Thursday, May 4, 2017

What Price Floating Docks?

Most of the floating docks have been re-installed for the season in the slips in riverfront park and at the city dock. The process, it seems, involved the use of a backhoe, which caused extensive damage to the lawn. These photos were provided by Julie Metz, who wondered in the email that accompanied them if the park had been vandalized.




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16 comments:

  1. This is known as "municipal vandalism."

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  2. Not surprising, given that the City is contemplating a major dump truck route and a rock loading operation right next to that park.

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  3. Typical work.. Lets put them in right after a heavy overnight rain so those new Yorkers cant come and enjoy our park, and it also keeps us busy.

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  4. I was there yesterday to witness the placement of the docks. From what I heard and seen, workers were doing their best to do their job, but the then damage to the grass, in my opinion, was a second thought to them. They probably thought that this time in May that DPW would fix it. The ground is very moist and subject to damage.

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  6. I think it was in '13 that the docks were in the water by Memorial Day, but their gates were still locked.

    It should be acknowledged that volunteers help install (and remove) the docks, but as the photos prove, it is not a well coordinated effort.

    In that case, consider that the City actually has a "Dock Master." But shouldn't the Dock Master be someone who actually lives here, and takes pride in Hudson?

    If this incident doesn't help us answer that question, then nothing will.

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  7. Just like on the shady side of Warren, the city wants the CLC to take over the North Dock but they won't do maintenance. Citizen navigators will be at the mercy of the DPW, who looks at our entire waterfront as a nuisance and liability.

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    1. I agree that care of our waterfront is probably a nuisance to the City DPW, but what evidence do you have that "the City wants the CLC [Columbia Land Conservancy] to take over the North Dock"?

      And what is the meaning of "take over"? The City is prohibited from parting with waterfront properties.

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    2. Like the city slip at the north end of the state launch? Or the power boat property.

      Shocked that you never got a copy. They were passing them out at tin boat open house. Shouldn't need to foil one.

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    3. A "copy" of what?

      The City can arrange land swaps with the State, as it did in North Bay so that the sewage treatment plant (which was placed illegally on State land) could finally be located in the City.

      But the power boat association never bought anything from the City. That would be forbidden.

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  8. 1) copy of the CLC plan taken from their offices when Tiffany, her father Tom and uncle Arthur all visited the day before the open house. Maybe that will lend you a copy.

    2) regardless of who owns the upland, the riparian can't (legally) advance on or block the submersible shore. They do both.

    3) what of the city slip fettered by fencing?

    4) last, city and state hold (in trust) title to shore for public benefit, there is no such animal as a grant for non-use. And just like at the Colarusso bulkhead, the city is using code enforcement of land to restrain interstate commerce on a federal waterway.

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  9. 1. It's a tentative plan which the City alone may implement, if it wants to.

    2. The fence is there to block a shack, and not the shore. No court would agree with you that it's the other way round.

    3. The actual boat ramp at Shantytown is not blocked, but wide open. Also, see no. 2 above.

    4. The short length of fence (ca. 10 feet) which protects the two shacks in question is temporary. Its purpose is to restrict public access from what the insurance industry calls an "attractive nuisance," while the City figures out what to do with this unique site. There's easy river access on the same parcel 150 away, and access from the water to this tiny piece of shore you're bemoaning. This would satisfy any court that the people are not being deprived.

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    1. It's only ten feet if overlook the fact that the fence is attached to the shacks. Using your figure, 110 feet of fishable shore.

      After five years it's time, make it safe, let people flow.

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    2. I agree. It will take civic engagement.

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