July 2020 - Keeseville's Historic Bridges

Bridge Documents

By matt | July 31, 2020 | Comments 0 Comment

JUL 31, 2020 —

Thank You for your support. I’d still love as many more local signatures as possible before Monday’s meeting! Let’s keep going with the count! No donations being accepted at this time. Please share the petition link:

http://chng.it/Xgt9h8HyR5

Adirondack Architectural Heritage

I met with AARCH this morning to discuss our meeting with the Essex County Board of Supervisors. I also called County Manager Dan Palmer, met with Supervisor Clayton Barber (Chesterfield), and had a brief conversation with Supervisor Tom Scozzafava (Moriah) to see what at outside prospective on the matter is. We are now scheduled on the agenda for Monday’s meeting officially.

2008

Everything I’m currently bringing up was brought up in 2008 and approved by Essex County. The County Applied for a 2.1 Million Dollar Grant to fix the bridges. Only 20% would have been paid by the county and tried to be split by each county to be 10%. Clinton County did not approve. This is the conversation we need to change.

NYS Grants for Historic Bridges

These bridges are eligible for Grants. First we need to find out what happened to the first grant and why it was never used if Essex County did receive it. Applying for more grants is always an option

NYS and Federal Infrastructure programs

https://countyhwys.org/advocacy/legislation

There is a large movement now to restore bridges and highways across the county, especially in New York State. We can apply for funding from these programs.

Town of Chesterfield File on the Bridges (includes original project, grant funding, studies, letters of support by community members, and state officials, as well as engineering firms, and historical associations)

Town of Chesterfield 1

Town of Chesterfield 2

Town of Chesterfield 3

Town of Chesterfield 4

Town of Chesterfield 5

Let’s Get More Local Support

By matt | July 30, 2020 | Comments 0 Comment

JUL 30, 2020 —

Here is an update on the petition.

We have a great mix of local residents, former residents, and those from Clinton and Essex County. (estimated 400)

We also have signatures from outside the area. (Estimated 250) These probably won’t be counted. What I really would like to do is focus on local signatures and those from Essex County before the meeting on Monday.

If you live in the village of Keeseville please pass it on to local residents any way you can. You can download a QR code on the “Save Keeseville’s Historic Bridges” facebook page, or email keeesevillehistoricbridges@gmail.com

The only way we make progress is by overwhelming local support! Let’s keep it going!

Major Progress! Let’s get to 750 Signatures!

By matt | July 28, 2020 | Comments 0 Comment

JUL 28, 2020 —

Thank You for you support! We can’t do this without it!

I’ve been working very hard the last few days on multiple fronts.

Keeseville Community Development Corporation

I had a great conversation with Amy Brelia from the Keeseville Community Development Corporation. She mentioned that the Save the Bridges campaign timing couldn’t be more perfect. At this time Albany is pushing grant money to local communities for bike and pedestrian routes for increased tourism. This could be a great resource to repair and maintain our bridges.

The KCDC and many other local groups are now offering their full support. More coming every day!

THANK YOU TO:

Keeseville Community Development Corporation
Anderson Falls Heritage Society
Adirondack Architectural Heritage
Champlain Valley Search and Rescue
Northeast Adventures
Town of Ausable
Town of Chesterfield

Second Town of Chesterfield Supervisor Meeting

I had another meeting this morning with Clayton Barber. After speaking with Essex county officials he learned that Essex County is willing to accept the petition and listen to what we have to say. There are lots of obstacles in the way, but there is still hope. A study was done to see how much it would cost to remove the bridge and build a new one. That would cost about $6 Million. It was decided to remove the bridge because “we have two other ones”. What isn’t being address is the traffic congestion on the down town area. It was also discussed to fix the arch bridge to allow big rigs to cross it, and make a four way stop at the intersection to help with traffic. Both of these options don’t make sense, and won’t fix the real issue. We are focusing on four different reasons why the upper bridge needs to be renovated. History, Tourism, Local Economy, and Traffic Safety. I also got a message from Clinton County. The person that I need to talk with is on vacation this week, and they are going to get back to me.

Essex County Board of Supervisors Meeting This Monday!

This Monday August 3rd at 10:00am is the Board of Supervisors Meeting in Elizabethtown. I’m going to submit the petition, and ask for a few minutes to speak. If given the opportunity, we have a plan to put politics aside and get to work. We want to change the focus from “We can’t do this” to “Let’s Make this happen”.

Town of Chesterfield Board Meeting

On Tuesday August 4th at 7:00pm I’ll present the petition to the town of Chesterfield, and explain the thoughts on why it is important to restore these bridges.

Town of Ausable Board Meeting

On Wednesday August 12th at 6:30pm I’ll present the petition to the town of Chesterfield, and explain the thoughts on why it is important to restore these bridges.

Clinton County Meeting TBD

The Highway superintendent for Clinton County is on Vacation this week, but I will be speaking with him and ask for a time slot at the next meeting. It’s our goal to have a fresh approach with this with both towns and both counties.

Petition is WORKING!

Essex County has said that it will be a difficult fight to save the bridge but they are willing to accept the petition and listen to what we have to say.

We will also submit the petition to Clinton County.

We are Currently at 542 Signatures on the petition.

We have impressed the towns with this number. Imagine what 750-1000 signatures could do at the county level. Please continue to share and remember, we are not taking donations at this time. Please do not donate to change(dot)org. A future fund raising effort may be coming but we want to get hard numbers first!

Please share the petition link any way you can to get those numbers to go up. We want signatures from Keeseville and the surrounding area, those who lived in Keeseville, along with Clinton and Essex Counties. Keep it going!

Our Link to the petition:

http://chng.it/mCt4BsH429

Thank you for the amazing turn out for support thus far. If you have any input on how you can help, or if your business or community group just wants to voice their support please email:

keesevillehistoricbridges@gmail.com