Mohawk creek project is wrapping up
By Donna Thompson / donna@timestelegram.com
MOHAWK — The Fulmer Creek Green Plain Flood Restoration project that has been under way during the summer and fall months is nearing completion, according to Mohawk Superintendent of Public Works Michael Shedd.
The village will install fencing and some other work remains to be done this fall, including running a new water line under the creek between Devendorf Street and Brookside Drive. The new line will be placed deeper than the current one to prevent freezing, said Shedd.
The village could also be looking at additional work in the spring, according to Shedd.
He encouraged village board members during a meeting Monday to take a look at the area along the creek that has been smoothed out to restore the natural floodplain. Trees and shrubs have been planted there along with some willow.
"It should look really nice in the spring," he said when contacted by telephone. "I think it looks nice right now."
Shedd mentioned the flood mitigation project Monday in response to a question about the availability of any of the trees the village obtained. He said the trees have been planted, including some in the floodplain area. Those that remain will be planted at the new village recreational park, he said.
The village board in May awarded the contract for the project to restore the natural floodplain along Fulmer Creek to The Hubbell Companies, which submitted a bid of $1.4 million.
Last year, the board voted to accept a grant of up to $2 million from the Green Innovation Grant Program, administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation, for creek bank work and a $219,312 grant from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the Fulmer Creek Green Plain project. Templeton Landscape Architects is managing the grants.
The village has taken down a number of houses under the flood buyout program and eliminated Harter Street, which ran along Fulmer Creek, as part of its flood mitigation efforts.
Another property the village wants to obtain was sold during the county tax auction, according to Village Attorney Karl Manne. He said he has reached out to the purchasers to let them know the village is interested in the property.