Pomfret is getting a second $5 million grant from New York State for its long-term water infrastructure project.

Town Supervisor Dan Pacos announced it at the December town board meeting. He revealed the previous $5 million outlay in November 2022.

“I’m very excited,” he said, adding that “the whole reason for breaking the project in half” was based on getting the latest grant.

The project, which is in the so-called Phases 2 and 3, will be stretched out another year, Pacos said. However, $10 million of the anticipated $20.4 million cost for the phases is now funded, he stressed.

Phase 2 is in the design phase now, Pacos continued. The work in Van Buren will go out to bid first, “but we’re still chasing a couple holdouts” on getting easements.

Pacos noted the town must decide on a source of water to fill the pipes of Phases 2 and 3.

This led him to comment, “I’ve had people contact me and badger me on the (village of Fredonia’s upcoming water system) decision, and I’ve told them it’s not our decision.”

Fredonia actually voted Tuesday to decommission the village water plant, draw down the reservoir and acquire water from Dunkirk.