by Kieron Kramer
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 12, the Rensselaer County Legislature passed a resolution asking the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) to review the safety conditions on a section of State Route 7 between the Bennington Battlefield Motel (4328 Rt. 7) and the intersection of Routes 7 and 22 in the Town of Hoosick. Over the years this stretch of road, with its sweeping high speed curves, necessitated because the road runs along a winding trout stream, has been the scene of numerous accidents. This is the same stretch of road where, on March 28, a tractor trailer hauling 10,000 gallons of propane rolled over and caught fire, causing the threat of a potential explosion and causing a massive emergency response and an evacuation of the area in a one mile radius. This evacuation forced people from 100 homes and businesses, closed down a portion of Route 7, and power was shut off in that area. Just a week after the propane truck crashed a refrigerated box-type produce truck also left the road, resulting in the road being closed again. Just last month, a passenger bus that was carrying college athletes also had an accident in the same vicinity.
The resolution seeks a review of lighting, speed conditions, visibility and signage, along with other factors, on this stretch of Route 7. The request will be sent to State DOT, Governor Cuomo and representatives of Rensselaer County in the State Legislature.
“Route 7 is a major thoroughfare in Rensselaer County and is used by many residents and businesses. It is important that we ensure the road is safe and accessible,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell.
Both Brownell and Legislator Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, said after the meeting that they are confident that the DOT will respond positively to the request and review the road. However, they don’t believe that the DOT will do anything major about the problem. It would be difficult to straighten because of the winding stream next to the road. Brownell said that under the circumstances he would be happy with a “windy curves ahead” warning sign with a flashing light. He added, “We don’t want to reinstitute the bumper stickers that said, ‘Pray for us, we drive Route 7.’”
The Catastrophe Averted
Perhaps coincidentally, members of the fire and ambulance agencies who responded to the scene of the propane tanker accident were presented with copies of the resolution passed at the May Legislative Session commending them for their quick response, which helped avoid any loss of life. Brownell and Goodermote made the presentation to the many representatives from a number of the agencies, the Hoosick Fire Department and Rescue Squad and the Berlin Fire Department and Rescue Squad among others.
Brownell read the list of emergency service agencies that met the call during the incident, which lasted three days. From May’s resolution he listed the following fire departments that were on scene: West Hoosick, Petersburgh, Pittstown, Hoags Corners, Melrose, Berlin, Poestenkill, South Schodack, Raymertown, Defreestville, Center Brunswick, Eagle Mills, Johnsonville, North Hoosic, Easton, Hancock, Coeymans Hollow, Selkirk, Shushan, Cambridge, Speigletown, Hoosic Valley, Lebanon, Schodack Landing, Schodack Valley, West Sand Lake and Clinton Heights and the following EMS and various other agencies who were also at the scene: Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Mohawk Ambulance, Rensselaer County Sheriff, New York State Police, Hoosick Falls Police, NYS Environmental Conservation, NYS Office of Fire Prevention, Rensselaer County Public Safety, the NYS Department of Transportation and Troy Hazmat.
Brownell told the assembled emergency responders, “Your quick actions averted a tragedy; I cannot thank you enough.” Goodermote added, “I live two miles from where the incident occurred. For the next day and night emergency vehicles were constantly passing my house. I can’t say enough.”
Incident Commander Chief Bill Rifenburgh from the Hoosick Fire Department was called on to make some comments. He said that this was the kind of thing they train for constantly, hoping that
the day will never come. “We learned a lot from the incident in Berlin,” he said. In July of 1962 a propane truck went off the Plank Road in Berlin and sent a ball of fire roaring through a section of the town wiping out houses, the Baptist Church, killing ten people and injuring many more. “We were lucky this happened in a rural area and no one was hurt,” said Rifenburgh.
County Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager, a Berliner, said, “I was unlucky enough to see the Berlin disaster and be involved in it. To accomplish what we did at the Hoosick scene, I’d just like to commend everyone.” Kelly Paslow, Director of County Public Safety, added, “Closing down Route 7 for three days is no small chore.” County Sheriff Jack Mahar said, “It was the immediate actions upon arrival [at the scene] that avoided a catastrophic accident.”
At this point Brownell gave out copies of the resolution to the departments involved.
County Exercises Eminent Domain For Bridge Replacement In Stephentown
Several resolutions passed on Tuesday relating to the project for County Route 26 (Garfield-Nassau Road), the Black Brook Bridge replacement, that is eligible for Federal and State funding. Two restated the resolutions on this project that were already passed in May. But one resolution authorized the County to purchase the rights of way and temporary easements needed to allow the construction to go forward. “The extent of the right of way required has been determined based on the design of the replacement bridge,” the resolution says. The right of way and easements are being purchased by eminent domain which includes procedures for determining the appraised value of the property acquired for highway purposes. The total amount to be expended is $1,500. The bridge is in Stephentown near Tsatsawassa. In May, Scott Gallerie, Deputy County Engineer for Highway Operations, said in an interview that he believes the work on the Black Brook Bridge replacement will begin probably in July. He is hopeful that the project will be finished in September or October.
Dairy Princess
When receiving a copy of the resolution honoring her, Rennselaer County Dairy Princess Marilyn Lamb of Johnstown, whose family are longtime, firm advocates of dairy farming, announced that she will be giving out free ice cream, courtesy of Stewart’s, at the Hoosick Farmers Market on August 5.