LETTER TO COLUMBIA PAPER
To the Editor:
I am writing to let more residents know about the proposed chip-sealing/paving of Hillsdale’s local dirt roads, altering the rural and scenic beauty of our town. According to the Highway Department, over the past ten years, twenty miles of Hillsdale’s dirt roads have been chip-sealed/paved (most notably Harlemville Rd, Wolf Rd and Herrington Rd), leaving only twenty miles of unpaved roads in our rural town. The Highway Department has proposed to chip-seal/pave two of the most iconic dirt roads remaining – Texas Hill Rd and Apple Tree Lane, which border Pym Farm and Honey Dog Farm, respectively.
While chip-sealing/paving may seem like an upgrade to some, the overwhelming majority of residents on Texas Hill Rd and Apple Tree Lane, as well as many other members of our community, are strongly opposed to it given the permanent change to the rural character of Hillsdale and the serious concerns to the environment, quality of life, and safety. Residents have voiced their concerns at both the January and February Town Board meetings (some of the most well-attended meetings in years) to what seems the indifference of many on the Town Board.
Chip-seal, a petroleum-based product, is an impervious surface and, after a season, is indistinguishable to a paved road (to a lay person). An impervious surface increases stormwater runoff, which can lead to erosion, water pollution, and damage to local ecosystems, such as the Taghkanic Creek and watershed, if not properly mitigated and managed.
Paving also increases traffic speeds - an on-going problem on several of our local roads - posing safety hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and wildlife alike, as the natural speed limit of a dirt road will be removed. Bicyclists, runners, walkers, families, horse and dog owners, and farmers, use these gravel roads as safe public open spaces for work, scenic recreation, and exercise. Paving these roads would interfere with their ability to enjoy these activities in nature without fear of speeding traffic.
The Town is trying to argue that it is less expensive to maintain a chip-seal road, but this was not substantiated at the February 11 Town Board Meeting, as the long-term maintenance costs of chip-sealing were not shared and compared to simple grading. Moreover, there is evidence that maintaining a chip-sealed road may cost more over the long term.
Most importantly, the community has not had sufficient opportunity to voice its concerns, despite requests to take a more measured and thorough approach to this paving proposal. The Town Board should conduct a transparent public hearing so the community can decide if it is in the long-term interest of Hillsdale to lose our remaining dirt roads. I am confident that as a community we can work together with our Highway Department and Town Council to find alternatives, such as improved grading or eco-friendly materials, before committing to a project with such lasting consequences.
I urge residents to speak out at the upcoming March 18 Town Board meeting and ensure that this decision reflects the best interests of our community and environment.
Sincerely,
Amy Davidsen