GUILDERLAND — An intersection may have to be rebuilt before a new gravel pit can open in town.

Last Wednesday, the zoning board tabled Charles Desch’s application to open a gravel pit on Becker Road until its Oct. 18 meeting, when the board can address issues with the use of heavy trucks with the town-designated engineer.

Volmer Associates, the town’s designated engineering firm, suggested that the intersection at Becker Road and Route 158 undergo either a full realignment or at least a modified realignment before Desch can proceed with his gravel operation.

Currently, the turning dimension of the intersection could be dangerous to heavy-duty traffic, according to reports given to the board. The speed at which people enter Becker Road from Route 158 was another concern raised by some residents attending the meeting.
"Not one of us up here are engineers, and certainty not traffic engineers. We have to rely on our town’s engineer," said Peter Barber, zoning board chairman. "We need someone to tell us if that is ok or not."

The town-designated engineer did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.

The question of who would be responsible for a road realignment as well as any necessary repairs was also addressed.
"If he’s forced to do a complete realignment of the intersection, it won’t be possible," Desch’s representative told the board.

Several options were laid out between Desch and the board, including a complete overhaul of the intersection as well as some with varying degrees of modification.

Donald Cropsey, chief building inspector and zoning administrator, spoke with Todd Gifford, the town highway superintendent, who suggested that the town create an escrow account for Becker Road for future realignment or possible damages to the road. Gifford said that right now though, the money should not be necessary; the escrow account would only be a precaution.

Several residents in and around the Becker Road area spoke at the meeting.
"Even at 20 miles per hour, taking that turn"there is not enough room to stop," said Sue Green, who lives on Route 158. "It’s a tough road, and it’s got a lot of traffic."

Green told the board that in the 32 years she has lived there, she doesn’t remember ever seeing anyone work on the road. She also said that, although the board was told Desch had all of the neighbors’ approval, she was never contacted, nor did she provide her written consent.

John Abbruzzese, who lives at 6677 Dunnsville Rd., and is a co-owner of the Altamont Orchards on that road, gave his approval for Desch’s business proposal, but added that he did not believe Desch should have to pay for the road work.
"Everybody already knows that Charlie is the most talented bulldozer mechanic in this town," said Abbruzzese. "To me, it seems like it’s just as dangerous for a school bus full of kids going around that corner as for an empty tractor trailer"I don’t think it should be solely his responsibility."

Abbruzzese also told the board that he is personally aware of heavy traffic, and, as taxpayers, residents and business owners should not have to pay the entire cost of road work to live or set up shop in town.
"I just want to state that I have no objections to opening up a gravel pit there," Carl Peterson told the board.

Peterson, a farmer, owns property at 1102 Bosenkill Rd., next to Desch’s.
"As for Becker Road with agricultural equipment"it’s almost impossible," said Peterson. "I think it should be left up to the DOT people," he said of the state’s Department of Transportation.

Jim Leonard, who has property at 129 School Rd. and has been a Guilderland resident for over 40 years, also spoke on Desch’s behalf.
"The competition would be fine for this area. We only have one gravel company to choose from. Maybe a little competition can help keep the prices down," said Leonard. "I’m in favor of it and I wanted to go on the record for saying so."

The last man to approach the podium during the public hearing was Richard List, who owns a business in the town of Guilderland.
"I’m for Mr. Desch’s application," List told the board. "I’m a little disappointed that the TDE isn’t here to answer questions."

Barber agreed, adding that he believes the intersection is dangerous and needs to be realigned.
According to Gifford, there is a four-ton weight limit on Becker Road, but he told the zoning board that there is "a remote chance for damage" from a gravel business operating on the road.
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation requires that a "rumble-strip style" apparatus be implemented to shake dust and mud from trucks before they enter Becker Road.