Putnam County Executive Kevin Burn hosted a town hall forum in Carmel to discuss a significant infrastructure project that has been in the works for over three decades. The meeting, attended by various department heads and stakeholders, aimed to inform residents about the project's timeline, funding, and implications for the community.

Burn acknowledged the presence of key officials, including the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works (DPW), Tommy Fury, and representatives from utility companies and the Carmel Central School District. He emphasized the importance of community engagement, encouraging attendees to submit questions via cards to facilitate a structured discussion.

The project, which has faced numerous delays since its inception in the early 1990s, has a complex history marked by public opposition and funding challenges. Initial engineering contracts were signed in 1998, but progress stalled, leading to a loss of federal funding in 2008. After a series of revisions and public hearings, the project was re-scoped and restarted in 2017, with a design report approved in 2021.

Burn detailed the financial aspects of the project, noting that design costs are fully funded by the county, totaling approximately $1.23 million. Right-of-way acquisitions, including eminent domain, are projected to cost around $1.8 million. The total estimated cost for the project, which includes construction and related expenses, is projected to exceed $30 million, making it the most expensive capital project in Putnam County's history.

The construction contract was awarded to GMPIA, with a bid of $21.9 million. Funding for construction will be shared among federal, state, and county sources, with 80% covered by federal funds. Burn highlighted the financial implications for taxpayers, noting that halting the project would require reimbursement of approximately $1.7 million to federal and state governments.

The forum concluded with a commitment to transparency and ongoing communication with the community as the project progresses. The recorded session will be available on the county's YouTube channel for residents who could not attend.