Forestport residents decide fate of Twin Bridges
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: September 18, 2012
They're 100 year old bridges that have been closed by the state for the
last three years, and on Tuesday, residents in Forestport hit the polls
to decide what the future holds for the Twin Bridges.
"We really need the bridge. It's part of our town, and it's a recreation area, and it's about all we have, and we should continue to support this kind of thing," said Resident, Lawrence Ritter.
Residents voted whether or not they were in favor of moving forward with a one lane bridge, and bond up to 650,000 dollars for the project.
However, Forestport Town Supervisor, Bill Hasenauer, who is against a one lane bridge has concerns with safety, and says it would become the town's liability.
"The safety factor is in the weight, in the width, DOT will not endorse it, but we as the town can build it, but they can flag it," said Hasenauer.
But the Chairperson for the Twin Bridges Committee, Parker Snead says engineers took a look at weight and safety factors and says the one lane bridge would be fine.
With boy sides passionate about the fate of the bridges, Hasenauer says another concern is the increase for the taxpayers.
But, Snead says the increase is worth moving forward with.
"If the taxpayers have to pay 15 per $100,000, I definitely think it's worth it," said Snead.
"I've been here the past five years, I've had no tax increase, in fact, no tax at all in the general funds," said Hasenauer.
As for Hasenauer's wish to wait for a grant for a two lane bridge, Snead says he doesn't see that happening.
"We're not going to get a grant, and if we did get a grant, our contribution would be basically half," he said.
"The question is, is the money coming? I believe it is. It's slowly but surely coming," said Hasenauer.
"We really need the bridge. It's part of our town, and it's a recreation area, and it's about all we have, and we should continue to support this kind of thing," said Resident, Lawrence Ritter.
Residents voted whether or not they were in favor of moving forward with a one lane bridge, and bond up to 650,000 dollars for the project.
However, Forestport Town Supervisor, Bill Hasenauer, who is against a one lane bridge has concerns with safety, and says it would become the town's liability.
"The safety factor is in the weight, in the width, DOT will not endorse it, but we as the town can build it, but they can flag it," said Hasenauer.
But the Chairperson for the Twin Bridges Committee, Parker Snead says engineers took a look at weight and safety factors and says the one lane bridge would be fine.
With boy sides passionate about the fate of the bridges, Hasenauer says another concern is the increase for the taxpayers.
But, Snead says the increase is worth moving forward with.
"If the taxpayers have to pay 15 per $100,000, I definitely think it's worth it," said Snead.
"I've been here the past five years, I've had no tax increase, in fact, no tax at all in the general funds," said Hasenauer.
As for Hasenauer's wish to wait for a grant for a two lane bridge, Snead says he doesn't see that happening.
"We're not going to get a grant, and if we did get a grant, our contribution would be basically half," he said.
"The question is, is the money coming? I believe it is. It's slowly but surely coming," said Hasenauer.
