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Public Works Committee approves bridge and culvert contracts, audits and farmers market parking; tables build/wood policy
Summary
At its Sept. 17 meeting the Columbia County Public Works Committee approved audit resolutions required by NYSDOT, a culvert design contract (CHA $382,431), a slope‑stabilization item and a farmers‑market parking‑lot use agreement, and voted to table a labor‑sensitive build/wood policy for further review.
The Columbia County Public Works Committee approved a slate of routine but consequential administrative actions and contracts at its Sept. 17 meeting and tabled a labor‑sensitive personnel/policy resolution for additional review.
Approved items
- NYSDOT audit resolutions: The committee approved two audit resolutions tied to County Route 7 bridge projects in Gallatin and Osmoletts. Speaker 3 explained these audits are required by NYSDOT for bridge projects with design fees over $300,000. A motion and second were recorded and the committee voted in favor.
- Slope stabilization in Gallatin (adjacent to an active bridge project): Speaker 3 outlined a scope of work to address shoulder cracking and separation; an in‑house approach was chosen after an external engineer proposed $35,000 for design. The county's contractor estimate for the construction work was cited around $25,000 and the committee moved forward.
- Culvert design contract (County Route 11): Following procurement rules Speaker 3 recommended engaging Claiborne Associates (CHA) of Albany to perform design work for an existing culvert replacement, at an amount of $382,431. The committee moved, seconded and approved the contract.
- Farmers Market winter parking approval: The committee approved the Hudson Farmers Market request to use the county lot at 6 In Columbia Street on specified winter Saturdays (Nov. 29, 2025–April 11); vendors must provide certificates of insurance, the church will provide restrooms and facilities staff will clear the lot as needed.
Tabled item
- Build/wood policy: Speaker 3 presented a proposed policy to manage wood removed during county clearing (chips distribution, distributable wood rules, and saleable wood auctions). Because the policy affects county labor, supervision and union agreements, Speaker 2 moved to table the resolution and the committee carried that motion; staff will consult the county labor attorney and the union and bring a revised item back next month.
Other approvals and housekeeping
The committee also approved annual human‑resources resolutions for insurance plans, amended the summer youth employment funding to correct a spreadsheet error (the amended total recorded in the meeting was $49,729.93), and authorized contracts with the towns of Canaan and Chatham for parcel evaluation/data verification. A state‑contract vendor to upgrade county websites for ADA compliance was also approved.
Voting: motions and seconds were recorded on the items above; where the transcript records "all in favor" the chair called the items approved. The committee did not take a final vote on the Stuyvesant Falls bridge issue; staff said a special meeting will be requested after receipt of consultant proposals.
Next steps: staff will reconvene the water and sewer subcommittee as needed, re‑advertise the 11 Warren facade RFP, consult labor counsel on the build/wood policy and present the Stuyvesant Falls load‑study proposal at a special meeting once received.
