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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-31 - PH Q. as TOWN OF ULYSSES PUBLIC HEARING JULY 31ST, 2001 PRESENT : Supervisor Douglas Austic, Town Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Andrew Hillman, Sue Poelvoorde, and Robert Weatherby, Town Clerk Marsha Georgia, Deputy Town Clerk Karin Lanning, Town Attorney Bruce Wilson, and Contract Engineer Eric Pond. ALSO PRESENT: sign in sheet on file in Town Clerk' s office. Public Hearing on Water District No 3 Proof of Notice having been furnished, Supervisor Austic called the Public Hearing on the formation of Water District No 3 to order at 7 : 10 PM. Mr. Austic prefaced by presenting information on the background of the proposed water district. Research into a water district for the Jacksonville area began after a petition was presented to the Town Board from a number of people residing in the Town of Ulysses, in and around the Hamlet of Jacksonville. Mr. Austic reported that, in response to this petition, the Town Board hired Barton & Loguidice, P . C. to investigate and research various potential ways of constructing a water district to serve first the Jacksonville area, and ultimately other parts of the Town. After much research and weighing of all options, Mr. Austic stated that the proposed water district encompassing areas along NYS Route 96 from the southern tip of the Town through Jacksonville, with water coming from Ithaca is the best long-term plan. Mr. Austic stated that, because the project will require contracts and agreements with the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca, the necessary interim agreements would be made, to allow work on the project to start while the final agreements are formulated. Mr. Austic discussed the cost of the project per user, which will total an estimated $501 per year. Supervisor Austic stated, in closing that the agenda for the hearing would include hearing from Eric Pond, of Barton & Loguidice, P.C., and hearing questions and comments from the audience. Mr. Pond discussed the Map Plan and Report for proposed Water District No 3 . Mr. Pond began by discussing the costs of the project, both in general and per household. The estimated total cost of the project is $3 . 15 Million, and according to the current plan, will be financed by a 30 year, 0% loan, to be paid back at a rate of $88,333 per year. Mr. Pond noted that this figure is assuming that the Town will indeed receive an expected grant of $500,000. Mr. Pond discussed the estimated $ 501 per user household per year costs, and broke this figure down. The $501 per year will include a household's share of the debt to set up the water district, operation and maintenance costs and actual water consumption, the latter of which will be variable according to actual water consumption in a given household. Mr. Pond also discussed one-time charges that would be associated with the project. Mr. Pond stated that individual district users will have to hire a contractor to lay lines from their residences and businesses to the water line, and that the cost of doing so will cost, on average, between $500 and $ 1 , 500 per household . Mr. Pond noted that contractors can often be hired by a group of homeowners and that those residents who know how to can lay the line themselves, either of which might reduce the cost. The other one-time cost that Mr. Pond reported on was the initial Town hook up charge, totaling about $ 100, and covering the water meter and inspection of the line-to-site water line. Mr. Pond noted that the proposed district serves the needs for a safe water supply in the Jacksonville area and the future needs to connect other parts of the Town of Ulysses in the most feasible and cost effective way. Mr. Pond concluded by discussing the next several steps of the process, beginning with completion of environmental review, which has been started, and Town Board approval of the District Formation contingent on funding. After these steps, Mr. Pond reported that the next steps will include securing necessary agreements and the NYS Strategic Investment Program Grant of $500,000, obtaining land for the water district facilities, preparing plans and specifications and Town of Ulysses Public Hearings-Water District No 3 raP\ Map Plan & Report/ SEQR 7/31/2001 finalizing project financing. Following all this, the project will be put out for bid, a contractor will be selected and construction will begin. Mr. Pond concluded, opening the floor to public comments and questions. Jim Clark posed a question about the breakdown of billing. Mr. Pond explained the three components — debt payment, operation and maintenance and actual water use. Mr. Austic called on Christian Boissonnas to comment. Mr. Boissonnas, of 