Informational meeting of the Otselic Town Board and South Otselic Water District Advisory Committee on May 23, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Otselic Valley Central School, South Otselic, New York
Present: Marjorie Davis, Supervisor; Charles Bishop, Jr., Darryl Fox (also a committee member), Jay Graham, Town Council; Louise Perry, Town Clerk
Absent: Sadie Allen, Town Council
SOWD (South Otselic Water District) Advisory Committee members present: Harold Comfort, Stacie Morse, William Wentworth
Also present: Jack Dodson of Dodson and Associate; Candace Balmer of RCAP Solutions (Rural Communities Assistance Partnership) and approximately 20 community members
Supv. Davis introduced the Town Council members, members of the SOWD Advisory Committee, Jack Dodson and Candace Balmer. The SOWD Advisory Committee was formed with people who are users of the public water because Town Council members were not at the time. Supv. Davis explained why this is the best time to take on the water district improvement project with 70% funding available with a grant (which is very unusual). The rest of the project would be funded by a 30-year interest-free loan. The income survey and the visit to the district by Department of Health officials made the difference in being awarded this funding.
J. Dodson prepared an engineering report on the South Otselic Water District a few years ago detailing the deficiencies and recommendations. The two wells in the town park would be decommissioned. A new well would be drilled near the current well so there would be a back-up if there was a problem with one. Storage tank improvements would be made. All water mains (some are 100 years old) except the one to the new well would be upgraded, new hydrants installed, new services to curb stops, and meters would be replaced. The project design should be done in 2023 with bids to go out in March or April of 2024.
This informational meeting and the public hearing are required for this project. The Town Board will then vote on the bond resolution. An environmental review will be required. There will also be an archaeological study because there is a historical district. The SEQR review has been completed.
Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) would be used to calculate each customer’s responsibility towards the debt service. A single family home would be charged as one EDU, calculated as $80/quarter in addition to the water usage and water district tax. There are approximately 140 total EDUs in the district.
C. Balmer has been reviewing usage records over several years but some meters have not been working. Most customers use below the minimum of 9,000 gallons/quarter. 100 gallons/day is the average household usage. There is a very small cushion included in the amount to be collected/per customer for the debt service. There should be less maintenance when the project is completed. The debt service for the average household would be less than $1/day.
Arnold Huntley questioned the 30% the water district is responsible for. He hates to see the Town take on debt. J. Dodson stated that the project will be bid with several contracts. Costs have gone up since COVID but may be stabilizing. The availability of products has also improved. With NYS and Federal funding, the prevailing wage and other requirements make local labor an unlikely option. The loan funds would be used before the grant funds would be received.
Christopher Freeman asked how many additional hydrants would be installed and will there be an expansion of the district. The design of the project will determine the number of hydrants. No expansion is included in the plans.
Angela Harris asked when will the debt service begin appearing on water bills. It may be the beginning of 2024. The debt service needs to be collected before the first loan payment is due.
Carlton Stark asked if there will be a blueprint for property owners to see. He also asked about responsibility for damages and warranties. There will be a blueprint. Damages would be covered by the contractor’s contracts. Warranties vary on materials and labor.
J. Dodson suggested that the water district update its rules and regulations.
Deedrick Bertholf asked about the SEQR process and if the Town had an attorney familiar with the process. J. Dodson stated that our SEQR is not as complicated as some.
C. Freeman asked about right of way on NYS and County roads. All construction is planned to be in the right of way. There will be permits required from NYS Dept. of Transportation. The new well will be permitted by the NYS Dept. Of Environmental Conservation.
D. Fox questioned the cost of $350,000 for 100 meters. Homes without basements will have a pit and there are other expenses involved with the process of installing the meters. The homeowner would be responsible for the service from the curb stop to the house.
C. Bishop, Jr. has property in the water district with a well but would like to be connected to the public water. Vacant properties will not have curb stops unless a building permit has been filed.
M. Foor-Pessin asked if there are still pollution concerns regarding the two wells to be decommissioned. NYS DEC would handle those concerns. It would not be a part of this project.
S. Morse clarified that multiple housing units would be charged 1 EDU for each unit. Vacant lots without a curb stop would be charged ½ EDU.
