By Liz Page
BLOOMVILLE – The cost of operating the water plant will increase by 4 percent in the upcoming 2026 budget and Mike Cairns, of LVDV, told Kortright Town Board members that a new pump at the plant will cost $15,000 with $20,000 for parts remaining in this year's budget.
The three board members present at Monday's meeting approved the order for the pump. They also discussed usage at some of the unmetered locations and Cairns said the usage should be down once meters have been installed at those locations.
Board members also approved the cost of a new website. Supervisor George Haynes said it is recommended that townships with a population over 1,500 have a website. Kortright is 66 people over the threshold and board members approved website development with Delco Creative. The cost to design and set up the site is $2,500 and the cost to maintain is $250 with a $30 annual fee.
They also approved a building permit for a shed to be added at the town-owned former school grounds where the community has developed a playground and playing field. The shed will be used for storage.
The agreement with the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society was approved, with a $40 fee for each dog. The town waived having stray cats in the agreement.
They also approved payment of a bill to Burr Trucking that had been in dispute. Supervisor Haynes said the bill has already been reduced and he didn't believe it would be worth the legal costs to dispute it further. Board members approved payment of the bill.
Haynes also presented a letter from Alice and Steve Tucker regarding the county-owned home in the hamlet of Bloomville. Delaware County Department of Social Services Commissioner Kieth Weaver and Delaware Opportunities Executive Director Shelly Bartow answered questions at the town board's June meeting regarding the future of the home.
The letter poses 27 questions and concludes by saying the history of the homeless shelter in Bloomville has not been successful and asks that the project be re-examined so that homeless men will not be placed in Bloomville.
Supervisor Haynes said a copy of the letter has been sent to Weaver and that most of the questions were addressed at the June 16 town board meeting. Board members were in concurrence. He said Weaver will be attending the board's August meeting. Residents of the hamlet are unhappy that the home, originally used for foster care, will continue to be used as an overflow facility for the homeless. However, they did promise to make those placed in Bloomville second tier placements, which are considered temporary, for housing those who will receive additional training and resources to make a successful transition from homelessness.
Several cemetery projects were completed and the budget depleted for this year, however, Haynes said more money could be budgeted for projects in 2026. Discussion indicated the work done has improved the gravestones at the various cemeteries.
The meeting was adjourned in record time. The next meeting will be held August 18.
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