New Staff, Project Bids & Contracts Discussed In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN - Middletown Town Council agreed to hire two new employees and discussed ongoing projects at their monthly meeting on Mar. 11th.

New Staff

With Justice Court Clerk Sandra Rockwell's pending retirement, the board agreed to hire Stephanie Torres. Rockwell will retire in April and will train Torres until then. Torres is set to receive an annual salary of $ 43,000 for the full-time position.

The town is seeking applications for a per-diem assistant court clerk at a rate of $40 per hour. The position will act as a backup for the clerk during vacation or sick time. As a per diem position, the job does not qualify for benefits.

Ideally, the position would be filled by Rockwell, said Supervisor Glen Faulkner.

Later in the meeting, the council agreed to send Tim Roe an offer letter to fill the vacant Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) position. Salary will be dependent on completion of training. The official offer and job description will be reviewed by the town attorney before it is sent.

Faulkner hoped to stipulate that training be completed within six months of hiring; he noted that the county personnel office believes training could take up to 18 months.

The CEO is required to hold additional certification in zoning and floodplain management.

The CEO position was left vacant after Hiram Davis' resignation in December. Deputy Code Enforcement Officer Zach Haverly has been filling in as needed.

In another discussion, Cathy Davis resigned from the Board of Assessment Review. Cassandra Finnis-Palen will fill the vacancy.

Project Bids

The council agreed to rebid for the hookup of the new water well in Arkville.

Bids came in well over budget last fall. Faulkner believes the bids were high due to timing, which is why the board tabled the discussion until the spring, when it will be rebid. The bid request will be further adjusted to ensure price points are met. Fence installation was removed and will be completed by the town. Ductile iron interconnecting pipes will be replaced with PVC. Tracer wire and detectable warning tape should be installed for the non-metallic pipe. The two mains will be drained together into a single trench.

The planned well is located on Firemen’s pavilion property, for which the town must receive an easement agreement.

The three-year mowing bid from Watters Excavating and Logging was accepted for the sewer districts. For the 2026 season, lawn mowing and weed-wacking at Halcottsville and New Kingston will each cost $3,100. Brush hauling for New Kingston is set at $950 for three times. Prices are set to increase by $50 each year.

The board will enter into a three-year lease agreement through Delaware Business Systems for a new copier at a monthly cost of $257, including maintenance.

The Powell Company of Oneonta was hired to install ten new windows at the highway garage for roughly $27,300. Funds are available in the department's buildings budget line.

Other Business

In another discussion, Linda Kelly Armour sent a letter requesting the town's support for the erection of a historical marker outside Bedell Cemetery. The marker will commemorate Sylvenus Kelly, the only Revolutionary War veteran buried in Bedell. Armour is seeking a grant for the project. The board unanimously supported the efforts. The town will be responsible for installation. If the grant is awarded, Armour will plan an unveiling ceremony.

A public meeting for the comprehensive plan is scheduled for Thursday, March 26th, at 5 p.m. at Union Grove Distillery in Arkville. A survey is available via the town website at townofmiddletowndelcony.gov or at the town clerk's office.

NYSEG will host a community outreach event in Margaretville on Thursday, April 2, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., where users can meet with representatives. The event will help to answer questions and provide insight through direct one-on-one conversations, said Faulkner.

The town was awarded a $50,000 Smart Growth grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a feasibility study of a cluster septic system.

The next town board meeting is scheduled Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. The workshop is scheduled April 1, at 6 p.m.