The Marlborough Town Board is proposing to renovate the Milton Landing South Pier, which was built in 1957 for fuel service but fell into disrepair and was closed in 1999. The town acquired it in 2009.

Plans were drawn up by Jerry Wein, with the cost estimated at $1.5 million. A New York State grant will cover $313,000, of the project, the town is kicking in $140,000 for engineering, which leaves $1.047 million left to cover. The town is proposing to pay this amount with a five year short-term bond. Should the town be able to secure a member item from either their state senator of assemblyman, it can only be used to bring down short-term debt. At the end of the five-year time frame in 2024 the town must do a long-term bond for the remaining amount, however in that same year the town is retiring a major road bond that will free up $375,000 that could go toward this project on an annual basis.

The Town Board was initially planning to approve a bond at their May 28 meeting but postponed the vote until a special meeting that is scheduled for August 5. This expenditure is subject to a permissive referendum and if it is successfully challenged, the public would be voting on it on election day in November, rather than having to hold a special election.

Supervisor Al Lanzetta said they could tap the bond money as needed and they do not have to take it all upfront.

The presentation points out that this pier will be another Hudson River point of access, provide additional recreation opportunities of fishing and kayaking, allow for tour boats and the Sloop Clearwater to stop and visit the town and bring revenue into Marlborough.

“We’ve got it pretty much wrapped up and we’re fine tuning it now,” Lanzetta said. He said in the interest of transparency the presentation will soon be up on the town’s Facebook page as well as on their website www.townofmarlboroughny.com for public review. If the town does not move forward with the project the pier itself may structurally reach a point of no return where the town would then have to remove it and bear the cost. There would not be a chance in the future to put another pier in due to strict permitting reasons.

Lanzetta said if the project is approved and there is no challenge, he hopes to get much of the work done in September and October.

“We’re putting in the (pier) pilings first so we don’t disturb the spawning fish,” he said. “We’d like to get quite a bit of work done before winter and finish it up next spring.”

Lanzetta said the rest of the Town Board has brought up various concerns about the project, but overall they seem to be in favor of it. He said if any resident has questions or concerns he can be reached at Town Hall at (845) 795-5100 ext.2.