The Plattekill Town Board honored longtime Highway Department employee Dennis Pfleger as he prepares to retire after 31 years and three days of service to the town, and discussed park signage, public safety and an upcoming search for a new Planning Board engineer during its meeting last week.

Pfleger honored for three decades of service
For more than three decades, Pfleger has helped keep the Highway Department’s fleet running, handling everything from routine maintenance to major breakdowns at the town’s main garage. Town officials described him as a steady and reliable member of the department who brought precision and care to every job, large or small.

Officials also highlighted Pfleger’s involvement in the community beyond his Highway Department work. He has been involved with the Clintondale and Modena fire departments, served on the Board of Fire Commissioners and participated in the Lions Club. His family has also been active in community service, officials said.

Town officials praised Pfleger’s ability to tackle virtually any job, from operating Highway Department equipment to repairing vehicles and trucks.

“There’s nothing the man can’t do,” Supervisor Mike Lembo said during the recognition, adding that Pfleger will be missed by the town.

Pfleger thanked his wife for standing by him throughout his career, particularly during the many snowstorms that kept him away from home for long hours. He also thanked town officials and his colleagues, describing his years working for the town as a pleasure.

Town officials said Pfleger will spend his retirement on new adventures, including more time with his grandchildren. The board congratulated Pfleger and thanked him for 31 years of service.

Park rules and public safety
The board discussed updating signs at a town park following reports of people using metal detectors and digging on town property. Officials considered adding language to existing signs or installing larger, more prominent signage to clarify which activities are prohibited, with the discussion centered on preventing unauthorized digging and protecting town property.

On public safety, residents were reminded to lock their vehicles and avoid leaving keys inside.

The board also discussed young people riding dirt bikes on public roads. Officials noted that police face safety considerations when responding to dirt bikes and cannot always pursue riders, and they encouraged residents to provide identifying information to authorities when possible.

Town to seek new Planning Board engineer
The town will begin searching for a new engineer to provide services to the Planning Board following the retirement of longtime engineer Pat Hines. The board said it will need to issue a request for proposals for engineering services.

Toward the end of the public portion of the meeting, officials briefly discussed another issue expected to come up during the upcoming budget process: the cost of landscaping and grass-cutting services. Officials noted that contracted landscaping costs rose significantly last year and suggested examining whether town employees could perform some of the work as an alternative.