Save Our Reservoir returns to Fredonia podium
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FREDONIA – Critics of Fredonia's plan to connect with the North County Water District returned to the village Board of Trustees podium this week.
It was Save Our Reservoir's first turn at the speaker's podium since trustees ended a hiatus, enacted in June, on public comments at meetings.
Mark Twichell mentioned three concerns about contracts for the water project.
"First, I believe the complexity of the intermunicipal agreements require consultation with an attorney experienced in such matters, before the contracts can be signed," he said. Twichell cited a 2019 contract with the county water district for emergency water supply, which he claimed was adopted without any provision for the communities' differing water pressure.
"That's a contract with a district that we’re contemplating dealing with again -- and I must insist we get it right this time," he said.
Twichell also worried about 4-inch lines that he said supply about 50 village streets, alleging there could be problems if NCWD water comes in. He also questioned why the village is moving forward with the project when a lawsuit to stop it is still in the court system. Local State Supreme Court Justice Grace Hanlon dismissed the lawsuit, but that decision is under appeal.
Steve Siragusa worried about the different water pressures between Fredonia and the NCWD. He predicted that Fredonia businesses will need, "fire pumps and towers for their sprinkler systems to work" when the village is using the NCWD's water. Siragusa wondered how that would affect local fire insurance ratings.
Dadie Sedota, who is one of the village residents behind the aforementioned lawsuit, said she was "here yet again to strongly urge this board to reconsider decommissioning the reservoir."
Sedota said she understood the village is under pressure due to a Department of Health consent order. However, "abandoning our localized gravity fed public utility and buy(ing) water from the NCWD is a short-sighted approach that compromises Fredonia's future."
She cited long-term financial concerns and "preserving millions in taxpayers' investments.
"We’ve already invested $2.5 million in the chlorination system... and the boil orders have sort of disappeared for now. It seems likely that we would be doing much better to keep what we have, rather than basically give up our infrastructure and then letting somebody else pretty much run our system," Sedota said.
Sedota also said that "the reservoir and the watershed that feeds it are priceless regional resources. In an era where local control over clean water is increasingly vital, giving up our independent source means we can never get it back."
She concluded by asking the board "to take a close look. I know that some board members feel very strongly about this -- but I think there are many in the community that would like to see a little more thought go into this."
Andrew Ludwig didn't really focus on the NCWD project at all, pressing trustees for details about a resolution they passed to do water intake work at the current treatment plant for $12,400.
"I would just like some information about this expense and about the workings of these valves," he inquired. "Are we going to be able to shut down the system now, if we need to utilize our interconnects on Vineyard Drive and Route 20?"
Ludwig managed to get heard twice, as he later had his OBSERVER column from the previous weekend read out as correspondence. Sam Drayo also offered his latest notes of concern about the NCWD plan via correspondence.
James Lynden chided Fredonia officials that their plan to join the NCWD "is disintegrating in front of you."
He noted that the city of Dunkirk has expressed interest in renegotiating its water supply contract with the NCWD.
"They didn't know, apparently, what the cost of water is," Lynden said of Dunkirk. "That's funny. They want all these agencies... to buy water when they don't actually know how much water costs them. They've been losing money on water for years. That's surprising."
Lynden said Chautauqua County "disguised" a $5 million loan to NCWD.
"They claimed that there was a grant that they would be able to get it back from, or some type of bonding. But they weren't able to do that, that all fell through. At the end of this year, they legally have to pay it back. But there's no money," Lynden said.
Lynden noted NCWD board chairman Dan Pacos' statement that the district is $150,000 in the red so far this year, and mentioned Pacos' dual role as Pomfret town supervisor. Lynden questioned how Pomfret is taking over Fredonia water contracts when it still uses village pipes in some cases. The town is doing its own long-term infrastructure project in some areas.
"This contract can't be agreed to. What will you do to work with what you currently have?" Lynden asked village officials as he stepped away from the podium. "What will you do?"