Bramley Mountain Fire Tower Officially Open for Climbing

A large crowd gathers under the recently resurrected Bramley Mountain Fire Tower at a ribbon-cutting event on May 2.

John Bramley, Economic Development Specialist Lindsay Whitbeck, Supervisors Chair Tina Molè, DEP Deputy Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Tom Clark, and Ann Roberti cut the ribbon to the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower.

Several New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff stand with DEP Deputy Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Ann Roberti, and Supervisors Chair Tina Molè.

DEP Deputy Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower President Ann Roberti, and Supervisors Chair Tina Molè.

Supervisors Chair Tina Molè and Economic Development Specialist Lindsay Whitbeck chat with DEP Deputy Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala before the official opening of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI/BOVINA - The Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, which sits atop Bramley Mountain bordering the towns of Delhi and Bovina, was officially opened for climbing during a ribbon-cutting event on May 2. The Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, led by Ann Roberti, fought hard and long to resurrect the 80-foot tower.

Fire towers once served an essential purpose for communities. Their strategically chosen locations allowed firefighters to locate and fight large fires. Today, with helicopters, planes, drones, and communication systems, the fire towers are no longer needed.

The Bramley Mountain tower, erected in 1950 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), served the surrounding area for roughly 20 years before being decommissioned in 1970. In 1975, local dairy farmer Pete Clark purchased the structure for $50. The Clark family carefully stored and organized all the parts for many years. Years later, Pete's son, Tom Clark, began the push to reconstruct the tower. With the help of Roberti, the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower was developed. The group worked for four years raising funds and obtaining permits. The tower was erected in collaboration with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which owns the land, and Delaware County.

Roughly 70 people and a few dogs attended the official ribbon-cutting. DEP Deputy Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala and Delaware County Supervisors Chair Tina Molè attended in support of the efforts.

The tower is open every weekend and holiday from Memorial Day Weekend until Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 13. For more information on the tower and its hiking trails, visit bramleymountainfiretower.org.