DPW, You Are Just Asking For Trouble! Again!

Pavement cut, ready to dig.  No permit necessary!

Work on the eyesore of a house at State & Carroll, 414 State Street, began either early this year or late last year.  At least one month ago, in preparation of replacing water and/or sewer pipes for the house, someone cut a long rectangle in the street, 2/3 of the way across the street, to eventually get at the pipes below.  Curious to see if the contractor or property owner had been issued a DPW Street Permit to cut into the city-owned street, I talked to the DPW Clerk at City Hall.

First, I asked Samantha if all contractors were required to obtain a permit to simply cut into the street prior to excavation.  Samantha said that unless it's an emergency situation, yes, all contractors must be issued a permit to cut the pavement.

I asked Samantha if anyone associated with 414 State Street had recently been issued a permit to cut the pavement or dig in the street in front of the house.  After a short search of her permit file, she told me that no permit was on file for 414 State Street.

This is more evidence of a city that simply is not paying attention.  We all know the possible consequences of this behavior.

Notice the cut lines along the white 
lines in the center.

Every time it has rained since the pavement was cut in front of 414 State Street, a little bit of water (or a lot, as we are experiencing lately) seeps through those saw cuts and gets into the foundation of the street, eroding what supports our street, compromising the integrity of our street. You think Robert Perry gives a crap?  Robert Perry, the DPW Superintendent who, according to his two clerks, doesn't even have an office at City Hall?

My guess is that a DPW Street Permit for the planned excavation in front of 414 State would cost the contractor at least $500, though I wouldn't be surprised if it were a whole lot more.  Perhaps the contractor will be issued a permit prior to excavation (and face no consequences for getting it late, of course), but the fact that a permit was not issued prior to cutting the pavement is a huge, concerning red flag.  This is how regrettable, costly mistakes are made by contractors who don't abide by the rules meant to keep us all safe and prevent stupid, preventable shit from happening.  This is how a city gets tangled up in a lawsuit after a few missteps from a contractor or two and while the person supposedly in charge is not paying attention to what is going on right in front of him or her.  Who do you suppose that person would be in this case?  

"A huge portion of the street failed near 414 State because a contractor cut the pavement two months ago without a permit?   It's your problem now, Mr. DPW!  That permit would have shielded you from responsibility and a lawsuit.  Too late now!" 

The situation in front of 414 State is, in my eyes, no different than the reason for the embarrassing, regrettable and expensive situation in the Washington Street lot across from the Firehouse, where Robert Perry allowed unregulated dumping of all sorts of crap last year and the State DEC is making him clean up the mess he created, all at taxpayer's expense.  Anyone paying attention to what was going on in the lot last year (such as myself), knew there was going to be trouble.  This kind of poor governance can't keep happening. 

Are you paying attention now, DPW?

You want to regularly drive your car while distracted by your phone, not paying attention to the road at all times as you should be?  Go right ahead, even though it is illegal!  If you do, chances are really good that you will get yourself in an accident, possibly injuring or killing yourself and/or someone else.   Keep in mind that if you choose not to pay attention to the road, by whatever means you use, you should not be driving an automobile.