More information about Fredonia’s July 9 water project presentation came out over the weekend in a very modern way: An email thread.

News media, Fredonia officials, and members of Save Our Reservoir – the group that opposes Village Hall plans to ditch the reservoir and buy water elsewhere – were copied on the email. It stemmed from questions that Save Our Reservoir’s Andrew Ludwig had about the presentation.

Trustee Ben Brauchler replied first, with the disclaimer that he was not making official statements.

Ludwig queried, “Will the forum start with a presentation to be followed by a question and answer period?” Brauchler replied, “I expect this will be the format.”

Ludwig wondered if only Fredonia residents could speak or ask questions. “I don’t see why any legitimate question from anyone would not be answered,” Brauchler wrote back.

Another Ludwig question: “How will the public submit their questions and concerns to be addressed at this meeting?” Brauchler’s response: “I would hope that we collect questions in writing from people attending, I expect we will have someone with notecards available.”

Brauchler added later, “I would oppose allowing any member of the public to speak, and I would suggest that repetitive questions only be addressed once.”

He had “Not a clue” as to whether Fredonia Public Access would broadcast the event.

Ludwig also asked, “If inaccurate statements are made by presenters, how will it be possible for members of the audience to immediately address those inaccuracies without being found to be out of order at this meeting?” Brauchler said, “I don’t see where this is an option at all, if you find inaccurate statements, make your case in another forum. Write to the paper perhaps.”

Asked if people could make statements, Brauchler offered back, “Not if I have anything to say about it. You have freedom of speech, but we do not owe you a forum.”

Trustee Paul Wandel subsequently offered his own response to Ludwig’s inquiries.

“This public information session will be held Thursday July 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 104 10 Chestnut Road which is the location of the new town of Pomfret town hall,” he stated. “Most importantly, the format of this event is a one-on-one dialogue informal with representatives from various entities which include the village of Fredonia, LaBella engineering, North County Water District, (and) Chautauqua County Department of Health.”

Wandel continued, “This event is open to the public independent of where you live. Any questions from the public regarding the Fredonia water source project will be answered hopefully by our representatives and through informal, personal dialogue.

“Since this is not a debate or forum I am not sure of the value of publicly broadcasting it, however, I will check with our cable board.

“I will underscore that this is a civil orderly event and that will be maintained for the period of the event.”

Here is Ludwig’s response to Wandel, in full:

“Please clarify your statements below. Are you saying that no questions from the public will be taken in any form during your water meeting?

“Why would you not want this meeting broadcast and recorded by (Fredonia) Access and then posted on YouTube? It calls into question the reasons for and value of having the meeting in the first place. If this is an informational meeting, why wouldn’t you want to spread the value of the information being given far and wide?

“And why is this meeting being held at the newly located Pomfret Town Hall outside the village of Fredonia and not in the Opera House?”

Wandel noted the event is “a public information session, not a forum or Opera House style event. It is simply one-on-one dialogues between various water project representatives.

“I inquired if it could be videoed and received an affirmative that it could. … I am more than agreeable to have the public view it online via a link on the village website. Nothing more.”

Wandel responded Tuesday. Brauchler’s statements came late Sunday morning.