5214 Jacksonville Road, read a letter signed by himself and several other residents of the Town of Ulysses who were eliminated from the water district against their wishes. In their letter, the residents requested that the Town Board add their properties to the proposed district. A copy of the above letter is on file. Mr. Austic called on Dianne Hillman to comment. Ms. Hillman, of 5069 Jacksonville Road called upon the residents of the Town of Ulysses to support the project despite some reservations, reminding the assembled that a good supply of well water one year does not guarantee future quantiiy or quality. Mr. Austic called Robert Carpenter to comment. Mr. Carpenter, of 5360 Perry City Road stated his approval of the work done by the Town Board in bringing the proposed district to its current point. Mr. Carpenter spoke as a plumber, stating that there is a very real water contamination problem in the Jacksonville area and noting the huge importance that safe drinking and use water plays in day-to-day life. Mr. Austic called on Hans Van Leer to comment. Mr. Van Leer, of 5340 Cold Springs Road, affirmed the statements made by Mr. Robert Carpenter. Mr. Van Leer described a past situation where lack of a reliable water supply forced a significant agri-biological research company to move out of Town. Mr. Van Leer concluded by stating that municipal water is needed to pn )mote growth of industry that will allow the Town of Ulysses to remain a viable community. Mr. Austic called on Tom Reitz to comment. Mr. Reitz stated that he is a member of the Jacksonville Community Church Board of Trustees, and asked how many EDU's the church will be assessed for. Mr. Pond told him the church was assessed at 1 EDU, or the equivalent of one single-family household. Mr. Reitz posed a question about how contaminated soil will be addressed if it . is encountered during the process of laying the water lines. Mr. Pond responded that it is conceivable that upon excavating for the water lines that some contaminated soil may be encountered. If that is the case his understanding is that the Town of Ulysses has an agreement with DEC to cover costs of disposing of that contaminated soil. That soil would be. excavated, stock piled at the Town Barns or somewhere else, and then transported to a proper landfill or other contaminated soil disposal site. Mr. Austic confirmed that he talked with DEC and they will be responsible for any contaminated soil that has to be removed. However they say that because we are talking about 6' to 8' depth he does not think that we would rung into contaminated soil. Mr. Austic called Mr. Bill Wright to comment. Mr. Bill Wright of 4051 Jacksonville Road stated that he adds his support to the water district. Mr. Austic opened the floor for comments. 2 i I ax i n ' I 111:1110 '1 ' i I II II , lit 3C) Town of Ulysses Public Hearings-Water District No 3 Map Plan & Report/ SEQR 7/31 /2001 Mr. Al Rakowski of 3360 Krums Corners Road stated that he is one of the unfortunate residents on Krums Corners Road that was included in the water district, but does not need or want municipal water. Mr. Rakowski stated that he empathizes with those people in Jacksonville who do need water, and stated that, in his opinion, that area that needs a good water supply should be the only area to be served by the water district. Mr. Rakowski stated that he could also act as a representative of seven residences on Krums Corners Road who were included in the Water District but do now want to be. Mr. Rakowski stated that it would be good to remove the residences on Krums Corners Road and add those who want to be in the District but are not located on Jacksonville Road. Mr. Austic asked if Mr. Rakowski was the only one on Krums Corners Road that feels this way. Mr. Rakowski answered no and stated that at least three others had planned to attend, although one had been called away. Mr. Austic stated that he would like to make it clear that the Town is not solely doing the water district for Jacksonville residents. There are other areas within the Town with water problems that this water district will start to address. Mr. Austic stated that the District is for the good of the whole Town. Mrs. Alma Coats of 3237 Wilkins Road, asked for clarification as to whether or not Wilkins Road is still in the District, and why not, if that is the case. Mr. Austic stated that at this time Wilkins Road is not in the district. It was removed because it became economically unsound to include Wilkins Road, Dubois Road and some other areas in the District. Mr. Austic explained that it would have added more than a feasible amount to the costs for the line than could be reasonably considered at this time. Mr. Austic further explained that, in the future, residents