×

Legislators approve modifications to water district

MAYVILLE — Modifications to the North Chautauqua County Water District were unanimously approved by the Chautauqua County Legislature at Wednesday’s meeting.

Legislators accepted findings within a state environmental quality review assessment, which stated little to no adverse impact to the environment with the changes. Members also approved a resolution detailing it would be in the public’s interest to proceed with modifications to the water district.

Changes to the initial phase came after village of Fredonia officials elected not to move ahead on an interconnect with the city of Dunkirk’s water system. The interconnect was taken out of phase one.

Several phase two projects were inserted as a result. They include extending water transmission line along Route 5 from Eagle Bay to the village of Silver Creek and a new water tank in the town of Dunkirk. An old tank that serves the North County Industrial Water District will be decommissioned.

Installation of master meters for all water supplied by the city of Dunkirk also moved into phase one along with extension of water main along Route 5 from the town of Dunkirk to Harrington Road.

A few residents took to the podium to discuss the water district, specifically the extension of waterline to more customers. David Hughes, of Sheridan, said he’s hooked to a line and is paying $1,200 a year for water. He said his bill increased four times since the waterline was installed on Route 5. He also said his bill went up $200 for maintenance due to waterline breaks.

“I think people who are getting this waterline should be forewarned what’s going to happen to them,” he said.

Glenn Reed, of Sheridan, said he supports the water district 100 percent as it’ll improve quality of life and allow industry to be more competitive.

County Executive Vince Horrigan told the OBSERVER that extending the water district to Silver Creek and installing a new water tank was always the plan.

“This will expand future capacity of the water district,” Horrigan said. “These are good additions that will give us a lot of flexibility and capability.”

In addition, Horrigan said grants have allowed for more projects within phase one than originally planned. The village of Brocton is receiving a $2 million grant and a $5,575,500 interest-free loan from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Funds will go toward installation of a new 500,000-gallon water tank and other water infrastructure.

Modifications to phase one plans won’t impact user costs. While figures will still need to be fine tuned, Horrigan said he expects they will stay the same.

As for Fredonia, Horrigan said he hopes the village will come on board in the future. Horrigan said he believes bringing north county communities together on one water system makes sense.

“Allowing Fredonia to use their water supply as a primary and have the interconnect be able to back that up makes all the sense,” Horrigan said. “My view has been use that as the water source, as long as it works for the village, but then this interconnect will give a backup system so they have options in the future if they need to invest significantly in their reservoir.”

Horrigan said he’s leaving the matter in the village’s hands.

Last year, the legislature approved to establish the North Chautauqua County Water District, which consists of the towns of Portland, Pomfret, Sheridan and Dunkirk as well as the village of Brocton and the North County Industrial Water District. The county also approved $11.75 million in bonds for the project. With additional grants and other sources of funding, the project totals around $15 million.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today