South Kortright Hamlet to Get Road Work

By Liz Page

HOBART – The roadway in the hamlet of South Kortright is about to get a little wider as the county Department of Public Works proposes to take its full right of way to help alleviate water pools and pot holes in the roadway.

Ben Balcom, of the Delaware County Department of Public Works, attended last Wednesday's meeting of the Stamford Town Board to inform council members their phones may start ringing. He said they do not want to dig up any sidewalks, but they will be digging what some may consider their lawn. The county owns 25 feet from the middle of the road. The widening is necessary, he said, to get rid of the berms and waterholes that are creating the potholes in the South Kortright hamlet, located on County Rt. 18.

"We are going to cut back to the light poles on both sides," said Balcom. They will then hydro seed and mulch to get the grass areas back. "As soon as I start digging, somebody's going to hear about it. You are going to get phone calls."

However, he said it is the only way to eliminate them. He said there is a huge one in front of the fire station. “I am letting you know as a courtesy," he said. "We own 25 feet from the center line. We do not want to touch the sidewalks , but we will eliminate the water holes. We have not done any repairs down through there for a number of years."

Supervisor John Kosier asked if they could paint striping from the parking lot across the street from the Hidden Inn to the sidewalk as a safety issue. Balcom promised to look into it.

Deputy Highway Superintendent Kevin Rinehart reported the new culvert has been installed on Davis Road and the area cleaned up from the storm damage. They finished chip sealing last Monday, but they still need to put another coat on the roads. Mowing along roadsides is coming along.

He told board members he would like to replace the dump body on the Mack with a stainless steel one. He was given permission to purchase a used one at a cost of $4,500 if he deems it is in a condition that is worthy of the price. He said it is just like the one they have on the Mack except it is stainless steel.

Board members went into executive session to continue highway negotiations.

The next meeting will be held September 10.