MORRISTOWN – The village will be opening bids on Dec. 19 for a $104,000 overhaul of the boat launch that provides access to the St. Lawrence River.

The launch is located off Water Street and faces Morristown Bay.

“When we get the top two that we are interested in, we will send the plans to the [state Department of Environmental Conservation] engineer to see that everything is included that we need,” said to Mayor Cheryl A. Shatraw.

Sandra A. Warren, village clerk, said once the bidding process is opened, companies will have five days to submit offers.

“No contract will be awarded until after the engineer reviews it,” said Ms. Warren.

Ms. Shatraw said she expects construction to begin in mid-January.

“Our biggest concern is if there’s ice in the harbor,” said Ms. Shatraw.

Winter construction will mean the water level will be low, giving workers easier access to the ramp.

The goal is to have the project completed by spring so boaters can continue using the launch.

The new boat launch will have a longer ramp, giving access to the river even when the water is low, and will have a floating dock in the center.

“It will basically be two ramps,” said Ms. Shatraw.

Ms. Shatraw said that the ramp has been in sub-par shape for a while.

“This has been needed for a long time,” she said. “We didn’t just want to put a Band-Aid on it.”

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