ELLENVILLE – Safety was of top priority during the village trustees meeting June 22. Police chief Phil Mattracion informed the board of an on-going investigation of a reported stabbing on Market Street, later found to be self-inflicted, and some discussion on how a specific street, and corner, can become troublesome over time.

"We're taking some steps to put some extra personnel on extra patrols in that area to concentrate on eliminating the problem," Mattracion said, noting that there seems to be an influx of residents relocating from neighboring cities to Ellenville. "We're on top of it and we're taking measures."

While the chief plans on adding extra police presence, mayor Jeff Kaplan asked if the department could also send a letter to area landlords inquiring if they could screen potential tenants more carefully, both for their own property safety as well as the community's.

Also of growing concern, Mattracion explained, is the increasing amount of illegal parking at the intersection of Market and Center Streets. Years ago, he said, a no-parking policy had been put in place from the corner of Center Street to Orlando's Food Market; but over time drivers have stopped following the policy which he's equates, in part, to poor designation of the area.

The village has had the street lines repainted and police are issuing warning letters to those violating the parking law. They are also taking note of the license plates of offending drivers and for a second offense they will be issued a ticket.

"It's a dangerous situation," Kaplan said. "You literally cannot go up to the corner anymore without a possible accident of a car turning into Market. So, we have to revisit that."

As the celebratory season has sprung — with Fourth of July festivities just around the corner and graduation parties slated for this weekend — Mattracion reminded the board of the Social Host Law that prohibits adults from issuing alcohol to minors under 21 in their homes.

As village activities mount — the July 4th parade, the firemen's parade on July 25 and the Blueberry Festival in August — the low number of full time police personnel becomes more evident. Working with the board and the treasurer, Mattracion requested a part-time officer be promoted to full-time, effectively lowering the number of part-time hours, which get covered with overtime payments in many cases.

"We have to cut down those hours but we also have to man the streets," he said. "We've been trying to recruit local candidates; in particular it's been very hard to recruit full Spanish-speaking, Spanish descent, local candidates for positions within the police department."

To that end, the board approved an Ellenville graduate and current student of criminal justice to be a part-time dispatcher, and translator, for the department.

"He's a clean-cut young man," Mattracion said proudly, the young man by his side.

In other news, village manager Joseph Stoeckeler said things are moving forward with the New York Rising state funding program. The village is supposed to receive $3 million for remediation projects to be undertaken with the town, and paperwork has been submitted. Once the funds come through, work on stream bank restoration will begin.

Additionally, the board is going out to bid for the purchase of a new loader. Their currently machine — used especially within the water and sewer departments — is over ten years old. A brand new one would cost nearly $40,000 but Stoeckeler said he's received quotes of $13K for their old one and, if left-over funds from the purchase of village trucks is used, a new machine could cost under $7,500.