Shawangunk reports 79 COVID-19 cases

By RACHEL COLEMAN
Posted 4/22/20

“Compared to Orange County, we’re very low,” said Supervisor John Valk, advising the Shawangunk Town Board on Thursday that the town has 79 positive cases of COVID-19.

The board …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Shawangunk reports 79 COVID-19 cases

Posted

“Compared to Orange County, we’re very low,” said Supervisor John Valk, advising the Shawangunk Town Board on Thursday that the town has 79 positive cases of COVID-19.

The board was holding their regular meeting virtually through Zoom and addressing additional issues that have arisen due to the pandemic.

Police Chief Gerald Marlatt praised local businesses and residents who have been donating food, equipment and other supplies, including a 30-day supply of masks.

“Hopefully we’ll not have to go through this much longer, but we have a good supply now,” said Chief Marlatt.

In the meantime, the department has received two resignations, the first a dog control officer and the second a part-time police officer who is also currently full-time in New Paltz. The board voted to accept the resignations.

Officer Brooks, who has been serving the town part-time, was appointed to a full-time position by the board at their last meeting, pending her medical exam, which she has now passed.

Chief Marlatt reminded the board that they still have two full-time openings and they are waiting on a civil service list to fill them.

The town’s highway crews are still working, although at half schedule.

“It seems to be working,” said Highway Superintendent Joseph LoCicero, adding that the crews are all staying busy, working on ditching, a bridge and “picking up a lot of work that we’d pushed to the side.”

The department also purchased a chemical to create its own sanitizing agent and provided some bottles to the town’s police department and town hall.

LoCicero also stated that after a review of Stein Road, which has been closed since Jan. 29 due to structural collapse, the recommendation from the geologist is to move the road over, which he believes is the most “cost-effective and best way to go.” The plan is to reach out to the adjoining property owners and come up with a plan to rebuild the road, possibly including a French drain.

Local engineer Larry Marshall attended the virtual meeting, seeking approval to pursue a clustered subdivision for a project on Albany Post Road. Planning Board Chairman Mark Watkins told the board that the motivation behind the request was to preserve “prime farmland” on the site. There would be a stipulation that the land could only be used for farming and was not eligible for a solar array. They are also waiting on a survey as it may be a historical site.

Supervisor Valk noted that the land in question has been “a cornfield for 40 years or more” and Councilman Robert Miller stated he liked the cluster. The board voted to have the planning board entertain the clustered subdivision.

In other business, the board voted to accept the audit report of the supervisor’s books, the MS4 Stormwater report, and a reduction in bond for the Wallkill Town Center at the planning board’s request.

The board advised that work is continuing on the town’s website and NY Solar was removed from the board’s agenda as they want to appear in person at a future date.

The town board also addressed some concerns from residents, including reports of groups failing to observe social distancing by playing basketball and soccer in the town parks. Chief Marlatt however, stated that upon investigation the small groups were all family members from the same household, not teams. The department will continue to investigate any reports. All town playgrounds are closed.
The board hopes to decide at their next meeting if they will have summer camp this year, to give returning employees notice.

Another resident contacted the board, requesting stop signs after nearly running over a bicyclist shooting across the street from the Rail Trail. The board approved the request unanimously.

This was the town board’s first virtual meeting, which faced technical difficulties resulting in a delay and the meeting failing to record, which they were dismayed to learn after the meeting. The board had voted to waive public participation for the meeting and expected to make a recording of the meeting available online. Present at the meeting were all members of the town board, as well as the town’s police chief, highway superintendent, town clerk, and planning board chairman; as well as engineer Larry Marshall and a reporter from the Wallkill Valley Times.

The next town board meeting will be in three weeks, on May 7.

Residents with questions or concerns can contact members of the board by email, or call Supervisor Valk at (845) 895-2900.