The River Reporter, September 4, 1997

Monticello board supports sprucing up park

By TOM RUE
MONTICELLO - Village board members heard a report from three members of Sullivan First at an August 18 meeting in Monticello. Speaking for the nonprofit group, former Thompson supervisor David Kaufman outlined three beautification options which the Monticello chapter of Sullivan First had outlined.
Kaufman was accompanied by Ken Goldfarb and Maureen Meara.
The board endorsed the trio's recommendation to improve Sharoff Park, which connects Broadway to the village-owned parking lot on North St. Goldfarb produced artist's renderings of the proposed improvements, including a pergola structure, and the addition of bushes and benches.
Kaufman said the group received a $700 donation, through the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce; which he said originated with Bill Cummings of the Coalition to Protect Monticello. The proposed improvements, designed to enhance the appearance of Monticello's main street, "could be very expensive," Goldfarb said, if it weren't for private contributions the group plans to seek.
Other proposals by Sullivan First in Monticello included consolidating service organizational signage at entrances to the village, and a landscaping project between Liberty St. and Jefferson St., Kaufman said.
Responding to concerns about unfairness, the board tabled a resolution waiving a use fee at DeHoyos Park by the Alzheimer's Association. Resident Ralph Bonfiglio accused the board of "discrimination against taxpayers," since private parties at the park are charged while organizational requests for waivers get approved. Trustee David Rosenberg questioned the legality of the village to subsidizing nonprofit organizations by waiving fees.
The board discussed revising signage and other zoning ordinances; awarded a bid for $23,149 to Robert Green of Monticello for an aerial utility truck; authorized issuance of $24,200 in serial bonds for a new police vehicle; approved renewal of a lease with Sullivan County Heat Start for a building on Dillon Rd.; and ok'd a yard sale by Friends & Advocates for Mental Health on August 30-31 in front of Gager's Diner on Broadway.
The next meeting was set for Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7:30 P.M., due to Labor Day.



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