Middletown Organizes For 2026 - Road Repairs Scheduled

MIDDLETOWN - Middletown Town Board members meet on Jan. 7th to organize for 2026. Several appointments and designations were made.

Councilmember Brian Sweeney will serve as deputy supervisor and M-Ark Project representative.

Beth Bush was reappointed as bookkeeper, secretary and personnel administrator to the supervisor. Bush is also the Halcottsville and New Kingston sewer clerk.

Nicholas Cortese will continue as town attorney.

Verna Dietrich is appointed dog control officer.

Roger Davis is the transfer station supervisor.

Clerk Sarah Hubbell will also serve as health officer and registrar of vital statistics, with Ashton Grocholl as her deputy. Grocholl is also the water clerk for Arkville and Halcottsville.

Supervisor Glen Faulkner will continue as budget officer.

Diane Galusha was reappointed as historian.

Zachary Haverly is the deputy code officer and fire inspector. The code enforcement officer position remains open.

John Hubbell is the water superintendent for Halcottsville and Arkville, with John Paul Beers as the operator. Mitchell VanKeuren was also appointed as water operator for Arkville.

Sandy Rockwell was appointed as justice court clerk.

The local development corporation will continue as MARK Project.

The Mountain Eagle was designated the official publication.

Official depositories will be NBT Bank, Delaware National Bank of Delhi, and NYCLASS.

Sweeney and Councilmember Nelson Delameter will serve as compliance officers for anti-harassment and prevention.

Workshops are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., except in June, July, and August. Monthly board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is on Jan. 14th after press time.

Several committee appointments were made, with no notable changes except the establishment of a Mobility Task Force. The  Force is reportedly discussing transportation opportunities with several entities, including the State. Williams noted a goal of establishing a potential transportation pilot program by 2027.

Highway Department

Michael Hill was reappointed as deputy highway superintendent and emergency water district contact. He will receive a $1 differential for each position. Hill was also approved for a 5% raise on base pay.

Highway expenditure plans for 2026 were approved, totaling roughly $568,671 and included in the budget.

The following roads are scheduled for repair in the 2026 season: Basil Todd, Bill Stalh, Bill Stahl spur, Breezy Hill, Bull Run Lower, Cross, Deer Lane, Dimmick Mountain, Fiddlers Elbow, Frog Alley, Glen Acres, Glen Acres spur, Hog Mountain, Kristens Ridge, Margaretville Mountain, Mountain View, Red Kill, Sprague, Streeter Hill, Thornapple, Uncle Charlies Cir., Walker, and White.

Highway Superintendent John Biruk reported that Breezy Hill repairs are a continuation of last year. The road settles in one section, sometimes every year, he said. The section is typically filled with a mix of pavement. After concerns about the pavement's depth, Biruk said last year it was removed and filled with crusher run, which should help prevent cave-ins.

In other business

The newly developed internet privacy policy was adopted. The policy was created after a state regulation required municipalities to switch to .gov websites and comply with privacy regulations.

Highway expenditure plans for 2026 were approved, totaling roughly $568,671 and included in the budget.

The council committed to the following payments: $16,000 to Fairview Library, $10,000 to Skene Library, $2,500 to Catskill Recreation Center, and $7,500 to Interfaith Council. All were budgeted for.

The board is expected to review two or three insurance company quotes at the Jan. 14th meeting, after press time.

Faulkner will be absent from the February workshop.

Williams will spearhead the development of an official town letterhead.

Faulkner and Bush will research the costs of a financial and procedural audit for 2025 to ensure they remain within budget.