The Mountain Eagle

10/25/25

No Contested Seats In Middletown

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 10/25/25 | 10/25/25

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MIDDLETOWN - Despite several seats on the ballot this year, no incumbents are being contested in Middletown.

Supervisor Glen Faulkner is running for a second term. Faulkner will appear under the Democrat and Community Collaboration lines on the ballot.

"During my first term in office," said Faulkner, "I have been focused on following through on three core principles; communication, collaboration, and community."

Communication initiatives prospered through open, transparent dialogue among staff and departments, the introduction of workshop meetings, the invitation of the public into discussions, and the updating of the town website, explained Faulkner.

Collaboration efforts focus on improving operational efficiency, sharing resources, enhancing planning, and strengthening partnerships, he said. Key partnerships, Faulkner said, are with the two villages, neighboring municipalities, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Catskill Watershed Corporation, and various County and State agencies. Faulkner was selected to serve on the Coalition of Watershed Towns Executive Board of Directors.

"I believe that strong communication and collaboration best position the Town and villages to advance key community planning and infrastructure initiatives," said Faulkner.

Two council seats will also appear on the ballot, and incumbents Colleen Martin and Robin Williams are both seeking re-election. Both Martin and Williams will appear on the Democrat and Community Collaboration lines.

"I always say it takes a team and a village," said Martin, "We have made significant progress in improving communication in all levels of the town operations and working with the village of Margaretville on many initiatives."

Martin commended the board and Faulkner for initiating monthly workshop meetings. These sessions cultivate a welcoming environment that encourages public input and discussion, she noted. "I am proud to work with such a wonderful team at the Town of Middletown," she concluded.

During her last term, Martin is proud to have explored options for updating the transfer station and looks forward to what the feasibility study will add to the discussion. If re-elected, Martin said key issues include addressing the housing shortage and working with local medical services to expand healthcare opportunities.

"I’m really proud of how far we’ve come in strengthening our town’s infrastructure, improving communication, and helping residents stay connected and informed. From water system upgrades to our new emergency alert system, every step has been about building a stronger, more resilient community," said Williams, "I’m excited to keep working on new opportunities for Middletown, from housing, transportation, and updating our comprehensive plan; my focus is projects that have a positive impact for residents who live here, and also those that visit our beautiful town."

Faulkner noted some key collaborative board achievements over the past year. In addition to transfer station goals, the board initiated a feasibility study for water interconnection to improve water district resiliency. The town began the two-year process of updating the comprehensive plan, which will help secure grant funding for future projects and guide the town in a unified direction.

Other headways include the highway garage roof, which was repaired, a third well installed for Arkville Water District, receipt of the DOT Thriving Communities Award, being designated a NYS Pro-Housing Community, securing and applying for various grants, implementation of code enforcement software, developing a Cemetery Task Force, instituting an emergency alert system, advocating for healthcare, and increasing senior tax exemptions, among other initiatives.

"Looking ahead, as many of these planning and engineering projects move forward, our focus will shift toward securing the funding needed to move these important initiatives from the drawing board to shovel-ready, and ultimately, to completion," said Faulkner, "I am honored to serve with such a caring, dedicated Board and excited about the opportunity to continue serving the residents and businesses of our great community for another term and working to bring these projects to fruition."

Justice John Fairbairn III is similarly seeking re-election.

Although the local officials are running unopposed, they hosted a meet-the-candidates event on Oct. 17 at Union Grove.

Elections take place on November 4th. Middletown has five election districts, each voting at the following locations: District one, Fleischmanns Fire Hall, 1298 Main Street; Districts two and four, Middletown Town Hall, 42339 State Highway 28; Districts three and five, Arkville Fire Hall, 43365 State Hwy. 28. District five includes Arkville, Halcottsville, and Kelly Corners.

