Pedestrian Bridge Will Reconnect Hyde Hall Through Tin-Top Gate

1-22-10

SPRINGFIELD

Hyde Hall may be reconnected to the outside world through its traditional Tin-Top gateway by year’s end.
Bids on the $800,000 job should be let in early summer, with construction to begin in August, according to Wendy VanDerBogart, state parks spokesperson.
The long-awaiting project would put a pedestrian bridge over a gully to the east of the neo-classical mansion. It will replace an automotive bridge washed out in the floods of 2006.
Also, water, electrical and sewer lines will be connected to the Tin-Top building, allowing a handicapped restroom to go in there.
The sewer line will continue, hooking up the National Historic Landmark with nearby Glimmerglass State Park’s system.
The plans were outlined at a hearing Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Springfield Community Center.

HELP HAITI:  St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church” will hold a special collection the next two Sundays to benefit Haitian earthquake victims.  The first collection, Jan. 17, raised $4,100, according to the Rev. John P. Rosson.

STUBBORN COSTS: Bassett President/CEO Bill Streck told Cooperstown Rotary Tuesday, Jan. 19, he supports passage of the pending health-insurance reform bill, but doesn’t expect it to lower costs.

‘KEEP GOING’:  Gretchen Sorin, Cooperstown Graduate Program director, will preview her Ph.D. thesis, “African Amercians on the Road in the Era of Jim Crow,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Village Library of Cooperstown.

ON COUNCIL:  Bill Freeland, organic grain and beef farmer, was appointed to the Springfield Town Board Monday, Jan. 18, replacing Bill Elsey, elected supervisor in November. 

DRILLING FOE:  Mayor Calvin Tillman of Dish, Texas, who has been challenging hydro-fracking in the Barnett Shale Formation, will speaking about gas-drilling challenges 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Board of Representatives meeting room in the county building.

ALBANY RALLY:  A bus is leaving from Oneonta Monday, Jan. 25, for the 10:30 a.m. “Stop Toxic Gas Drilling Rally” at the state Capitol.  Register at www.actionotsego.org.