can petition to hook on to this district, thereby extending its boundaries. Ms. Mary Murray posed a question regarding those sites owned by Mobil Oil Corp. , which were contaminated in a gas leak. Ms. Murray sked Mr. Austic how many of the g Y Y residences located on the various sites are still standing, and if all the sites are included in the current Water District Proposal. Mr. Austic stated that a couple of the houses are still standing, and that all of the sites are included in the Water District. Mr. Christian Boissonnas stated that he disagreed with Mr. Austic's statement. Mr. Boissonnas stated that, in his opinion, several houses including his own on Jacksonville Road have also been impacted by the gas leak. Mr. Austic stated that while the market value of the properties referred to by Mr. Boissonnas had been affected, the wells had not been actually contaminated. Mr. Al Rakowski asked when the district formation would be officially decided. Mr. Austic stated that the intent would be to vote on the matter at the next monthly Town Board meeting, on August 14th, 2001 . Mr. Rakowski asked if this meeting will be open to the public and Mr. Austic replied that it would be. An unnamed member of the audience stated that her residence is located on Swamp College Road near a park. The member of the audience asked if the area near her new residence is contaminated. Mr. Austic referred the question to Mr. Tom Reitz. Mr. Reitz explained that well testing has been conducted at sites on Swamp College Road. While nitrate contamination from nearby fields was detected, the tests did not reveal any petroleum product contamination. 3 Town of Ulysses Public Hearings-Water District No 3 9-N3 Map Plan & Report/ SEQR 7/31 /2001 Mr. Mdse Lunger of 3017 Dubois Road asked how the price per household along Wilkins Road and Dubois Road to hook up after a petition will compare to the cost for the residents included in Phase I of Water District #3 . Mr. Austic explained that engineering studies would have to be conducted in order to get a really clear idea. Mr. Austic did note, also, that a petition to extend the water lines would result in what would be considered another water district. Mr. Pond briefly explained the process to extend a water district. Households being added later would benefit from having the tank, pump station and other infrastructure, upon extending the water district lines, the per household loan expenses would be reassessed to include new residences and businesses. In order l :or an area to be added, 50% of its residents must vote in favor of being connected. Mr. Tom Reitz asked if Mobil Oil Co. has been approached about donating funds to help the project. Mr. Austic reported that the Town of Ulysses requested $500,000 from Mobil, but still has not received a definite answer. A member of the audience asked what State representatives have done to get funding for the Town. Mr. Austic noted the $500,000 grant that the Town of Ulysses is anticipating was brought to the Town as a result of the advocacy of Mr. Martin Luster of the NYS Assembly. Mr. Austic also noted that the Town of Ulysses is ineligible for many of the funding programs available because the average per-household income in the Town is higher than the state average. An unnamed member of the audience asked if it would be posaible to review the average income in the proposed district, as opposed to the Town at large for consideration for futxling. Mr. Austic stated that this had been done and that the average per-household income is still too high for funding consideration. A question was posed about the anticipated timeframe for the project. Mr. Austic stated that the Town had hoped to finalize the district by October, put out for bid in March of 2002 and break ground in the late spring or early summer of 2002, but that the October deadline, in particular, is not likely to be met. Nonetheless, the Town still hopes for groundbreaking to take place as anticipated in late spring or early summer of 2002. In response to questions and urges from the audience that the Town seek money from Mobil Oil Co and Blue Ox, who now owns the gas station in Jacksonville, Mr. Austic stated that the present is the best time for the Town to form a Jacksonville area water district. While the Town sincerely hopes for funds from the two corporations who have owned the gas station, it is not in the Town's best interest to wait until money is received from the companies. Mr. Austic reminded the assembled that a. $500,000 grant and a 30- year, 0% interest free loan would be available and make the project workable now. While additional funds could be used to reduce the levy on individuall. property owners, it would not be wise to wait for these additional fiords when the loan will make the project feasible even without them. An unnamed member of the audience wished to state her approval of the project, and urged the Town Board to vote in favor of forming the Water District. An unnamed resident asked how the Town will protect residents from further contamination that may occur as a result of the soil disturbances needed to lay the water lines. 