Town of Middletown Democratic officials who are running for election on November 4 held a Meet the Candidates event on Friday, Oct. 17 at the Union Grove Distillery/Arkville Brewstillery. Members of the public were welcome to chat with the officials to hear their views and plans if elected to another term. From left are Council Member Robin Williams, Council Member Colleen Martin, and Supervisor Glen Faulkner. The incumbents are running unopposed. Ms. Williams and Mr. Faulkner are seeking re-election and Ms. Martin is running for four-year term after being appointed to fill an unexpired term. Absent from the photo was incumbent Town Justice John Fairbairn III. He is also unopposed as he seeks another term.

Democratic Council Member Colleen Martin, Supervisor Glen Faulkner, and Council Member Robin Williams (standing from left) pose with some of the community members who turned out for the Meet the Candidates event held at the Union Grove Distillery/Arkville Brewstillery on October 17. Absent from the photo was incumbent Town Justice John Fairbairn III. All of the candidates are running unopposed for another term.

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Ongoing Concerns With County Ambulance Service Surface - $2.1 Million Contract Renewed - County Finances Recognized, Public Hearing Set, Boukai Speaks Out

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - Franklin Supervisor Donald Smith ignited a discussion regarding contracting for ambulance services versus the development of a county-operated one at the Oct. 22 Delaware County Board of Supervisors meeting. The question arose after a resolution was brought to the floor to renew a contracted service with AMR for $2,199,487 over a three-year period. Smith questioned why the county would continue to "dump money" into an outside service rather than developing one in-house. He argued it would be worth doing a cost analysis as well, as it could better support local residents through job security. Smith noted that surrounding counties have been successful in developing a municipal-run service.

County Emergency Services Director Steve Hood noted that an in-house service was explored when the county initially contracted with AMR in 2022. He noted that personnel alone were estimated at $1.2 million annually. Hood agreed to put together a new cost estimate. Hood held that it would be more financially prudent to continue the contract now.

AMR representatives noted that all employees servicing the County live locally or in surrounding counties.

Hancock Supervisor Jerry Vernold noted a disproportionate use of the service, stating that Deposit and Hancock only had 19 calls serviced by AMR, while there were 600 in the Delhi and Davenport areas. Roughly ten years ago, Hancock established a paid ambulance service, which has cost around $2.5 million in taxpayer funds, explained Verold. He asked what he should tell constituents who are now paying for duplicate services. "Its like we are being punished," he said.

Hood explained the service was always intended to be a backup to support volunteers and other services the county already has. "That is what it is doing," he stated.

Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield noted that many of the calls in Delhi are for the nursing home there, which is home to elderly hailing from all over the county. Marshfield suggested calculating the rate per thousand, or the cost for each taxpayer, which might be minuscule.

Those calls that came into Hancock were times the local service was unable to care for its people, said Masonville Supervisor Betty Scott; those were potential lives saved. She further noted that some towns and villages employ police departments while still paying for the County Sheriff. It is a way for smaller towns to leverage services they otherwise could not get, Scott explained.

Colchester Supervisor Arthur Merrill echoed Scott's remarks, stating his town pays nearly half a million on its police department but still recognizes the need for a Sheriff's Office. He further noted that while some towns might pay more in some areas, it all evens out in the budget somewhere. He added that supervisors should strive to support the County as a whole.

Harpersfield Supervisor Lisa Driscoll also noted that those towns with police departments or ambulance services are likely utilizing county resources elsewhere, and it all evens out.

"We need to support our residence," said

While supporting the umbrella service with AMR, Middletown Supervisor Glen Faulkner acknowledged a need to discuss ways to sustain smaller local services.

In the end, the resolution passed with Vernold and Smith voting against. Deposit Supervisor Rebecca Walley and Davenport Supervisor Timothy Kelso were absent.

In another discussion, Three Plus One, a financial firm that the County contracts with to ensure financial liquidity, recognized the municipality for its superior revenue generation. Representative Tyler Frame presented County Treasurer Beverly Shields and Fiscal Manager Carli Pinner with the firm's cashVest 90+ award. The annual award is presented to one of the firm's contracted institutions, which shows a 90% or higher increase in revenue gains. Delaware County went from roughly $607,000 in 2018 when it first contracted with the firm to roughly $5.4 million, said Frame.

