KINGSTON – The Kingston Common Council grudgingly approved a $50,000 easement agreement with a private Washington Avenue homeowner, in order to proceed with the costly repair project surrounding the notorious sinkhole near Linderman Avenue.
The complicated situation has stymied traffic in the neighborhood since 2011, and cost roughly $5 million to fix. The hole was caused by erosion to a 19th Century tunnel, aggravated by an intersecting underground stream at that location.
Engineers are preparing to use pile drivers to compact the soil around the tunnel, which requires permission from homeowners to enter their property and conduct the work. Without the cooperation of these neighbors, the project cannot move forward. Haggling has delayed the work since last summer.
Alderwoman Alissa Ball took umbrage at the size of the easement cost
negotiated by the city with Marie and Pamela Ruzzo, executrixes for the
estate of Victor Ruzzo.
“What this family is asking for is despicable; there’s no other words for it,” Ball said. “I cannot in good conscience vote to hand over a ransom check to this family, because they are holding the city of Kingston hostage. Shame on this family.”
Alderwoman Mary Ann Mills, chair of the finance committee, said to delay the project any longer “is not acceptable.”
Alderman Steven Schabot said he dislikes having to pay the money, but the city has to move forward.
Mayor Shayne Gallo said it is now time to complete the repairs.
“It’s a small price to pay to get the project done by the end of the year and to essentially tap into almost $1.2 million in funding to offset any other impact we would have for the taxpayers not to have to foot out that additional money,” Gallo said.
Alderman Brad Will said the council didn’t have a choice. “We have to get started on this project.”
Will suggested a fund be established to handle such sticky situations in the future.
Ulster County 2023 annual report released
May 2, 2024
