News

New City, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Executive Director of the Rockland County Drainage Agency Vince Altieri, County Legislator Phil Soskin and Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht broke ground on the $1.5 million Lake Suzanne Dam Upgrade project. The dam was built by a hunting and fishing club, which is no longer in existence, approximately 80 years ago and its ownership defaulted to the Town of Ramapo and County of Rockland. The dam is being upgraded to modern standards with costs split evenly between the Town of Ramapo and County of Rockland. “I am proud to be here today for this project which epitomizes intergovernmental cooperation. All throughout Rockland we are undertaking necessary infrastructure projects to bring our facilities up to date. We refuse to kick the can down the road for future generations. But we are doing so in the most financially responsible way possible,” said County Executive Ed Day. WSP Engineering was contracted to perform an engineering analysis prior to updating the dam. They determined that the dam was not properly classified and were able to get the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to reclassify the dam from a “C” High Hazard Dam to a “B” Intermediate Hazard Dam which reduced construction costs. “We are glad to partner with the County and County Drainage Agency on this project which will bring the dam into compliance with current regulatory standards while improving the quality of life for Town residents living around Lake Suzanne,” said Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht.Breakdown of $1,493,600 project costs:

• WSP Engineering – $224,000
• Colonnelli Bros – $1,143,100
• Tectonic – $126,500

Rockland County Legislator Phil Soskin, who represents the area, said, “I want to thank everyone for all of their diligent work in getting this vital project to this point. My constituents, who are also my neighbors, can sleep better now knowing this new dam will be up to current standards, making it safer for all.”