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Residents urge greater civic engagement; raise concerns about drainage, sidewalks and neighborhood flooding
Summary
Multiple residents urged increased transparency and civic participation and described local problems including recurring flooding, basement water intrusion after nearby construction and requests for drainage grates and sidewalk improvements.
Several residents used the public-comment period to press the board on transparency, civic engagement and local infrastructure concerns. Speakers urged the board to increase outreach, create community bulletin boards and produce objective public metrics tracking town performance.
Resident concerns and requests: Misty McGow and other speakers said public trust in city leaders is low and called for more transparent decision-making. Residents suggested volunteer programs, computer classes for older adults and community-led projects to improve parks and the town’s appearance.
Infrastructure complaints: a resident reported repeated basement flooding after nearby construction near the car wash and requested at least one or two storm grates on the downhill side of the road, saying rain runoff “rushes into our house” and has cracked foundations. Other residents asked about sidewalks and drainage on the hill by the ball field and requested the town investigate relief measures.
Civic engagement proposals: commenters recommended the town distribute questionnaires, host “coffee with the cop” events and maintain bulletin boards for community notices. One speaker suggested a dashboard of municipal metrics (crime, wages, school performance) to track community health and guide decisions.
Administrative responses: board members and the town manager said staff will follow up on specific infrastructure complaints and that residents should provide addresses so staff can investigate. For policing issues the board reiterated that Sullivan County dispatch handles emergency calls and that residents should call 911 for urgent matters.
Ending: residents asked the board to prioritize engagement and small, visible improvement projects — community volunteers and modest capital work — to rebuild trust and encourage local economic activity.