4 1 3 If III 11 I i P1 ' I IL L , i i i 1 1 1 l'au it P 01 o 114 , w I I !' NNNPPt E� L I I Town of Ulysses a3 Public Hearings-Water District No 3 Map Plan & Report/ SEQR 7/31 /2001 Mr. Austic stated that, since the plan is to lay the water lines almost solely within highway right of way, the risk for contamination would be minimal. Mr. Pond expounded on what Mr. Austic had said by explaining some preventative measures that will be taken where necessary. Mr. Pond explained first that the channels for the water lines will be at most about 2 feet wide, and about 6 feet deep. Since the channels will be so shallow, Mr. Pond explained, the amount of groundwater that could be disturbed and, or, that could channel contaminated water to a well will be minimal. In situations where the water level is close enough to the surface to pose a problem, clay barriers would be placed along the length of water lines to slow migration of water along the channels. Mr. Austic also noted that the NYS DEC would most likely work with the Town to address such problems as these. An unnamed resident asked what side of the NYS Route 96 the water line will run on. Mr. Austic stated that, while the Town has an idea of where the lines will go in, nothing is concrete. Mr. Austic also stated that the line will not follow all the way along one side of the road, but will cross under a number of times. Decision on where to lay the line is pending the conclusion of the archaeological studies . An unnamed resident asked what the average annual cost per household is to maintain a private well or wells. Mr. Austic referred the question to Mr. Richard Coogan. Mr. Coogan reported that in a recent study, average annual costs for the maintenance of a private well-based system range from $600 to $800. Supervisor Austic asked if there were any further comments. None were heard. Supervisor Austic asked if any Town Board members wished to speak. No Town Board Members wished to . In concluding, Mr. Austic stated that it the Ulysses Town Board is of the opinion that the proposed district is the best plan with the best price available to the Town today or anytime in the near future. Mr. Austic explained that the Town Board has been working on the project for many months, and has strived to review the project from every angle. In what they have seen, Mr. Austic also stated, the proposed plan seems to be the only feasible one. Mr. Austic briefly described the process by which the District formation may be approved. Upon Town Board Initiative approval in accordance with Section 12A of municipal law, residents of the formed district have 30 days to petition the Town Board. If 5% or more of the residents of a proposed district sign a grievance petition, the matter will have to go to a district-wide poll of the residents, where 50% or more of the residents would have to vote in favor of the proposal for it to go through. Hearing no further business related to the public hearing on the Map Plan and Report for the proposed Water District No 3 , Supervisor Austic closed the public hearing at 8 :25 PM. Public Hearing on SEAR Proof of Notice having been furnished, Supervisor Austic called the Public Hearing on SEQR to order at 8 :30 PM. The Board presented Mr. Pond with questions and concerns about Part I of the Full Environmental Assessment Form. It was decided that to give Mr. Pond appropriate time 5 Town of Ulysses Public Hearings-Water District No 3 VD5 Map Plan & Report/ SEQR 7/31 /2001 to investigate the questions and concerns they would adjourn the public hearing to August 14t, 2001 . Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Mr. Weatherby, to adjourn the SEQR Public Hearing to August 14th, 2001 prior to the Regular Town Board Meeting. Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hinman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye . Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted. Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to set a public hearing on the possible changes to Water District no 3, pending a request from the Krums Corners residents to be deleted from the district and the request of the Jacksonville Road residents to be added to be held August 14th, 2001 at the Town Hall 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg, NY at 7 :00 PM. Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted. Heating no further business the meeting was adjourned. a C. Ti tE Y t 6