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Residents press Vestal leaders for action on dust, debris and early-morning truck traffic from Bun Hill construction
Summary
Several Bun Hill Road residents told the Town Board that heavy truck traffic, persistent dust and stone debris from a large construction project are fouling homes and driveways; the board pledged follow-up meetings with residents, the town engineer and the developer/contractor.
Residents of Bun Hill Road and nearby streets pressed the Vestal Town Board on Aug. 13 over dust, stone debris and early-morning truck traffic from a large nearby construction project, saying existing mitigation measures have been insufficient.
"You can't open your windows, you can't run the air conditioners, the cars are filthy," said resident Nick Jarino, who described driveways filling with mud and said he recorded video showing trucks spreading stone and dust on local streets. Fred Rothman and other residents presented photographs and short video clips showing heavy dust clouds, coated mailboxes and mud in pools.
Residents said watering of the site and a small street sweeper have not stopped dust from entering homes; one resident said the sweeper’s water delivery is "about the size of a pencil" and that watering limited to inside the construction site does not prevent dust on the adjacent roadway.
Supervisor Maria acknowledged the volume of complaints, said town engineering staff were already in contact with the contractor and asked the residents who attended to remain after the meeting for a follow-up discussion. "We will do the best we can," she said, noting the town engineer and other board members would seek an enhanced plan of engagement with the developer and contractor to address watering, traffic management and timing of truck activity.
Town officials said they had discussed the matter in a prior meeting and that the town engineer, Vern Myers, has been working with the construction company to reduce dust through twice-daily watering and other measures. Residents pushed for more frequent road washing, better traffic management (cones/signage) and enforcement of start times for heavy trucks.
Next steps: the board asked those present to stay after the meeting for a concrete planning session and said it would arrange a follow-up meeting with the contractor (identified by residents as Landmark) and town engineering staff.
