The Niskayuna Town Board, at its Tuesday, July 29, meeting, approved action to obtain bids to replace water pipes in the Lisha Kill Road area.
The project requires eminent domain proceedings, as the project will require easements in order to allow drilling in some resident’s front yards to install the piping. The entire project will entail over 5,000 linear feet of water pipe along a portion of Lisha Kill Road, Old River Roar, and Rosendale Road.
Richard Pollock, water and sewer superintendent, will oversee the project.
We need to move the project forward and this is the only way we can accomplish it, said Pollock.
The easements to drill on residents land to install the pipe is required to overcome Schenectady County’s objection to putting the pipe down the middle of the road. The work will be done by underground drill, so there will be no open pits while the work progresses. One complexity anticipated in the project is on Rosendale Road near an underground stream. A culvert will have to be replaced which will require the road to be temporarily closed for as long as a month, according to Pollock. The timing of the closure is uncertain, but Pollock said he hoped it can be completed before the new school year begins in order to minimize traffic problems.
The town board also approved a negative environmental impact declaration as the project was determined to not have an adverse environmental impact.
The total cost of the project will not be known until the bids come in, but officials estimated it to be in the range of $1 million.
In other business, the Town Board held a public hearing to consider the town’s proposed operating plan for a Section 8 housing assistance payment program. Joseph Mastrianni of Community Development presented to the board information on the plan, which provides financial assistance to the elderly, the disabled and low-income families so they can afford housing. The subsidy comes from the federal government through HUD, and municipal funds are not required. The amount of the subsidy depends on family income and as family income increases over time the subsidy is adjusted. Mastrianni advised that there is a waiting list for this program and the list has about 40 families at this time. The board said they would consider passing a resolution to adopt the plan at a future meeting.
The Town Board also adopted two ceremonial resolutions. The board congratulated resident Anne LaRoche on receiving the 2008 Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce Woman of Excellence Award in management. LaRoche is the manager of technology and information systems at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory.
The board also proclaimed Aug. 1 to 8 National Clown Week. `The fine work these gifted people do makes our lives a little more enjoyable,` Town Supervisor Joe Landry said.“