Village officials unhappy with road closure

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By Dan King

The State Department of Transportation and contractors at Harrison and Burrowes are moving forward to close part of Williams Street – but village officials aren’t happy with the parameters.

The DOT recently informed the village that it would be closing the portion of Williams Street near Clinton Avenue to tear down the obsolete Clinton Avenue Bridge. DOT told the village that it could close the bridge itself or DOT would do it by executive order.

During its Jan. 6 meeting, the village board drafted a letter to the state asking that a lane of the road be left open for emergency vehicles to access. Although members of the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Co. and the Skenesborough Emergency Squad told the board prior to that meeting that the closure wouldn’t be a huge deal, the board continued to advocate allowing emergency access.

During its Feb. 3 meeting, the board found out that keeping a full lane open most likely won’t happen, but trustees will continue to push for it.

Mayor Peter Telisky said that he would like to see one lane remain completely unimpeded, so emergency vehicles could get through. Although his fellow board members shared that sentiment, the grand consensus was that wouldn’t be feasible.

“I think what we want and what we are going to get are two different things,” Trustee Ken Bartholomew said. “We’re trying to put 10 pounds in a five-pound bag. I’d like to see a lane kept open, but I think the most realistic thing we’re going to get, is them to move the crane if there is an emergency.”

“Let’s see if they can come up with a plan where they can clear a lane quickly in the event of an emergency,” Bartholomew added.

After hearing Bartholomew, board members realized the most realistic option was to require the crane to be moved as fast as possible in the event of a fire or other emergency.

“I’m not talking about moving it in half an hour, I’m talking about moving it in five minutes,” Telisky said. “If the road is restricted in any way, that lane must be opened within five minutes.”

Police Sgt. Dick LaChapelle said he could get the police to go over to the crane the second an emergency is reported in that area and request it be moved immediately, that way when EMS or the WVFC arrive the first responders won’t have to wait around.

Regardless of actions taken by the village, the state can mandate, through executive order, that the road be closed. All village officials in attendance decided they won’t back down and will continue to push against a full closure.

“We are doing our part to make sure we keep it safe,” LaChapelle said. “I think we should hold our ground.”

DOT had considered using a barge on the canal to remove the pieces of bridge that are being torn down, but canal regulations and the temperature have put a damper on that idea.

The deconstruction is scheduled to begin either the last week of this month or the first week of March, and will continue for four weeks.

“I don’t know exactly how many (people) it impacts, but it is a good amount,” Telisky said. “A fire is critical, but if someone has a heart attack, it is even more urgent for first responders) to be able to get through.”

The Village Board drafted a letter explaining the safety concerns and advocating that DOT either leave a full-lane open or make sure the crane can be moved within five minutes.