The Town of Olive took responsibility for some of the community frustration surrounding construction of a $90 million sewer project in Shokan.
“Initially, there was a lot of miscommunication,” Olive Supervisor Jim Sofranko said in an interview. “A lot of things that could have been done better, that have been resolved.”
Sharon and Ralph Vankleeck, who live on Old Farm Road, said the town didn’t explain the project timeline.
“We’ve never been told when they’re going to be here working or when they’re going to block the road,” Ralph Vankleeck said.
The Shokan Wastewater Management Project, funded by the Department of Environmental Protection, aims to install a community wastewater system in the hamlet. The system will serve more than 500 potential sewer connections through 70,000 linear feet of infrastructure and be able to handle 166,000 gallons of wastewater a day.
Construction began in early 2026. Pipeline work, which connects individual sewer hookups to the larger sewer infrastructure, started in late May.
Sofranko blamed the miscommunication on the project’s many moving parts. It has 11 separate contractors, some of which have additional subcontractors.
The lack of coordination led to at least one instance in which multiple outlet roads to Route 28, a key road for residents commuting to Kingston, were closed at the same time.
“The contractors are not local,” said Ellie Reese, who lives on Bostock Road and formerly worked part-time as an outreach coordinator for the project. “They’re not aware that most of us in the Shokan hamlet are backed up by a mountain.”
The closures would have added about 30 minutes to Reese’s commute. Workers allowed her through after she spoke with the site’s foreman.
After residents complained, the contractors began meeting at least once a week to discuss where they would be working and how the work would affect traffic patterns.
Once the contractors tell the town which roads will be closed or limited to local traffic and where delays are expected, the town will post an update on Facebook, Sofranko said.
The town also raises residents’ concerns with the contractors each week, and the contractors have been responsive, Sofranko said.
“We’re in the early stages,” Reese said. “We’re getting the growing pains of the project.”
The Vankleecks are concerned about whether construction could delay emergency services, particularly for Sharon Vankleeck’s mother, who lives down the street.
Ralph Vankleeck, a firefighter, said contractors leave trucks and equipment on the street overnight, making it difficult at times for cars to pass.
“If you needed to get an ambulance or a fire truck in, you might not be able to,” he said.
Sofranko disputed those concerns.
“There’s always accommodation for the emergency vehicles to get through,” he said.
The town also set a work schedule with the contractors to allow buses taking children to summer camp to access closed roads.
The work is expected to last three years, though unexpected delays could extend the timeline, Sofranko said.
He encouraged residents to contact the town or the project manager to express concerns and receive construction updates. Contact information for the project manager is available on the Shokan Wastewater Management Project page on the town’s website.
Kyle Bredberg is an intern and contributing reporter. You can reach him at kyle@theoverlooknews.com.
