Southern Ulster Times Oct. 14 2015

TIMES SOUTHERN ULSTER Vol. 12, No 41 3 OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2015 During a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, the Highland Board of Education heard a special presentation from Alec Sorbin, a CPA representing Ray Preusser’s firm, regarding the district’s annual external audit. During the brief discussion, the board received reassuring news about many areas of the school budget, but they were also cautioned about the unprofitable school lunch program. Sorbin explained that the audit went “fairly well.” It was delayed slightly as the staff helped to train the new treasurer ONE DOLLAR Doc Meekins Eco friendly remembered furniture Page 41 Page 2 SERVING HIGHLAND, MARLBOROUGH AND PLATTEKILL Auditor examines Highland’s books By KAITLYN BENNETT 3 and because they needed to work through mastering some new audit requirements that lacked instructions. After seeking assistance from a larger firm in Western New York, they completed the work just two weeks after their anticipated end date. Continued on page 3 Homecoming Harvest Happening HBA to celebrate the season on Saturday By KAITLYN BENNETT Marlboro’s cheerleaders did a routine during halftime of Friday’s homecoming game. Additional photos on page 22. WWW.SOUTHERNULSTERTIMES.COM The Highland Business Association is proud to announce its annual Harvest Fest, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17. The festivities will take place rain or shine at Vineyard Avenue and Main Street in the hamlet of Highland from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. “Last year, it was the Octoberfest. We changed the name to make it accessible for kids and families,” said Christina DeMaio, the association’s secretary and sixth generation cider mill operator at Minard Farms. The Highland Business Association has seen a recent revival after changing their name and expanding to include all locally owned businesses within the Highland Central School District. Originally, the organization comprised businesses located in the downtown area. Thanks to a recent expansion, the organization is seeing a boost in membership and they are able to support a larger network of small businesses throughout the extended Highland community. “There are a lot of new businesses in our town that just opened,” said DeMaio. “All of our buildings are full. We have had five or six businesses open in the last month. Our goal is to support local business first.” President Mark Elia, owner of Hudson Valley Sausage Company, Vice President Natasha Gasparro, owner of Bagels and Continued on page 4