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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-03-18March 18, 1982 6 6 The Lansing Town Board met in an Adjourned Meeting on March 18, 1982 at 8:00 P.M. at the Lansing High School to conduct a Public Hearing on Proposed Lansing Water District #5. ROLL CALL Philip Munson Supervisor Present Louis Emmick Councilman Present Bert Hilliard Councilman Present Margaret McElwee Councilwoman Present George Stevens Councilman Present Robert Williamson Town Attorney Present Jane Bush Horky Town Clerk Present Visitors: Town Engineer T.G. Miller, Lansing Water & Sewer Committee and approximately one hundred twenty -five persons present. Proof of Notice having been furnished, Supervisor Munson called the Public Hearing to order at 8:00 P.M. Supervisor Munson introduced Town Engineer, T.G. Miller who presented a map which outlined the boundaries of proposed Water District #5. Mr. Miller explained that all of the basic facilities except a storage tank and part of the connecting main are presently being constructed by Lansing Water District #4 at a cost of $400,000.00. Water District #4 includes only the Morse -Borg Warner property with- in the Town of Lansing. Should proposed Water District #5 be established, the first step would be to construct and finance the remainder of the connecting main and build a water storage tank near Village Circle South at the following cost: Total amount to be financed $150009000 Less FmHA -ARC Grant - 3375500 Net amount to be financed 662,500 less District 4 (Morse -Borg Warner) cost - 4009000 District 5 cost 2625500 (First step only) Supervisor Munson asked for questions or comments from the persons present. Questions and comments were as follows: 1) Does $262,500.00 cover the entire water district cost or just the connecting main and storage tank? 2) When water becomes available, what would be the cost? 3) Was the total cost of $7,000,000.00 for proposed Water District #5, projected on inflation? 4) Who is going to take care of the cost of maintenance of the first step? 5) Do you pay for water usage in addition to other charges? 6) Concern of costs to Sr. Citizens. 7) Why wasn't storage tank proposed to be built on highest point of elevation? 8) Do you think $7,000,000.00 project is too costly for the average householder? 9) Where does Town Board stand on future grants being in jeopardy? 10) Is there a letter of commitment that the money from FmHA and ARC is committed? 11) Has there been any discussion on getting water to Ludlowville sooner? 12) If a portion was built, who pays for it? 13) Don't we have to discuss sewer along with water? 14) What happens if water get available to an area within Water District #5 and then a majority residing in the area does not want the water? 15) Could the boundary .line be changed after you had been participating in the District? 16) Will there be overdevelopment when public water becomes available? 17) Could Water District #2 be extended to Ludlowville without being a part of Water District #5? 18) If you made the district smaller wouldn't it effect the tax base on which all the calculations were made? 19) What is the difference in cost of an elevated tank vs. a ground level tank? 20) Would property with a 200' frontage and property with a 500' frontage be charged the same on frontage? 21) What body makes the decision once the water supply is established and who has access to it? 22) Urge the board to vote against the proposal as presented. 23) What costs does Audit and Control permit? 24) There seems there is quite a bit of interest on this issue and wouldn't you, as a board, be much safer if you have the expression by public referendum on this issue? Is it within the authority of the board to call for a public referendum? (continued) I'. L I! I I, J Continued March 18, 1982 TWA Councilman Bert Hilliard made the following statement: "I've gotten some phone calls and I don't think I've really got the answers and I know after tonite I'll have more phone calls. Several people called me and want to know if this water system goes through if they have to hook up to it if they do have a good present water system. They want to know if they are paying on open land and want a bottom line figure as to what it's going to cost them on a $75,000.00 home with a 500' frontage. What will their bill be ?" Following the question and answer period, Supervisor Munson asked for a show of handsto determine if the Town Board should continue to pursue proposed Water.District #5. Of those persons present, approximately two,to one favored creating a public water 'system. A show of hands also indicated that the majority of residents preferred to'pay for the basic water system facilities in one lump sum rather than bonding over a period of years. All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Public Hearing on Proposed Water District #5 was terminated at 9 :45 P.M. Lansing Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Raymond McElwee, expressed his appreciation to the people for attending the Public Hearing. On motion, meeting adjourned,to March 30, 1982 at 8:00 P.M. March 30, 1982 The Lansing Town Board met in an Adjourned Meeting on March 30, 1982 at the Lansing Town Hall at 8:00 P.MW ROLL CALL Philip Munson Supervisor Present Louis Emmick Councilman Present Bert Hilliard Councilman Present Margaret McElwee Councilwoman Present George Stevens Councilman Present Robert Williamson Town Attorney Present Jane Bush Horky Town Clerk Present Visitors: Town Engineer T.G. Miller, Lansing Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Raymond McElwee, Deputy Clerk Wanda B. Brink and approximately seventy Lansing Residents. The Supervisor called the meeting to order having the clerk take the Roil Call. Supervisor Munson introduced Engineer T.G. Miller who reviewed the boundary description of Proposed Water District #5, which excludes Water District #2 and Water District #4. The improvements proposed and the estimated costs were also reviewed. A general discussion of the concerns of the persons present was held. The costs involved, the location site of the tank, the uncertainty of receiving future grants, the uncontrolled growth of a large water district, the number of people who would be economically benefitted vs. the number of those who would be finan- cially contributing to a water district with no guarantee of water usage and the possibility of a water grant for the Ludlowville area only were some of the questions asked and discussed by the persons present and the town board members. Lansing Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Raymond McElwee, discussed the proposed methods of financing proposed Water District No. 5 and various alter- natives which would be most economically feasible for the persons within the district. Ms. Florence Pinney presented a Petition to the town board and mace the following statement: "I am acting as spokesperson for a large number of very concerned residents and real property owners of the proposed Lansing Water District #5. Within five days we have obtained 297 signatures on a petition. The petition reads: We the undersigned residents and real property owners within the boundaries of the proposed Lansing Water District #5 object to the formation of the proposed district and the resulting cost, to us, without any assurance of actual water usage from the system at a reasonable cost, present, or future. In the event that the Lansing Town Board dotes to circulate a petition for the formation of. said district, we shall refuse to sign the same. As our petition states, reasonable cost is a very real and important concern to the people within the proposed district. Many people who have signed this petition need good water very badly, however, they want water only at a cost that they can afford. (continued)