The Chautauqua County government is looking into partially funding a study that would help Fredonia with its ongoing water problems.

During the legislature’s Public Facilities Committee meeting, members heard about a proposal to spend $20,000 to assist the North Chautauqua County Water District pursuing connecting the village of Fredonia. The money would come from American Rescue Plan Act funds that originated from the federal government following the COVID-19 crisis.

According to Mark Geise, deputy county executive for economic development and director of the county Industrial Development Agency, the money would be used for an analysis and development of a plan to connect Fredonia to its water system.

“We all know that Fredonia has had some issues and they’re looking at options,” he said.

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Geise noted the entire plan is expected to cost around $70,000 and if the county agrees to spend its portion, there is some matching money from the state.

Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson was in attendance at the committee meeting and said he’s been working on this issue ever since he was elected.

“We haven’t been able to solve this issue in the eight months I’ve been in office, but we’ve been trying,” he said.

Ferguson said the village previously spent $144,000 but the option of buying water from the north county water district was not included. He thinks this may be the best option for Fredonia.

“This could save our taxpayers anywhere from $14-$21 million overall, compared to the first two options,” Ferguson said.

Jessica Wuerstle with the county Health Department said something needs to be done.

“We encourage them (Fredonia) to explore the options that are going to be most efficient and also help them move the quickest. Exploring this option of connecting to the North Chautauqua Water District is certainly going to be a beneficial use of time and energy,” she said.

According to Ferguson, Fredonia’s current water plant is over 135 years old with a reservoir that hasn’t been dredged in 17 years.

“To do that in this day and age would cost us $238 million,” he said.

Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, asked Ferguson that once this study is completed, can Fredonia go ahead and move forward with this plan if it chooses.

“Yes,” Ferguson replied. “We’re confident we have at least three votes.”

Wuerstle said if Fredonia chooses this option, she believes there would be grant money and/or low interest loans available.

“There’s a fair amount of water and wastewater infrastructure money available. To get a good project like this moving forward, now is a good time,” she said.

Scudder noted that it’s imperative that Fredonia upgrades its water system if it ever wants to bring in additional industry.

“If someone jumps in at one of the downtown plants and wants to hire 400 people, and they need 150,000 gallons of water a day, (Fredonia) can’t provide that,” he said.

Ferguson noted that in the northern end of the county, the new hospital will be needing water in two years, the White Inn is soon going to be reopening, there’s a $400 million expansion at Wells, and the old Athenex plant could be coming back online soon.

“The volume is going to increase, which could also potentially lower our per thousand gallon cost to the customer,” he said.

Legislator Dalton Anthony, R-Frewsburg, questioned the spending, noting the county doesn’t bail out individual municipalities.

Geise responded that Fredonia would not be getting this money; the Northern Chautauqua County Water District would.

“It is a districtwide project,” he said.

Anthony said with that clarification, he could support the proposal.

The committee voted in favor of the resolution. The full legislature will vote on the final approval for funding the study at its meeting Sept. 25.