Officials discuss canal bridge closure

With the recent closure of the Village of Brockport's Smith Street bridge and the potential for an extensive road project looming in 2008, residents and officials are concerned with traffic flow.

"The state will no longer maintain the Smith Street bridge," Mayor Mort Wexler said at the June 19 board meeting. Village officials received word late last week that the bridge would be closing effective June 15 and no date was given for its reopening. "Because we have two bridges and Redman Road within close proximity to provide access, the state isn't making the bridge a priority. They said they may reopen it in 2009."

The New York State Department of Transportation closed the Smith Street bridge over the Erie Canal in the village of Brockport. A bridge inspection revealed additional, rapid deterioration of the steel since the bridge was posted for a maximum of three tons last season.

Neither the fire department nor school buses utilize the bridge.

Wexler said, according to a DOT survey, close to 1,400 vehicles utilized the Smith Street bridge daily. "Having that closed will certainly place a burden on the other bridges in the village," he said.

The reopening, however, would be contingent on the village agreeing to take over ownership of the bridge.

"We need to commence a study of the pros and cons of taking over the bridge," Trustee Carrie Maziarz said. "This is a huge deal. We don't have another bridge that we are responsible for so we don't really know what's involved."

She said the village would have to commission a study, then come back to the community with the findings.

A resident from the Smith Street bridge area, Mary Ann Rogers, said, "Right now kids are starting to congregate under it and are having parties," she said. "I'm concerned that soon they will start jumping from the bridge into the water - because kids will be kids."

In other matters the board:

•Approved the purchase of two police cars. Trustee Maria Castaneda was the lone dissenting vote on the purchase. "Can't we hold off on purchasing these until we begin contract negotiations?" she asked.

Police Chief Dan Varrenti said he applauds the Stetson Club for not having filed a grievance against the village because the vehicles are already past the mileage limit allowed by contract.

•Maziarz reported that the village's farmers market has been deemed a "Pride of New York" market. "It's a new branding promotion the state is starting to promote made or grown in New York products," she said. As part of the promotion, the village is eligible for television commercial spots. The cost was prohibitive so she planned to join forces with Fairport, they contacted local senators for financial support in return for the elected officials being the ones to narrate the commercials.

•Denied a request from Vincent Stalteri who wanted to operate a hot dog stand in front of Sagawa Park for 53 hours per week until the end of November.

"When Mrs. Sagawa donated the part to the village, I don't think her intent was to have it be a site for items being sold," Wexler said. "I personally have a problem with your proposal because there are merchants downtown who pay rent and taxes and who sell the same products you are offering - your proposal interferes with their business."

Trustee David Wagenhauser echoed the mayor's comments. "My concern is for our existing business people and your proposal will affect their ability to compete," he said. "We have to think of the merchants."

Stalteri chastised village officials for not being "small business friendly."

June 25, 2006