Getting there - or not

Irene’s aftermath causing havoc on school bus routes HARRIMAN — Bailey Farm Road has been a thorn in the side of two municipalities, Monroe and Harriman. The Town of Monroe wants the road opened in both directions. The Village of Harriman says one-way only. The Monroe-Woodbury bus routes may be the straw that brake the camel’s back after a two-year stand-off. The recent storms that resulted in closed roads and detours that have forced motorists to find other ways to get around, in particular, Monroe-Woodbury school buses. The buses use River Road, one of Harriman’s main arteries. Up to eight inches of rain severely damaged Mary Harriman Park and compromised the Orange County Sewer plant at one point. The road is now closed indefinitely until engineers determine how much damage was sustained to the footings of the road’s bridge. Personal appeal Monroe-Woodbury’s Director of Transportation Clifford Berchtold made a personal appeal to village officials at Harriman’s meeting Tuesday night to re-consider their decision to open Bailey Farm Road. Because of the River Road closure, the school buses have to go out onto Larkin Drive and Route 17, which Berchtold said is a very congested area. Berchtold noted the school district’s good relationship with the village of Harriman. Meadow Glen, a 198-unit condominium complex, is located on Bailey Farm Road. The road is not a dedicated street. The developer met all the conditions imposed by the Monroe planning board with expectations the road would be opened to the general public. The road closure became a major dispute between the two municipalities. The village of Harriman wants Bailey Farm Road to be a one-way street. Motorists could enter Larkin Drive at the Target entrance but would not be able to return in the same direction. The town of Monroe says open the road both ways. The road remains closed. Harriman working with property owner Harriman’s Mayor Steve Welle said Wednesday afternoon that the village is working with the property owner on signage , striping and safety issues that include trees that are ready to fall down. “As soon as he does it, the road will be open - one way only - toward Larkin Drive,” the mayor said. Berchtold said Wednesday morning said his interpretation of good planning is a network of roads that interchange with the cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads. As it stands now, Berchtold said, “Bailey Farm Road is a road to nowhere.” Find out more Changes and revisions to the Monroe-Woodbury School bus routes can be found on the district’s Web site at www.mw.k12.ny.us.