PUBLIC HEARING ON EXTENSION NO. 1 OF THE

HIGBY ROAD WATER DISTRICT HELD AT THE

KELLOGG ROAD COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING

ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006 AT 6:30 P.M.

The Town Supervisor called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. The roll was then taken with the following Town Officials and Department Heads being present during the progress of the meeting:

TOWN BOARD MEMBERS: Councilman David M. Reynolds

Councilman Richard B. Woodland, Jr.

Supervisor Earle C. Reed

ABSENT: Councilman Robert A. Payne III

Councilman John C. Waszkiewicz III

OTHER TOWN OFFICIALS: Highway Superintendent Roger A. Cleveland

Town Clerk Gail Wolanin Young, CMC/RMC

Councilman Payne was absent due to out-of-town business and Councilman Waszkiewicz was recuperating from injuries sustained in an accident. Thereafter, a quorum was declared present for the transaction of business.

Highway Superintendent Roger Cleveland introduced the Town Board members to those present, welcomed the Town residents present and introduced Robert Guminiak of Burley-Guminiak Associates, engineers for the Higby Road Water District and proposed Extension.

The Public Hearing was then opened at 6:35 P.M. Town Clerk Gail Wolanin Young was in possession of the Order calling this Public Hearing, Affidavit of Posting and Proof of Publication.

Mr. Guminiak provided a brief overview on the proposed Extension No. 1 of the Higby Road Water District:

• The proposed Higby Road Water District Extension No. 1 was considered as a result of requests by numerous property owners in the area

• Citing water quality issues, residents asked why they couldn’t get water

• Mallory Road parcels located between the Washington Mills Water District and the new Higby Road Water District
• Mohawk and Elm Street parcels located between the Washington Mills Water District, the new Higby Road Water District and the Town of Paris water district

PUBLIC HEARING

Higby Road Water District, Extension No. 1

February 8, 2006

Page 2

• A questionnaire was done and the engineers looked at how to fund this project, how to make it affordable
• A formal request was made to the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for this area to be considered for funding under the original Higby Road Water Project. With strong support from the Oneida County Department of Health, they said they would allow it
• The contractor installing the distribution system for the Higby Road Water District project was asked if he would perform this work for the same unit cost price and he has agreed as long as the plans are ready for Spring 2006 construction. This will save several thousand dollars in project costs.
• The estimated cost for the water district extension is $155,000. The project includes 8” distribution piping, hydrants, valves and water service lines to the road right-of-way at each house
• The project includes sixteen (16) Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs)
• A single-family house is 1 EDU
• Vacant parcel is ½ EDU

• Based on a 30-year loan at 0% interest from the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, and operation and maintenance provided by the Mohawk Valley Water Authority, the projected user costs are as follows:

• Total Project Cost - $155,000

• Annual Debt w/EFC 0% 30-year loan - $323/year

• Estimated Operation & Maintenance based

On using 72,000 gallons/year - $250/year

• Total Estimated Annual Cost - $573/year

• Each property owner will be responsible to connect to the shut-off installed at their property line

Property owners who appeared in favor of establishing Extension No. 1 of the Higby Road Water District were:

• Reba and Daniel Bickford
• Have sulphur water and have been carrying water over the past 15 years from the homes of the family and friends
• Marlene and Dominick Crescenzo
• Experience sulphur water problems

PUBLIC HEARING

Higby Road Water District, Extension No. 1

February 8, 2006

Page 3

• Donald Wratten
• Vincent Johns
• John R. Johns, Jr.
• Calvin Kilbourn
• Karen and Concetto Mazza
• Robert and Cathy Jubis
• Alfred Nistico
• Deborah Smith

No one appeared in opposition to the proposed Extension.

Councilman Payne reviewed the adoption process with Mr. Guminiak, that at the next Town Board meeting, the Final Order to establish the Extension would be adopted subject to permissive referendum and would be final if no petition was filed with the Town Clerk objecting to this Extension. However, if a petition were to be filed with the Town Clerk, a special election would be necessitated.

Supervisor Reed inquired if it were possible that the property owners’ homeowner’s insurance would be reduced and Mr. Guminiak recommended that the property owners contact their insurance agent.

Mr. Guminiak further advised that if a property owner connects to the Higby Road Water District Extension, they must disconnect their well to their home to avoid cross contamination; however, they could still use their well for gardening, washing car, etc. A private contractor will charge the property owner between $8 and $12 a foot to connect from the curb box to their home. In response to Councilman Reynolds’s question, Mr. Guminiak stated that, down the road, the area from the curb box to the home remains the responsibility of the homeowner. From the curb box to the street is the Town’s responsibility.

Mr. Kilbourn inquired whether curb boxes would be installed on vacant lots. Mr. Guminiak responded that the Mohawk Valley Water Authority wouldn’t allow a curb box on a vacant lot unless the owner has a valid Building Permit approved by the Town.

There being no further comments and/or questions, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:56 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Wolanin Young, CMC/RMC

Town Clerk