Cambridge sidewalk work is problematic

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. -- Water pooling over curbing at the intersection of Main and North Union streets is one of several concerns that residents and village trustees have expressed following sidewalk work this past May along the village’s downtown.

Trustees deliberated with how to proceed with the drainage issue, which was determined to be a result of the project’s architectural design. After holding off on a decision in July, the board agreed on Wednesday to pay an invoice from the construction firm in charge of the project’s work.

Board member Rick Lederer-Barnes said Wednesday that DelSignore Blacktop Paving Inc. had agreed to a second coat of paint on new crosswalk striping, which has begun to fade and has yet to be invoiced. But he said DelSignore’s remaining outstanding bill shouldn’t be held up because of design flaws by the engineering firm overseeing the project, Albany-based Barton & Loguidice.

During heavy rain, water flows over the sidewalk at the intersection of North Union and Main streets, which trustees worry could pose a hazard this winter when it freezes.

Lederer-Barnes said both companies had agreed to look into remedial efforts to fix the drainage issues at a reduced rate. Final plans to install new catch basins and re-do a portion of sidewalk in front of O’Hearn’s Pharmacy have not been reviewed or approved, however.

In July, board member Valerie Reagan said the village should be cautious before assuming the costs of fixing the issue. "We should be very careful for accepting the responsibility for (their) problem," she said.

On Wednesday, Reagan asked what recourse the village had. While she said project engineers had been friendly and cordial, "their design abilities leave something lacking."

-- Zeke Wright

Alleged assailant released on conditions

BENNINGTON -- A Shaftsbury man was released on conditions Thursday for allegedly beating a relative while he slept, then threatening others with a baseball bat.

Cody W. Wade-Bailey, 20, of Wade Road, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling, first degree aggravated domestic assault, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was initially held without bail, but was released the following day under a curfew and conditions he not have contact with the man he allegedly attacked.

According to an affidavit by Bennington Police Officer Andy Hunt, on Tuesday at 5:56 p.m. he was called to Main Street where a man said he was in a friend’s apartment, sleeping, and woke to Wade-Bailey punching him in the face. He said he struggled and was strangled by Wade-Bailey until he feared he would pass out.

He said he is related to Wade-Bailey, who was angry with him over something he had told Wade-Bailey’s girlfriend.

Police also spoke to Faith Firenze and Amelia Smith, who said they were asleep in the same room with the alleged victim when they woke to see Wade-Bailey assaulting the man. Smith said Firenze tried to pull Wade-Bailey off the man, while Smith called police. She said Wade-Bailey left when she told him she had called 911.

Police said the women told them Wade-Bailey did not have permission to enter their apartment. About half an hour after the report, police were called again and told Wade-Bailey had returned with a baseball bat and was demanding his hat, which he’d lost, be returned to him otherwise he would "kill someone."

He left after his hat was given back and agreed to meet with police at the Bennington Police Station.

Hunt wrote that Wade-Bailey gave a statement saying he was angry with the man over something the man had told Wade-Bailey’s girlfriend that caused tension between them.

-- Keith Whitcomb Jr.