A new plan hatched by Bethlehem officials would see the demolition of a bridge over the Onesquethaw Creek so federal damage funds from Hurricane Irene could be diverted to fix the roof over the town’s pool.
Town Engineer Paul Penman presented the plan to the Bethlehem Town Board at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Penman asked the board to approve pursuing an alternative project in lieu of replacing the bridge damaged in last year’s Hurricane Irene, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency would allow if the new project is shovel ready.
“Usually I’m here asking for money and tonight I’m here telling you how we can spend some money, so it’s a good thing,” said Penman.
According to estimates, it would take nearly $575,000 to restore the rail bridge, which Penman said is rarely used. The alternate plan would call for about $200,000 of federal aid money to be spent on the demolition of the bridge and $300,000 on replacing the roof over the Elm Avenue Park Pool House.
Penman said FEMA allows up to 90 percent of restoration funds to be put towards an alternate project.
“This is a project we need to do, not want to do,” said Penman of the new roof on the pool house.
Originally, $100,000 had been budgeted in 2011 for basic repairs to the roof, but upon further inspection there was significant damage to some of the roof’s support beams, according to Penman. He said the roof is currently safe, but if the alternative project isn’t approved the town will need to find $300,000 in the near future to pay for the repairs.
FEMA would contribute 75 percent, or $375,000. Another $62,500 would come from state aid and the town would need to match that amount. Penman said the town’s contribution could be taken from the $100,000 originally budgeted to fix the pool house.
Councilwoman Joann Dawson said she would like to see a more detailed plan presented to the board with more definite numbers before the item was voted one, but Penman said waiting could affect the town’s ability to receive the funds.
Councilman Jeffrey Kuhn asked if there were other projects that are more of higher priority. Penman said there are, but none of them match FEMA’s criteria for use of the funds as much as the roof work.
“The pool house jumped to the top of the list because it’s something we have to do that’s underfunded,” said Penman.
The board eventually approved using the funds for the alternative project. Councilman Kyle Kotary was not at the meeting because of a family commitment.
Penman said the department would soon begin the State Environmental Quality Review process for the project. Although the bridge was built in 1912, the state said there would be no historical effect if the bridge were demolished.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation have been working creating a staging area and parking lot for public fishing access, since the creek is used for trout fishing. Penman said those plans would be incorporated into the project upon DEC approval.
Other repairs to the creek call for its realignment after the banks shifted about 350 feet during Hurricane Irene. The embankments for the bridge will also need to be stabilized after it is demolished.
“If the repairs aren’t made it could cause further damage to the creek,” said Penman.
Penman said the DEC has limited when the town can work in the stream because of the trout population. Portions of the project cannot be started until June and work needs to stop by September.
“So we have a tight window to get to bid and make the needed improvement,” he said.
