Monday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Fredonia Opera House there will be a public hearing to discuss the LaBella and Associates Evaluation Report on the village of Fredonia’s water system.

If you are a customer of the Fredonia system, I urge you to attend as this meeting will probably lay the groundwork for the next 30 to 40 years of the vital resource provided by the village.

I believe the Village Board should set an agenda in a logical way to facilitate meaningful discussion.

For example, (a) an introduction, (b) a presentation by LaBella, and (c) I would like to request the Village Board to include representatives of the following entities to attend the meeting to answer questions and/or provide information or insight into the situation at hand.

– The Chautauqua County Department of Health – As the organization that has forced action on our water woes, I would hope that they have been provided a copy of the report and can verify that whatever alternative is selected it will be acceptable to them. In addition, I have a few questions that I believe only they can answer impartially. For example, one trustee candidate in the November election and one present trustee claim that water from Lake Erie is not the best option for our system whereas city Mayor Wilfred Rosas disagreed. Maybe the Health Department can clarify the relative safety of each of the proposed sources – the present surface water, the lake water, and well water – and give the customers of the system peace of mind.

– The State University at Fredonia – as an entity that has already stressed their displeasure with the system, hopefully the administration has been provided a copy of the report and can weigh into the discussion as to which alternative they would like to see be put into place. The college is already undertaking a project mapping water lines so they may have insight into slide 26 of the initial presentation and how it affects the alternatives presented.

– Brooks-TLC Hospital System – Again, another entity that has expressed great interest in getting the water woes put behind us. Are the water woes a reason the money has not been released for the new hospital? Do they have a preference amongst the alternatives presented?

– The city of Dunkirk – As a possible supplier I think that they should be available to answer any questions, especially with the Vineyard Drive interconnection. Again, hopefully they have seen the report and maybe have some new information or insight that can benefit in the decision making process.

– Large industrial users of the system – They will be most impacted by whatever decision is made. Do they prefer inexpensive water, reliable water, or something in between?

This leaves the residential customer. Probably the same question exists for the residents as for the industrial. However, for those customers who are still experiencing bad, discolored, or any other problem with their water service, now is the time to speak up and let it be known. With the amount of money that will need to be spent, it will be a long time before any other funds will become available to correct problems down the road.

In closing, Trustee Jon Espersen stated that if anyone has questions now on the presentation to submit them to village Clerk Annemarie Johnson as soon as possible so she can pass them onto LaBella or the appropriate contact to be able to provide the most accurate reply possible. The mailing address is P.O. Box 31, Fredonia, NY 14063 or email fredoniavillageclerk@netsync.net.

See you at the meeting!

Robert Scott is a Fredonia resident.