State declines request for traffic study

There will be no traffic light on Route 9D in Cold Spring near Chestnut Ridge and the Butterfield redevelopment project.

At the Tuesday (Oct. 15) meeting of the Village Board, Mayor Dave Merandy read aloud a letter from the state Department of Transportation declining Cold Spring’s request for a traffic study to determine if a light was needed. Route 9D is a state highway.

Gayle Sudder, a state traffic analyst, noted that Route 9D has three nearby pedestrian crosswalks and suggested the village could install an in-street crossing sign or rectangular rapid-flashing beacon. Merandy said he would discuss those approaches with Larry Burke, the officer-in-charge of the Cold Spring Police Department.

In other business …

■ Trustees will have to dig deeper into the budget than expected to replace the aging boiler at the firehouse, which it owns. Merandy said the three quotes received were “way more than expected.” He said a requirement that the village pay the “prevailing wage” added significantly to the cost. Phoenix Mechanical of Elmsford had the low bid at $30,200, followed by Pidala Heating and Cooling of Cold Spring at $34,115 and Westar Tech Services of Middletown at $39,640. The village engineer recommended the board accept the Pidala bid because it included better-quality equipment.

■ “It’s like D-Day!” Trustee Steve Voloto said of the influx of tourists expected to arrive in Cold Spring on Seastreak boats this weekend, along with the usual hikers and other visitors arriving by train or car. On Tuesday, reservations for the two boats scheduled to dock topped 750 on Saturday and 500 on Sunday. Seastreak officials, who agreed to pay for portable toilets near the dock, said the passenger count could increase before the weekend. Merandy said he will contact local restaurant owners and possibly invite two food trucks into the village to help handle the traffic.

■ Garden Street will be open only to its residents beginning Friday, Oct. 25, while crews install sidewalks, curbs and drains. The street will be closed when workers grind down its center, which has “crowned” badly over the years, and during paving. The mayor said provisions will be made for residents who have to leave while the road is closed.

■ The board approved a $1-per-hour raise for Joe Narok. Merandy said the highway department employee has proven “invaluable” because of his mechanical skills. The raise will take effect when Narok completes his probationary period.

■ Merandy announced that seventh-grade students from Haldane in early November will paint the pedestrian tunnel that runs under the Metro-North tracks.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Turton, who has been a reporter for The Current since its founding in 2010, moved to Philipstown from his native Ontario in 1998. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of expertise: Cold Spring government, features