FIRST OPPOSITION LETTER
Dear Highway Superintendent Briggs, Supervisor Dvorchak and Councilmembers:
We are writing to express our strong opposition to possible plans for new paving of dirt or gravel roads in the Town of Hillsdale.
Texas Hill Road and Apple Tree Lane are roads apparently being considered by the Town for paving.
While we understand that in some cases there may be arguments in favor of paving certain of our town’s remaining gravel roads related to improved accessibility or reduced maintenance, we believe in this case these considerations are outweighed by the potential negative impact on residents.
Paving Texas Hill and Apple Tree Lane would significantly alter the character of our rural area, degrading the built and natural environment, and impacting the quality of life for residents who value Hillsdale's unique natural setting and historic attributes. Paving the last remaining dirt roads in our area would also likely lead to increased runoff, potentially impacting local waterways, wildlife habitats and migration patterns.
Key Reasons for Opposition:
Aesthetic Degradation
The rural qualities of our community are largely attributed to the presence of dirt roads. Paving would significantly alter the visual landscape, detracting from the scenic quality of the area.
Increased Traffic Speed and Volume
Easier access due to paving would lead to a notable increase in traffic, potentially disrupting the peacefulness and safety of our rural neighborhood and roads. When roads are paved, driving speeds and traffic volume increase and the negative impact on noise and safety for residents is often significant.
Environmental Impacts
Paving these roads would lead to increased runoff, potentially impacting local waterways and wildlife habitats due to the disruption of natural drainage patterns.
Recreation
Bicyclists, runners, walkers, families, horse and dog owners utilize these gravel roads as safe public open spaces for scenic recreation and exercise. Paving these roads would greatly interfere with area residents' active lifestyles and lead to the increased use of vehicles.
We urge the Town of Hillsdale Highway Superintendent and the Town Board to reconsider any plan to pave Texas Hill Road and Apple Tree Lane. We believe that the cost of paving could be better allocated to other critical infrastructure needs within the community. We believe any limited benefits of paving these roads are far outweighed by the negative impact on residents in the area and the Town as a whole. We urge the Town to explore ways of improving the gravel maintenance on these roads in order to address any concern there may be regarding their condition or use.
In the interest of transparency and good decision-making by government, any consideration of paving roads should be accompanied by a thorough study to assess and document the views of residents, any potential positive benefits, and any potential negative consequences. Residents should have an opportunity to come together, with due notice, to understand the proposal and to share information and views with the Town Board.
In solidarity,
The Taghkanic Creek Old Road Society
Residents and Landowners of Texas Hill Road and Apple Tree Lane, Hillsdale, NY
Pym Farm
Sam and Vanessa Johnson
435 Lockwood Road and Texas Hill Road
Honey Dog Farm, LLC
FH Farms, LLC
Nabila, Layth and James Cox Chambers
287 Rodman Road
2301 State Rt-23
Amy Davidsen and Jon Katz
308 Texas Hill Road
Joe Ziemer and Carrie Coffee
271 Texas Hill Road
Lauren Mechling and Ben Schrank
139 Texas Hill Road
Mark McDonald and Dwayne Resnick
411 Texas Hill Road
Jeff Paige
48 Texas Hill Road
Miles and Robin Flamenbaum
274 Texas Hill Road
Jennifer Hadley-Thomas
4 Texas Hill Road
Jonathan Kastner and Deirdre Sullivan
240 Texas Hill Road
Susan Solovay
333 Texas Hill Road
Wendy Whelan and David Michalek
290 Texas Hill Road
Ellen Zaroff
633 Lockwood Road and Texas Hill Road
Area Hillsdale Residents and Landowners
Christina and Benjamin Gebert
569 West End Road
Valerie and Fred Knecht
209 Taconic Creek Road
Jon Furay and Erin Hawker
468 West End Road
Chris Boneau and Bob Bucci
871 West End Road
Courtney Zoffness and Jeremy Gough
11 Cove Road
Lori Leibovich and Lawrence Kanter
726 Wolf Hill Road
Cameron Russell and Damani Baker
43 Ridge Lane
Julie Moses Whittingham and Charlie Whittingham
837 Carlson Road
Hillary Hawk
Random Harvest Market
1785 State Rt-23
Betsy and David Berliner
239 Phudd Hill Road
County-wide Gravel Road Supporters
Chatham Dirt Road Coalition
PO Box 95
Chatham, NY 12037
Doug Welch
325 Bushnell Road, Chatham, NY
Peter Meyer
330 Allen Street, Hudson, NY
Bruce Porter and Sara Roszak
Spook Rock Road, Claverack, NY
Rachel Zeig-Owens
172 Sky Farm Road, Copake, NY
Carole Clark
Box 122, Livingston, NY
Robert Weil
102 Union St, Hudson, NY
Charlotte Sheedy
403 Warren, Hudson, NY