With winter approaching, Ellenville Mayor Evan Trent reported that the cost of road salt has increased significantly, raising questions about the village’s winter maintenance budget.

At a recent Village Board meeting, Trent said the state bid price for rock salt had risen to $110 per ton, up from $74 last year. Sullivan County, meanwhile, was being quoted $86 per ton.

The village is committed to purchasing 60% of its salt through the state and uses more than 300 tons during a typical winter. It has an allocation of 500 tons.

Trent said he plans to contact the state Comptroller’s Office to seek clarification about the price difference.

The mayor also noted that rising heating oil costs could put additional pressure on household and municipal budgets, citing a reported 76% increase.

New York Forward

The board also discussed the New York Forward program, with Nov. 4 set as the deadline for submitting project applications.

Trent said the Local Planning Committee’s next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., would be “substantial.”

Holiday parade approved

The Village Board approved a motion allowing the 12th annual Wawarsing Wassail and Joshua R. Peters Memorial Electric Parade to take place Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026.

Halloween curfew extended

The board also addressed curfew hours for Devil’s Night on Oct. 30 and Halloween on Oct. 31.

Trent said the curfew would begin at 8:30 p.m., with enforcement becoming stricter by 9 p.m. He described the initial period as a “soft opening” that would “harden” as the evening progressed.