Amenia officials approve settlement for stalled sidewalk construction

AMENIA — Town Board members are making progress on two projects in the town’s center after approving resolutions at their Thursday, Sept. 3, meeting.

The long-stalled Route 44 sidewalk project near Beekman Park is headed toward a new round of bidding after the town reached a $150,000 settlement over the original contractor’s default. Town officials will also be moving ahead with plans to renovate Fountain Square Plaza — a veterans’ memorial and public space located at the intersection of Route 44 and Route 343 in front of the Bank of Millbrook.

Work on the sidewalk connecting Broadway and Beekman Park has been halted since the New York State Department of Transportation issued a stop-work order over construction defects. Town officials previously said portions of the sidewalk and catch basins would have to be redone after problems were found with the work performed by Southern Industries Corp.
The town had a $234,326 performance bond covering the project and sought payment from the bond after determining that Southern Industries had defaulted on its contract.

The town recently reached a settlement with the surety company for $150,000, which the Town Board unanimously accepted Sept. 3.

The settlement clears the way for the town to solicit bids from a new contractor to complete the unfinished project.

Fountain Square improvements

Progress on Amenia’s new sidewalks comes as officials plan to renovate Fountain Square Plaza.

The Town Board voted unanimously to award a design contract to Aspect 120 Landscape Architects of Irvington, New York. Town officials plan to improve the condition of existing structures at the plaza in front of the Bank of Millbrook at the intersection of Route 22 and Route 44.

Under the initial contract, Aspect 120 will conduct outreach to gather information from town staff and other stakeholders and prepare a conceptual design of a project to renovate the public area at Fountain Square. Those initial phases are estimated to cost $11,400.

The resulting report will be expected to provide what the architects describe as a framework of opportunities and challenges, developing a scope and direction for the project.

Civil Engineering support will be provided by Sorrell Engineering of Beacon.

Total design work leading up to the point of the start of construction are estimated by Aspect 120 at $57,000.

“We are here to begin the process,” said councilmember Vicki Doyle, adding that she looked forward to working with Aspect 120 on what she called “the long overdue renovations of Fountain Square.”

Doyle said that residents should watch for opportunities to participate in the design process.

Some anticipated improvements will bring improved pedestrian flow and electrical upgrades serving the plaza.

New plow truck

Town board members also unanimously approved the purchase of a new plow truck for the Amenia Highway Department Thursday, Sept. 3.

Estimated cost for the plow truck’s body is $161,995, with an additional cost of $183,945 for the cab and chassis. The Highway Department’s Equipment Reserve Fund will support the purchase.

Town officials reported that the new truck will be built and delivered in 2027.