PORT JERVIS, NY — At the Port Jervis Common Council meeting on August 10, the fate of the city’s old bluestone sidewalks was discussed again, and at the end, the council decided to advertise for other bids to do the same work that Peter Hill from New England Architectural Center has proposed. Hill made an offer to the city on July 25th to take what’s left of the old Church Street School’s bluestone, which is now located at Children’s Park and also at Mother’s Playground and Skinners Park, and replace it with concrete at no cost to the city.

The city has sought other bids for the same project, which will help the council determine if this is a good deal.

Eight pieces of bluestone are causing all the commentary. Hill has said he intends to sell the stone to an interested buyer; the estimated value is $18,000. At the meeting, most council members spoke for the deal, saying the city had no money to replace the sidewalks, that they were possibly dangerous, and they were a hindrance to children walking to school. On the other hand, some residents and council members expressed concern over Hill’s motives.

Hill came to the meeting, and addressed the council. He said he’s a conservationist, that he’s been working in the area for about a year, and that he is known to local residents. He said, “We were asked by local residents if there was something we could do to restore or bring back the sidewalks in the center of town.”

Hill continued, “I approached one of my clients who happened to have a big project going on, and it happened we could use the steps. I don’t know if you’ve seen the appraisals; they have a relatively high value. In exchange, we’re trying to do a job for the city that involves picking and choosing for the money we have, and the effort all the people involved are prepared to make. We knew what the price would be if the city did it; it is between $75,000 and $100,000.”

“The proposal was for $18,000 to us and we were going to do the rest of the work ourselves. I would really like to make a contribution.”

He added, however, “I can no longer guarantee these clients will buy the stone because they don’t want to be involved with the political fight going on here.” He assured the audience that there was no hidden agenda to his proposal.

Councilmember Bob Ritchie said, “The contractor would do the work of replacing, because he has the means of doing so. There’s no money going wasted; the contract is safe.” The city’s attorney, William Bavoso, also said he was happy for the proposal, but also the cost of replacing those sidewalks should be verified.

Councilmembers David Bavoso and Rob Waligroski said if there’s no better offer, the city should take Hill’s, maybe in two phases. Councilmember Gerry Oney said, “If the guy is so interested, he may still do the deal.”

Councilmember Stan Siegel was the only one on the council to speak against the proposal, saying it’s sad for the city to give away “that stone of our forefathers. I will vote ‘no.’ It’s just plain wrong for the city.”

Councilmember Carl Hendrick commented, “I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the same councilman ask for improvement for sidewalks. It’s an opportunity; there’s no grant; we have to try to come up with ways to upgrade.”