Middletown

By Julia Green
The Building and Zoning Department of the Town of Middletown recently published its annual report, which stated that there were fewer building permits issued in nearly all categories. A total of 146 building permits were issued in the Town of Middletown in 2008, a noticeable decrease from the 164 issued in 2007.

By Brian Sweeney
When Heather Gockel took her position as Roxbury Town Justice on January 1, she and her father, Middletown Town Justice Glen George, became the first daughter-father judge team in Delaware County history.

By Julia Green
Peg Ellsworth, executive director of the MARK Group, was on hand at last Tuesday’s meeting of the Middletown Town Board to discuss an application for a comprehensive plan grant that is being sought through the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) as a supplement to a grant obtained by Margaretville resident Carolyn Konheim.

By Matthew J. Perry
The Town of Middletown Planning Board, working in concert with a consulting planner, is heading towards the second phase of overhauling the town’s comprehensive plan.

What do the Pakatakan Golf Course, the Knights of Pythias and Milton Berle have in common? Arkville!
An exhibit on view at the Middletown Town Hall through the end of December includes photos and memorabilia of Arkville as it used to be, from the golf course that stretched along Route 28, to the Pakatakan Lodge, Knights of Pythias #321 based in Arkville, to the famed entertainer who performed at Todd’s Hall (now Casey Joe’s) at the Crossroads in Arkville in 1936.

The holidays are upon us and the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown has compiled a wish list for those willing to contribute the gifts of time and information to help document the town’s heritage.

By Matthew J. Perry
The Town of Middletown kicked off its effort on Nov. 1 to draft a new comprehensive plan with an interactive meeting at which residents and town officials discussed the needs, goals and character of the community. It was the first of what will likely be several workshops and informational hearings that will be convened before the plan is worked into its final form, likely sometime next year.

By Julia Green
Town of Middletown taxpayers will face a 6.9 percent property tax hike if the town’s preliminary budget is adopted following a public hearing on Nov. 5.
After an Oct. 7 meeting to discuss the tentative 2009 budget, the Middletown Town Board adopted the tentative budget as the preliminary budget at its monthly meeting on Oct. 14. The budget reflects a 6.9 percent tax levy increase, which translates to a $147,324 total tax increase, excluding special districts.
A total budget of $3,277,040 is estimated for Middletown’s general fund and water and lighting districts, with $2,305,216 to be raised by taxes.

Margaretville — All residents, property owners, civic groups, businesses and government officials are invited and encouraged to participate in a special “planning and visioning” workshop to shape the future of the Town of Middletown. The event will be held on Nov. 1 at the Margaretville Firehall starting promptly at 11 a.m. This is a public planning session and the entire community is encouraged to participate.

The Town of Middletown local voter registration will be on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 2-9 p.m. at the town hall, located at 42339 state highway 28, Margaretville. A public meeting for residents of the Arkville Water District to receive information and ask questions about a proposed renovation of the water system is set for Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.