Ongoing construction during daytime and nighttime hours have reportedly reduced sales at retail stores in North Rockland by 20-70% over the summer.
HAVERSTRAW, NY – Business owners, town officials, and community leaders gathered today at Haverstraw Town Hall to continue addressing the economic and logistical fallout from the ongoing Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) and Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R) infrastructure work underneath Route 9W. The meeting followed a September 4th statement from CHPE announcing a $50,000 increase to its small business relief fund—bringing the total to $150,000—and a promise to transition some construction work to nighttime hours.
Despite the announcement, sentiment in the room was clear: the measures are not enough. North Rockland Chamber President Stephanie Melowsky stated that the Chamber is in ongoing active talks with CHPE, to push for nighttime work – as well as gather information that proves material losses by over three dozen businesses in Rockland County.
“$150,000 sounds good on paper, but when you divide it between the affected businesses—some of which are paying $14,000 a month in rent—it’s barely a band-aid,” said one local business owner, who described how construction blockades have made customer access nearly impossible. “I invested everything into this business. Now I’m not even paying myself.”
CHPE’s Statement: Acknowledgment and Limitations
CHPE’s press release, issued just hours before the meeting, confirmed that gas line relocation work that was mandated by Orange & Rockland would shift to nighttime (7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) in three areas:
- The West/East Main Street intersection in Stony Point to Helen Hayes Hospital
- North of Westside Avenue near Titan Gym in Haverstraw
- Just south of Railroad Avenue in West Haverstraw
Daytime work will continue in other locations. CHPE cited regulatory and safety considerations for the partial transition. Town Supervisor Howard Phillips cited Orange & Rockland’s insistence that the gas pipeline (being installed concurrently with the CHPE line) be installed a certain distance away from the CHPE line.
Local officials welcomed the change but stressed its limitations. “It’s a start,” said one town representative, “but this does not cover all the problem areas, and it still leaves many businesses stuck.”
Businesses and Residents Report Daily Disruption
During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents and business owners shared firsthand accounts of the disruption. One described alarms going off in their home due to carbon monoxide from idling vehicles on Railroad Avenue. Another business owner – Titan Fitness – stated that their retail parking lot had effectively become a staging zone for utility vehicles.
“Some days, it takes 30 minutes just to get out of my own parking lot,” said a business owner located between Main Street and Westside Avenue. “We’ve been excluded from the nighttime work zones—they stop right before us.”
Others questioned the project’s coordination. “Why work on multiple sites simultaneously instead of finishing one section?” one resident asked. Officials explained the complexity of underground utility relocations and the need to coordinate between CHPE and O&R, but acknowledged a lack of seamless execution.
Stephen Beckerle of Beckerle Lumber posed several questions to Town Supervisor Howard Phillips, asking if CHPE had been reimbursing the Haverstraw Police for overtime, while monitoring traffic at locations where CHPE and ORU were working. He also asked why the Town’s community fund that CHPE provided can’t be used to provide relief. Phillips responded that by New York State Law, the Town cannot provide a (direct) payment to a business or entity.
Funding and Accountability Still Unresolved
When asked about alternative sources of relief, officials from the town and county stated that no new state or county funding is currently available for private business recovery. Instead, pressure is building on CHPE, and its contractors.
“There’s no magic pot of money,” one official said. “Our best leverage is on CHPE—the company responsible for the disruption.”
Officials indicated a joint letter from elected representatives, including those from Orange County, is being drafted to urge Governor Kathy Hochul to compel CHPE and O&R to increase mitigation efforts and expedite the project.
Two attendees, as well as a Rockland News reporter – also questioned the lack of response from Orange & Rockland, whose daytime gas line work has contributed heavily to traffic delays and business access issues. One community member reported losing power multiple times in recent weeks, with little response from O&R. A town official encouraged residents to report issues and promised to escalate them.
Emotional Toll and Community Impact
Beyond finances, speakers highlighted the emotional and community toll. A gym owner described the business as more than just a fitness center—it’s a mentorship hub for local youth.
“We help kids with FAFSA. We take them on college tours. We’re building futures, not just muscles,” she said. “But this is harder than going to war. That’s how bad it’s been.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the strain, there were signs of resilience. Community leaders proposed hosting a business showcase event to help affected retailers reconnect with customers. The North Rockland Chamber of Commerce has also opened its relief fund application process to all businesses, regardless of membership. The form is currently available at the North Rockland Chamber website.
With CHPE estimating completion of gas-related work by November and final restoration by spring 2026, many say the community cannot afford to wait that long without more substantial support.
“We’re not here to complain—we’re here to survive,” one speaker concluded. “And survival takes more than promises.”