Confusion was a key concern for the North Chautauqua County Water District (NCCWD) during a meeting on Thursday. The questions on everyone’s mind were where Fredonia stood and what the village hoped to gain by deciding that joining the district would be a good fit for them.

“We really have no formal proposal from the village,” Don Steger, chairman, stated. “Just a verbal, ‘we’re interested.'”

“Fredonia needs to know if they want to come in or if they want to do anything with us. What are they expecting from us? What do they need from us?” Jay Warren, board representative, questioned.

“I guess we have to find out what they want. I’m not certain what they want to do. Do they want to become partners with this organization so they can get grant money to fix their reservoir to supply their own water to their residents, or do they want to be a partner of the Chautauqua County Water District? They are two separate things in my opinion.” Dave Hazelton, board representative added.None of the members of the NCCWD really knew what Fredonia wanted to do and decided that the best course of action was for them to contact the village board and request a formal written proposal, outlining their goals and desires for coming on board with the Water District.

Other questions that were raised regarding Fredonia were the alleged desire for the village to set their own rates and become the secondary supplier.

“From what I read in the paper they want to control their rate.” Warren said.

“I don’t know how they’re anticipating being a supplier. Through the Dunkirk interconnect? There is no other alternative for them.” Steger added.

“Unless they put a line in.” Richard Purol, Dunkirk town supervisor, stated.

The board agreed that presently, without improvements, there is no way to interconnect with Fredonia at this time and is looking to Westfield as a probable candidate for the secondary water source.

“In my personal opinion, they should be a supplier to the district.” Paul Snyder, representative from the health department, suggested.

“They are making improvements at their plant and with their transmission lines from their well water. They’ll be geared up enough to be a viable supplier.”

“It would be a more palatable solution as a secondary source versus Erie County,” Warren pointed out, “People would be more apt to it, being part of Chautauqua County.”

All and all the board wants to bring Fredonia in, but as an equal partner, with equal rates, and they desire a formal written proposal for inclusion.