Blenheim still fighting for bridge

9/24/2013

By David Avitabile

Blenheim still fighting for bridge

Schoharie County supervisors continue in their effort to return a wooden covered bridge to Blenheim.
Supervisors Friday agreed to submit plans to FEMA for a covered wooden pier concept that should cost less than $1.8 million, according to Blenheim Supervisor Bob Mann who proposed the motion.
While the design details are still being finalized, the concept could lead to a rebuilding of the historic wooden bridge that was destroyed when Hurricane Irene roared through the Valley on August 28, 2011.
A first step, Mr. Mann said, is to have FEMA accept the location of the former bridge on the original abutments.
"We're trying to get them to accept that location."
A big difference is that the pier would be 15 feet higher than the 500-year floodplain.
Blenheim and county officials still hope to rebuild the span with a link to the other side of the creek. FEMA will not pay for the extension to the other side of the creek since none existed at the time of the flood.
"Our goal has not changed," Mr. Mann said. "We want the same bridge."
The battle with FEMA started shortly after the flood when they declared the bridge to be an artifact and not eligible for funding. Then, after an appeal, FEMA officials said they would not rebuild the span, but would fund a gazebo-like structure away from the creek.
Supervisors last month asked for a 90-day extension on a possible appeal of that decision and for a construction estimate for rebuilding for a replica of the historic bridge.
Labella Associates have estimated the cost to be $1.87 million. There had been an earlier estimate of $4 million.
Mr. Mann told supervisor that the pier concept was made after a meeting with Don Airey, the chairman of the Blenheim Long Term Recovery Committee, and Ron Simmons, who has been dealing with FEMA on behalf of the county.
FEMA has funded several piers, according to county officials.
Gail Shaffer of Blenheim added that FEMA has agreed to fund several covered bridges in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. It was noted that those spans still were open to traffic.
In another FEMA, the county has not received any answer on its appeal for a new, relocated jail and public safety facility that was filed in July.
Dan Singletary of Jefferson asked that the board go on record that they want the jail rebuilt in another location.
"This jail has to be moved out of the floodplain, everyone knows that."
The board has a motion to keep the jail in place and another to appeal to FEMA for a new location, he noted.
Earl VanWormer of Esperance said the vast majority of people who speak to him are opposed to relocating the jail to a new site.
Tom Murray of Cobleskill said he has had the opposite reaction from people.
"We need to have our heads examined if we put any more money into that site," he told supervisors.
The county engineer and attorney suggested leaving the issue as is for now and the motion was tabled.
FEMA officials have agreed to pay for repairing the existing facility instead of replacing it.
County officials said the decision was made with flawed data and agreed to appeal the decision.