BROCTON After a unanimous roll call vote, Portland town leaders voted to officially establish Water District 7, and call it complete.
During their final regular meeting of 2011, the council announced the notice of final completion of the somewhat lengthy construction project. While the project is checked off of the list to close out the year for town leaders, the council did resolve to retain 2.5 percent of the project cost, amounting to $43,470.03, from Sicar Construction to assure the completion of restoration work, some of which can't be accomplished until spring.
"Personally I think we should hold this retainer back as long as we can to make sure all of these items are completed," Portland Town Supervisor Dan Schrantz said.
In other matters, the council voted to approve a six month moratorium on subdivisions within the town. Initiated by Jamestown Plastics' plans to subdivide to accommodate a needed six inch water line, the town's planning board recommended to the council that subdivisions need to be addressed in more detail within the town's zoning specifications.
While more information is collected and nearby townships are consulted, the planning board suggested calling a moratorium in order to review the information and make an official recommendation. Schrantz noted that the moratorium, expiring on June 30, will not affect Jamestown Plastics' current project or any future endeavors to subdivide property along new Water District 7's route on the lake shore.
The town supervisor also expressed his plans to attend a reorganizational meeting of the Chadwick Bay Regional Development Corporation after the first of the year, noting that several positions will be refilled due to recent elections within sitting townships.
Also on the agenda for Schrantz as the New Year approaches will be sit-down talks with the Town of Pomfret to address necessary water issues, which would affect Water District 2 in the Town of Portland.
The council will hold an end-of-the-year business meeting on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m., and will meet thereafter on Jan. 11.
