Middleburgh Challenges Agencies on Irene

The Village of Middleburgh believes that there need to be answers from some New York State and City agencies over their role before and during last year's flooding. Letters have been sent to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection that runs the Gilboa Dam, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the NYS Power Authority. The letters ask if proper procedure had been followed and if there were plans in motion that could prevent another disaster from occurring.

"We owe this to the volunteers and flood victims," said Mayor Avitabile. "Their efforts have brought us back-- we need to make sure that the same is being given from these larger agencies." In particular, Middleburgh wants to find out if procedure had been followed by the Power Authority when it allegedly let water out of its earthen dam in Blenheim.

The letter in part reads, "Middleburgh and its surrounding communities request that your organization review flood and emergency protocol to ensure that future events do not approach the level of damage of Irene and Lee."

"I hope that this is a precedent for the other municipalities and the County to follow," the Mayor said.