Clarkstown: ZBA, Town Board, Community Forum On I-87 Sound Barriers

NEW CITY, NY — Dwight D. Eisenhower famously said, "Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people."

There are plenty of upcoming chances to help tend to our democracy close to the roots. Several public meetings are scheduled for this week in Clarkstown.

Monday

Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. Public hearings are on the agenda:

• Variances to build a 2-car garage and inground pool at 27 South Park Terrace in Congers
• Special permit to construct outdoor animal play/relief area at 35 Smith Street, Nanuet
• Variances for a single-family dwelling at 286A New Hempstead Road, New City

Tuesday

Town Board, 7 p.m. in the auditorium

Wednesday

Community Meeting 7 p.m. at the West Nyack Firehouse, 42 Strawtown Road regarding noise levels and flooding in West Nyack and Central Nyack where there are no sound barriers for the New York State Thruway.

According to Clarkstown Councilman Donald Franchino:

For many residents of West Nyack and Central Nyack, living in proximity to the New York State Thruway has become an unbearable nuisance. Due to a number of factors, including the construction of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and toll hikes at the George Washington Bridge, the flow of commercial and private passenger traffic has increased through this corridor. This increase in traffic is resulting in a significant increase in noise pollution in an area that was already problematic due to its higher elevation.

The increased noise levels are something that nearby residents are forced to live with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A number of these residents, along with Town officials, have been pleading with the New York State Thruway Authority to at least conduct a sound study to verify the claims regarding the increased noise pollution.

The NYS Thruway Authority refuses to do so, citing internal policies regarding how sound studies are authorized. Sound barriers exist today through the Route 287 connector and in extensive areas in the Ramapo, Spring Valley, and Nanuet sections of the Thruway. Sound barriers also appear in Nyack, South Nyack, and on the Westchester side of the Thruway. The one glaring gap is in the Central Nyack and West Nyack stretch, a critical part of the corridor leading to the bridge. In addition to the noise, it is also important to note that the New State Thruway floods at the base of this corridor, which has resulted in extensive closures in the past. Traffic gets diverted to Route 59, creating massive delays and a significant burden on our police and emergency services.