David R. Roefaro, Mayor

City of Utica, New York

July 1, 2008 – (Utica,NY)-

The City of Utica Law Department has recovered $45,000

from the State of New York, in connection with damages that

were caused during the summer of 2003 to the City of Utica's trunk

sewer running along Route 5S.

The trunk sewer line, which is nearly 100 years old, had a point where it

failed and leakage was occurring. A small sinkhole developed and state

workers proceeded to fill in the hole with concrete millings, before they

notified the City of Utica. This created a situation where nearly 100

feet of sewer line became clogged. Thus, emergency repairs were

necessary.

City Attorneys emphasized that this would not have been as great of a

problem had the State workers not filled the sewer line with concrete

millings. Therefore, $45,000 in damages was awarded to the City of Utica,

a figure that the city deems as fair.

* A trunk sewer is a storm sewer