Supervisors Thanked For Recognition of National 4-H Week - Youth Hunting Law Passed

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - In September, Delaware County supervisors voted to recognize the week of October 5 through 11th as National 4-H Week. This year's national 4-H Week theme is "Beyond Ready." The theme “reminds us that 4-H is building a ready generation in a world of change and equips young people with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today,” the resolution states.

To thank the board, Corrine Tompkins, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) 4-H program manager and camp administrator, attended the October 8 meeting of supervisors. "We are very grateful that you passed that resolution to celebrate this week with us," she said. CCE has been running campaigns all week, said Tompkins, adding today is Go-Good for 4-H Day, to honor the community service that the program has done.

4-H participant Maria Collins highlighted the program's technique in helping individuals advance communication and social skills. Collins has been a member of the Country Bumpkins 4-H Club for four years and is now a freshman in high school. "4-H has taught me great communication and social skills that I use on a daily basis, whether at school or at the Delaware County Fair," she said, "I am also a class representative, and these communication and social skills help me advocate for what my classmates need," Collins added that 4-H has taught her how to respect and navigate differences in learning and social situations. "4-H teaches that everybody should be treated with respect and that us 4-H'ers should do our best to include everyone."

"We have, in my opinion, the best 4-H camp and we have an amazing 4-H program," said Shelly Johnson-Bennett, Delaware County planning department director.

Youth Hunting

One Harpersfield resident spoke during the public hearing regarding the youth hunting legislation, which was proposed by supervisors in September. The seasoned hunter said the local law, formerly a PILOT program, is greatly successful. "We need to teach the kids young, so they are responsible gun handlers and gun owners and good stewards of our natural resources," he said.

Following the public hearing, supervisors unanimously approved the legislation. The local law permits licensed youth hunters aged 12 and 13 to hunt with a firearm or crossbow during the appropriate season, provided they are accompanied by an adult licensed hunter who is at least 21 years old.

Other Business

The board adopted the 2026 equalization rates for the county tax levy. The following rates were adopted: Andes, 70; Bovina, 13.25; Colchester, 2.10; Davenport, 47.50; Delhi, 32; Deposit, 3.55; Franklin, 67; Hamden, 100; Hancock, 8; Harpersfield, 16; Kortright, 57.75; Masonville, 63; Meredith, 57.75; Middletown, 59; Roxbury, 99; Sidney, 50; Stamford, 15.18; Tompkins, 2.44; and Walton, 100.

The Sheriff's Office received $11,729 in grant funds to participate in the Police Traffic Services Program. The program's goal is to increase seatbelt usage and reduce dangerous driving through the implementation of checkpoints.

Opioid settlement funds were used to purchase a $5,699 vein visualization system for the Department of Mental Health.

The Solid Waste budget was deemed insufficient, and $250,000 was transferred from unappropriated funds for disposal of leachate, propane gas, and other supplies.

Now that the project is complete, the contract for the reconstruction of landfill cell number one was decreased by $6,818.50 after final calculations were made.

Supervisor Chair and Bovina Supervisor Tina Molè, as well as Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield, were absent from the meeting. Vice Chair and Meredith Supervisor James Ellis filled in for Molè.

The next regular Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 22.