The Mamakating Town Board recently met to address a tight budget, prepare for winter plowing, and discuss a new digital marketing project.

The main challenge is money. Unlike most towns in New York, Mamakating does not receive a share of county sales tax revenue. The town budget relies on property taxes and rental income, while health insurance costs have risen 12 percent. To keep taxes affordable, the board has set a goal of limiting the upcoming tax increase to 2 percent or less.

Staying under that target means making difficult cuts. During the budget hearing, Town Assessor Michele Lagomarsino challenged the board over its decision to eliminate a part-time data collector position in her office. Supervisor Peter Goodman responded, explaining, “The questions were, if we're going to have a position that's going to be adding another $27,000 to the budget, are we going to be able to maintain it?” He noted that the town wants to keep government small and is exploring opportunities to share services with the Town of Thompson.

To generate revenue without building large, potentially unpopular commercial developments, local residents Lori Rosenberg and Karen Green teamed up with Gary Keeton to propose an ecotourism marketing plan. The project uses data tools to identify regional outdoor recreation enthusiasts, particularly cyclists, and encourage them to visit Mamakating and spend money at local businesses.

Working with the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance and its leader, Helen Budrock, the group created a digital map and flyer promoting a weekend getaway itinerary. The flyer sparked a minor debate because it advertised an Alliance event in Liberty scheduled for the same evening as Mamakating's own town party. Organizers maintained, however, that cross-promotion would draw greater regional attention to the area.

Several fall events are also bringing the community together. The annual Halloween party at the town park on Friday, Oct. 23, featuring a volunteer-built corn maze and a haunted house. A community bus trip to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall on Nov. 14 is also filling up quickly. Meanwhile, more than 100 people recently gathered in Summitville to dedicate a new Borscht Belt historical marker at the former Shawanga Lodge site.

During public comment, resident Chris Leser criticized county development groups, saying, “Nobody seems to hold anybody up in this county accountable for a damn thing.” Resident Mary Allison also urged the town to include local attractions, such as regional vineyards, in its new ecotourism maps.

On other matters, the board approved Abstract No. 22 and moved the public hearing on the proposed Data Center Moratorium to Nov. 17 to meet newspaper notice deadlines. Members accepted the resignation of Building Department Administrative Specialist Kira Platt after 11 years of service and voted to hire Megan Larson to take over the clerk's desk.

The board also waived a $1,675 fee for the Roosa Gap Cemetery-area subdivision, approved a change order for dam repairs with Sullivan Paving, and purchased a new map printer for Town Hall.