CLOSTER — Closter’s Environmental Commission members are trying to convince government officials to move forward with constructing a bridge over the Tenakill Brook.
The proposed bridge would provide hikers easier east/west access over the Tenakill Brook on the trail system in Closter. It would also provide direct connection to the Demarest trails from the west side of the brook.
Construction of the 50-foot long, 6-foot wide steel bridge would be funded by matching borough and county open space funds. According to Borough Engineer Nick DeNicola, the anticipated cost of the project is $100,000.
However, government officials may not be convinced the bridge is merited since there is already a roadway bridge 500 feet downstream that enables hikers to reconnect with the trail. In the past, Councilman John Kashwick expressed concern about the environmental impact the bridge would have on the area, saying it doesn’t make sense to build on an area that is supposed to be preserved.
But Environmental Commission member Richard Ryan and its Chairman David Scholz said the environmental impact would be temporary and the bridge would increase the trail’s safety by creating a second exit point.
"Not only is this a way to get to the [Demarest] trails but it’s another way to help make our town more enjoyable for people and more resident friendly," said Scholz. He added that within a year any plant life impacted by the construction of the bridge would return to normal.
Pointing to future stringency by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding protecting certain streams, Scholz said the time for the bridge is "now or never."
Officials may decide in February if the Environmental Commission members’ plea was convincing enough to merit approving construction. In the meantime they are considering if this is an appropriate use of Open Space funds.
Closter’s portion, which would match the entire cost of the project, could amount to $50,000 and Mayor Sophie Heymann raised concerns that that money could be spent on improving other parts of the trail instead.
Heymann mentioned, in particular, spending the money on efforts that would connect the Northern Valley trail system to the New York border.
"I have been working on getting a trail through from Tenafly to the New York border for quite a number of years so I’m interested in getting that done," said Heymann, adding this could be difficult if application for another grant is denied.
If the bridge is approved, Heymann anticipates it to take up all of the existing funds Closter has for the trail system. More than two years ago Closter received a $120,000 county open space grant for the trail so the overall amount the borough has for the project is $240,000, considering the matching grants from Closter. The bridge would use up $100,000 with the remaining $120,000 being used for engineering and permitting costs and the construction of two other bridges on part of the trail.
But councilman David Barad said the Environmental Commission members made a convincing case for the bridge.
"I was concerned [that we] may be able to better spend this money in some other part of trail development. But they made it clear they didn’t have other plans for development at this time," said Barad. He added that pictures of the area showed there was not much vegetation that would be disturbed by the addition of a bridge.
Even Kashwick said he has changed his mind about the bridge and is now "90 percent sure" he will support it.
"My concern was mountain bikes and ATV use, not hikers. But the Environmental Commission members [indicated] they will try to put up some sort of barricade to prevent ATVs from using the bridge and gaining access to that area."
Councilman John Glidden said he needs to hear from more residents before supporting the plan.
"We should always take a look into something like this and try to get a feel for how many residents want and would use it. If we get a sense over a period of time that this is something everybody wants then we can justify it even within a tight budget," Glidden said.
