In two quasi-personnel matters at its February 3 meeting, the Highlands Town Board approved Kurt Hahn as the town’s Disaster Coordinator for 2025 and okayed a request from the town’s Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee to hire an 80-hour Clean Energy intern via funding from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority). Hahn’s position is paid for via an annual stipend.

Older high school or college students interested in the internship are asked to reach out to Olga Anderson; messages can be left for her at Town Hall. “We will get a list of possible students to use from NYSERDA,” Anderson said, “but we’d like to hire someone local.” The person hired will help the town find ways to implement the recommendations of a recent Town Hall energy audit.

Other than those two matters, the board only voted on some budget transfers at the short meeting. Supervisor Bob Livsey told his fellow board members that $158,743 in bills had been paid in the last few weeks – among the larger amounts were $69,437 to the Highland Falls Library for its quarterly payment; $45,108 for February health insurance costs for employees; $8569 in legal fees so far in 2025; $4633 for police software expenses; and $4535 for January electric charges.

A discussion regarding flood zone insurance for the town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant was tabled until more information is gathered.

In other matters from the meeting:

- The supervisor said he’d written a letter of support for a Greenway grant for the Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association as they work to repair a historic trail that’s been damaged by repeated storms.

- A reminder that veterans, senior and other property tax exemption requests are due to the Assessor’s Office by Monday, March 3. To find out more call the office at 845-446-0703 ext. 314 or 326.

- Deputy Supervisor Rich Sullivan commented on two construction matters – he said the Corbin Hill Water Tank project is currently idle due to Winter weather, and the new dog pound is “pretty nice” and expected to be done by April 1.

- Town of Highlands Police Chief Joseph Burns said his officers handled 713 calls in January; 414 of those were ‘directed patrols’. They had six cases, four arrests, 181 traffic stops, wrote 96 tickets and responded to seven motor vehicle accidents.