Roxbury Discusses Grant Options

ROXBURY - The Roxbury Town Board held a brief meeting on Aug. 10th following a public hearing regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards.

During the public hearing, individuals questioned the number of applications received for grant awards and how the program was marketed.

Roxbury received $500,000 from CDBG, a housing rehabilitation program aimed at providing safe, decent, and sanitary housing for low- to moderate-income homeowners. The grant is overseen by the MARK Project. The goal is to use $410,000 for home projects, $65,000 for soft costs, and $25,000 for administration.

Five owner-occupied rehabilitation projects have been completed, with two more anticipated. Each project has exceeded $25,000 in costs, with a total of $375,587 or 75% of grant funds already allocated. The deadline for project completion is January 29, 2027.

Members of the public suggested sharing grant information with Delaware County Office of the Aging and the Roxbury Central School District to help spread the word about funding opportunities.

Supervisor Allen Hinkley was absent.

The board accepted a change order increasing the force main access maintenance project for Roxbury Sewer District by $36,825.

MARK Project representative Peg Ellsworth said the award notification for the Grand Gorge Civic Center playground grant application will be announced by the end of August, and the Kirkside Park grant will be notified in October.

Tim Douglas asked for Town Clerk Stefani Albano to be a point of contact for NYSEG in the request for use of poles for Hometown Hero banners. The request was approved.

The council approved an installment purchase of a mower for the Highway Department from Lease Servicing Center.

If a grant is received, the council approved Hinkley to submit an application to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to complete subsurface testing for Shepherd Hills Dam.

The town received a $3,500 donation from Renate Rennie for the garden in Kirkside Park.

The town will pay the high deductible and health insurance premium in full for Constable Steven Williamson’s wife, Patricia Williamson, until age 65.

Roxbury Community Potluck is scheduled Sunday, September 6 at Kirkside Park from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. with fireworks at dusk.

The Grand Gorge Food Pantry is hosting a Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The next regularly scheduled town council meeting is Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.