Progress report

from Batchellerville

To the Editor,

In mid-December, Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, the firm building the new Batchellerville Bridge, will suspend work for the winter.

Since the groundbreaking ceremony on August 3, the firm has nearly completed the west abutment (the end foundation upon which the bridge superstructure will rest). It also has begun work on seven of the new bridge’s 12 piers. The latter include piers 1-6 extending out from the west shore, plus pier 12, the first pier out from the east shore. Also at the east shore, the contractor has built a causeway that will give heavy equipment future access to that side of the site.

Initially, the contractor focused on piers 1-3, expecting that at least pier 1 would be complete by winter shutdown. That may still happen, but time is running short. What slowed progress was the heavy rainfall we’ve experienced this fall. The runoff sent the reservoir surging far above target levels. For many days, the cofferdams under construction at those first three piers were submerged and inaccessible. (A cofferdam is a watertight enclosure from which water is pumped to expose the bottom of the lake and allow construction of a pier.)

On October 10, for example, the reservoir was at 766.08 feet above sea level, some 6.7 feet above target. The level has now subsided below the tops of those three cofferdams, and work is continuing on them. Today’s level is 759.5, still more than 4 feet above target.

The contract for the new $46.6 million bridge requires that it be open to traffic by Nov. 8, 2013. However, the contractor has set itself an aggressive schedule aimed at having the new bridge open to traffic by November of 2012. This schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions and any unanticipated issues that may arise as work proceeds. The 2014 construction season will see demolition of the existing bridge, removal of temporary access roads, final grading/seeding/landscaping, and other finish work.

The Town of Edinburg web site offers a terrific slide show showing construction of the new Batchellerville Bridge. The photos were taken by Bob Monacchio, an Edinburg resident. Check them out at www.edinburgny.com/slideshow/bridge.html.

The Batchellerville Bridge construction site presents a number of new obstacles for snowmobilers to avoid. You folks need to be extra careful out there, especially at night or under conditions of poor visibility. If you haven’t seen the site, you might want to hop in your car and scope it out before winter hits. Park on the west side and walk out on the old bridge. While you’re out there, shoot some photos for the family album.

In September, a federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by National Grid that challenged the Regulating District on a variety of issues, including the legality of the access permit system. In response, the firm intends to file an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Earlier this year, long before the November election, Governor-Elect Andrew Cuomo released a policy book titled “The New NY Agenda: A Plan for Action.” In it, he set forth a plan for reducing the number of state agencies, authorities, commissions, and the like by 20 percent in the interest of saving taxpayers’ money, increasing accountability, and improving the delivery of governmental services. Will this impact the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District, the state authority that controls Great Sacandaga Lake?

Although Mr. Cuomo’s goals are admirable, carrying out his agenda will not be easy. Times Union Columnist Fred LeBrun offered this explanation: “Because there is a little state constitutional issue in the way, namely that the authority to reorganize state government belongs to the Legislature, subject only to the governor’s veto.”

The actions of the Regulating District’s board can have a tremendous impact on our quality of life and the value of our property at Great Sacandaga Lake. Since the beginning of the year, the composition of the seven-member board has changed dramatically. In January, appointees of Former Governor Pataki still held a majority on the board. Today, appointees of Governor Paterson hold a 5-1 majority (one seat is vacant).

What is surprising is that the board, as presently constituted, is an old-boy club ... no women are members. I’ve attended board meetings since 2003, and this is the first time I’ve seen women totally excluded. At the beginning of 2010, two women were on the board. Another first in my experience is that no member is an access permit holder (vs. one in January). That makes me feel very uneasy. Who is sticking up for our interests and helping to solve our problems?

The Hudson River Area and the Black River Area are each represented by three members of the board, with one seat “At Large”. The Hudson River Area members are Paul J. Cornell, Albert J. Hayes, and Philip W. Klein (the sole remaining Pataki appointee). The Black River Area members are Michael F. Astafan and Thomas Stover, with one seat vacant. The “At Large” member is David W. Berkstresser.

I have nothing new to report on the “exclusive use” crisis other than to say again that this is an intolerable situation, with the Regulating District and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, both reporting to the Governor, squabbling about the status of the state-owned buffer zone around the lake. Is the buffer zone reserved for the “exclusive use” of access permit holders (the District’s position)? Or is it a public park (DEC’s position)? If DEC wins, property values around the lake could plummet by a cumulative total of tens of millions of dollars.

With David Paterson packing up to move out of the Governor’s Office at year-end and Andrew Cuomo preparing to move in, our complaints will go unheeded at this point. But that shouldn’t stop us from preparing to go on the offensive in the new year. In the December issue of this newsletter, I’ll summarize the situation and provide talking points for your contacts with the Governor’s Office and other elected and appointed officials.

The next meeting of the Regulating District’s board will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the Watertown City Hall, 245 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

Peter VanAvery

Batchellerville Bridge Action Committee

A thank you from the Lions Club

To the editor:

The Northville/Sacandaga Lions Club would like to say thank you to the sponsors of our 12th Annual Great Sacandaga Road Race. It is because of your generosity that we can continue helping people who are in need. Here are a few of the things that you have accomplished when you contribute to The Lions Club.

You have: Bought eyeglasses for several area needy children who could not afford them without your help. Assisted folks who need hearing aids and exams. Packed Christmas fruit and candy packs for all the elementary kids of Edinburg and Northville Schools. Helped local victims of fire and other disasters. Given aid and assistance to the families of area cancer patients. Contributed to the annual Edinburg Christmas Tree Lighting. Donated to all the area Boy and Girl Scout groups. Bought large print books for the Northville Public Library. Given assistance to the needy through the local food pantries. Contributed to Mountain Valley Hospice. Taken part in the “Student of the Month” program. Made donations to The Northville and Edinburg Volunteer Fire Departments. Helped the Office For The Aging. Sent area youths to Diabetes camp. Assisted The Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County. Donated to both the Edinburg and Northampton Emergency Squads. Given time and money to Double H Hole In The Woods Camp for seriously ill children.  

These are only some of the local areas that we work in. We also assist nationally such as in helping those affected by the oil spill in the gulf, and internationally during the devastation in Haiti. Once again, we express our sincere appreciation for your help.

Special thanks to Joe and Anthony Lanzi and all of the Sport Island Pub staff, the Fulmont Roadrunners Club, and certainly all the runners who participated.

Please patronize these businesses. They are good neighbors.

Sport Island Pub - Hawk Drilling - A to Z Tree Service - Sandy Vohr’s  Leather Zoo - Northville Liquor Store - Adirondack Country Store - Allen & Palmer True Value - Clear Image Screen Printing - Sacandaga Dog Supply - Sacandaga Properties -Gloversville True Value Hardware -  O.F.O.L. Partners - Gifford Oil ñ R.J. Morrison Agency - Sacandaga Outdoor Equipment ñ The Delaney Group - NBT Bank - Northville 5 &10 - Mayfield Family Dentistry - Esler’s Garage - Tim Wadsworth Firewood -  C & H Fundraising - Northville Teacher’s Association - Brownell Lumber - Lanzi’s on the Lake  - Stewarts Shops - Northampton Diner - Ronald J. Schur, Atty - Main Street Kitchenette - Thomas J Real Estate - Village Floor and Tile  - Daniello Orthodontics - US Food Service - Euphrates Inc.