A November 19 meeting of the Marbletown town board made progress on a quartet of resolutions and examined two unique energy programs.

The first resolution focused on delinquent water district payments. The water clerk has been empowered to accept payment postmarked on or before October 31st. Households that did so will be removed from the delinquent payment list.

“Those monies are levied under property taxes in January,” Supervisor Rich Parete reminded constituents.

New uniforms for the Rondout Municipal Center staff were authorized. Until recently, a company out of Texas provided the uniforms and some supplies for employees at the Rondout Municipal Center. The board has begun to focus on locally-sourced solutions to many of its needs, so Uniforms USA out of Kingston will now provide those supplies and uniforms.

John Cirone, who has been serving on the Marbletown board of assessment review, had his role slated to continue until September 30, 2029.

There were originally plans for this meeting to advance the discussion of rules for Marbletown Meadows but the group intending to discuss this did not convene yet. A NYSFA grant ($500,000 reimbursement) for Marbletown Meadows was approved. Previous meetings mentioned problems like after-hours use, trespassing, visitors not cleaning up after pets, and an instance of a fire set on a basketball court.

The latter incident was particularly concerning with the current burn ban. Rules and safe use discussions will resume after Thanksgiving. The Parks, Trails and Recreation Department is still looking for two additional members.

Bids for roof construction and foundation repairs for the community center began the week of the 18th. Completion of repairs is expected by early December.

A community solar energy program for low-income residents was the focus of another resolution. The PowerMarket company plans to provide $100 gift cards for eligible low-income families to use toward solar heating systems for a three-month period this winter. This is similar to a community solar program considered about six years ago.

Supervisor Parete is now authorized to sign the memorandum of understanding and “take actions to facilitate the Town of Marbletown’s participation in this initiative” per the resolution. An estimated 90 households may be eligible, including those with a history of HEAP participation. Flyers about PowerMarket’s incentives are planned for food pantries and places where eligible seniors may frequent.

Energy stayed center stage during public comment, as a few people brought up the possibilities of the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act. The conversation was brief because an executive session was on the agenda.

The act would replace privately owned electric and gas companies with publicly owned power. It’s been crafted as a response to the chronic failure and rising expense of Central Hudson. The Act’s “Power for the People” literature puts forth their goals “to be in the service of ratepayers by providing low rates, reliable service, easy to understand bills, clean energy, community benefits, labor protections and environmental justice.”

A few advocates showed up to discuss the act. Some other citizens advised slower, careful consideration of these very new ideas and systems.

Parete’s response was simple and definitive. “We don’t have the ability to enact it,” he said.

A closed-door executive session ended the meeting. Further discussion of the firehouse property on 535 North Marbletown Road is expected during the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 3. Town offices will be closed on the 28th and 29th to observe Thanksgiving.