By APRIL DIODATO

OBSERVER Staff Writer

SHERIDAN - The Middle Road Water District is sorely in need of repair, Sheridan Town Supervisor John Walker II Walker told the board at the regular meeting Thursday, with five or six water line breaks within a 1,200 foot area in the past two months. The problem area is between Farmingdale Road and Cook Road.

The line - a steel pipe - was installed in the 1970s, and water breaks have been experienced over the years, Walker said, which led to a meeting with the district eight years ago. Rate raises and methods of payment for future breaks were discussed.

"It's getting to be quite an issue," Walker said. "We don't know if the pipe is faulty or if it's hydric soil, or a combination of both - they're not stress cracks in the pipe, they just actually blow right out."

Walker said Sheridan relies on the city of Dunkirk to do the town's water repairs.

"We're fast approaching - maybe not an emergency status, because it has to really compromise the water supply. But the question is, are we just one break away from the big one that takes the water out and really causes a major issue?" Walker asked.

The board moved to confer with an engineering firm to get an estimate on the repair. Unless an emergency repair is required, the project will likely go out to bid.

A special meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall for all residents/landowners in the district.

In other business:

After an unattended public hearing on the preliminary budget, the town board accepted the 2010 budget, with an increase of 24 cents per thousand and the 2010 tax rate raised to $6.09.

"Which, when factoring in sales tax, most likely will be very close to zero increase," Walker said.

The tentative budget, presented in October, was "tightened up" slightly.

Highway Superintendent Jeffrey Feinen spent most of October filing FEMA paperwork, which is finally complete.

"All our projects have been written up and hopefully payment will be coming shortly thereafter," Feinen said. "It's been a lot of paperwork."

Feinen reported tentative figures for expected FEMA reimbursement, totaling $86,719.45. FEMA is expected to give the town $21,596.64 to aid in debris removal from the creeks. Funds for Sheridan Bay Park alone total $14,980.62.

Legislator Robert Duff thanked Walker and Councilman Jeff Pierce for their dedicated service during their tenure.

"I'd like to thank you for all of the time that you personally put in to making Sheridan a better place to live," Duff said to Walker.

A firm is coming to repair the leak found on the roof of the St. John Bosco Hall auditorium.

The Sheridan Fire Department's annual turkey and ham party will be held at the new fire hall Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. The Community Thanksgiving Service will be held in the Community Center Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. All town offices will be closed Nov. 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

The next meeting of the Sheridan Town Board will be Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Comments on this story may be sent to adiodato@observertoday.com