SILVER CREEK - Crumbling infrastructure was on the minds of the Silver Creek Village Board members Monday when they met with GHD Engineering Project Manager of Industrial Wastewater Dave Rowlinson.
Rowlinson brought a report before the board regarding the capacity and problems with the village's wastewater/storm water system.
He said it would be in the best interest of the board to be proactive on solving the village's problems with inflow and infiltration before the DEC cites the village.
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OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino
The Silver Creek Village Board discussed failing pipes Monday. Pictured are Deputy Mayor Amy Romanik and Trustee Nick Piccolo.
He outlined the most problematic areas in the village and recommended the village explore the areas with tests to determine whether to repair or replace sewer pipes.
"With inflow and infiltration it will always get worse ... a broken sewer will go from broken to collapsing," Rowlinson said, noting the need for action.
He also recommended the village address the major properties contributing to the problem including the school, the Mapleview Apartments and Petri's Baking Products.
He called these obvious fixes "low-hanging fruit," and said it could be enough to get the problem under control enough to not be cited by the DEC while the village saves money for the overall repair of the system, which was put in place as needed in the 1960s without plans or current-day regulations.
On a similar note, Trustee Nick Piccolo explained to John Neubauer of Hanover Street, the drainage project on Lafayette Street hit a few snags last week. The backhoe needed two new tires, there was a gas leak and a brush fire many of the workers were called out to and the ground is very hard from the dry weather. In addition the flags marking the gas line were stolen by vandals and the highway department needed to do brush pickup.
He said work will resume this week and should be completed soon.
The village also discussed the water project, which they explained the village is paying for with the 5 percent water increase.
The board passed a resolution for GHD engineering to add Parkway Avenue, Rix Place, Oliver Street and Dana Avenue onto phase three of the water project.
Deputy mayor Amy Romanik explained the project, which was originally estimated to cost $3 million, has come in under estimate for both the first and second phases.
In other business:
The village and the school have still not come to an agreement on the charge for salt and it was reported the school's contribution for security cameras is now being put forth as leverage in the dispute.
The village will begin its farmer's market this Saturday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will usually be held in the village park but because of the Laurel Run this Saturday will be held across the street by Rite-Aid.
Village Attorney Daniel Gard brought a copy of the Town of Hanover's disorderly conduct law, which he said if the board adopts as a local law the village will be able to keep money from fines under the law in the village. He said this gives the judge more options when charging an individual. Police Chief Roche said he has advocated for this for years and supports it whole heartedly. Gard said he will check the law against other village laws to make sure there are no repeats or contradictions and it will be ready to introduce at the next board meeting on Aug. 6.