Diane Comfort questioned the cost for the homeowner for service from the curb to the house. This can differ depending on the situation and not all would need to be replaced.
C. Freeman asked about the different types of pipe and the costs.
Calvin Hite asked for clarification on the curb to house replacement and that the $80/quarter/EDU is in addition to regular usage charges and water district taxes. The debt service will be an additional charge to water district residents.
H. Comfort said that all water users should be metered even Town properties and the Firehouse so we know how much is being used and leaks can be found.
M. Foor-Pessin asked about the type of new meters to be installed. Walk-by readers are in the plans but that could change depending on how much money is left when other parts of the project are completed.
D. Fox stated that the proposed $80/quarter/EDU would be $9,600. over 30 years. He questioned the cost of drilling a new well. J. Dodson stated that it would be at least $10,000.
M. Foor-Pessin asked if there were grants to help homeowners pay for the connection from the curb to the house. C. Balmer stated that few would meet the requirements because it is based on very low income and those over age 62.
J. Graham asked about keeping the project on budget. J. Dodson said that alternates will take place to stay on budget as the project progresses.
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:50 p.m. by Supv. Davis. The purpose of this hearing was to hear all persons regarding the proposed South Otselic Water District improvements project.
Michael Foor-Pessin congratulated the Board on this project. He is in favor of the work as it needs to be done.
Allison Miller asked about the loan payments. The water district intends to begin collecting the debt service early enough so the 1st payment can be made in time. The loan would be kept in a separate account. Allison also asked about what happens when customers do not pay the water bill. Unpaid water bills are levied on town & county taxes each year.
Christopher Freeman asked if funds can be borrowed from the General Fund. They can not.
All buildings will be metered including Town owned properties and the South Otselic Firehouse.
After all persons wishing to be heard on this subject were given the opportunity to speak, motion by C. Bishop, Jr. and seconded by J. Graham to close the hearing at 7:57 p.m. CARRIED
The hearing notice was not published at least 10 days before the hearing was held so another hearing will be scheduled.
Resolution #7-2023 ORDER CALLING PUBLIC HEARING Offered by C. Bishop, Jr.
In the Matter of The Increase and Improvement of the Facilities of the South
Otselic Water District, in the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York, has caused to be prepared a map, plan and report, including an estimate of cost, pursuant to Section 202-b of the Town Law, relating to the increase and improvement of the facilities of the South Otselic Water District, in the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York (the “Water District”), being water system improvement upgrades consisting of water supply and water storage facilities improvements, reconstruction of water mains and installation of water meters, including original equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances and incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, at a maximum estimated cost of $4,300,000; and
WHEREAS, said project has been determined to be a “Type I Action” pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), the implementation of which as proposed, it has been determined will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, it is now desired to call a public hearing on the question of the increase and improvement of the facilities of said Water District, in the matter described above, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, concerning the same, in accordance with the provisions of Section 202-b of the Town Law; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED, by the Town Board of the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. A public hearing will be held at the Town Hall, 133 County Road 13, South Otselic, New York 13155 in said Town, on June 13, 2023, 7:10 p.m., Prevailing Time, on the question of the increase and improvement of the facilities of the South Otselic Water District, in the Town of Otselic, Chenango County, New York, in the manner described in the preambles hereof, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, concerning the same, and to take action thereon as is required or authorized by law.
Section 2. The Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy of the Notice of Public Hearing hereinafter provided to be published once in the official newspaper, and also to cause a copy thereof to be posted on the sign board of the Town, such publication and posting to be made not less than ten, nor more than twenty, days before the date designated for the hearing.
Section 3. The notice of public hearing shall be in substantially the form attached hereto in Exhibit A and hereby made a part hereof.
Section 4. This Order shall take effect immediately. Seconded by D. Fox.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing order was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Aye votes: M. Davis, C. Bishop, Jr., D. Fox, J Graham no votes: none; Absent: S. Allen
The order was thereupon declared duly adopted.
Motion by J. Graham and seconded by C. Bishop, Jr. to adjourn the meeting. CARRIED 8:00 p.m.
Comments