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Pomfret’s Pacos describes water project

Pomfret Supervisor Dan Pacos gave a summary of the town water project’s Phase 2 at Monday’s Fredonia Board of Trustees meeting.

“Phase 2 was to incorporate all of the rest of our North End Water District that didn’t get water in the first phase, we broke it into two sections just because of the cost,” he said. “It was over $20 million estimated costs so we broke it roughly in half. It’s about 8.3 (million dollars) for the first project and we applied for $5 million in grant funds to reduce that, then the other 11 and change will come the following year and we’ll apply again from our grant funding to knock that down.”

Pacos continued, “So, we’re looking at expansions … on both sides of town actually. On the west side of town it’s down toward North Road, Lamberton Road, Van Buren Road, Farel Road, a few of those connecting roads down there, Lowell Road is another one. .. a little bit up Route 60, we’ll have to pump up toward Spoden Road and Shumla, up in that area. Then the following year we’ll look at Webster, Ellicott, Straight (roads).”

Deputy Town Supervisor Ann Eckman said Phase 2 should have about 100 potential meter hookups. Pacos said the estimated usage in the project area will be 15-30,000 gallons a day. Pomfret has a separate contract with Fredonia for Phase 1 water supply and the entities would need to negotiate a new deal for Phase 2, Pacos said in response to a question from Trustee Jon Espersen.

Pomfret’s supervisor added, “We have had requests from agricultural users to take a look at that clause in the contract that restricts it only to watering animals. There are other agricultural uses they would like water for. My point is, you want to sell water, you want to sell water — why do you care what it’s used for, as long as it’s metered and you’re getting paid for it.” That restriction is specific to the North End Water District.

Trustee James Lynden said an engineer should probably be asked if the village has adequate supply to go into Pomfret’s Phase 2 area. Fredonia Mayor Douglas Essek noted there is a request for proposals out right now to find a village engineer, who would look at such a thing.

“I know there is a limit, according to that agreement. We can’t approve something that we can’t fulfill,” Lynden said. “And also, in regards to where we are now for sales throughout the village and town, because the town has grown. There is more usage in the current, established areas of the town so that will put a larger burden on what we have available… We need to assure our community that we are in a safe area. We can’t allow to give to someone else by contract first, before the people of the village.”

Pacos replied, “So we would just ask that you let us know as soon as you know whether or not you can supply it.” Trustee Nicole Siracuse replied that the engineer set to be hired by the village with the request for proposals would look into it.

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