Flood barrier to remain in Niskayuna

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A hastily built berm around the Niskayuna Water Treatment Plant and wells off Lock 7 Road will remain as a permanent structure around the plant, town officials said Tuesday evening.

Town crews worked 18 hours straight to build the berm around the plant in late August in anticipation of the floodwaters from Hurricane Irene. They used trucks and earth movers to get the earthen structure in place and placed sandbags on top.

The original thinking was to take down the berm once floodwaters had passed. But Rich Pollock, director of public works and chief engineer, who helped design the structure, ultimately recommended it stay, in case it is needed again, McGraw said.

Now the berm will remain, with some improvements, Town Board member Denise Murphy McGraw said. “We are now making that more of a permanent structure,” McGraw told board members Tuesday evening. “Our teams are finishing that up before winter.”

McGraw said later that the work includes putting grass down and some stone. And the berm will be there should it be needed again, she said.

Also this week, the town is to meet with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to talk about federal reimbursement for storm costs.

Town Highway Superintendent Frank Gavin told the board that he expects his costs to be about $150,000.

Supervisor Joe Landry said later that public works costs would be about that much, maybe more. He estimated police costs to be at $50,000. Work on the berm would be factored into the public works number, Landry said, adding that the cost of permanent structures to prevent flooding damage is eligible for aid.