives of a state contractor received from his colleagues frequently handled real estate erecting 125 automatic weather a commemorative paver transactions, said his concern stone to be placed in Heroes reporting stations statewide, was based on an 82-acre land Park at the Highland Town who wants to place one near transaction in the area. Hall, which Boyar was the Highland Senior Citizens “It may be rumor or it may be instrumental in creating. Center in Eldred. The station inscription reads, would be solar powered, emtrue. Our zoning doesn’t allow The it. It’s the very thing our zon- “With our deepest love ploying a tower less than 40ing was designed for,” he said. and appreciation to Andy feet in height. It’s output would Boyar for your years of “If it is true, the utility should initially be available to highdedication and friendship know they’re going to have a to our community. Thank way and emergency services, battle on their hands. Maybe you. 12-8-2015.” Beginning Haas said. they thought they were big in 1983, Boyar served 20 Haas further reported that a enough to push it through… years as supervisor during new gate had been installed at Let’s be vigilant,” Boyar said. four decades, in two non- the DEC’s Barryville river acIn 2014, the state Court of Ap- consecutive administrations. cess, which opens to additional peals affirmed a lower-court “I didn’t know they were parking in a River Road cul-deruling, saying that towns can doing this. I’m floored,” he sac accessing the site. said of the presentation.

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Community Christmas party

Last-minute gifts

opens new resort in Barryville

you can make yourself

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In other business, after a public hearing the board, following earlier county legislative approvals, approved a local law providing sequential senior property tax exemptions of five to 50% on primary residences for persons 65 and older, with gross incomes of $20,500 to $28,000. The board similarly approved a second local law providing tax exemptions for Gold Star parents of children killed in military service to the country. A third public hearing was followed by approvals of new annual funding contracts for the Yulan and Highland Lake fire departments, the American Legion Ambulance Service and the Sunshine Hall Library.

Boyar closed the session with parting remarks, crediting each of the town board members individually and as a group. He gave special plaudits to Town Clerk Doreen Hanson. “Every one of our town clerks has been great. But Doreen Hanson is the finest public servant I’ve met in 46 years in government,” he said. In addition to his 20 years as supervisor, “throw in two terms as town justice and a few as town attorney… It’s been quite a run,” he said. He asked to stay on as town delegate to the Upper Delaware Council, but leaving the rest behind, Boyar closed, “It’s been an honor and a privilege.”

TRR photo by Jonathan Fox

Dickens on the Delaware

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ALICOON, NY — Members of the Delaware Valley Opera serenaded passers-by from the front steps of the historic Western Hotel in Callicoon during the second annual Dickens on the Delaware town-wide celebration on December 12. Carriage rides, live music, art shows and vendors lit up the town late into the night as residents and visitors celebrated in Victorian style. For more on the holiday celebration, see Jonathan Fox’s column on page 21.

SPANNING 2 STATES, 4 COUNTIES, AND A RIVER THAT UNITES US

The River Reporter


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