Letters to the Editor - 2-1-24

Opposed to Amenia’s wastewater project

Amenia does not need a wastewater project to clean our water supply. Our ground water is among the best in the state and our trout streams are pristine.

The purpose of a waste water project is to enable further development. Some well-meaning people believe it will bring businesses to the Hamlet of Amenia. But much larger and denser towns are loosing businesses to Amazon and box stores. The increase in population needed to bring in and support new businesses in the Hamlet must spill out into rural districts and change the rural nature of the Town of Amenia. Some say, by having pockets of density, the rural districts will be protected. But the expense of building and maintaining a waste water facility, $20 million just to build, must necessitate growth out into agricultural lands. A wastewater project in Amenia will destroy the rural quality of life we presently enjoy.

The particular wastewater project proposed now for Amenia is compromised and potentially dangerous to the environment. The site chosen for the sewage treatment facility is too small to have holding tanks. It is questionable how clean the water will be that is dumped into the Wassaic Creek. In addition, solid waste won’t be treated at the facility, but left in existing septic tanks, with the promise that these will be emptied by truck — presumably by a private company. Although the need for leach fields may be diminished, the requirement for each property to have a septic tank will limit the possibility of high density in the Hamlet. And the site is too close to the Lake Amenia residential neighborhood and the odor could make the neighborhood unlivable.

At the last Town Board meeting by a 3 to 1 margin, the Town Board voted to spend $45,550 to make a wastewater district plan with the treatment plant on Lake Amenia Road. This appropriation is subject to a permissive referendum.

I urge those who want to keep Amenia a small rural town to sign the petition. For information contact me at midvalefarm@aol.com.

George Bistransin

Amenia