Sullivan County Legislature rejects June public hearing on proposed HHAP site, citing walkability and infrastructure concerns

Sullivan County legislators voted on May 15 against setting a June 19 public hearing for a proposed long-term lease of county-owned land tied to a Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) grant, after extended debate about the location’s suitability and the timing of public engagement.

The measure to set the hearing on the county-owned parcel listed in the meeting packet failed on a roll call vote (Yes: 1; No: 8). Legislator Catherine “Cat” Scott was recorded as the lone yes vote; Nadia Reich, Joe Perillo, Matt McPhillips, Brian McPhillips, Nick Salmony, Louie Alvarez, Amanda Ward and Terry Blosser Bernardo were recorded as voting no. A separate procedural motion earlier in the meeting invoked the legislature’s Rule 40 to require an immediate roll-call vote on the challenge to the hearing (the invocation was approved by the legislature during the meeting).

The debate centered on whether the parcel listed in the packet (referred to in the meeting as the county parcel on Petaluga Road) should be the subject of a public hearing. Legislator Terry…