by Doug La Rocque
Efforts to prevent another flood like the one on July 1 of 2017 that caused so much damage in the Village have taken another major step forward, with demolition of structures that are part of the Woods Brook Buyout Program beginning earlier this week. In all, seven properties are marked to come down, part of a multi-phase drainage improvement project.
The first building demolished was at 7 Hall Street. Buildings at 3 and 5 Hall Street, 27 Elm Street and 108-110 Church Street will be taken down soon. These structures are all in the Village’s possession. Work to take ownership of 107 and 115 Main Street is ongoing and expected to be completed in the coming weeks, so they too can be demolished.
The NYS grant that is paying for all the work runs out on December 31, but Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist told the Trustees at the Tuesday, December 14 meeting, all indications are the grant timeline will be extended.
The Drainage Improvement project further upstream on the Woods Brook is nearly complete along Richmond Avenue, while work at the Johnson Hill site will most likely begin in the early spring.
The Village Board did approve a number of change orders on individual demolition contracts involved with the buyout program, most concerning the removal and disposal of asbestos with the final change order for controlled demolitions at 115 Main Street and 5 Hall Street. Mayor Rob Allen said the added expenses will be covered by the grant.