Deferiet mayor says village streets a mess

DEFERIET — When the paper mill left the village, it left behind more than just a devastated economy; it left the roads in shambles after years of paper trucks driving up and down the streets.

"Wilna Avenue is in desperate need of repair and the rest of the roads in the village are just in need of repair," village Mayor Robert J. Foster said.

To make matters worse, the village could not afford a plow to clear its five main roads — Riverside Drive and Anderson, Martin, Wilna and Baron avenues — so it contracted with the town of Wilna.

While Mr. Foster said he is satisfied with the service, "the town uses a double access plow truck, which is too large for the streets. The big truck is meant for town and county highways. It puts a lot of extra wear and tear on the roads. We just think they could improve that by purchasing a smaller plow."

Mr. Foster plans to approach the Wilna town board at its Sept. 14 meeting and request that it look into a new plow. The cost, the mayor said, is about $100,000.

"It would save the village and town money in the long run because they won't have to help me pave my streets every few years," Mr. Foster said.

He said the plow also could be used in the hamlet of Natural Bridge and the village of Herrings.

Town Councilman Marco J. Franchini said, "We're thinking about it, but you're talking some money. If it's feasible, I think we would do it." However, he declined to comment on how he thinks the board will vote.

This week, Deferiet will spend its remaining state highway funds for the year: $12,000 to narrow and repair a section of Anderson Avenue. The project will create green space between the street and sidewalk.

"I'm trying to save money for the future when the road needs to be paved again," Mr. Foster said. "Instead of costing us $20,000, it will only cost about $12,000 because we are taking out seven and a half feet of road."

But that is just the beginning of the problems.

The mayor estimates at least $30,000 to $40,000 will be needed to repair Anderson Avenue and Riverside Drive.

"I can't even give you a price on Wilna Avenue," he said. "The road needs to be ground up and it needs a clean slate."

Deferiet and Herrings recently were in talks with the town to work out a shared highway services agreement.

The group was hoping to apply for a grant to purchase the plow. However, Mr. Foster said, to do so, Herrings would have to dissolve its highway department.

"They couldn't do that because they needed someone in the summertime to help with the lawn mowing and in the winter to shovel the hydrants," Mr. Foster said.

Herrings Mayor David M. Arnold could not be reached for comment.