Message from the Mayor

The Board has authorized road replacement, and this project should begin within the month. I would like to use this forum to describe the process that has taken place over the past year. Our Village Engineers, at the direction of the Board, surveyed streets throughout the Village. All streets were rated from A to F. Once this survey was done the Board reviewed the Village wide needs. It was felt that all roads having a D or F rating should be repaved. The cost was estimated at $5,000,000. In order to proceed, the Board obtained a bond to cover this large expense. In formulating the Village budget over the past two years, sufficient funds were included to cover a major portion of this cost. Additional funds may have to be added in next year’s budget, but with creative budgeting, impact to residents should be minimal. The streets that will be repaved will be listed on the Village website. While all residents may be concerned that not enough is being done, overall costs were a main consideration in order to avoid a major tax increase. Village staff will continue to make repairs, where needed, on roads not being done at this time. Over the past 11 years the Village has been able to pave a number of roads throughout the Village and after this project is completed, the overall road situation should be good. The downside to roadwork is the necessary removal of Village trees planted in the utility strip along the Village roads. I put a committee together, made up of The Superintendent of Public Works, an Arborist, the Village Engineer overseeing the work, the contractor, Suffolk Paving and their tree contractor. Curb replacement and sidewalks, where needed, along with milling the road surface were the major determining factors with the tree removals. This planned work will have a major impact on the root systems of the trees, which in turn would have the potential of creating a dangerous situation, especially during heavy storms.  Personally speaking, since becoming Mayor, I have made it a priority not to remove Village trees, unless it is determined that they are unsafe or unhealthy. In this case, trees that normally would not be removed, need to be taken down to ensure safety and that the road project is not compromised. I assure all residents, that all decisions were made based on expert advice.

Paul M. Ehrbar

Mayor

July 8, 2021