In spite of the thunderstorms and blackouts, the Town of Shawangunk board members pushed through the rainy weather and provided residents with updates and news for the local area.

Early into the meeting, the board honored Brooke Tarshis, a Pine Bush High School senior wrestler, with a certificate commemorating her athletic endeavors. An avid wrestler of the school district, Tarshis was one of 11 U.S. wrestlers chosen to compete on the 2023 American Kintaro World Team in Japan this October.

“I have personally known Brooke Tarshis; I saw her in first grade in the wrestling club. We’d like to honor Brooke on behalf of the town board for her recognition in her program, going to Japan and wrestling. We’re sure that’ll be a lot of fun,” said Adrian Dewitt, the town’s deputy supervisor, who handed Tarshis her certificate.

During public comment, resident Florence Medvedev voiced concerns about traffic issues on Straw Ridge Road, stressing that many residents drive over 60 mph and create dangerous conditions for children and neighbors in her area. She requested for police to investigate and offered her driveway for their use.

“No one goes the speed limit. There’s little kids on the road getting on the bus every day. It happens all night long; all day, all night, every single day…seriously, a kid is going to get killed,” Medvedev explained.

Both the town board and Police Chief Gerald Marlatt took note of this and told Medvedev that they would look into this speeding immediately.

Later on, Chief Marlatt provided a report for his department, starting with his recent training. He, along with a couple of other officers, visited the Wallkill Central School District for week-long training in school safety.

“It was very informative. They let us know all the things we’re doing right, some of the things we were doing wrong, and some of the things that we could be doing better for the safety of the school,” Marlatt said.

Additionally, Marlatt stated that the department is currently reviewing applicants to fill part-time officer positions. The board motioned to conduct background checks for the applicants that Marlatt recommended.

In his report, Dewitt noted that a garbage can caught on fire in Popp Memorial Park near the pavilion, requiring firefighters to break off part of the ceiling to prevent the whole building from catching fire. The board is currently seeking insurance to cover these damages.

Dewitt also announced that the town will host Trunk-or-Treat on October 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Verkeerderkill Park, an event in which residents decorate their cars and provide children with candy and games.