Supervisors Reiterate Pipeline Concerns After Decade-Long Construction Pause - 2025 Sheriff’s Review & $247K Occupancy Tax Grants Awarded

DELHI - Delaware County Supervisors unanimously approved official comments outlining concerns for the proposed Constitution Pipeline and Wright Interconnect Project (WIP). The project, originally approved in Dec. 2014, includes a 125-mile pipeline running from Susquehanna County, PA, to the Wright Compressor Station in Schoharie County. The line could affect Broome, Chenango, Delaware, and Schoharie counties.

Planning, Parks, and Watershed Affairs Commissioner Shelly Johnson-Bennett said the project was discontinued after federal and state policies made it infeasible. As policies have changed again, said Johnson-Bennett, they are opening up the project. With over a decade having passed, their permits have lapsed, she said.

While the pipeline is not engineered to run through Delaware County, Johnson-Bennett said the main concern is road infrastructure. Supervisors should ensure that permits are issued with agreements in place with affected towns, she explained. Agreements would establish routes, permit overweight trucks, outline crossings over bridges, streams, and wetlands, and regulate the depth of pipe on agriculturally viable lands.

Such agreements were outlined in 2014, said James Thomas, Department of Public Works commissioner.

The board resubmitted the 2014 comments to ensure those measures are reviewed again. Johnson-Bennett noted that environmental and regulatory changes may lead to project adjustments. She said these comments will ensure Delaware County is involved in the discussion.

She noted that residents of Sidney and Davenport were opposed to the project in 2014.

Sheriff Department Review

Sheriff Craig DuMond provided the board with data from the 2025 annual report. The mission statement of the Sheriff’s Office is to provide professional, high-quality services in partnership with citizens, he said. “Our work has a vital impact on the quality of life in Delaware County,” DoMond stated, adding that the staff holds values in pride, integrity, professionalism, and fairness both on and off duty.

The department fielded a total of 18,518 calls. Uniform traffic tickets were up 6.2%, arrests increased by 5.47%, and motor vehicle accidents were up 37.66%. DuMond noted the striking increase in accidents and said his staff is working on several traffic-safety programs to address the issue.

The criminal investigations unit fielded 749 cases, issued 69 warrants, and made 64 arrests.

The civil division served 591 papers, conducted 392 income executions, issued 151 pistol permits of 174 applications received, and served 204 orders of protection.

For more information on the department or to issue complaints or tips, visit delawarecountysheriffny.gov or download the application Delaware County NY Sheriff on Google Play or Apple Store.

Occupancy Tax Disbursement

Supervisors allocated $247,265 in occupancy tax revenues to the tourism promotion and development grant program. Grants will be awarded to 52 applicants recommended by the Tourism Advisory Board.

The following grants were awarded: Stoney Creek Farmstead, $2,500 for a dishwasher. 1625 Main Street Associates, Dixon Roxbury, and The Belvedere Inn will all receive $20,000 for lodging pre-development costs.

The following not-for-profits were awarded funds for capital improvements: Catskill Revitalization Corp, $15,000; Colchester Chamber of Commerce, $2,500; Hancock Community Ed. Foundation $15,000; Stamford Mount Utsayantha Fire, $19,400; and Susquehanna Chapter ADK $1,342.

Several entities receiving between $1,000 and $2,500 for events include: Catskill Recreation Center, Colchester Historical Society, Downsville Class of 2028, Hancock American Legion Post, Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Hancock Farmers Market & Summer Saturdays Live Music Series, Hanford Mills Museum, Historic Automobile Endurance Runs, Historical Society of Middletown, Margaretville Fire Department, Fleischmanns First, Town of Tompkins, Town of Walton, West Kortright Centre.

Promotion and marketing grant awards totaling between $975 and $5,000 were awarded to 4 Towns Forward, Arts Inn Collective, Catskill Folk Connection, Catskill Recreation Center, Catskill Water Discovery Center, Catskills Book Trail, Delaware County School of Performing Arts, Deposit Community Park, Deposit Community Theater and PA Center, Deposit Lumberjack Festival, Farming Bovina, Fitness by Raegan, Franklin Stage Company, Georgia Pellegrini Media Grp., Hancock Herald, Hancock Partners, Hanford Mills Museum, KING’S and North Star Farm, Livestock Foundation, Margaretville Arts Center, Music on the Delaware, Oh Boy Market, Rotary Club of Hobart, Roxbury Arts Group, The Andes Hotel, The Findery, The Party Theater, The Round Barn of Halcotsville, and Walton Historical Society.

Other Business

John Farnsworth of Galloping Horse Graphics made a donation to the supervisors in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, which will be displayed in front of the county office building at 111 Main Street in Delhi. He noted that the anniversary is a time for us to unify as a people.

Deposit Supervisor Rebecca Walley was absent.

The next regular Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled Wednesday, May 13, at 1 p.m.