The Sand Lake, NY Town Board must consider and act on a resolution supporting the reopening of the County Highway, Burden Lake Road.

The Burden Lake Dam infrastructure is an important resource to the Greater Averill Park Community in Rensselaer County, NY. Although the original earthen dam was built in the Civil War era, as the County has reported to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: The Dam was modified to accommodate a modern County Highway, circa 1948. And so, the Burden Lake Dam is integral to the County Highway.

This County Highway is a well-used public throughfare, closed on a temporary basis since 2021. A December 2025 Report, prepared for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), states: "This long-term closure has restricted access for emergency vehicles, school buses and general traffic to the detriment of the community." 

The proposed project to rehabilitate the Burden Lake Dam and reopen Burden Lake Road will have many benefits to the Community. As the FEMA Environmental Assessment Report notes, the project will improve stormwater management and flood control in the Wynants Kill watershed. It would have a long-term beneficial impact on land use by improving access within the project area. Also, the project provides benefits to public health and safety, resulting from both the restoration of roadway connectivity and... (improved) emergency services response time..." 

Recently, the Town Board authorized an agreement for the rehab of the Dam, but this agreement does not by itself assure the County Highway will be reopened.

The Sand Lake Town Board must act so that Rensselaer County will reopen and maintain the County Highway, Burden Lake Road.