Minutes, News and Notes from the January 26th, 2009 Town of Essex Water Meeting:
you may also get full, approved copies of the minutes by visiting the Town Hall
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The Water meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM.
Supervisor Jackson led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
Board Members present were: Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman LaForest, Supervisor Jackson, Councilman Wrisley and Councilman Sayward. Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Visitors included Lauren Murphy, Sharon Boison, Trish Walker and Maryann Schultz.
Councilman LaForest gave his report on the search for Hydro geologists. He contacted a number of them and only one, Van Fleet from Clifton Park, was interested in bidding. Their bid was $22,105.00. This bid was for one test well. Councilman LaForest reiterated that before any drilling was going to be done an executed contract has to be in place. The Town never intended to make a financial commitment without a contract and Is prohibited to expend without a contract.
Supervisor Jackson checked on the Wadhams grant and the grant money to dig a well was granted five years ago. This money came from the Drinking Water State revolving fund. It is our hope that they will have money in this fund this from the stimulus package.
Supervisor stated he had the per drilling cost. He received a bid from Adirondack Water Systems, Inc. The bid was $15,130.00.
Supervisor Jackson also stated we have received the contract from HydroSource with a not to exceed range.
Supervisor Jackson discussed the land lease/purchase for a well site. We have permission to drill the well behind the Fire House. A lease of up to ninety-nine years was discussed, with the lease cost to the Town of $1.00 per year and free water to the Fire House.
Supervisor Jackson has talked with Matt Maleau, the temporary Chair of EFC about our sewer project. Any stimulus money with be distributed by EFC. Mr. Maleau is very optimistic that the sewer project will be funded this year. He is also optimistic that the water well system will also be funded. Mr. Maleau said we did not have to drill the test well to eligible for funding. Supervisor Jackson says this is better for the Town since we will not have to use our unexpended balance to drill a test well. Councilman LaForest agreed with Supervisor Jackson.
Supervisor Jackson stated that the well project and waste project will not be subject SEQR process, but to SERP. This will depend on how the APA classifies the projects. If it is classified as a public utility it will be passed to DEC.
Supervisor Jackson stated he has most of the paperwork done for the subdivision of the Close/Townsend property. The APA will now let us file the subdivision now with the preliminary plans.
Supervisor Jackson stated that there will be one control building for the waste water pumping system for the waste waster. The possible site for the building would be at the end of the Beggs parking lot. This will be a very small building. There will be two pumping stations, which are under ground with a manhole cover for access.
Susan Boison asked what is the funding time line. Supervisor Jackson stated we are on the multi year listing. We did not know there would be funding this year, so we did not get on this years funding list. One of the engineers from Albany stated that he felt the list could be amended and the Town’s name could be added to this years funding list. Once the stimulus package is signed we could be notified this spring of sewer funding. If we are to receive funding we would have a letter by August stating we would receive the funding October 1st. Being shovel ready is going to be a big plus for the Town.
AES Northeast will have our contracts completed for the collection system and ready to go to bid in July. We will not do any bid request until funding is in place.
Councilman Sayward asked if we also have a right of way to the property. Supervisor Jackson stated we have a fifty foot right of way along the Hayes’s property.
Supervisor Jackson stated that there would be a resolution before any bonding is done and the residents would vote. This will be the same for the sewer and the water.
Susan Boison asked if the water meters would be read. Supervisor Jackson stated that they have been read and they will be read again to see what each household’s water use has been. Then the residents will be informed of their water use and what the cost will be if use water at the same rate.
Supervisor Jackson stated that most systems bill by the water meter for sewer service.
A question was asked if we use the same source for funding the water as well as the sewer. Supervisor Jackson said yes.
Supervisor Jackson asked if any Board Member felt we should spend the money to drill the test well now. Councilman Sayward stated he did not see any urgency to do it. He also said he was not nor had ever been opposed to using water money to drill a test well.
Councilwoman LaPine said “We should not spend money unless we have to do so.”
The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 PM.
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