Bridge Preservation & Police Honored

Supervisors Welcome New Deputy Clerk

Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors Joanne McEntee.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - Delaware County Supervisors passed resolutions for bridge work and honored police at the regular meeting on May 8.

Supervisors approved fronting 100% of the costs for three bridge restoration efforts. Both projects are eligible for federal and state funding. The federal government requires supervisors to commit full costs for the projects to later be reimbursed, explained Department of Public Works Commissioner James Thomas.

The first project includes sandblasting and repainting bridges on Morton Hill Road in Colchester and Nichols Road in Walton. The sandblasting began on Monday, May 6, and will last roughly two to three weeks, said Thomas. No traffic blocks are expected and work is weather-dependent, Thomas explained. "They can't paint in the rain," he added. The project is estimated to cost roughly $490,000. The project is eligible for a grant through the Marchiselli program-aid funding with a ratio of 80% federal funding.

The second project is for the replacement of the Dug Road bridge over Cold Spring Creek in Deposit. The total project cost is estimated at $3,045,540. Drivers can expect delays during project construction which starts on Monday, May 13. The project is expected to continue into mid-summer of 2025, said Thomas. The bridge replacement is eligible for funding through Bridge NY at a ratio of 95% federal funding.

Supervisors passed a resolution recognizing May 15 as Peace Officer Memorial Day, honoring law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The resolution also declared May 12 through May 18 as Police Week in recognition of the important role that all law enforcement officers play in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all citizens. The resolution states, "The vast majority of law enforcement officers are selfless public servants who accept as part of their profession being exposed to great danger in order to protect the life and property of others, with, too often, tragic results, as we have already witnessed this year, and these dedicated officers deserve to be honored for their willingness to perform that essential public service on behalf of all our citizens."

Both proclamations follow Presidential Executive orders which declare the same acknowledgements.

In other business, supervisors welcomed Joanne McEntee, who recently took the deputy clerk to the board of supervisors. McEntee has worked for the county for roughly 20 years in the financial department. Former Deputy Clerk Sarah Gutliph has taken a position with the county Department of Public Works.

Supervisors added two official depositories. Depositories include Wayne Bank, Delaware National Bank of Delhi, National Bank and Trust Company, JP Morgan Chase, NY MuniTrust Cooperative Investment Pool, and Community Bank NA.

Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield announced the upcoming retirement of Social Services Commissioner Sylvia Armanno. According to Marshfield, Armanno has served over three decades and is deserving of praise from supervisors. Armannos's last day will be June 16, if supervisors are unable to fill the position by then, Marshfield said they will likely appoint Deputy Commissioner Keith Weaver as interim director.

Supervisors entered into an executive session to hear updates on ongoing negotiations with New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding adjustments to land and streamside acquisition programs (LAP and SAP). Attorney Kevin Young and Planning Department Director Shelly Johnson-Bennett were asked to join the executive session. Both Johnson-Bennett and Young have been attending negotiation meetings with the City.

The next regularly scheduled board of supervisors meeting is Wednesday, May 22 at 1 p.m.