Those traveling on East Genesee Street will soon see an increase in construction as the town of DeWitt moves in to repair about 1,800 feet of water main in the area.
Town engineer Mike Kolceski proposed the reconstruction of the water main along East Genesee Street and Maple and Edward drives at the Town of DeWitt Board meeting Monday, June 11. He said this stretch of water main is the only one in the area that is located in the middle of the 481 highway, which requires construction workers to work around oncoming traffic.
“This is a good opportunity to not only replace a main that’s over 60 years old, but to get it out of the highway, and that’s what the plan is here,” Kolceski said.
The estimated cost for the project is $300,000, Kolceski said, which would be paid off over 20 years. The board approved the project unanimously.
Kolceski also recommended the board consider a project that would require construction along Erie Boulevard in order to replace that water main line, which frequently breaks. The project was first discussed three or four years ago, Kolceski said.
Councilor Jack Dooling questioned how the project might affect Shoppingtown Mall, but Kolceski said the mall should not see any major affects due to this construction. He said the water main bursts that currently occur along Erie Boulevard affect other businesses in the area.
“When we have a break, we shut down a number of businesses, not only on Erie Boulevard, but on Kinne [Road],” Kolceski said. This project, he said, would help fix the main, thus preventing future problems.
The board scheduled a public hearing for this particular project for June 25 at 7:45 p.m.
The board also approved a motion to abandon Burke Lane Paper Street. The road has not been used in more than six years, and the town does not own it, said attorney Jamie Sutphen.
“The town doesn’t own it, we can’t deed it to anybody,” Sutphen said. “There’s utilities in it. By abandoning it, according to the highway law, it doesn’t do anything to that, but it does close it to public access.”
The board also approved a franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable.
Board members approved a motion to allow the Onondaga Golf and Country Club, located at 7003 E. Genesee St., to have a fireworks display on Saturday, Aug. 25, for a wedding that is taking place there. James Conlon, director of planning and development, reminded the board that the club would also have to obtain an operating permit, which would be sent to the local fire department.
Lastly, the board approved a motion to allow supervisor Ed Michalenko to ask Natural Systems Engineering to examine the town’s lake-creek drainage system at a cost of $2,760 to get an idea of what work can be done to prevent overflow in Butternut Creek.
