The Town of Highlands has sent resolutions to the Orange County Legislature asking them to relevy $154,412 in unpaid water charges, sewer charges, sanitation fees and fire inspection fees on the county’s upcoming 2027 tax bills.

It’s an annual move the town must take, to collect fees which are not paid by local residents in the various billing cycles. The breakdown this year was: $78,217.30 in 2025-26 water charges; $70,630.60 in 2026 sewer charges; $2030 in sanitation (dumpster) fees; and $3535 in fire inspection fees.

That was one of the actions taken at the October 26 Town Board meeting. In another, the board was informed that the town will save $30,000 in health insurance costs in 2027. The board had budgeted $183,000 for health insurance premiums in the budget due to be adopted next week, changing the carrier (to Marshall & Sterling) will cost $150,000.

In other business from the meeting:
- The board acknowledged a letter of resignation and then the rescinding of the letter from Dog Control Officer Kathy McGuinness. Supervisor Bob Livsey said she had submitted it, and then, after they worked through several issues, she rescinded it.

- In monthly statistical reports, Councilwoman Nancy Sporbert said the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps had 57 calls in September and was able to answer all of them with no assistance from outside agencies. From the Town of Highlands Police Department, Chief Joseph Burns said his officers responded to 715 calls, handled two cases, made 67 traffic stops, wrote 45 traffic tickets and went to 12 motor vehicle accidents.

- In liaison reports, Councilman Mike Leahy reminded the community that the town continues to look for a part-time driver for the Dial-A-Bus (applications are online at Indeed) and urged use of the Senior Center and Highlanders Senior Citizens Club by older community members. Leahy also read a report from Deputy Supervisor Rich Sullivan, who was not at the meeting, which included a note that water usage in Fort Montgomery is below 70,000 gallons per day. Sullivan also reminded residents that in order to put out bulk garbage, residents must call the Sanitation Department at 845-446-3800 first.

Councilmember Tyrone King reported on the most recent Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting and said the next one is on Friday, Nov. 20 from noon to 1 p.m., at Town Hall.

- In financial matters, Livsey noted that $19,836 worth of bills had been paid, including $6015 to A&R Concrete for some catch basin work on Mine Dock Rd.; $1713 to American Hose & Hydraulics for snowplow repair; $1350 to New Windsor EMS for ALS ambulance calls; $1265 to Denali Water Solutions for tipping in September; and $956 to Got to Go for porta-potties, July through September. The board also approved several budget transfers.