Chautauqua town water district moves forward

A new multi-million dollar water district between the village of Mayville and Chautauqua Institution is moving forward.

During the Chautauqua Town Board meeting, officials approved Water District #5 be sent to the state for review.

Before the vote, Matthew Zarbo with Barton & Loguidice went over the basics of the district, including potential costs, legal requirements and boundaries.

Zarbo said there are close to 300 Equivalent Dwelling Units in the district, which runs along Route 394. A multi-family home is considered one EDU per household. A vacant lot that could be developed is considered one-half of an EDU. Commercial properties are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Vacation properties are considered on the same level as a permanent resident, Zarbo explained, because the water has to be able to handle the peak rush.

The cost of the project is budgeted at $9,312,000. Zarbo said that’s the maximum cost expected and it could be less. The district has already received a $5 million water grant and they’re still looking for more grants.

Right now, Zarbo said they’re looking at between $300 to $555 annually per EDU for the cost of the project. Even if a household refuses to connect to the water district, they will be charged this amount for the next 30 years.

To connect to the water district, residents will need to hire their own plumber. Zarbo said those costs could range from $2,000 to $3,000. He recommended neighbors work together to find a contractor, which will help reduce the costs.

For water usage, officials haven’t decided if they will get their water from the village of Mayville or Chautauqua Institution. Mayville gets its water from wells, while the Institution pulls water from Chautauqua Lake.

Officials said they will negotiate with both entities to see which is the best option. Right now, Mayville has some water issues of its own, but is in the process of upgrading its system, which will likely produce enough water for this district.

There will also be a $125 annual operation and maintenance charge for those who connect to the water district.

During the public hearing, the majority of residents expressed support for the project. Many said their wells are unreliable. Others said the fire protection alone will give them peace of mind.

One person who spoke out noted that last year his neighbor’s house caught fire and it took volunteers 12 minutes to pull water out of the lake to be used to fight the fire. “Imagine if someone was trapped,” he said.

Town Supervisor Don Emhardt said the proposed district will now be reviewed by the state Comptroller’s Office. As long as the state signs off on the project, the town will give one last final vote.

Residents who oppose the project can file a petition and force a public vote on the matter within 30 days of the town’s actions.

There were some residents who said they would prefer to keep their well water and expressed concerns about the costs.

Emhardt said homeowners’ insurance should go down with public water available for fire protection.

After the meeting, Zarbo said if the project gets approval from the state and residents don’t force a public vote, he thinks they can start construction in 2025. It could take up to two years to install.