Side Agreement Achieved DEP Watershed Stakeholders Partner After Nearly Four Years In Negotiation - 401 Million 2026 Budget Adopted

DELHI - After nearly four years of negotiations, Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chair Tina Molé and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala signed an agreement they say protects both watershed communities and water supply quality. The side agreement was formally signed after a regular board meeting on November 25th, following a lengthy executive session. The intergovernmental agreement includes the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Coalition of Watershed Towns. The arrangement was negotiated between watershed stakeholders, city, state, and federal regulators, environmental groups, and the local officials.

"It puts us in a really good position to move forward as partners with good standing to ensure that we can go into a new FAD (filtration avoidance determination) in a couple of years and then negotiate programs that make the most sense moving forward as obviously this is a living relationship that we want to continue long term," said Shelly Johnson-Bennett, County commissioner of planning, parks, and watershed affairs.

Johnson-Bennett further explained that the agreement secures adjustments to the Land Acquisition Program (LAP), which watershed stakeholders have been fighting for. LAP is set to continue with a focus on protecting water quality and preserving easements for forests and agriculture, she said. Priority areas 3 and 4, which include main streets and villages along the Route 10 corridor, will be restricted from the LAP. In addition, local communities will have the opportunity to pursue land swap agreements in those areas for projects such as housing development, which could secure economic vitality, Johnson-Bennett noted.

Molé thanked Aggarwala and DEP Water Supply Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush for "recognizing the challenges of our communities as we work to support filtration avoidance while balancing our own socioeconomic needs."

She acknowledged that the agreement renews programs, including septic system replacement and wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Funding will now be budgeted for improvements to treatment plants to reduce impacts from inflow and infiltration issues (I&I).

Molé further explained that the arrangement introduces a new program permitting the use of city-owned land for renewable energy and improved cell coverage projects.

"Our next steps will be to work with New York State DEC to modify the recently renewed water supply permit to reflect this agreement and begin the task of negotiating the next FAD, relying on science and common sense for a renewed partnership," Molé concluded.

Commissioner Aggarwala noted the disagreements among all the parties, but said it is the ability to understand the other side and find common ground that makes a good partnership. He pointed to improved cell coverage and economic vitality.

"We're also in need of ensuring that you all have an economy that you are comfortable with because that means you will be comfortable with our presence and you will be comfortable with the additional burdens that we know come with protecting the source waters," Aggarwala said.

In another discussion, supervisors adopted the 2026 budget of $141,582,809, a $11,979,882 increase over the 2025 adopted budget. The tax levy increase is approximately 3.5%, within the allowable growth.

The adoption followed a public hearing at which one individual spoke. Ronda Williams of Walton made several recommendations and noted potential budget shortfalls.

She asked whether supervisors had considered using the Sheriff's department for building security, which she assumed was budgeted at $704,000 for private contracts. Williams also suggested utilizing another credit card company for the treasurer's office that charges the cardholder rather than taxpayers, and listed several options.

She then noted potential shortfalls after budget amendments in 2025, with no budget increases to those line items, which could amount to nearly $4 million. She explained that there was a recent budget amendment of nearly $1 million for insurance costs, and that costs over the last few years have amounted to $700,000, yet it is still budgeted for only $75,000. Another issue raised was lean searches with a $108,000 budget and only $17,000 in revenue.

"I am wondering how the 2026 budget is going to accommodate those shortfalls and if there is currently right now an unappropriated fund balance policy that you have on record," Williams concluded.

County Attorney Amy Merkelin was appointed as the FOIL officer.

Harpersfield Supervisor Lisa Driscoll and Roxbury Supervisor Allen Hinkley were absent.

The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m.

Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chair Tina Molé (right) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala (left) signed an agreement on Nov. 25th that protects both watershed communities and water supply quality, they say.