Ogdensburg to solicit bids for Heater's Pond Dam

OGDENSBURG — Mayor Steve Ciasullo reported on June 12 the public bid for Heater's Pond Dam rehabilitation is scheduled to advertise in July, awarding the construction contract to a contractor.
The construction contract will then be read at the Aug. 14 council meeting, and work will start sometime in September, after the pond closes.
Councilman Peter Opilla said they lowered the contractor's cost below bid threshold for the Beardslee Hill Dr. loop repair — around $26,000 for labor, and the contractor will supply parts and materials. The money will come from the water operating budget and capital ordinance. Also, some materials, like fire hydrants and valves, are already in house. Opilla will verify with CFO Monica Goscicki, to make sure funds are in order.
After executive session, the council unanimously approved directing the attorney to not pursue litigation in Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC vs. Goldsworthy. Council President Rachel Slater and Councilman Anthony Nasisi were absent.
Ciasullo explained it is related with Regional Contribution Agreement Grant money to rehabilitate foreclosure homes. He added, “It does not cost the borough anything, either way.”
The council unanimously agreed to the redemption of the borough's tax sale certificate to Sun Fuel Inc. after receiving $58,884. They also unanimously approved Magret Rodriguez as permanent part time Court Administrator, pending completion of certification, for $22/hour, and a $3.00 increase after certification.
After discussion, the council unanimously approved the 2017 pond events recommended by the Heater's Pond Committee.
Opilla said their goal is to generate more pond awareness. Surprisingly, he added, new residents do not know about the pond. At the Heater's Pond Committee meeting, June 1, they spoke of possibly putting up signage directing residents to Heater's. Attending committee members included: Opilla, Slater, Nasisi, and Mike Nardini.
They also agreed their charge should include any open space accessible to residents.
In addition, Opilla said, they discussed: a volley ball court, water-tube slide, request from fire department for more picnic tables in the pavilion, a committee Facebook Page with a link to the town website, registering residents on the Facebook Page for events, and improving the soccer field by Bridge St.
Councilman George Hutnick will find out what areas may be under state jurisdiction.
Ciasullo said the state would be happy with the borough maintaining the field in exchange for use.
Councilman David Astor reminded the council the school donated the old marquee to the town. Officials discussed the possibility of using it for pond information, but did not make a decision.
The borough applies every year around budget time, Ciasullo said, for a Department of Transportation Grant. Once again, they did not receive it because the roads are not high traffic areas.
Ciasullo read from the DOT letter, the grant program is popular, resulting in 628 applications for more than $270 million.
Hutnick asked about Pine St. drainage, because there was an unusual amount of traffic.
Councilman David Astor said, DPW Supervisor Chris Ross is starting to fix the pipes.
Ciasullo said they may have been able to receive grant money, if they could have foreseen the wear and tear of the road. However, he said, they were led to believe the bridge [Passaic Avenue] would be finished before school started last fall.
Hutnick said, maybe the engineer could help write something for future grants.
Ciasullo said they had received a letter from Borough Clerk Phyllis Drouin, who will retire this November after working in the borough 25 years. He said, they wish Drouin all the best.
He also said, they would need to determine the replacement process during the next work session – possibly considering a town manager/clerk combination for the first time.
Ciasullo commented the Wallkill Valley Awards Ceremony was a “good day for Ogdensburg. The kids represented us well among the four towns.”
Resident Jean Castimore asked if beach badge registration forms were mailed to residents.
Ciasullo said, residents need to fill out all badge forms at borough hall. The form was not mailed out this year.