Rose Avenue Residents Ask Council

For Reduced Speed, Cleaner Streets

By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – Armed with a petition bearing 169 signatures, including from several health officials, John Woessner, 29 Rose Ave., asked Common Council this evening to limit speeds on his street to 15 mph and to clean the streets, which are often dusty from traffic from the commercial zone where Otsego Ready Mix, Eastman Associates and Northern Eagle Beverages are located.

“This is a health issue,” he said during the council’s public comment period, which was packed with supporters of both sides.  “I am a surgical tech, and I cannot tell you how many people we’ve opened up to see that their lungs are black.  It’s not because they smoke – it’s because of pollution.”

Woessner says that concrete dust gets kicked up by truck traffic and, without constant street cleaning, the dust gets worse.  “I invite you to come down there and take a deep breath,” he said.

Bob Harlem, owner of Otsego Ready Mix, was also in attendance.  “The real issue is that they changed zoning years ago,” he said.  “It’s zoned mixed use, residential and commercial.”

Rick Eastman, owner of Eastman Associates, agreed.  “Prior to the rehab of Railroad Avenue, there weren’t curbs on Stapleton Avenue.  Now the rigs can’t get around there, so they have no access except for Rose Avenue.”

Council Member Bob Brzozowski, Seventh Ward, said he would present Woessner’s complaint to the Facilities, Technologies & Operations Committee, which he chairs.

“We want to be good neighbors,” said Harlem.  “The city just needs to tell us how and help us get there.”