This year the town has run up a bill of more than $85,000 in the planning board's process of considering applications and unless it can be recovered from the developers, it will be passed on to the taxpayers.

The town's site plan review law contains language which allows it to bill applicants for the cost of using outside consultants, but so far the town has had limited success with reimbursement.

In the developers defense, the bills from the consultants were not detailed. Many of them have said they would agree to pay, but wanted a better understanding of what they were being charged for.

But to strengthen their position, and avoid being stuck with bills, the town board is considering a new local law.

The law would require applicants to deposit money in an escrow account up front when they submit their application. If, or as, costs are incurred during the planning board's review, the town supervisor is authorized to make payments from the account.

The town would not be burdened with having to collect money after the fact and it would protect taxpayers from having to pick up the tab for any shortfall.

During a public hearing on the law Monday night there were concerns expressed about the developers not having any safeguard to make certain all the charges were accurate and reasonable, but most everyone agreed it would be a good move for the protection of the town.

We agree and believe the Hartwick town board should vote to adopt the new local law when they meet again Monday night.

Roses to longtime Milford boys basketball coach Bill Crowley, who said before this season began that his 16th year with the team would be his last.

Crowley's teams have been dominant in the past six years, racking up 115 wins against just 22 losses, six straight Tri-Valley division titles, four Tri-Valley Championships and a Section Four Class D title in 1999.

More than the wins and losses, though, Crowley's teams play hard, and always play good defense, a Crowley staple.

In small town basketball, a run like Milford's is almost unheard of, and though he's had a run of talneted players, Crowley deserves much of the credit as well. The good news for Milford basketball fans is they have one more year to enjoy the ride.

Roses to Alexis Saba, a junior at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, who recently attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington, DC. Saba's strong interest in environmental law helped her win her place at the conference, where she learned about courtroom procedures and the research necessary to present arguments. Saba plans to pursue this path. Her dedication and talent are clear, and it is reassuring to know that industrious scholars like Saba are assuming an active role in protecting the environment.

Roses to Minnie Beams and Jane Sherman, members of the Keepsake Quilt Club in Milford. The two recently completed the "Tree of Life" the center panel of a quilt filled with green leaves and a single red leaf symbolic of life's unexpected imperfections. The Quilt Club is selling squares to benefit the Catskill Area Hospice, and plans to raffle off the quilt upon completion. The compasson of the gesture is especially notable at this time of year, and is the product of the womens' close contact with sickness in their group in recent times.