Residents ask when project damage will be fixed

OGDENSBURG — Seveal residents came to the Ogdensburg Borough Council meeting on Aug. 27 to ask about plans to fix damage caused by the Elizabethtown Gas project.
Mayor Rachel Slater explained, everything is temporary. There are two different contractors, she continued, doing the first and final parts of the installation. The first contractors, she said, were required to temporarily fix issues; and the next contractors, who lay pipe from the street to the houses, will permanently fix issues after the project is finished — according to pictures taken before the work began.
Mateja said they had a dormer behind their house, which was not replaced; and she was concerned about the upcoming hurricane season.
Slater advised calling Borough Clerk Robin Hough, who would contact the engineer to take care of everything. By November, she added, the entire project is supposed to be finished.
McQueen asked why driveways were ripped up instead of the mains being bored underneath them, as other workers had done in the past. She said, her neighbor's property was repaved with a lump, thus, making water go back toward the house.
Slater said they asked the engineer, who said Elizabethtown Gas is working according to protocol. She added Elizabethtown Gas was going to bore as much as possible, however, they could not go through the many rocks in Ogdensburg, thus, requiring them to be removed.
In addition, Slater said, the project manager is on scene everyday; and residents should call Hough with any problems, so she may contact the engineer for resolution.
Councilman George Hutnick asked about people who now want to sign up for natural gas.
Slater said they can still sign up by calling the hotline.
Ogdensburg Otters' Swim Team Manager and resident Michelle Nardini asked to start swim practice later, around 5:30 p.m. – to 6 p.m. and end by 8 p.m., in order to accommodate working parents. She informed Coach Alexa Batelli said, by moving the swim practice time later, they might be able to get more swim team members.
Officials discussed ideas regarding lifeguards staying later on duty, and the number of lifeguards needed, because the coach is a certified lifeguard.
Councilman Peter Opilla will check with the insurance agent regarding risk management, before making decisions for next year.
Nardini also asked if it would be possible for the team to practice before the pond officially opens. She commented, due to the bad winter last year, the pond opening and practices began extremely late in the season.
Mateja also asked about the number of leaf pick-ups. Councilman David Astor said, there are multiple leaf pick-ups in the fall and just one in the spring.