Peg Torruella told the project technical committee Friday morning that what they are forced to live with is ``unconscionable.’’

``Our problem is the stress we’re going through on the street,’’ she said.

The buses and highway trucks that pass by throughout the day rattle her home as they rumble over a street littered with potholes and patches.

``The patches are worse than the potholes,’’ Toruella said.

She invited officials to come and spend the day in her Linden Avenue home so they understand what it’s like because a quick visit does not tell the whole story.

Her husband Maurice said his solution would be to move away, but Peg Tourella said she doesn’t want to leave her friends and the community _ where people care about each other.

``How long do we have to wait?’’ she asked. ``It’s changed so. I can’t take it anymore.’’

Mayor Carol Waller told Torruella she knew all too well how hard it has been on people living on Linden Avenue.

``I hate to see it get to the point where I have to get my neighbors and go out and sit at the end of the street,’’ Torruella said.

Earlier in the meeting, Waller had expressed her own frustration at how long it has taken to get the project rolling.

Discussion centered around what would be eligible for reimbursement in the $200,000 state grant and the $4.2 million federal appropriation.

Waller said she was confused because the Department of Transportation had talked before about all the features to be incorporated into the design.

``Now I’m hearing constraints, constraints, constraints,’’ she said. ``Everybody seems to be waiting for everyone else to take the first step.’’

``I’m really getting frustrated. I have no problem calling the DOT or (Senator James) Seward,’’ she added.

Consultants Peter Loyola and Tim Wales of CLA Site told the committee that they have been working on aspects of the project that will be reimbursable.

``You have to keep in mind the process has to unfold. This is a feeling out period,’’ Loyola said, adding that they are trying to establish a dialogue with the Federal Transportation Administration which will administer the federal funds for the project.

Rather than wait for them, to tell you what you can do, come up with some concepts,’’ said trolley committee chairman Giles Russell.

Loyola explained that they wanted to make sure that invoices CLA Site submits will be paid and that the village of Cooperstown will not get stuck with the bill.

``We’re five months into the schedule and we’re three month behind,’’ Russell said.

``So gentlemen, we need to move on,’’ the mayor said.

``We appreciate the urgency of moving ahead,’’ said Wales.

``And we appreciate you’re not doing work that is not funded,’’ said Otsego town supervisor Tom Breiten, a member of the technical committee.

Waller and other officials told project consultants from CLA Site to get things moving and selected March 1 as the date for the first public participation meeting.

Loyola said they will put together a site analysis and focus on transportation because it is reimbursable, but also look at the big picture.

The next technical committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the village meeting room.