Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright discusses deteriorating wall along Rt. 17 with Senator David Carlucci.

Senator Carlucci joined Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright Wednesday morning at the old stone wall that borders Route 17 in just across the street from Rhodes North Tavern to announce critical funding secured by Carlucci to repair portions of the wall that have fallen into disrepair.

Mayor Wright said he believed the wall was at least 100 years old. Local resident and Sloatsburg Library Trustee George O’Dell, who lives off of Route 17 with the wall bordering his front yard, said he recalled pulling a toppled tree out of the road a few years back that had fallen in a storm, along with a few stones from the wall.

Senator Carlucci with Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright and local resident and Sloatsburg Library Trustee George O’Dell / Sen. Carlucci’s Office

The narrow stretch of sidewalk has became a both a pedestrian and motorist hazard. While Mayor Wright examined the wall, pointing out several large holes, another high stone nearly dislodged and fell onto the sidewalk.

The issue of repairing the historical stone wall was brought to the Senator Carlucci’s attention at a mobile office he held last year at the Sloatsburg Library, which, the Senator said, a very good place to meet with residents and hear about local issues.

Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “Working together we have made sure to get real results for the residents of Sloatsburg. Having critical funding to replace this over 100 year old stone wall will go a long way to protecting motorists and pedestrians.”

After an initial resident complaint about the wall, Senator Carlucci met with Mayor Wright about the issue and then worked to secured $75,000 in State Capitol funding to complete the project. The project will now go out to bid through the Village of Sloatsburg.

George O’Dell said the wall has made him nervous for years now and was happy to see the Senator act so swiftly to help out the village in addressing the issue. “After working with the Village we were able to determine the stone wall was under the authority of the State,” said O’Dell. “At that point, I’m glad we involved Senator Carlucci who was able to quickly act and make sure we had the funding necessary to keep our friends and neighbors safe.”

Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright also praised Senator Carlucci for his responsiveness to Sloatsburg. “The new retaining wall will protect the safety of motorists and pedestrians coming into our downtown,” said Mayor Wright.

Senator Carlucci will hold mobile office hours at the Sloatsburg Public Library on Saturday, October 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.