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Photo: Hamlet of Callicoon potential crosswalk area

NARROWSBURG – The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) approved $9,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 Technical Assistance Grants (TAG), bringing the cumulative amount awarded since 1988 to $968,463.50 to fund 270 municipal projects in the Upper Delaware River Valley.

The Council granted $3,000 each to the Town of Delaware, Damascus Township, and Town of Tusten in a resolution approved on October 2.

Four applications to this competitive program requested a total of $29,250; however, the UDC further reduced its grants allocation due to experiencing a budget deficit as the non-profit organization copes with a flat federal funding level since its inception, and neither NY nor PA providing their anticipated 40% share of operational aid support outlined in the 1986 River Management Plan for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

The Town of Delaware will apply its funding to a Hamlet of Callicoon Crosswalk Study to evaluate options to enhance pedestrian safety. The full cost of the study by the Creighton Manning engineering firm will be $9,000, with Sullivan 180 awarding a $4,500 grant requiring a 1:1 match.

Damascus Township will update its municipal website to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires to comply April 26, 2027. A more user-friendly website, which subcontractor Jessica Aiese-Davoli of Three Birds Creative will design and service for one year at $7,250, will facilitate information access and public engagement.

The Town of Tusten will revise its zoning ordinance to address topics including timber harvesting, cannabis, and any updates to emerge from finalization of the new Open Space and Recreation Plan. They plan to work with consultant Peter Manning of Genius Loci and a volunteer citizen committee on this estimated $11,051 project.

The three member municipalities have until August 21, 2026 to complete their projects, with mid-term progress reports due by February 22.

Applications were due by August 22 and the UDC’s Project Review Committee at a Sept. 9 special meeting recommended advancing three projects at the capped amount to the full Council for its Oct. 2 vote. The UDC’s fiscal year covers October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

Please visit the Technical Assistance Grants page at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org to see guidelines and a directory of completed projects.

Contact UDC Resources and Land Use Specialist Kerry Engelhardt at (845) 252-3022 or kerry@upperdelawarecouncil.org for more information.