Arkville

By Brian Sweeney
The Arkville Country Market, a gas station and convenience store, has reopened under new ownership.
Bovina Center resident Jay Renner recently purchased the Route 28 property (across from the Delaware & Ulster Railroad). He, along with several family members, began operating the business last week.
Jay said that having gasoline and diesel available was a top priority and those products are currently being offered. Inside the convenience store, inventory is arriving daily and he expects the shelves to soon be fully stocked with a wide assortment of items.

Arkville — On Memorial Day weekend, the Catskill Mountains come back to life as the Delaware & Ulster Railroad cars chug out of the station once again for a season of fun and adventure.
Whether you're a mountain regular or a first time visitor, you haven't truly experienced authentic mountain life until you and your family enjoy a ride on the rails. One hundred years ago, the old "Up and Down" was a vibrant network, connecting farm families with commerce, news and the outside world.

By Joe Moskowitz
Work is now underway on the final phase of the new water system for the hamlet of Arkville. The pump house at the old well on Pavilion Road was torn down recently and the site is being prepared for a new pump house.

Staff report
The Arkville Fire Department held its Annual Dinner on April 6 at the Colonial Inn in Pine Hill.
Several department members were honored for their years of service. Robert Sweeney was presented a plaque commemorating his 40-plus years of membership and 25 years as fire chief.
Connie Spielman and Charlene Bode were each given a pin marking their 30 years of service to the AFD.

The other anniversary award presented at the dinner went to Curtis Earl who received a pin marking five years of department membership.

Staff Report
Construction of a much anticipated cell tower is nearing completion in Arkville.
The tower went up rather quietly over the course of the last few weeks. Verizon, which is the wireless carrier, hopes to be able to put the tower to use in December. Permanent cell phone service for the Town of Middletown appears to be just weeks away.

“We’re going to be putting our equipment on that site hopefully by the end of the year,” said John O’Malley, the company spokesperson. “We’re waiting for electricity and land-line service as well.”

Arkville — The Arkville Cowdome is mooving into the holiday shopping business. On Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Cowdome will be the site of a pop-up market.

Staff report
The new well for the Arkville Water District will be into service this week, Middletown officials have announced.

Activation of the well will mark the completion of the majority of the water system upgrade that was begun in August 2011.

The project includes installation of new water mains from Frank Street to the Delaware & Ulster Railroad, installation of a new primary well on the grounds behind the railroad, the elimination of several “dead ends” in the system to improve water flow and the purchase and installation of new water meters.

Staff Report
The owner of an Arkville trailer park is being fined $250 a day, retroactive to September 10, for failing to adequately upgrade its on-site sewage collection system.

According to town officials, the problems at Carlson’s Trailer Park have resulted in spills of raw sewage that have leeched directly into the East Branch of the Delaware River.

By Brian Sweeney
Several infrastructure and aesthetic improvements are being planned for the hamlet of Arkville in upcoming months.

At a meeting with a group of community business owners on Monday, MARK Executive Director Peg Ellsworth and Middletown Supervisor Marge Miller outlined plans for the improvements.
Supervisor Miller said the town has $40,000 in unexpended Smart Growth funds earmarked for sidewalk improvements along county Route 38 (the Arkville cutoff road).

Arkville — Jeff Slate’s Birds of Paradox (www.birdsofparadoxmusic.com) have announced a debut album and a Northeast tour slated for fall, but first, a lucky audience will be treated to a very special summer show on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cowdome in Arkville.

Birds of Paradox’s roster reads like a veritable Who’s Who of bands, with its debut album including members of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Elephant’s Memory Band, Paul McCartney and Wings, The Who, The Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, ELO, The Temptations and Procol Harum.