"This award is a team effort," said Shields. She recognized Pinner for her dedicated understanding of the County's finances and initiative to stagger investments. Pinner is running for County Treasurer on the November ballot.

At the meeting's end, Delhi Supervisor Maya Boukai requested a full board discussion on potential shared sales tax revenue and the regular hosting of public comments at supervisors' meetings. Boukai argues that the two issues have been brought to officials several times by constituents and have remained suspended in committee for over two years. Without being on the respective committees, Boukai was looking to initiate a discussion.

These are issues being discussed in committee, explained Board Chair and Bovina Supervisor Tina Molè. She noted that it is the protocol for a discussion to be presented to the committee to propose a resolution to the board. Molè further welcomed Boukai to attend committee meetings, which are open to the public.

Walton Supervisor Joe Cetta asked if this is something that has been done before. He understood the protocol to be as Molè stated, and it might not be advantageous to set a precedent.

"That is what we are here for," said Boukai, "To represent our people." Boukai further said it has not been in her best interest to attend committee meetings, which she is not an appointed representative to.

Merrill, who is the County budget officer, noted that shared sales tax could be discussed once the preliminary budget is completed in about a month.

Marshfield, a member of the finance committee, noted that the budget is tight this year, and the committee is working on reducing expenses.

A public hearing to override the state-mandated 2% tax increase is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. The hearing was set in case the budget exceeds the mandate.

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Reformed Church to Host Holiday Bazaar Nov. 1

ROXBURY — There will be a Holiday Bazaar Saturday November 1st from 10-2 at the Reformed Church carriage house on Main St. in Roxbury.

There will be lunch: Home made soups, chili, pies, and baked goods.

Many local artisans and crafters will be selling unique one of a kind items.

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Shandaken ZBA Weighs Event Hosting Use

By Wildert Marte

SHANDAKEN — The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a quick reality check minutes from the prior session weren’t in the folder, so the board skipped approval and took roll. Present were Chair Mark Loy, members Christian Lynch and Henry Williams. One big item sat on the agenda, an “appeal for interpretation” tied to the Leeway property on Route 28.

Right away, the board and staff clarified what was actually before them. Zoning Enforcement Officer Grace explained that the Planning Board had already approved Leeway’s site plan with conditions at its meeting the week prior. Separate from that approval, a neighboring property owner filed a third-party appeal of Grace's earlier determination that event use is an accessory use to a hotel/motel/lodge in town code. In other words, the ZBA wasn’t reviewing the site plan or the tent layout they were being asked to interpret the code: is hosting events an allowable accessory to a pre-existing nonconforming lodge/motel?

Board members pressed on the code sections cited in the appeal 116-10 and 116-58(A)(1) and (3) (limits on enlarging/extending or changing pre-existing nonconforming uses). Grace said her determination leaned on how such uses have historically been treated in town events run by hotels, motels, and lodge developments have been considered accessory, not a new principal use or an expansion. She noted she had trouble calling something both an “accessory” and an “expansion” at the same time adding rooms would clearly be an expansion, she said, while an occasional, lodge-run event is different. She also produced copies of prior operating permits for tents at other local venues, and said she could find no record of past enforcement actions that treated event use as a violation. Board members asked for specifics where in code is “event use” written? It isn’t, Grace acknowledged the town’s accessory-use definition is broader and covers uses “not otherwise specified,” provided they’re incidental and on the same lot. The size or construction of the tent itself, she added, is a planning and building-code matter, not a ZBA interpretation question.

