by Bea Peterson
The Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, the Hoosick Falls Fire and Police Departments and the HFCS Transportation Superintendent are all opposed to Pan Am Railways permanently closing the Center Street crossing.
[private]Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge opened the Public Hearing on Wednesday evening, January 7, stating that he had received letters from the Rescue Squad, the Fire Department and the Police Department explaining why they were opposed to the closing. On hand to hear the concerns were NYS DOT Senior Transportation Analyst Peter Rea and Intermodal Transportation Specialist Michael LaBello. No one from the railroad attended the meeting.
A letter from the Rescue Squad pointed out that Center Street is the emergency corridor for Rescue Squad equipment should the main entrance on First Street be blocked off. It is also the street closest to the emergency helicopter landing pad.
Letters from the Fire Department and Police Department pointed out that it is a key access to second ward, especially since the railroad has already permanently closed the Hoosick Street crossing one block over.
Hoosick Falls Central School Transportation Supervisor Joe Stellar pointed out that a school bus drops off anywhere from 18 to 22 students a day at the Center Street entrance to the Youth Center. This is much safer than letting them off on Church St./Route 22, he said.
Mike McCune, President of the Eagles Club, which is located at the corner of First and Center streets said that when there is a large gathering of members for special events, access to Center Street is key to the smooth flow of traffic entering and leaving the area. He also pointed out that Ward 2 youngsters use that street to reach the Youth Center and to get to places in the Village. As a matter of fact, many people, particularly older people walk that route to reach Church and Main streets. Closing that crossing would mean walking an extra two or three blocks or illegally crossing the tracks.
Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato added that there are two large factory buildings that are for sale on that street and that there would be absolutely no interest in them if the street was closed.
Another question that arose is access through the Village should the underpass be blocked off during the demolition of the Oak Mitsui buildings if Center Street as well as Hoosick Street was closed. Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam said he shares the concerns of the Rescue Squad, the school and the Fire Department. He said he will express these concerns at next week’s Board meeting and request the Board support the Village in its effort to keep Center Street open.
DOT’s Peter Rea said he appreciated everyone coming out to air their concerns. He said this was a fact gathering meeting and he would be getting back to the railroad about the significant opposition to the closing. He said the railroad has not made a formal petition to close the crossing at this point. Should the railroad chose to do so then there would be a published public notice, all the Center Street neighbors would be notified and a formal public hearing would be held. The final decision would then be made by a judge, an arbitrator.
Mayor Borge said if there was a hearing it would be held at Wolf Road, but he would work to get it moved to Hoosick Falls.
As this was a public hearing the Village Board took no formal action on the railroad’s request, but Mayor Borge said it is on the agenda for the Tuesday evening regular Board meeting.[/private]