Current members of the Fredonia Village Board are unfairly taking heat for the longtime water issues that were allowed to worsen in recent decades by past leaders. File photo

Emotions overflow on a regular basis when it comes to water in Fredonia. In recent years, an immediacy caused by 10 boil orders over the last 38 months has led current Village Board members to look to a connection with the North County Water District as a solution.

That does not sit well with a group aiming to keep tradition and independence. A vocal “Save Our Reservoir” faction continues to show up consistently for weekly meetings and some of the workshop sessions making the point that repairing the current system would be best — and bring savings in the long term.

In the middle of all this is the Chautauqua County Health Department, which has been vigilant in reminding village leaders of deficiencies facing the antiquated and land-locked plant that was state-of-the art when it was built in 1888. Its nearly one and a half century run is impressive, but filled with future inadequacies.

“The general condition of the water treatment plant is not good,” said Natalie Whiteman, water resource specialist with the Chautauqua County Health Department in 2024. During that community forum when she spoke at the Fredonia Opera House, Whiteman also noted the location has cracked walls, unclear labeling and the plant is limited in expansion capability.

Where do we go from here?

This week, the Village Board approved contracting with LaBella Associates for $2.7 million as a step to buy water from an outside source and shut down its own plant and reservoir. During the meeting, reservoir supporters were vocal and adamant that this group of elected officials is not considering all the consequences in making this decision. At the same time, no one was there from the community to speak favorably regarding the action.

As a matter of record, this current group of elected Village Board members inherited the frittering and decades-long dilemma that has been the water treatment plant. At one time, the operation was a cash cow to the entity. It drove village financial reserves — and helped cover other shortfalls of the municipality that presently serves around 9,200 residents and a state university.

Those revenues were driven by Carriage House, the former Red Wing food processing facility. While it was running — through 2015 — it was the village’s most prominent customer. Once company officials decided to walk away from the area, due in part to unreliable water, those remaining businesses and residents tied to the system have seen gradual increases with more on the way when it comes to the quarterly bills.

In a sense, the water issue has been exhausting for Fredonia. It is a punch in the gut every time a new boil order is announced. It is embarrassing to community leaders who are trying to find a solution that could spur future development. It is an albatross for a struggling campus that in March welcomed 1,000 prospective students and guests for an open house in the middle of another water emergency.

Reservoir supporters, specifically former Mayor Athanasia Landis, this week made the case for a village referendum. At this point in the simmering debate and standoff, it is what may be best for the community to move forward.

Landis informed the board she delivered a petition with 319 signatures to Mayor Michael Ferguson. The signers are in favor of maintaining the current water system. That number is far from overwhelming — but close to 20% of the number of registered village voters who took part in the last election, which was around 1,900.

Trustees, for all intents and purposes, are beyond frustrated in dealing with this complexity. Fixing the water is by far the most important issue in the village.

Should that issue fall completely on their shoulders? Previous trustees from the last half century, while difficulties at the plant were not as public, allowed conditions to worsen as investments in the operation were not made often enough.

By having the community ultimately decide on the future path, there would be no doubt on how to move forward. If voters want to keep the current system, they decide and understand the ramifications and future cost. If they decide to go with the district, then the board knows — without question — this is the will of the community.

For the village to take this action, it needs to move fast to get it on the ballot for this November. It also needs to revisit the current deal that has been recently approved with LaBella.

To go this direction also is not without precedent for the municipality. In the 1980s, village residents overwhelmingly defeated a bond resolution for a new Village Hall. Their decision saved the historic site and Opera House located at Temple and Church streets.

This choice is just as significant for the community. Besides, it was not the current administration or Village Board that put the municipality in this predicament. They’re just stuck taking the criticism and blame while having to fix the inaction and neglect from past administrations and elected leaders.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.