Still, members flagged a separate definition sheet someone had pulled from the town website that listed “tents” as structures Grace said that page lives in a mass-gathering chapter, not the zoning chapter, and isn’t what she enforces for land use. Next, neighbor Jeanie Maloney who said her porch sits about 25 feet from Leeway’s main building read a detailed statement supporting the appeal. She argued a 40×60 wedding tent with amplified music, catering, traffic, and up to 75 guests would intensify a quiet nine-room motel use beyond what code 116-58 allows. She cited the code’s language against enlarging/strengthening nonconforming uses, warned of noise, lighting, traffic, and flood-risk in the floodway, and questioned whether “accessory” could be customary, incidental, and subordinate when events might dominate summer weekends. She also referenced past floods (including Irene) and said the site’s constraints made relocating a tent out of the flood area difficult. Later, another resident urged the board to weigh community character and the town’s comprehensive-plan goals.

An attorney for the applicant (Perpetual Space LLC) spoke briefly, submitted a memo for the record, and asked that the ZBA’s counsel attend the next session. He argued the event tent is a temporary, seasonal, subordinate use run by lodge staff that no land disturbance or fill is proposed, that other local lodges have hosted events with permits and that case law recognizes accessory uses to nonconforming uses. He also pointed to Planning Board conditions, noise monitors and a 13-events-per-year cap and said the floodplain administrator determined no flood permit was needed because the tent isn’t permanent development.

Board members circled back to nuts-and-bolts how would the town enforce the noise code after 7 p.m.? Could the sheriff or county assist? What exactly does “50% expansion” mean in 116-58(A)(1) if it were ever relevant? They also noted that regardless of anyone’s impatience, the ZBA is legally required to hold a public hearing before deciding an interpretation.

They then voted to schedule a public hearing on the appeal (interpretation of codes 116-10 and 116-58(A)(1), (3)) for Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Notices will go to adjacent owners, and materials (including Grace’s responses and the attorney’s memo) will be added to the online record. Members also indicated they may conduct site visits with permission from neighbors. With that, the chair adjourned.

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Square Dance for a Cause

HALCOTT — The Tremperskill Boys and friends recently offered to hold a fundraiser Square Dance for the Halcott United Methodist Church building fund. There are several advantages to this generous gesture. The church, organized in 1829, needs costly repairs, including a drainage system and stabilization of the foundation. These needs occur at a time when matching grants for Greene County are diminishing. At the same time, a venue was being sought to mark 100 years since the birth of legendary fiddler/caller Hilton Kelly. He and his band, The Sidekicks, which included his wife, Stella, were regulars on the Halcott Grange stage for several years. Both purposes coincide with an effort to increase family programming opportunities in Halcott, sometimes dubbed "the place you can't get to from here".

These causes will unite in an evening of toe tapping music at the Halcott Grange Hall on Saturday, October 25th from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. It is located on Greene County Route 3, approximately four miles outside of Fleischmanns. The suggested minimum donation of $10 for folks over age 12 is family friendly, yet leaves room for more generous donations. Residents and visitors of all ages can listen to lively music or learn some of Hilton's square dances. Memorabilia will be on display with cake to round out the celebration.

Featured musicians of the evening will be John Jacobson and Dane & Patti Scudder of the Tremperskill Boys. Their guests will include Earl Pardini, Jim Rauter, Paul Rosenberg and Lynn Brittain. For some of these talented folks, this event is a homecoming of sorts. As for the late Hilton Kelly, his Halcott ties go back to the Revolutionary War. Literally! He was a descendant of town founder, Major John Halcott.

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The Last Haunting At Kirkside

Kirkside Project Executive Director Peg Ellsworth gives opening instructions to a tour group at the Lifting the Veil The Last Haunting of Kirkside event.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

ROXBURY - Before renovations begin, the Kirkside team is letting guests tour the upstairs of the estate. Not just an ordinary tour, though, this is The Last Haunting of Kirkside. A spooky Halloween-inspired peek at the historical structure.

Guests are invited to take the role of paranormal investigators. In your small tour group, you're handed a flashlight - which is greatly needed - an EMF (electromagnetic field) reader, and, if you choose, some holy water for protection. Our group did splash some holy water in the face of one of the dedicated "scarers," which I now feel guilty about, but she never broke character.

