Amenia wastewater panel seeks Town Board member views

AMENIA — Seeking Town Board members’ thoughts on whether they could consider supporting a plan for a town wastewater project, the Wastewater Committee invited two councilmembers to attend their regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7.

In inviting Republican councilmembers Brad Rebillard and newly re-elected Nicole Ahearn, Wastewater Committee chairman Charlie Miller noted that the councilmembers had accepted the invitation to attend, willing to share their opinions on whether they could support a wastewater initiative going forward, or whether other local issues would preclude their support.

Miller drew attention to a map, plan and report submitted by the engineering firm of Tighe and Bond over three years ago in which various cost and funding scenarios had been presented.

Referring to the current planning firm, LaBerge Engineering Group of Albany, Miller said that they have been asked to find the various ways that a wastewater project could be funded.

To Ahearn’s question about the wastewater district’s composition, Miller replied that 233 properties are included in the district and the majority are residential.

Discussion turned to the siting of the processing facility that would serve the district, possibilities including a location off Lavelle Road or near the Sheriff’s office along Route 22.

“I am not against wastewater; my concern is that we have a Water District needing help,” said Ahearn. She added that she is aware that some residents are unable to afford their quarterly water bills, leading her to wonder how those people could afford wastewater bills.

“We know that a lot of septic systems are failing,” Miller explained, noting that the town is presently classified as a disadvantaged community, a status that will help the town qualify for funding opportunities to assist with both the water and the wastewater projects.

Ahearn asked for a listing of what grant opportunities are available.

“If we get enough petition signatures from district homeowners, do you two see yourselves supporting the project,” Miller asked.
Rebillard said that he was concerned about the potential cost of the imminent water district repairs, possibly including a new water tower to improve pressure and new or repaired valves.

“The whole water system is an unknown,” Rebillard said. “The people in the water district will need to pay for both.”

Rebillard acknowledged that the town does not have the actual cost numbers yet.

Miller replied that within two weeks, the wastewater committee will have the cost and funding figures from the engineers.

The interest on the bonds would be paid by the homeowners in the district, Miller explained, and the district homeowners will need to sign a petition. He indicated that 80% of the residents in the district have indicated being in favor of a project through an early survey.

“Every business owner wholeheartedly supported it,” Miller added.

“If people sign a petition and want it, I would have a tough time not supporting it,” Rebillard said.

Miller indicated that in future meetings, the Wastewater Committee will discuss the various financial scenarios and the breakdown of user fees.