By: Shea O’Malley
OSWEGO – The Oswego Common Council held a video conference meeting last night, April 27, which opened with a public hearing intended for residents to voice concerns over National Grid’s Pipeline 55 Project.
Ben Weisel, a representative for National Grid, spoke first, requesting a Negative Declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) for proposed maintenance work associated with pipeline 55.
“This work involves replacement of the existing pipeline to allow National Grid to complete federally mandated safety inspections of the pipeline,” Weisel said.
Weisel reviewed a blueprint of the project, including revised plans to reduce noise and construction concerns the council had when the project was first proposed in May 2019.
The project includes replacing a gas pipeline across the Oswego River along Route 48, near the golf course. According to Weisel, the revised plan includes:
- Relocating the drill entry point from a residentially wide right of way to a forested area at the Oswego Country Club.
- Reduction in overnight construction from 66 nights to an estimated 11 nights.
- A reduction in construction noise by using fewer generators as part of the project.
Mayor Billy Barlow then read a letter from John and Ruth Ayres, whose property is located at 2 Pond Path in Oswego. The couple were unable to attend the meeting through video or phone due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The letter outlined ramifications the revised project will have on their property.
Property losses include monetary improvements and landscaping, removal of a privacy fence, trees, shrubbery, perennials and construction easements utilizing over half of their yard space.
Also included are truck noise, dust, diesel fuel, and invasion of privacy along with structural integrity and loss of property values.
Weisel made a statement following discussion of the letter, referring to a revision plan to ease the Ayres property intrusions.
“National Grid is investigating the possibility of relocating the construction entrance of Route 48 pending city approval [and] relocate the pipeline to the east,” Weisel said.
National Grid will continue to revise the plan in order to lesson any unnecessary property impacts. This resolution was tabled until May 11.
The council reviewed and approved the following resolutions on the agenda:
- R-111: Approval of minutes for Common Council meeting held April 13, 2020. Resolution approved.
- R-112: Approval for use of public space by Port City Enterprises LLC., for installation of an awning at commercial property 198 W. First St. Resolution approved.
- R-113: The Fire Department will accept a monetary donation from NRG Energy, Inc. to be used toward COVID-19 related expenses. Resolution approved.
- R-114: Authorize Public Hearing – proposed Local Law No. 1 of the year 2020 – a local law amending Chapter 108, Electrical Standards, of the Code of the City of Oswego. Resolution approved.
- R-115: Authorizing mayor to sign Change Order No. 1 with John R. Dudley Construction Company, for project modifications to the Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant electrical and SCADA upgrades. Resolution approved.
- R-116: Authorizing mayor to sign Order No. 1 with Marcellus Construction Company for project modifications to the Combined Sewer Separation – 3rd 25% Project. Resolution approved.
- R-117: Motion to resend Resolution No. 19, dated January 13, 2020. Resolution approved.
- R-118: Authorizing mayor to sign a proposal from National Grid to provide lighting on Fifth Avenue. Resolution approved.
- R-119: Authorizing mayor to sign Change Order No. 1F with Barton Loguidice D.P.C. for project modifications to the Downtown Oswego Route 104 Complete Streets Project. Resolution approved.
- R-120: Authorizing mayor to execute agreements with the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau and the Oswego YMCA for the Eastside Youth Center and Skateboard Park as well as Youth Development State Aid. Resolution approved.
- R-121- Authorizing mayor to execute an agreement with Delta Engineers to provide engineering and land surveying services for flood damage repair associated with the 2019 FEMA Declaration associated with high water levels along Lake Ontario (DR4472). Resolution approved.
- R122: Approval of bids submitted by W. D. Malone Trucking and Excavating, Inc. for construction work on the Breitbeck Shoreline Restoration Project. Resolution approved.
- R-123: Approval of bids submitted by W. D. Malone Trucking and Excavating, Inc. for construction of the Route 48 Green Gateway Project. Resolution approved.
- R-124: Wave rules of the Common Council to present Resolution No. 125 from the floor without committee consideration. Resolution tabled.
- R-125 – Approval of National Grid’s Pipeline 55 Project including a waiver of the city of Oswego Noise Ordinance as well as a Negative Declaration under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). Resolution tabled.
Note: Resolutions 124/125 are tabled until May 11, giving National Grid and affected residents time to resolve issues regarding property changes due to The Pipeline 55 Project. The resolutions will be reviewed at that time.
Common Council Meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of every month.
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