The October 21 Marbletown Town Board meeting quickly assessed a wide range of topics. Ken Brezner of Walden Engineering began the proceedings with the final installment of his quarterly reports on aqueduct leak damage.

New Aqueduct Shut-Off Dates

Over 600 properties have been affected by leaks along the century-old Catskill Aqueduct expanse. Per Brezner’s July 15 PowerPoint presentation, Walden is helping eligible property owners with “engineering or water treatment services” and “relocation, replacement or improvement of wells.”

Since a lightning storm damaged crucial machinery in the late summer, Brezner said that the aqueduct shut-off will now take place between December 1 and December 15. These shut-offs are part of the process to collect “objective information” to determine if the aqueduct leak conclusively caused damage. If so, “The DEP pays for it.”

This process is ongoing and extensive; 9 pre-construction inspections took place on October 22 alone. “Someone from Ken’s staff will be at every well drilling,” Town Supervisor Rich Parete added.

Parete indicated a wide scope, including “private homeowners and private businesses.”

Resolutions

Supervisor Parete presented four concise resolutions.

To ensure that the next board meeting does not fall on Election Day (Tuesday, November 4), Resolution 82 declared that the next town board meeting will take place on Monday, November 3.

By law, the town must have a public hearing about the budget. Resolution 83 simply declares that the November 3 meeting will include this public hearing on the 2026 Final Budget.

Similarly, Resolution 84 declared that the High Falls Water Budget will also be submitted “to the town board and the town clerk” on Monday, November 3.

Resolution 85 appointed Alan Newman to the Ulster County Environmental Management Council. His term ends October 31, 2028. Board member Tim Hunt added, “He’s really passionate about the topic.”

Budget

There were no major changes or new numbers announced, so Parete reminded the audience that the budgeting process is executed in three phases. The supervisor submits the budget, the Board recommends changes and the final phase is a public hearing. At any of these junctures, there is “still an opportunity to change the budget,” Parete explained. “We don’t have to have a second public meeting to make changes.”

The 2026 Budget lists highway and general spending at an estimated $4.6 million, up 5 percent from last year. The tax levy is slated for a 1.9 percent increase, while general tax and highway taxes are slated to rise 4.4 and 4.5 percent, respectively. There are no numbers available on liability insurance yet.

Other Business

The board is seeking a $100,000 grant to improve the restrooms at Marbletown Park. The Board is also applying for an invasive species grant, with Parete acknowledging the tight December 7 submission deadline. Board Member Mary Ann Van Benschotten, who also serves on the Marbletown First Aid Unit (MFAU) Board of Directors, estimates that this team is on track to field 1,200 emergency calls by year’s end.

“A great corps to be on,” she added.

The board is hoping to make improvements to Marbletown Meadows. Along with a quick mention of a potential ADA-compliant path in the future, Board member Daisy Foote mentioned plans for brush hogging: use of a heavy-duty rotary lawn mower for navigable paths and healthy vegetation. Without this maintenance process, “All the pretty flowers are not gonna be there,” Foote said.

Marbletown Community Center

Marbletown Community Center (MCC) champion Vivi Hvlasa once again mentioned repair concerns during public comment. Suspense is a key word: the fate of the $1.6 million state Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (BRICKS) grant intended for repairs won’t be known until mid-November.

If the MCC receives this grant, the town must contribute 20 percent (approximately $250,000) to repair efforts to meet the BRICKS (Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors) requirements.

At the August 18 board meeting, Ken Davenport presented the major rhetorical question: “What do we do if we don’t get the grant?”

Responding to this notion, the Board has been in contact with Peter Buffett (philanthropist, composer, and son of investor Warren Buffett) whose NoVo Corporation donates money specifically to damaged historical buildings. Parete indicated that brainstorming continues, citing “researching at this point.”

If the center does not receive the BRICKS grant, “plan B will start the next day,” Parete declared. A resolution from an August 12 special meeting declared that action will be taken within 60 days if MCC does not receive this money.