The bridge to which Cianfrini referred will span Oak Orchard Creek on Sour Springs Road, near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Snowmobile clubs want the bridge in place because it is the main link between trails in Genesee and Orleans counties.
Cianfrini said the town of Alabama has to take three steps before the county can sign off on any agreement. They include a resolution to hold the county harmless for any liability connected to the span, agree to provide year-round maintenance for the structure and provide to the county a certificate of insurance from the town’s insurance carrier.
The lawmaker said it seemed as if an informal agreement was possible after the parties involved talked informally at the Oct. 28 Legislature meeting.
“Once the agreement is signed we can use the bridge.
“Nothing’s been done. Your town attorney has not contacted the county attorney,” Cianfrini said.
“The Town Board is all in favor,” said Scarborough, the Alabama councilman.
Maerten said the town plans to carry $1 million in liability on the bridge, the same amount as the Sno-Packers.
“We have to make sure the insurance company is on the same page,” he said.
The town’s aim is to have the snowmobile club take on the maintenance as part of its legal agreement with the town, Maerten said.
Controversy over the 60-foot-long bridge erupted in September when members of the Genesee Sno-Packers installed the span over Oak Orchard Creek. The plan was to replace the original bridge on the site, which was torn down by the county because it was unsafe.
Sour Springs Road is a town thoroughfare but the bridge was owned by the county.
The So-Packers had had discussions with the county to put up a replacement structure for use by snowmobilers, ATVs and pedestrians.
The Oakfield-based snowmobile club, which has 700 members, did not have permission to put up the new bridge, so last month County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens ordered his crew to remove the span. That step was taken under the counsel of County Attorney John Rizzo.
The Public Service Committee voted Monday to refer the matter to the Ways & Means Committee.
“It certainly seems as if the ball is in your court right now,” Cianfrini said to the Alabama board members and to Fisher, the Sno-Packers president.
The Alabama Town Board’s next meeting is Monday.
Once the county receives all of the required documentation from the town of Alabama, the matter will be placed on the agenda of the Ways & Means Committee and then the full Legislature, said clerk of the Legislature Carolyn Pratt.
Ways & Means and the Legislature each have two more meetings this year.
