Black River closer to OK'ing Ambrose Drive trash pickup

BLACK RIVER — Residents of the Ambrose Drive subdivision are closer to receiving village services.

A year ago, incomplete infrastructure in the subdivision prevented the village from accepting the road as public property, preventing trash removal.

Developer Stephen P. Jellie informed the Board of Trustees on Monday that he had completed road paving, and is working on fitting a fire hydrant and finishing a sidewalk. He expects bases for streetlights to be constructed this week and poles for the lights to arrive within three weeks. After that, he said, National Grid will step in to set up the streetlights.

"What I will be financially responsible for will be done. I have no control over when or how (National Grid) will do the rest," Mr. Jellie said.

The village board has not yet approved the road as public property, but the resolution will be part of the agenda for a special meeting, the date of which has yet to be announced.

The issue, which first reached the village board's attention in October 2008, arose again this year as a result of Mr. Jellie's failure to either pay the village a bond or complete the road before continuing to build in the subdivision. Town Attorney Mark G. Gebo informed trustees last year that it could withhold the issuance of further building permits until the road is complete or the bond is posted.

Mr. Jellie said he would be willing to contribute to a fund for possible incomplete infrastructure work, after the board accepts the road as public property.

"I would put up any money for any work I haven't done," Mr. Jellie said. "What I'm looking at is just to get that garbage picked up."