MAMAKATING
MESSENGER 

YouTube videos have been uploaded for the 2009-10-20 Mamakating town board workshop meeting, in six consecutive 10-minute segments.

The first four segments contain a proposal by town highway superintendent Richard Johnson, for the purchase of heavy duty trucks. The exchange is noteworthy because of the expensive burden which these capital expenditures place upon the municipal budget. New trucks are necessary to replace an aging highway fleet. The town board is challenged to fit these purchases into a long-term payment plan.

Johnson rarely attends town board meetings, and the council previously expressed occasional frustration. They cannot force Johnson to come, because the highway superintendent is an independently elected position. Both Johnson and town supervisor Bob Fiore are up for re-election this November. There was a palpable tension in the room, caused by opposing parties endeavoring to avoid the appearance of political opposition.

Towards the end of segment #5, the discussion moved on to fireworks, a new law on wells, and storm drains.

Part 1 of 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I44KkUggPuM

Part 2 of 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFN-VPIJkls

Part 3 of 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0U7AipYtZw

Part 4 of 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ba6-KVpJd4

Part 5 of 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDFdVDdnMMM

Part 6 of 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7fE75P2N6A

There was a simultaneous meeting at the Village of Wurtsboro on 2009-10-20. I left to attend that meeting shortly before 7pm; Tod Westlake of the Shawangunk Journal remained at the Mamakating TB meeting, and brought my recording equipment over to Wurtsboro Village Hall after the Mamakating meeting finished.