MAMAKATING – As a part of the town's ongoing focus to become an eco-tourist destination, Mamakating is exploring the option of participating in the Certified Local Government program, sponsored by the New York State office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. Linda Mackey, representing the agency, explained this opportunity at the town's October 18 board meeting.

Under the CLG program, Mackey said, a local commission identifies a district in the community to be designated as having significant historical importance. While technical training and assistance targeted to individual needs are provided by the state, the success of the program depends on the support of local residents. In this way, the process of preserving the community heritage becomes an integral part of local planning and restoration, and is a partnership between the state and the town.

The CLG program was established nationally in 1980, and at present there are over 1,900 such designated historic districts in the United States. New York has seventy-six and counting, including sections of Ellenville, Kingston, New Paltz, Marbletown, and Saugerties. In order for a community to participate in the program, local legislation in support of it must be passed, and a local commission must be created.

Special projects coordinator Kerron Barnes noted that the town already has an inventory of buildings in four potential historic districts: Summitville, Phillipsport, Wurtsboro, and along the D&H Canal. Restoration projects within a designated historic district can compete for federal grants worth from $2,000 up to $60,000, although most of the grants are in the $5,000 to $6,000 range. In addition, property owners will receive federal and state tax credits of twenty percent.

A CLG is basically a corroboration that needs to be set up at a cost of about $15,000. Planning board member Mort Starobin spoke in support of this project.

"Now the town can officially be called 'Historic Mamakating,'" he said. "This generates a real sense of pride in our community."

More information about the preservation program can be found at www.nysparks.com/shpo/certified-local-governments.

The Mamakating budget for 2017 is due on November 10. A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at the November 1 town board meeting at 6 p.m. Another public hearing is also scheduled at that time for the new solar systems energy regulation.

The town is dealing with the ongoing problem of derelict properties. A due process hearing will be held at the November 1 meeting, as well, regarding the property at 619 Roosa Gap Road which by all accounts constitutes a public health hazard. In addition, two properties in the Wurtsboro Hills area are also in the sights of the housing department.

"All three are just awful, dangerous as well as an insult to the community," said supervisor Bill Herrmann at this week's meeting. "Let's put our property maintenance law to work here."

Councilman Matt Taylor will work with town attorney Ben Gailey to finalize the proposal for the formation of the Local Development Corporation which will support small businesses in the town. The proposal should be ready in time for the next town board meeting.

In his highway report, superintendent Buddy Platt said that repairs on Mountain Road and around Phillipsport have been completed. Also, the highway crew is planning to put a black top surface, at long last, on Ferguson Road this week. Platt cautioned that many of the steel culvert pipes in the town are approaching their expiration date, and may be in danger of rusting out.

In her county report, county legislator Cathy Owens said that the lowest responsible bid for the new jail, which will also include the sheriff's office, is $72.2 million. This proposal is being checked out to make sure it is a reasonable one.