Although the late 1800s style mansion is historical enough to have an eerie feel, the team did a great job of playing into its spooky side. The first room on the tour is the bedroom of the former owner and heiress, Helen Gould Shepard, who lived there in the late 1890s. The room is said to have recorded paranormal activity. A few years ago, two paranormal investigators explored the home, explained Peg Ellsworth, Kirkside Project executive director. All doors were locked, so no one could come inside but the investigators. It was in Shepard's bedroom that they recorded a women asking for help, Ellsworth said. So the tour starts off with that creepy tale, and you are left to investigate on your own from there. I can't give away too many details as it might ruin the scare for attendees, but I will say this is a fantastic tour for those young teens or even a date night. My partner and I took the tour, enjoyed a drink at the end, and had dinner out. It was a fun way to spend the evening and stay local.

If you are unfamiliar with the estate, the original farmhouse was erected in 1857 and expanded into a mansion by Shepard in the 1890s. The Kirkside Project is working to transform the space into a hotel and restaurant. Once developed, the project goal is to offer training and educational opportunities for BOCES graduates or other graduates in the hospitality field. Proceeds from events like this Haunting are being used towards the project.

More Hauntings are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24, Saturday, Oct. 25, and Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31. For more information on the Kirkside Project or to purchase Haunting tickets, visit innatkirkside.org.

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FUN TIME AT ALL THINGS PUMPKIN

By Iris Mead

MARGARETVILLE — On Sunday afternoon All Things Pumpkin turned out to be a fun-filled afternoon with a cookie and bread bake-off, the painting of over 25 pumpkins by participants young and old, a pumpkin seed spitting contest and the tasting of many pumpkin-flavored desserts. Pumpkin soup and mulled cider were served throughout the festivities. The winning bread was a cheesecake stuffed pumpkin bread made by Sharon Suess of Halcottsville and the winner of the cookie contest was 11 year old Evie Marks of Margaretville with her pumpkin snickerdoodles.

Over 100 people enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere of the Middletown History Center (HSM) outside Margaretville where they were greeted by pumpkin carving artist Drew Frano’s Jack-O-Lanterns. Attendees roamed the grounds on a beautiful Sunday and local fishing guide, Lenny Millen, helped anglers reel in fish that were then returned to the pond.

A highlight of the afternoon was the silent auction of some of the rare baskets of Karl Amor, who fled Estonia when the Russians occupied his country. He arrived in New Kingston in 1949 with his wife and daughter sponsored by the New Kingston Valley Presbyterian Church. He worked on local farms and took up basketmaking in retirement using local willow shoots, grapevines and spruce roots gathered along roadsides. Each basket was one-of-a-kind. Today his baskets are prized possessions of many locals and collectors. The HSM was gifted with some of these baskets of which 8 were put up for silent auction, earning $2,000 for HSM.

The final event of the season for HSM will be its Annual Meeting November 2 at 2 p.m. at the Middletown History Center. Noted photographer William Abranowicz will offer an illustrated talk about his career. Everyone is welcome.

Event coordinator Iris Mead, pumpkin bread winner Sharon Suess and judge Diana Cope.

Fishing guide Lenny Millen, HSM board member Eli Taylor & Owen Williams.

Some of the 25 pumpkins that were painted at the event.

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More Scenes from the No Kings Protest in Margaretville

Our own Robert Brune got these shots of the No Kings protests in Margaretville Saturday.

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More Great Gets!

Harper Aubry with a great buck from the first week of deer season.

Sawyer Grocholl must be very proud of the buck he bagged.

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No Contested Seats In Middletown

Councilmember Robin Williams

Councilmember Colleen Martin

Supervisor Glen Faulkner

Justice John R. Fairbairn III

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MIDDLETOWN - Despite several seats on the ballot this year, no incumbents are being contested in Middletown.

Supervisor Glen Faulkner is running for a second term. Faulkner will appear under the Democrat and Community Collaboration lines on the ballot.

