SACKETS HARBOR — Fort Pike Park is once again making progress.
The village Board of Trustees accepted an offer from the proposed park's neighbors, Anne K. and David P. Harrienger, at its meeting Tuesday night that would transfer the west end of a berm that is part of the old redoubt to the village in exchange for building a fence between the park and the Harriengers' property.
During the meeting, the board heard updates on infrastructure for Madison Barracks and the Hamilton Street storm water sewer project.
Madison Barracks developers are looking for financing for a new water line. Michael W. Campbell, managing partner for Madison Barracks, asked the board for support for a pre-eligibility application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
"We're struggling as a developer to fund the project," Mr. Campbell said. He gave a rough estimate of $1.7 million for the water project.
The water is the second of three infrastructure issues that have to be resolved before the village takes ownership of the infrastructure in the development. The first was the sewer system, which has been replaced.
Deputy Mayor F. Eric Constance asked what effect financing for this project would have on financing for sewer plant improvements, which will be necessary in the next few years.
Village Engineer Kris D. Dimmick said that if the Madison Barracks project is done as a special benefit district, it should not affect future projects.
"I think it's worth looking into," Mayor Michael R. Kinnie said. A motion to proceed with the application passed unanimously.
On the Hamilton Street storm water project, the village opened the bids for the project Tuesday. W.D. Malone Trucking & Excavating, Hannibal, had the low bid of $455,065.
A $500,000 member item from former state Sen. James W. Wright, R-Watertown, is in the approval process in Albany. Once the grant has been approved, the village can award the project and work can begin.
The board also heard updates on the following issues:
■ Financial statements from the Sackets Harbor Volunteer Fire Department indicated that Company 2 has spent $26,134.75 on legal fees to the Scicchitano & Pinsky law firm in Syracuse. The payment of $13,000 to the law firm was the subject of a request by John T. Sullivan Jr., assistant attorney general, for a judge to remove five officers from the department.
■ Trustee Lawrence C. Barone asked for a survey to see if there is interest in creating a municipal parking lot on East Main Street. In 2005, the board acted to begin work on the lot, which belongs to St. Andrew's Catholic Church. But the lot has not yet been created and some community members have expressed opposition to the plan.
■ RidgeviewTel is working out antenna locations along Main Street. As a promotion, users will be able to log on to free wireless Internet access for an hour over the Memorial Day weekend.
