Town Board Notes
Town Board Notes
Town officials explain benefits of hookups during water system upgrade
Holihuts homeowners Oliver and Marcy Hazard will be getting some help from Town Engineer Ben Slotman as they try to gather more of their neighbors to join a new municipal water supply district.
The Town and Village Engineering Department is in the final stages of preparations to begin a $5.3 million overhaul of the community's water system. The Holihuts HOA's (Home Owners Association) past request to bring water mains to its 65 homes helped the town receive state approval and funds to address health and safety concerns, and upgrade aging well pumps, boosters, service pipes, storage tanks, reservoir, operational equipment, and other components. Parts of the project will begin this fall and eventually do away with the need for private wells now serving Holihuts.
Residents have signaled opposition to the town's water use law stating homeowners will receive a notice at the start of a 30-day time frame to install new hookups to the new water main at the curb. There will be costs and inspections. HOA representative Oliver Hazard, speaking during the Wednesday, July 21st meeting of the Ellicottville Town Board, said he hopes to increase a 40% rate of support in a recent straw poll emailed to HOA members. Many live in Canada and have not been able to visit their homes in some time.
"I appreciate the effort of the town in wanting to bring water to us," he said, noting he favors a connection but blames waning support on the border closure and poor HOA communications.
"I'm going to have to sell it better," he added, requesting an extension on the 30 days time frame and more information to send HOA members a written ballot, for a formal vote to reach 51% rate of support.
Several Board members replied that they understand the HOA members’ concerns, but Slotman reminded Hazard that HOA was onboard in a June meeting and the ball is rolling due to information provided at that time. In addition, he reminded meeting attendees that the Holihut road easement must be obtained very soon. Also, the project has been in the works for three years, with another year before Holihut construction could begin.
"Every household has to have a meter and a valve shutoff. If we're going up there to do it we need to do it right now," Slotman said.
Town Supervisor Matt McAndrew said the financing preparations must be finalized before October and it may be possible to remove the entire Holihuts water main from the project up until that time. But he pointed out that any special arrangements would not be fair to other homeowners in the town who have followed the rules. There are plans to restructure the rate system, but changing the law for Holihuts can't be done easily and quickly. Owners within the special district will be charged for water even if they don't hook up, and further delays could drag out the construction period, he noted.
"There's nothing legally in place to fine you if you don't hook up," he said, adding, "After that 30 days you will have a nice water system and a nice road" that will be patched by the contractors.
All agreed Holihuts' participation will bring additional benefits, quieting Health Department concerns about densely located private wells, new fire hydrants and lower homeowner insurance. Supervisor McAndrew asked Hazard to meet with Slotman to clarify HOA member participation in the project for the upcoming ballot.
The project is funded by a $3 million New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grant and a $2.277 million low-interest Environmental Facilities Corporation loan. The average homeowner will see a rate increase, from $54 per quarter to $66, or an annual cost estimated between $264 to $350 per year.
The town's Water Department serves 2,276 equivalent dwelling units, based on a formula for water usage in single and multiple family homes, several categories of commercial establishments and industrial users. This includes accounts for 1,906 residences, 62 shops (non-food), 38 large and small restaurants, 2 commercial establishments (hotels, resorts, breweries), 5 large commercial (ski resorts) and 6 industrial/manufacturing.
In another water-related matter, Slotman credited quick action by Water Department personnel to secure the main water reservoir and safeguard the community's water supply after discovering evidence of an intrusion that took place sometime between Thursday, July 15th and Monday morning, July 19th. Workers were "making the rounds" on Monday and found a staircase had been moved away from the reservoir to make an escape from inside the tall chain link and razor wire fence. A lock and handle were broken but it was uncertain whether access to the 360,000-gallon reservoir had been gained.
Law enforcement and health authorities were notified, hardware was replaced, water samples were taken and the facility was drained, disinfected and is being refilled. As part of the Water District improvement project, the reservoir will soon be replaced by a new glass tank, which will be more secure. Water supplies are currently being taken from a separate tank until the reservoir can be tested next week and put back online. Police are investigating.
In other matters:
• The Board authorized a $185,950 bid award to the low bidder, Northeast, for drainage and resurfacing the road serving Valley Village, to include milling at the intersection and completion by mid-October before Fall Festival. Of that, $35,000 for drainage will be billed to the homeowners association. Slotman said eight bidders were contacted but only a second bid was received, from Lakeshore at $4,000 higher. A brief discussion took place regarding the need to obtain some utility easements and the timing.
• Complaints from Alpine Meadows about crosswalk safety at Holiday Valley Road were discussed. Some suggested a stop light but it would cause backups onto Route 219. Highway Superintendent Thomas Scharf said there are already four signs at that location but traffic often doesn't stop for pedestrians and the problem gets worse in the winter. Slotman suggested a pedestrian crossing sign in the center of the road but it would have to be set up and removed during and after peak traffic times. He said a new solar powered traffic control sign has arrived and he is not having luck receiving pole mountain installation instructions from the supplier.
• There was brief discussion regarding the Town Center lease with Cornell Cooperative Extension and an appraisal of the property. Councilman Steve Crowley said there are plans to schedule an August meeting with the Extension to make a baseline agreement on sharing costs for improvements and environmental remediation which should begin soon. A $3,840 SAM Grant has been received for work on windows and doors. A remediation contractor will sample for asbestos and lead on Sunday, July 25th, and it is anticipated the cost for removal will be between $28,000 and $30,000.
• Slotman reminded the Board that a large volume of engineering work is "coming down the chain" and a pressing need to find an engineering intern. The position is advertised on the Indeed website but it is not getting much attention.
• Board members agreed to retroactively pay a summer Park Program assistant $15 per hour and minimum wage to counselors. They also approved a $680 court clerk training fee.
• A Four Flushers Meeting will be held at 4:00pm on Aug. 3rd.
The Town Board will next meet at 6:00pm on Aug. 18th in the Town Hall. For additional information, contact Robyn George, Town Clerk, at 716-699-2100 or evltownclerk@gmail.com.