Work On Schedule for Roxbury-Grand Gorge Sewer & Water

 Mountain Eagle 

ROXBURY -- The combined Roxbury - Grand Gorge sewer and water project is progressing for the town of Roxbury, after work was begun in December.  While most people are hoping for a break in the cold weather, frozen ground and snow have been helping the project.

An official groundbreaking ceremony to include local, state, federal and New York City officials was anticipated last month, but is still being worked out.

Much of Monday's Roxbury Town Board meeting consisted of  reports from engineers and the project manager for the water-sewer project, along with an update on numerous grants from Peg Ellsworth, town grant writer.

Much of the piping has been laid along the CatskiIl Revitalization Council's rail bed right of way for the water-sewer project and most of it will be in place by March 10.  If not, a second trencher will be brought to keep things on track.  Trench work will begin this week in the area of the 'long woods' section to place the pipe in the old rail bed.

Drainage is in place to convey water through some areas of the project in anticipation of the spring thaw.  Board members approved a change order for that purpose.  They also authorized Supervisor Thomas Hynes to approve change orders up to $10,000, for expediency in the process.  Amounts greater than $10,000 will require signature of a second board memeber.  Reports on any change orders will be given to the full board.

"I think things are going pretty well," said Henry Lamont, Lamont, Vandevalk, Whitbeck, PC.

The telephone number at the Grant Street Construction field office is 326-3351 and there will be a person in the field office from 8-4:30 each weekday for any residents who have any concerns or questions about the project.  "We want to stay in direct communication with the residents.  We encourage them to call or visit us at the field office on the Rodriquez property," said Richard Henry, project manager for Grant Street.

There will be a pair of public hearings on March 10, on to address contracts with New York City for enforcement of the town's sewer ordinance.  The hearing, set for 7 p.m. will address an amendment to the ordinance.

Kevin Young, the town's attorney for the project, said he had concern with the city having authority over criminal enforcement of the town's ordinance.  A compromise was reached, whereby, any criminal action would be reviewed by the town board before it is filed against an individual.