Fundraising and cleanup addressed in Roachdale

ROACHDALE -- At its monthly meeting Monday night, the Roachdale Town Council addressed a number of issues that have been in various states of discussion from the previous months.

The board approved the creation of a "park advisory board" as opposed to a "park board" due to the implications of having an autonomous board that could spend money freely and make decisions without the town's approval. In contrast, the advisory board will meet to discuss issues pertaining to the park but will not be able to spend finances freely and will have to work with the town council.

A recent auction to raise the remaining $800 needed for the concrete of the new shelter building at the park was successful with nearly $600 raised from the auction and a donation of $200 dollars coming from a community member.

"We did well, we had a small crowd but we did well," Roachdale resident Tammy Folck said.

The concrete is slated to be poured in August, but the park continues to accept donations for playground equipment through Tri-County Bank.

A Jonah Fish Fry was discussed as a possible fundraising event but no details were yet available.

Joe Buser of the Roachdale Revitalization Cooperative Alliance informed the board that the film crew for 'Reparations' (shooting in Putnam County this summer) was interested in shooting several scenes in Roachdale and that filming would entail two days of closing down a small portion of Railroad Street. The board directed Buser to the appropriate agency.

The board approved the solicitation of bids for the cleaning of three properties that have been an issue of the council for many months. The town will be advertising and accepting bids for these projects soon.

The board approved the re-hiring Reserve Deputy Brian Lathrop to fill the vacancy left by a deputy needing to leave due to personal reasons.

The board approved the spending of $550 to place graphics on a law enforcement Tahoe.

Roachdale Town Council meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6p.m., with the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8.