Restoration Grant Program

Utsayantha Fire Tower, New York

File # - 008
Sponsors - Marty Podskoch NY FFLA CHAPTER DIRECTOR
Location -
Request Date - 12/6/2004
Amount Granted - $200.00
Date Approved - 4/17/2003

Status -
Underway; Engineer report accomplished, preliminary studies; grounds clean up accomplished; work on tower commensed with more planned for Spring of 2005

Photos

Utsayantha Observatory
(an early postcard of what it looked like)

An early black & white photo

Notes and other Research

The CatsKill Center…..Arkville NY

Contact person; Helen Budrock, Planner 845-586-2611 Arkville NY
Subject: Utsayantha fire tower; Mt Utsayantha, Stamford NY

July 30th 2003.
A study to evaluated the present condition of the Mt Utsayantha fire tower to determine it's structural integrity, condition of safety, and material strength.

Note the condition of the stairs & landings, bolts, fencing, cab interior/ exterior and general site condition.

Determine as closely as possible steps that may be needed to stabilize the structure, materials involved and possibly an estimate of costs to repair or replace.*

*The above only to estimate these conditions and not taking into any account of such things as OSHA standards or town or State codes.

The ultimate goal: To determine if it would be feasible to restore, the lookout to a degree of stability where-by a future town committee could take over the overseeing of further restoration work, through fund raising, etc.

If the State were to continue control of the tower, the ultimate fate will be it's dismantlement and possible relocation to 5 rivers, or to storage at some undetermined location for parts.( the latter of which would most likely result in abandonment or scrap salvage value and loss of the tower.)..Paul Trotta Senior forester region 4.

Concerns:
Liability
What does it need?

Other contacts:
Joe Gardner. Local resident of Stamford
Marty Podskoch, NY Chapter FFLA Director
Waylon Brae Stamford
George Profous Region 3 senior forester New Paltz
Paul Trotta Region 4 senior forester Stamford
Pat Kilpeck Regional Forest Ranger Captain, Region 4

Expected date of field trip analysis: August 11th Monday 2003
*enroute from the Newcomb FFLA Eastern Conference

**Other Notes:
The old observers cabin has now been removed… Helen Budrock July 2003