LeRay to cut down trees to prepare for Jefferson Road project

To prepare for a potential road project slated for the spring that would connect Johnson Road with Kestrel Drive for future housing development, the town of LeRay received approval to cut down hardwood trees in the area that could have stymied the plan.

In a report to the board on Thursday, Kris D. Dimmick, vice president of municipal engineering for Bernier, Carr & Associates, said the trees, which are inhabited by Indiana brown bats, have to be cut down by March for the town to move forward with the road project, according to an agreement with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Town officials are seeking to approve funding with Jefferson County planners for the 1.3-mile road project, which is expected this month, Supervisor Ronald C. Taylor said. The property is being eyed by housing developer Dawn Homes of Albany to build Jefferson Apartments, which would include 402 market-rate units over several phases.