Middletown

By Matthew J. Perry
Given a light docket, the Middletown Town Board spent most of its meeting time last Tuesday night debating two issues: what action, if any, can be taken against the proliferation of temporary advertising signs along highways in the township, and the proper procedure for recommending and then appointing new members to the town’s planning board.

Margaretville — The New Kingston “Whoop-de-Doo,” a celebration of local food, fun and folkways that was held annually from 1969 to 1976, is the subject of a new exhibit in the history display case at the Middletown Town Hall.

By Julia Green
The Middletown Town Board appointed Margaretville resident Kate VanBenschoten last Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the town’s planning board.
The vacancy was initially created when longtime planning board member and New Kingston resident Pete Palen submitted a letter of resignation on Jan. 13 of this year. The opening was temporarily filled when the town board appointed Kathleen McCarthy to the post on March 10; however, she tendered her resignation on May 11 after serving for only two months. In her resignation, McCarthy said that, “due to unforeseen personal circumstances, [her] availability and ability to serve on the planning board [would] be affected.”

By Julia Green
There will be a public hearing held by the Middletown Town Board on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Middletown Town Hall to address a proposed local law that would regulate the use of the town transfer station.
The Town of Middletown Transfer Station and Recycling Center Law was proposed by the Town Board in response to recent and ongoing abuses of dumping privileges at the transfer station. Last spring, the town received a bill from the county for $8,000, thanks to the illegal dumping of 42 tons of construction and demolition materials at the transfer station.

The Town of Middletown will hold a planning workshop at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the Margaretville Firehall to discuss the town’s Comprehensive Plan and to seek feedback from those in attendance.

By Matthew J. Perry
Four candidates were accepted last month by the Middletown Town Board to fill a full-time position and two alternates on the planning board, and one alternate to the zoning board of appeals.
Catherine McCarthy will fill a seat vacated by Pete Palen at the beginning of the year. Kate VanBenschoten and Paula de Simone were chosen as alternates, while that position on ZBA is now filled by Carolyn Konheim. All were approved by the board by a vote of four to one.

Margaretville – A new exhibit in the history display case at the Middletown Town Hall spotlights the history of the town’s fire departments.
Town Historian Shirley Davis assembled the display with assistance and memorabilia from George Hendricks. Len and Betty Utter and Kyle Holden also supplied materials for the exhibit, which will run through May and can be seen from 9 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

By Matthew J. Perry
Close to $1 million in taxes due on six parcels of land, all owned by New York City, were discovered this month to have been deposited with the Delaware County treasurer’s office, solving a mystery caused by an unannounced change in the city’s payment procedures earlier this year.

By Matthew J. Perry
The Middletown Town Board is reviewing an unusually large number of applicants who will be considered for four positions: one regular member of the planning board, two alternates, and one alternate to the zoning board of appeals.