"During my first term in office," said Faulkner, "I have been focused on following through on three core principles; communication, collaboration, and community."

"I believe that strong communication and collaboration best position the Town and villages to advance key community planning and infrastructure initiatives," said Faulkner.

Justice John Fairbairn III is similarly seeking re-election.

Although the local officials are running unopposed, they hosted a meet-the-candidates event on Oct. 17 at Union Grove.

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Louise Kalin's Solo Show & The New Voices Exhibit at Longyear Gallery

By Jenny Neal

MARGARETVILLE — Last Saturday, October 18 saw the opening reception of Louise Kalin’s Solo Show “First Impressions Second Thoughts”, and The New Voices Exhibit, at the Longyear Gallery. Also on show was a small show of the works of members of the gallery.

Louise Kalin grew up in the Catskills until the age of nine when her family moved to Cape Cod, where “the ocean, salt water, sand and pine woods became my home. My visual world changed, and New England aesthetics took hold”. Her work evokes the natural world in dreamlike renderings, like so many artists here in these mountains.

This latest body of work on show at the Longyear is described as a survey of her experimental print works. The exhibition brings together a selection of prints that “explore process, layering, and reinterpretation, offering a fresh perspective on the possibilities of printmaking”.

Louise has been making art since she was “very little”. Her mother was an art teacher in Roxbury and then she was the art teacher for all of Gilboa. When the family moved to Cape Cod, her mother became the art teacher for five towns, “so I always had paper and crayons and things. It was just part of everyday life” and art has been a part of her everyday life since. She has been an arts administrator, ran a gallery, was a graphic designer and worked in publication design. She has renovated and restored three houses.

When asked if she thinks the world would be a better place if everybody created a little bit of art every week, she replies: “much”.

Of the Catskills, she states: “my Catskills childhood nurtured me in a reverence for nature and the environment. The layers, the patterns and colors of my surroundings are embedded in my prints, drawings and sculptures”.

The four “new voices” were Cena Pohl Crane, GG Stankiewicz, Jennifer Lord Rhodes and Jerry Gallo who together presented a dynamic body of work that was a riot of vivid color.

Cena Pohl Crane just recently moved her art studio to the Commons Building. She is now upstairs on the second floor and was showing four large pieces. Cena cites some of her influences being the German expressionists: “Nolde, Kirchner, Der Blaue Reiter, those guys, but I’ve always really had a love for Egon Schiele. The way his figures are so emotive”.

Cena’s figures are definitely emotive. In her depictions of women, it’s their poses that stand out, and the color that swirls around them like gauze. Her nudes seem to glow, radiating from the canvas. Cena was also influenced early on by a semester in Florence as an art student, and would spend whole days in the Uffizi Gallery with her sketch pad, developing a passion for Caravaggio and other renaissance painters. The dramatic German and Italian influences merge in her paintings.

GG Stankiewicz presented abstract pieces inspired by nature, textured and woven like plant matter, in stark contrast to Jennifer Lord Rhodes’ digital symbols. Jennifer is inspired by architecture, data points, digitization, psychological noise, stillness and the meditational states found in repetition and labor”.

Adding a dash of playfulness in the room was a large abstract piece by Jerry Gallo, serving to prove that art can make you smile as well as think. Jerry’s piece looked like a rendering of a small colorful painting floating along in a sea of blueness that was maybe a surreal rendering of space or the ocean - for sure a delight to behold.

This new voices exhibit was “a bit of a one-off” according to organizer Mary McFerran, who put the show together with Rick Mills and Sheila McManus. Mary says, “the membership of the gallery thought of the idea to host non-members as a way to broaden our audience and we are hoping it will open dialogue for interest by potential new members”.

“First Impressions Second Thoughts” by Louise Kalin, and the New Voices Exhibit will be on show until November 16, 2025. Longyear Gallery, The Commons Building, 785 Main Street, Margaretville, NY. longyeargallery.org. 845-586-3270. Hours of opening: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11am-4pm.