Mid Hudson Times Nov. 11 2015 | Page 4

4 Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, November 11, 2015 City fixes sinkhole, encounters gas leak Continued from page 1 “In the course of uncovering a sinkhole, and discovering there was more than one or two contributing sources to the water, we were able to avert a potential disaster with regard to the gas leak,” Ciaravino said. The sinkhole, discovered two weeks ago as city workers used a robotic camera to investigate a manhole, left the roadway unsupported and in danger of collapse, said city Engineer Jason Morris. Water Street was closed between Fourth and Washington streets. Roughly six feet high, 10 feet wide and 15 feet long, the sinkhole was large enough for one or more vehicles to fall into. Emergency work at the site included replacing a collapsed manhole structure and a collapsed section of sewer outfall pipe, Morris said. Ciaravino explained the sinkhole remediation, water and gas leak repairs were “all in one week’s work for the DPW department.” “We worked strenuously to ensure that we could do this work in-house rather than pay for an emergency contractor,” Ciaravino said, which would have been a tremendous expense. At a city council work session this month, council members explored the possibility of obtaining a sewer camera truck, which would, among other functions, “investigate our sewers to determine what we don’t know,” said Morris. The engineer estimated the camera truck would cost $350,000 with bond-anticipation-note financing. “Do we know if there is another municipality that has a camera truck that we may be able to borrow?” asked council member Cedric Brown. Morris said he spoke with the Town of Newburgh, “and they did not have one,” he said. City of Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy promised to contact other nearby municipalities to ask if they could share a camera truck. She also said she would look into possible state funding provided to municipalities sharing services and equipment. “I think that is a great idea,” said Morris. “My only hesitation is that we need to get this done quickly. We are years behind schedule.” Water Street was reopened last week. EXPRESS AUTOMOTIVE TOWING & RECOVERY 877 Blooming Grove Tpk. New Windsor “We are a competitive automotive repair center.” Police Blotter NEW WINDSOR POLICE Alejandro Vega, 42 of Maybrook was charged on October 19th with No/Expired Inspection, Imitation or counterfeit and unlicensed operation of a vehicle in the 3rd degree. He was arraigned before Town Justice Richard Thorpe and released on his own recognizance and will return to court on November 24th. Jeffrey B. Wright, 21 of Wallkill was charged on October 17th with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arraigned before Town Justice Richard Thorpe and given an appearance ticket and will return to court on November 24th. Amy G. Pittari, 47 of Salisbury Mills was charged on October 11th with allowing a dog to run. She was arraigned before $)Q