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Updated sewer plant project gets legislative approval

MAYVILLE — County legislators unanimously approved new plans and more spending to upgrade a sewer plant in Mayville during Wednesday’s meeting.

Specifically, the legislature authorized the issuance of $1.1 million more in bonds for the project at the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District’s treatment facility. The proposed project originally garnered legislative approval to issue bonds in May 2015. It was estimated at $2.8 million at that time.

With a change in engineers from AECOM to O’Brien and Gere, and new DEC disinfection requirements, the project is now estimated at $3.9 million. The county was able to secure zero percent financing, however, which means user rates won’t increase.

The legislature also approved a resolution stating that new plans are in the public’s interest. One of the major changes surrounds the use of ultraviolet technology for treatment of incoming wastewater at the facility, which eliminates the need for chlorine gas to disinfect. Per the state Department of Environmental Conservation, chlorine that’s used to disinfect must be taken out.

Rates for the typical single-family home within the district were going to be $472 a year, a jump of $94 from original rates. With no-interest financing available for 30 years, rates will instead be $466 per year, an increase of $88.

A public hearing held before legislative action yielded no feedback. Legislator Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point, complimented the project.

“It’s an improved project, which is broader in its scope,” Chagnon said. “It’s better for the environment at a cost to the users that is lower than what’s previously proposed and approved. I’m very proud of the work that was done.”

In other matters, legislators approved to set higher salary grades for transfer station supervisors, senior emergency and police dispatchers and nurse practitioners in public health and mental health. Pay grade increases were made to bring more recruitment and retention to each position.

Transfer station supervisors will move from grade 12 to grade 14, which brings anywhere from $38,813 to $49,878 per year. Senior emergency and police dispatchers will move from grade 15 to grade 17, which brings anywhere from $47,341 to $64,189 per year. Nurse practitioners will move from grade 32 to grade 35, which brings anywhere from $78,114 to $101,137 per year.

Over 20 budget reconciliations were also approved by legislators. The biggest budget overage came from the County Jail, which was around $700,000.

Legislators also authorized the director of finance to increase appropriations for the South Main Street Bridge in the city of Jamestown. Project construction, which was originally estimated at $2.3 million, rose to $3.7 million. The project isn’t a full bridge replacement but instead a major rehab. Federal funds will foot 80 percent of project costs. Out of the remaining 20 percent, the state will fund 15 percent while the county will provide 5 percent.

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