Catskill residents urge the Town Board to take legal action to restore trail bridge
“The Town Board has agreed to support efforts to restore the former swinging bridge over the Kaaterskill Creek in Palenville, but told an audience of nearly 75 residents that calls to take eminent domain procedures against an objecting property owner are unlikely to be successful.
Amid an emotional outcry from bridge supporters at a meeting Tuesday, town officials were urged to take legal action to allow an unofficial trail to be reconnected.
“There was always an easement for that property that passed from one property owner to the next … and whatever happened to the easement we don’t know,” resident Betty Gigante said.
The most recent bridge, one of four that had spanned the creek over the past 121 years, was destroyed by downed trees and debris during Hurricane Irene in 2011.
Town Supervisor Joseph Leggio said efforts have been made to seek cooperation from the property owner, whom officials declined to name, but he said no progress has been made in getting approval to allow access to the property.
“We’ve tried with the one gentleman to work something out and it hasn’t really come full circle,” Leggio said. “But if you’d like to set up a meeting with all the interested parties … we’d be more than happy to attend and discuss it.”
Several residents called on the Town Board to explore legal action based on the history of use of a trail connecting Pennsylvania Avenue to state Route 23A.”
Kemble, William. Daily Freeman News 7 October 2014.