|
Safety of Residents on Lower Section of Old Albany Post Road
Dear Editor:
I, on behalf of several of my neighbors, write this letter in rebuttal to David Thornquist's Letter to the Editor of November 14, 2007.
Due to the torrential rain of April 16 and 17, 2007 the roadway of Old Albany Post Road began to deteriorate. The rapid runoff caused a cavernous ravine to form on the lower section of Old Albany Post Road. The ravine was no less than less than four feet deep by three feet wide and traveled from the Upland intersection to Sprout Brook Road, leaving debris at the intersection of Sprout Brook Road and Old Albany Post Road, making both impassable.
The Town was unable to control the rapid water and closed the Old Albany Post Road, thereby leaving residents stranded for three days. When the Town reopened the road Mr. Chirico and his highway crew returned several times a day for nearly a week to keep the center of the road from caving due to the water that was continuously flowing undermining the roadway, causing large pot holes to open in the center of the road where vehicles pass, including school buses with children.
I, unlike Mr. Thornquist was unable to take the 4-minute detour. My neighbors and I were without egress from our homes. We were void of all emergency services. In the event of fire our homes would be lost, in the event of medical attention we may have perished, in the loss of electricity we would be void of services and communication. Repair of my driveway was delayed as the contractor could not enter 0ld Albany Post Road until it was repaired and reopened by the town.
Another rainstorm struck the area on April 28-29, 2007 and within a few hours it became apparent that the water was rapidly forming this cavernous ravine once again. Since that time each rainstorm causes this same area of Old Albany Post Road to deteriorate and form this same ravine in front of our properties.
Property owners of the lower part of Old Albany Post Road bear our own financial burdens time and time again to repair our driveways. FEMA has denied aid to the homeowners, however it has given the town money to mitigate its losses.
As Mr. Thornquist states, this historical road has was once an Indian trail; as the need arose it was developed into a road. The same road needs to be upgraded for the safety of its residents as well as those traveling its winding path. Perhaps Mr. Thornquist's concerns are not of the neighbors, nor of the historical nature, but rather that his home which is at the door step of the roadway.
I salute the Town Board for understanding that this is a crisis situation and for considering our safety a priority.
Maria Kelly
Garrison
| 
