By Peter Calvert

Town Board Meeting, July 14

Board and Staff: Supervisor Ritchie Gabriel, Councilmen, Deputy Supervisor Bud Gladstone, Thomas Hall, Dale Cole, and Jason Mondore. Support Staff:  John Bouton, Highway Superintendent, Carol Ames, Town Clerk.  

   Public Hearing: Article VI to waive restriction by Town Law on building a cell tower.    The Communications Tower Law, Town Law #1 of 2001, must be amended by the Board if the current plan of the Town towards building a Cell Tower can go forward. In 2001, a law passed to restrict large scale building of Cell Towers in Andes. Town recommends waiving law for town cell tower project and no comments are heard against granting the waiver. Public Hearing was closed. Later, Local Law #1 of 2026 passed to amend the cell tower moratorium.

Privilege of the Floor: Susan Cole, President, Andes Public Library Board, presented that a successful $21,000 award written for library parking lot and handicap ramp repair was received from the O’Connor Foundation. A question arose whether blacktop could be used next to the stream or if water runoff would be excessive and whether crusher stone was preferable. A bid has been received for both the parking lot and the ramp repairs, although questions remain as to who is providing which of the required materials for reconstruction of the parking lot, i.e., who supplies crusher stone and the surfacing oil? Town Highway Department or the contractor? John Bouton will clarify that before proceeding with the project. At the same time, major federally funded work is currently being done to repair the creek banks behind the Library and other parts of the Hamlet that were damaged in the Summer flooding two years ago. That stream bank work will need to be completed before parking lot is accessible again. Currently, parking for the library is diverted to across Main Street in the grassy lot by the Ballantine-Bruce Mansion.

Additionally, as one of the 2 EV Car Chargers in the Library parking lot does not currently work, an investigation will determine the role of the charger installation company and steps towards repair or removal.

Highway Superintendent Report:  Highway Dept is coordinating the four concrete pole-base pours at the same approximate time—one for each road approaching the Hamlet, for eventually installing 4 electronic, solar-driven, flashing, speed alert signs. The aluminum poles ordered from a Walton business should be ready soon to install the first two signs.

The Western Star 2016 truck from the Town of Spafford, NY with 44,000 miles of usage available at auction was not bid upon after personal inspection by Superintendent Bouton determined it to be beyond any reasonable and cost-effective repair.

    Supervisors’ Report: Supervisor Ritchie Gabriel reported the hydrant damaged at 580 Main Street after a snowplow backed into it inadvertently will be repaired. Only one company, The Hubbell Companies of Margaretville, submitted a bid and that was for $8,820. The Board voted to go ahead and repair the hydrant as a wide district of the Hamlet is dependent on that hydrant in case of emergency. As per historic practice, the August Town Board Meeting will be cancelled. Next meeting will be right after Labor Day, September 8th at 7pm.

   Richie Haynes, Andes Transfer Station lead employee, will be leaving employment July 25, 2026. He is retiring for health reasons. The Board and the Town wish him well after his years of faithful service. The Board announced that Jay Govendo, who has worked with Richie since being hired as an assistant during the COVID era, will replace him as the lead Transfer Station employee. Jay’s appointment will be under review by the Board between now and January.

    Code Enforcement Officer’s Report: Zach Haverley, CEO, submitted a chart showing in May 2026 permitting funds of $1,765 for the Town. Cumulative Andes construction work began in excess of $246,000. One $300 fee was for a transient rental permit.~