Town Concerns Over Clauverwie

MIDDLEBURGH - There were a few concerns from the audience during the last Middleburgh Town Board meeting about a potential project on Clauverwie Road.

Several residents spoke about a desire from the Village to close down a portion of the street in order to perform sorely needed repairs. However, that hypothetical closure would disrupt traffic for a majority of residents living there.

“They’d have to include a bypass if they’re doing that. There’s no way we’d be forced to go all the way around,” said one local, speaking about looping around to Breakabeen.

He continued, saying “What about letting ambulances or the fire department through? That would be a serious hazard.”

The Board deferred to Highway Superintendent Steve Kowalski’s knowledge about the road, to which he responded that the project in question may not happen for a while.

“That’s years down the road,” he said. “On top of that, Clauverwie is the Village’s problem. We as the Town would not be involved at all with any work going on there.”

“But you have Town residents living down there,” the local countered. “That seems like reason enough to go to the Village and work something out.”

Undeterred, Superintendent Kowalski concluded his sentiment by saying “I see both sides of it. But it comes down to if you want the road fixed, then it has to close, and that means being inconvenienced in the short-term. I just don’t see them doing a bypass.”

Once the conversation died down, Board member Susan Makely sought to bring the concerns to light, saying “At our joint meeting with the Village, it wouldn’t hurt to have a five minute conversation just to let them know what’s going on.”

With her guidance in mind, the Board resolved to bring the matter to the Village’s attention in some capacity during one of their workshops.