March 14, 2025 2:28 PM

Brewster Fire Department Response

Subject: Maple Rd. winter conditions
Good afternoon gentlemen-

Eric and I have been in conversation recently concerning the recent unsafe condition of Maple Rd., specifically the severe muddy conditions "post-thaw". Several town residents in that area (specifically the Enoch Crosby/Alish Lane development) have complained about the dirt road portion of Maple Rd., and how it might be unpassable for emergency apparatus. Mike Burdick and his highway workers have done a great job in bringing the road back to safe conditions. The question remains is how to keep this winter cycle from being an annual problem.
Eric, the Brewster Fire Department would be behind any effort by the town to have Maple Rd. paved. It would eliminate worries during "mud season" about whether our emergency vehicles would get stuck, and would allow for a quicker response. At least have the portion of Maple, Carmel-bound, until hitting the paved portion at the curve by house #361.

If the NYC-DEP puts up a fight on paving, then the BFD would like the ability to enter the Enoch Crosby development via the "emergency access road" gate at the end of Peter Rd., during a "mud situation" on Maple. This would require several things to be done by the town (or Enoch Crosby HOA, if there is one) : 1) enlarge the existing opening between the two fence posts; 2) install a larger gate; 3) install a Knox box w/ gate lock key inside; 4) have the town agree to plow the short emergency road during snow storms.