Action on the bridge yesterday was pothole repair.
May 14, 2010
Editor’s Note: We’ve reprinted Supervisor Barbara Gerrard’s update on the status of the bridge. In her report, she includes links through which you can reach the governor and our state senator and assemblyman. Help get the bridge going—take a moment to write Albany.
Reprint of Supervisor’s Report, May 11, 2010
This is just a quick update on the current status of our bridge construction. As all know by now, Conti Construction Company walked off the site on April 1, 2010, the first day of New York State’s new fiscal year, because no 2010-2011 budget was in place and Conti, who claimed they were owed over $900,000 by New York State at that time, was informed by the New York State Department of Transportation that——and I quote, “...timely payment for work completed after April 1, 2010 cannot be guaranteed.”
Subsequent to April first, several emergency funding bills have been passed to keep the essential government functions running. Several of the construction projects being continued included ones funded 100% with federal dollars. Our bridge is only 80% funded with federal dollars [the rest with State monies], and the Governor has refused to include our project in the “emergency funding” projects.
Within the past week, I have been informed that Conti Construction has received the $900,000 plus that they said was owed to them as of March 31. Our Assemblyman, Robert Castelli, has been in frequent contact with representatives of Conti to encourage them to come back on site. Both Assemblyman Castelli and State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer have argued vigorously on our behalf to have the bridge project included in emergency funding; Governor Patterson has been intractable in his position that no New York State funds will be expended until the Senate and the Assembly pass the Governor’s budget as proposed.
Our representatives and I have called the Governor’s office and the Governor’s budget office, all to no avail. The entire Town Board understands the frustration everyone in Town is feeling, and the sometimes intolerably uncomfortable rides that are endured going over the bridge. We appreciate the understanding of the public that this situation is not of our making, but at this point we do recommend that every resident of New Castle take the time to contact the Governor’s office at:
Governor Paterson
State Capital
Albany, NY 12224
Or at this web address: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/ and click on “Contact the Governor” in the upper left hand corner.
And let Governor Patterson know that New Castle has been unfairly singled out for disruption, to the point where it is punitive, with long-lasting negative effects on our economy.
You might also contact:
State Senator Oppenheimer - 39th Senatorial District
222 Grace Church Street
Port Chester, NY 10573
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
and Assemblyman Robert Castelli - 89th Assembly District
4 New King Street, Suite 125
White Plains, NY 10604
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
and thank them both for their continued efforts on our behalf.
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