BETHEL — A Letter from the Sullivan County Division of Planning, Community Development & Environmental Management was presented at the Bethel Town Board meeting August 28. It stated, “The countywide assessment of potable and wastewater infrastructure is now underway.” It identified Delaware Engineering as the team that will be “reaching out to municipal departments and water system operators” in an effort to gather critical information. 

The assessment is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of water infrastructure throughout the county, including analyses of water and sewer systems, GIS mapping, recommendations” and “plans (to implement) system by system or on a community basis”.

It will produce a “data-rich document” for planning, grants and for decision making. It will serve “as a guide to foster economic investment in appropriate locations” at a “sustainable scale”. Councilwoman Wendy Brown commented, “I think it’s fantastic…this fits into the overall plan and I’m excited about that.” 

As previously offered, she has made calls to other towns, including Liberty, Lumberland, Neversink and Fallsburg and discovered that several have reached out to the Lake Association of White Lake. She concluded that the problems have to be “looked at globally”, as an issue can cross town borders. “Everybody’s going to be heard…and it’s coming together nicely.”

Antonio Buono, who installed state-of-the-art equipment in his new house, said that just before the meeting, he heard a loud boom, “like a bomb exploded when I flushed the toilet.”

“This is a serious problem and it should concern everybody in this room. It’s not going to go away by itself…”

Supervisor Dan Sturm mentioned that since the last Town Board meeting he and the Building Inspector attempted to visit the homes of multiple town residents, but found no one to be home. He said he would “make it a point to go there again and make an appointment this time.” 

A debate sparks

One resident, Connie Jahelka, said her lawn sprinkler sprays minimally and that her water contains arsenic. She claimed that new wells nearby are causing her well to be at half its normal level. Another person said they also have arsenic in their water and that despite regularly changing the filter, their water is contaminated in the summer.

Another resident, Ben Scharf, clarified that bacteria in the water supply “only exists in warm weather”. 

Abe Halo, whose family has been coming here during summer since 1925, said, “We really appreciate all you do and for looking out for us.”

Abraham Mizrahi spoke about his attendance at Liberty Planning Board meetings. He mentioned that when a hydrologist tested the water supply of several individuals who complained they had no water, that the tests showed their water was fine. 

After a while, the participants in the debate turned heated between parties.

Councilwoman Lillian Hendrickson worked to quell the heated debate, backed up by Councilwoman Wendy Brown who said, ”We all have a common goal”

“There’s a plan being worked on, and it’s going to take some time. The water is the lifeblood for all of us and that’s where our focus needs to be.”