The Village of Owego will officially kick off construction on the Riverwalk project Monday.

Work on the $1.49 million project should be finished by the end of the year.

It will construct a quarter-mile-long walkway from Draper Park to Ahwaga Park, behind the buildings on Front Street.

The project will also stabilize the riverbank in the area, which has been eroded over the years by the Susquehanna River.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 1pm Monday at Draper Park. Congressman Maurice Hinchey and Senator Tom Libous are both scheduled to attend. 

The Owego Fire Board wants all volunteer firefighters to be reinstated.

The Fire Board voted Wednesday to send a letter to village trustees and the mayor, asking them to rescind the terminations of 108 volunteer firefighters.

The motion passed by a six to three margin.

The letter will also ask the village board to petition the state legislature to change the village charter, which only allows 200 firefighters at any time.

Since the charter was written back in 1851, the firefighters believe the number needs to be updated. Many believe there should be no limit to the amount of members the department can have.

The letter will be delivered to village board members in time for their next meeting, which is Monday.