The reconstruction of Reed Street in Marcellus has seen significant delays. Marcellus Mayor John Curtin addressed the concerns of residents of Reed Street at the Aug. 23 Village Board meeting.
Curtin said the reconstruction would commence this week and estimated that the project would go into October.
Michael and Lynette O’Brien of 44 Reed St. asked if the village knew which trees were going to come down. Curtin was not aware of any trees currently marked for removal.
“We have a rather large pine in front of our house we were told it was going to come down,” Michael O’Brien said. “The people who dug up the road in front of it whacked into it about five or six times, so it’s bleeding sap all over.”
Curtin said he would find out the status of the pine tree.
Following the meeting, Curtin said the village is currently finalizing an easement agreement related to work on the lower end of Reed Street before it can move forward. He said the contractor did some preliminary work last week, noting newly installed drainage systems and water and gas lines.
“They’ll move fast once they get going,” he said.
Curtin said the contractor working on Reed Street, Bat-Con, was responsible for the improvement of Reed Parkway.
“If you look at Reed Parkway, that’s what Reed Street will look like,” he said.
Legal agreement reached
A compromise has been reached with Tim Golick of 2 Reed Street in regards to the preservation of the Black Maple Tree.
“Mr. Golick has agreed to assume full responsibility and liability over this tree,” Curtin said. “If in the future this tree needs to be removed because it has become a safety hazard the homeowner will be responsible for the cost of its removal as well as site restoration.”
Golick requested advance warning of when the work around the tree would take place in order to allow his arborist to witness the excavation. Curtin said Allen Yager, the project’s engineer, would be in contact with him.
“Do you have an understanding of the timeline in general terms at this point?” Golick asked.
Curtin said work would commence on the south side of Reed Street, opposite from Golick’s property, first.
“Mr. Yager will determine when they’ll be able to consult with you and the arborist as to that area around the tree,” he said.
Slurry sealed
Curtin reported that Orchard Street and Kinderwood Drive received a new coat of slurry, which fills cracks in the road and adds “perhaps eight to ten years to the road.” He said Kinderwood would be preserved longer as Orchard would eventually need total reconstruction.
Highway garage improved
The area around the highway garage, including the village compost pile, has been redesigned and improved, Curtin said.
“The new drainage system including new drainage structure should alleviate some of the flooding that has occurred here in the past,” Curtin said. “It is also hoped that this new arrangement will make it easier for residents to make use of the compost pile.
Introducing Village Attorney Jeff Brown
Curtin introduced Jeff Brown as the new village attorney. Brown takes the place of the retired James Dwyer, who served as attorney for more than 40 years.
“In introducing him I would note that he is a former member of the New York State Legislature, having served on a number of powerful assembly committees,” Curtin said. “He also remains active in state and local politics. He is also a founder of the Come Home to Syracuse campaign and partnered with the Metropolitan Development association and Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce to create a fund to encourage small business growth in Central New York. Jeff was also the state’s chief environmental enforcement officer in the Central New York Region of the Department of Environmental Conservation and has successfully represented some of the world’s most prestigious companies. He is currently the town and zoning board attorney for the town of Pompey as well as the village attorney for the village of Manlius.”
Curtin went on to list Brown’s additional achievements, including a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a law degree from Syracuse University, before concluding:
“I’d say that’s an impressive resume.”
“That’s the longest introduction I’ve had, ever,” Brown said. “Thank you.”
