Smith Street bridge reopens to vehicular traffic
by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport Village Board members have officially re-opened the Smith Street Bridge over the Erie Canal.
The board made the decision during its regular meeting March 27. The span was closed for the winter in December in hopes that the seasonal shut-down would prolong its life.
But the mayor and other trustees now say the bridge needs to remain open year-round for the convenience of village residents, particularly those on the village’s northwest side.
“We had flower-gate and then we had bridge-gate,” Trustee Scott Hunsinger said, “I think I have a solution that will leave the bridge open year-round.”
Hunsinger noted the bridge is not salted in the winter and other municipalities leave their bridges open year-round. He said residual salt that might build up from cars could be hosed-off the bridge in the spring by the village Department of Public Works.
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Mayor Connie Castaneda told Trustee Hunsinger. “The bridge needs to be open year-round.”
DPW Superintendent Harry Donahue said the DPW would be able to do the bridge cleaning and that because the bridge has an open deck, salt does not readily build-up on its surface.
Trustee Margaret Blackman asked to table the decision. “I would love to see it open all year,” she said of the bridge, “but I need more information.”
Trustees agreed to officially re-open the bridge now and then re-visit the issue later in the season to make a final decision on whether the span will remain open during the winter months.
Also during the March 27 meeting, Mayor Castaneda appointed Daniel Hendricks to serve as village treasurer to 6/30/13. Hendricks will complete the term of Michael Giardino who has resigned the post to become the new director of the Greater Rochester International Airport.
Hendricks attended the March 27 meeting and said he is excited about, “the opportunity to help the Village of Brockport.” He said his background is as a school business official.
Castaneda said Hendricks would begin immediately and would work on a part-time basis, saving the village $11,200.
Trustees also voted 4-1 to adopt a local law to override the tax levy limit. Mayor Castaneda cast the only no vote.
No one spoke during a public hearing held before the vote.
Trustee Kent Blair said trustees were not recommending that the village override the tax cap, but that the measure was “a safeguard in case something happened that was unforeseen.”
Trustee Blackman agreed, “None of us have any intention of overriding the two percent tax cap,” she said.
