Trending
SHERMAN -- The Sherman Village Board has authorized Mayor Colleen Meeder to move ahead with the drinking water system improvement project despite delays on receiving a grant from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Board members gave approval for the mayor to sign for a one-year bond anticipation note not to exceed $2,400,000, with an early redemption option, for the project.
The village has been approved for funds from the EFC, which will cover the project, Meeder reminded trustees. Because the village was able to receive hardship status, it was awarded a grant from EFC to cover 60% of the cost of the project. The remaining 40% will be covered by a 30-year zero interest loan from EFC, she said.
However, Meeder said, everything seems to be at a standstill.
"I don't know what we are waiting for, but it's not moving forward," Meeder said. "Matt (Project Engineer, Matt Zarbo) is ready to go to bid, so we are not holding this project up any longer."
Meeder said the village has dealt with at least six different representatives of EFC, but they do not appear to be coordinating the information.
"They said they should have this thing wrapped up by April but they haven't even started on it," she said.
Much of the delay seems to stem from rulings by the state government, Meeder said. She told trustees that she doesn't anticipate things getting better in the immediate future.
"I don't foresee our lives becoming any more normal for another five months," she said. "I can't rely on what's going on in Albany. It's holding up our project and we just want to get this thing started."
In other business, Meeder told board members that during the Nov. 15 storm, a very large tree that grew near the statue by the Yorker Museum, was blown over.
"It came down on Bill Rowan's garage," Meeder said. "It caused significant damage, and things are being worked out with the insurance company."
Meeder also noted that the village office will be closed for the month of December because clerk Jeanette Ramm is away.
In another matter, trustees approved the annual fire contract, totaling $23,895 for 2021, which reflects no increase over the previous year. Trustees authorized the mayor to enter into the agreement between the village and Stanley Fire Hose Co.
Trustees also accepted delivery of the Fisher blade assembly for the plow truck purchased from Southern Tier Trailer and the Paladin fork for the loader purchased from Monroe Tractor.