By Matthew J. Perry
The Town of Bovina adopted a 2009 budget after a public hearing on October 30. Residents can expect a 4.07 percent rise in the tax levy over this year.
At its regular meeting last Tuesday, the town board expressed satisfaction with the increase, which is considered modest considering the difficult economic climate. The tax levy increase was offset by the application of $56,000 in highway funds that were left over from 2008 provisions.

Staff report
A second public informational meeting to review changes to a proposed upgrade plan for the Arkville Water District is set for Monday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Middletown Town Hall.
Based on input received at the initial public meeting on October 16, the loan portion of the project has been reduced by $128,000. This amount was originally projected to be $875,175 and is now estimated to be $747,175.

By Brian Sweeney
The 2008 Big Game Hunting Season in the Southern Zone, which opens Saturday, Nov. 15, is shaping up to be another strong one, according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Following several years of low harvests, the 2007 deer take numbers were up sharply across most of the state. DEC officials expect the higher deer take trend to continue this year, but at a slower growth rate.

By Julia Green
Historic or not historic – that’s the question blocking reconstruction of a bridge that spans the Dry Brook stream on George Road near Arkville.
The bridge, which provides access to a residence owned by Joe and Cathy Milnikiewicz, has been deemed an unsafe structure and as such has been closed for the past three years.
Until the mid-1960s, the bridge at the current location was a covered bridge. In 1964 or 1965, the covered bridge was removed and the current bridge was put in its place. The current bridge was relocated from another site, having been constructed in 1907.

By Jay Braman Jr.
He’s done it before, but some expect that he won’t do it again.

By Matthew J. Perry
Andes Supervisor Marty Donnelly used a quiet town board meeting on Tuesday to raise community awareness of an Environmental Impact Study that has been commissioned by the county to assess the affects of New York City’s land acquisition program.
A final draft of the study, which is being conducted by the Downeast Group, a consulting firm based in Nova Scotia, is expected in February 2009. This month, Downeast representatives are conducting informational meetings in Delhi, Walton, Middletown and Stamford. Preliminary study findings will be presented, and county residents will have the opportunity to comment and voice their concerns.

By Jay Braman Jr.
A pair of sewer projects in the region is having difficulty moving forward, but supporters of both projects continue to make slow headway. Both projects benefit from funds supplied by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which has committed millions to build such systems in the watershed after local officials demanded the funds back in the 1990s.

By Matthew J. Perry
Less than two weeks before Election Day 2008, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court confirmed that eight Bovina homeowners—all whom keep other residences downstate—are within their legal rights to cast their votes as Bovinians.
The “Bovina Eight,” whose right to vote was challenged in 2007 and denied by the county board of elections, sued to retain that right and now have the backing of two state courts.

By Brian Sweeney
The Delaware County Industrial Development Agency has purchased the Margaretville Masonic Hall and will create a second eCenter in the building.
The new eCenter will be essentially a satellite of the original in Delhi. Operated by the county IDA, the Delaware County Office of Economic Development, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and SUNY Delhi, the eCenter is designed as an incubator to assist business growth.

By Matthew J. Perry
Last week’s snow couldn’t melt away soon enough for Bovina residents.
What might go down in history as the October Surprise Storm of 2008 was mostly cleaned up by Saturday when the last of Bovina households once again had power. The town was under a state of emergency for nearly two days, and the hardships of those who lived at higher altitudes lasted even longer.
“In 24 years with the department, I never saw anything like it,” said Bovina Highway Superintendent Bob Burgin.