The October 20 Marbletown Town Board meeting began with a public hearing on the overlay zoning district. No one approached the lectern to offer additional comments, and Town Supervisor Rich Parete indicated that the hearing would remain open. “It’s going to remain open,” Parete said.

The Town Budget

The board discussed the 2027 budget, including projected revenues, rising operating costs and the proposed tax levy. Under Resolution 117, a public hearing on the budget will take place at the November 2 meeting.

“We have one more opportunity to change this,” Parete said, explaining that the budget would move from its tentative stage to the preliminary budget. “I’m not making any recommendation for changes.”

Major cost drivers include fuel, electricity delivery, employee health insurance, wage increases and retirement system contributions.

Revenue projections remain under review. Parete reported that the town had received only nine months of the year's 12 monthly projections. Mortgage tax revenue has declined significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. “The second half of the mortgage tax is a big one. During Covid, we were getting two payments of about $250,000. Now, the two payments are about $100,000,” Parete said. Total revenue for 2026 was estimated at $1,996,511.

Sales tax revenue was also discussed. Parete noted that Ulster County was collecting more sales tax than anticipated, a positive sign for Marbletown and other municipalities that receive a share of county sales tax revenue. The additional revenue could put the town ahead of its budgeted projections.

Among the major projected expenses for 2027:

Street maintenance: $660,000
Ambulance district expenditures: $300,000, unchanged from 2026
General Fund tax levy: $874,839, an increase of 6.5%

The board will also hold a public hearing on the Water District budget following the town budget hearing.

Aqueduct Damage

The board extended its contract with Walden Environmental Engineering under Resolution 119. Engineer Ken Brezner has represented the firm during quarterly presentations on damage associated with leaks from the Catskill Aqueduct.

Through the program, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reimburses homeowners and businesses that can demonstrate, through Walden’s surveys, that property damage was caused by aqueduct leakage.

“The City pays us to go out to do the analysis for the people in the potentially affected area,” Parete explained. “Walden has been great. It’s been an interesting three years working on it.”

The contract extension runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030, with total funding estimated at $850,000.

Marbletown Community Center

Resolution 120 addressed a planned lot line adjustment for the Marbletown Community Center (MCC) property. Board member Max Stratton, who planned to present the proposal to the Planning Board during the final week of October, explained the setback requirements involved.

“A setback is a distance from a property line from which you cannot either engage in activity, be that like setting a building within a certain distance of the property line or, in this case, the installation of a septic system,” Stratton said.

“We’re eliminating the property line so that we can install the new septic system,” he added.

The existing lot line runs through the MCC parking lot, placing the main building and the small annex building with EVV chargers on separate lots. The proposed adjustment would facilitate installation of the new septic system.

Stratton also provided an update on plans to modernize the MCC kitchen as part of the BRICKS grant reconstruction project. The kitchen specifications alone span 60 pages. Stratton, a construction professional, described the plans as “really well drawn.”

High Falls Sidewalks and Crosswalks

The board discussed plans to improve pedestrian safety along Route 213 and Second Street in High Falls. According to an October 14 announcement, Gov. Kathy Hochul awarded Marbletown $1.6 million for the project, which requires a 20% local match. Plans call for approximately 800 feet of sidewalk along Route 213 and 300 feet along Second Street.

Greenman-Pedersen Inc. assisted with the grant application and hopes to gather additional community input. A public commenter suggested exploring concrete color options, while the town’s website notes that local daffodils will be carefully relocated. Completion is expected by December 2028. Hunt called the project “great for business and High Falls in general.”

Parks, Trails and Recreation

The Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee is seeking one new member and welcomes letters of interest.

Plans for the parking lot and trail layout at Marbletown Meadows are well developed, while committee members continue brainstorming ways to use the 1.1-mile path as an outdoor learning space. An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant pathway is also planned.

Board Recognizes Two Community Members

Hunt recognized Douglas Adams, a financial consultant who served on several Marbletown commissions, and Marjorie Shelley, a noted art conservator who served on the Historic Preservation Committee. Both recently passed away.

The board took a moment to acknowledge their contributions and “thank them for their services.”

Next Town Board Meeting

Marbletown Town Board meetings are generally held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. However, this year's first Tuesday in November falls on Election Day.

“This year, the first Tuesday is Election Day,” Parete said.

Under Resolution 116, the board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, November 2, at 6 p.m.