MAMAKATING – Representatives from "Sustain-Release," an annual sleepaway hipster music festival, addressed the board concerning the September event it has run at Camp Lakota on Masten Lake over the past two years. They were concerned that the problems that occurred at the camp over the Memorial Day weekend could trigger the cancelation of their event this year, which nine hundred people are planning to attend, some from as far away as Europe and Japan.

The problems on Memorial Day involved outdoor speakers that blasted music continuously for two days, a half dozen incidents that involved police interference, and check-points set up on neighborhood roads that denied access of residents to their homes.

Sustain-Release representatives emphasized that their policy has always been to respect the environment and the community. The people who attend are mostly experimental musicians in their late twenties and thirties who regard their music as an art. It is played in the camp's main social hall, with no outdoor speakers.

Some questioned the value to the town of such an event. Town supervisor Bill Herrmann reminded everyone that the camp owner pays substantial taxes, that in general camps are having a hard time financially, and that the town is trying to help out a local business.

"As long as the community works together, I think this can be a very good event," he said, noting the potential to bring a lot of people into the area who appreciate its beautiful natural environment as a backdrop for creative endeavors.

In other business, Herrmann spoke about how he recently met with representatives from the Oneida Nation, who visited Mamakating to check up on six hundred acres of land they own in the Wurtsboro Hills area. They were somewhat appalled by the condition of the land which apparently has been used for target practice and dirt biking and said they are deciding what to do with their property, possibly creating an eco-friendly resort or a shopping venue of some kind.

Herrmann added that a hotel conglomerate from Japan is also considering Mamakating as a potential site for a resort, noting they were attracted to the town because of its policy to promote eco-tourism and preserve the environment. Also, the Open Space Institute is willing to give the town a piece of their property, provided that it will be designated as parkland and allowing the town to create trail loops of up to ten kilometers, connecting the D&H Canal Trail to the OSI trail higher up on the ridge. A public hearing about this matter was scheduled for July 5.

Also on the same day, there will be a public hearing to allow the town board to establish a local law delineating ward boundaries. The referendum has already passed in favor of the new voting system, and the hearing is to designate the town and not the county as the agency responsible for establishing relevant boundaries.

In other business, it was noted that the town's summer camp season begins next week with a full roster of campers and staff. The new playground equipment is now being installed, and the old equipment is offered on Craigslist (the old slide has already sold for $300). The tennis court, however, is in a state of disrepair and has been identified as an insurance liability, with repairs currently estimated in the $100,000 range. Herrmann suggested that the gate be chained shut for the time being, and that a poll be taken to determine how much interest there is in tennis. Highway superintendent Buddy Platt suggested that his crew could possibly do the needed repairs if they knew the specifications. Herrmann will look into getting the details for him.

Camp Na-Sho-Pa is challenging the assessment of their property. Such tax certiorari cases are legal proceedings that cost the town quite a bit to defend. The board appointed an appraiser in this case.

Another tax certiorari case was recently settled with the Beautiful Earth Group who currently own the old Homowack properties. The two appraisers in the case, working independently, both arrived at the conclusion that the property was assessed at about $800,000 over value. This means that the town owes the owner a sizeable tax refund for the past two years. However, the property's owner waived his right to the refunds, and will only pay the reduced property taxes going forward.

The board passed a $1.1 million bond resolution to purchase much needed highway equipment without raising taxes.

Finally, there will be a 60th anniversary celebration of the Phillipsport Community Center on Saturday, June 25, at 7 p.m. The festivities will feature the dance band Breakaway.