There are different factors that go into helping define a community. There is the friendliness of neighbors, the cleanliness of its streets, accessible sidewalks, schools, and the list can go on. People who visit our towns for the first time look at these factors, some more closely than others should they be looking towards moving here to raise family. The local aesthetics certainly makes for a lasting first impression for anyone looking to establish roots or invest time and money.
In Bethlehem, there are two “Main Streets” that define this community — Delaware and Kenwood avenues. Between the two you have the seat of our local government in Town Hall, the center of our commerce in Four Corners and Delaware Plaza, remnants of our agricultural past with Kleinke’s Farm and a glimpse of our country’s future in the high school. And, sprinkled in between all of that are some of the town’s people who live here. When one travels on either of these main roadways, the best of the town is showcased for the world to see.
Kenwood Avenue does not have the history of the old Delaware Turnpike. The latter of the two connected Albany to all points West before I-90 was installed. Today, Kenwood Avenue connects the hamlets of Glenmont, Delmar, Elsmere and Slingerlands, with the aforementioned Kleinke’s Farm and Slingerland’s Toll Gate bookending the road. It is very much a “Main Street,” for Bethlehem and it has been for nearly a century.
A good many of Kenwood Avenue residents have been waiting for the town to vacuum their leaves from the side of the road. And, these residents are not alone. There are residents across the map waiting for their day. And, the weeks keep going past.
Bethlehem residents have long enjoyed the vacuum service for fall clean-up, allowing residents to forego lawn bags and simply leaving leaves piled to the side of the road. But, in recent years, that service has been a bone of contention as weeks — recently, working on five weeks — go by before leaves are cleared.
Is it a trivial argument against the town to get these leaves picked up? When town services are often a subject of pride for town officials and residents alike, that answer is no.
It’s a topic that has been discussed over the past several years. So much so, when current Town Highway Superintendent Brent Meredith was voted into his position by residents in 2015, opponent Tiger Cavanaugh creatively handed residents lawn bags with his name of them. Nonetheless, Meredith retained the trust of the town’s residents.
The town has a schedule for pick-up. There’s a color-coded map on the town’s website. Each zone has a day of the week assigned to it, implying weekly pick-ups. There is a note suggesting residents start leaving leaves to the side in October, and consider using bags after Thanksgiving in preparation of winter snow.
These leaves have been sitting since before Thanksgiving and our first substantial snowfall did not occur until this past week. All of this resembles the Fall of 2015, where leaves were buried under snowbanks and removed the following warm snap. Then, Meredith cited global warming and aging equipment for the delays, a plausible argument for the time.
But, we’re in a new fiscal period. An election has since taken place. (Even a town wide property reassessment.) One should assume a plan has been devised, equipment has been purchased, or any issues of deficient manpower addressed.
A similar battle in Colonie wages between the town and its residents over snow removal. It goes to show that even the Best in Class community doesn’t escape criticism.
Nevertheless, what ever may be the cause of delay this season, perhaps another letter to the community is in order. Inform the residents who look to help showcase the town as the gem that it is.