Algae that isn’t algae but still looks like it and is clogging a drainage pipe at a Lippman Park pond can’t be stopped by carp because they hate the stuff.

That was one takeaway from the most recent Wawarsing town board meeting, where the slimy problem of pipe-clogging vegetation, actually one of 6,000 species of Cyanobacteria, yielded the conclusion that the most appealing options don’t hold water.

Meantime, the stuff has blocked the eight-inch drainage pipe that leads out of the pond and prevents the water level rising to overflow the road to the transfer station. The pipe, set in the middle of the main part of the pond, runs out to join a 40-inch pipe that carries storm water down to Route 209, and then passes under the road to the Rondout Creek.

That ultimate connection to the creek makes it tough to determine whether it would be safe to dump some sort of algae-killing potion into the pond. Carp, meanwhile, won’t eat it. Another possibility batted around was to bring in a dive team, potentially from Napanoch.

Deputy Supervisor Bill Brown said the DEC has been contacted about the problem and planned to send someone to take a look at the situation.

Pickleball Courts Are Coming

Along with resurfacing the basketball and tennis courts at Berme Road Park, there will be a set of lines painted on the tennis courts to mark four pickleball courts.

The Town Board voted to authorize an Inter-municipal Agreement with the village of Ellenville to fund the restoration and renovation of Berme Road Park.

Open Gym Approved

The Town/Village Recreation Department sought approval for an “Open Gym” at the Ellenville High School Gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. The first will be on April 6. Annette and Reggie Steele will oversee activities.

Wastewater Treatment Expenses

The board approved a quote from Koester Associates for $19,997.80 for repairs to the “bar screen” at the Napanoch wastewater treatment plant. Board member Joe Stoeckeler said an important component of bar screen isn’t working, allowing larger particles to clog the micro screens. Other board members winced at the amount, but waste water treatment equipment is usually proprietary and often built to order. The repairs are needed before there is damage to an even more expensive pump.

The board approved payment of $40,275 to Ray S. Pantel Inc. for electrical service to a water storage tank for the Wawarsing water district. This was followed by approval of $176,786. to H. Osterhoudt Excavating Inc. for individual service hookups for the Wawarsing Water District. Note: all payments for the Wawarsing Water District are covered by the NYC DEP.

Doors of Perception?

The board approved a payment of $50,350.00 to J&J Sass Electrical Inc. for the highway garage. That was followed by approval for a payment $27,770.96 to Delaware Engineering DPC for the project.