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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-24 - TB Town of Ulysses Special Board Meeting 4/24/2006 PRESENT : Supervisor Doug Austic , Councilpeople Rod Ferrentino, Don Ellis, Roxanne Marino, and Lucia Tyler. Town Clerk Marsha Georgia, Deputy Supervisor Dick Coogan, and Town Engineer Eric Pond . ALSO PRESENT : Michelle Burk, Jane Peck, Sue Poelvoorde, Lee Scott, Jim Dennis, Lee LaBuff, Carolyn Duddleston, Doug Duddleston, Ron Loz, Jackie Merwin, Barry Hayes, Joanne Molino, David Filiberto , and Bill Chaisson of the Trumansburg Free Press . RECORDING MINUTES : Marsha Georgia, Ulysses Town Clerk. The meeting was called to order at 7 : 00 pm. Engineer Eric Pond began by reviewing the history surrounding the proposed Water District #5 , and describing the current proposal . Pond added that the testing of various options was a necessary step , and he believes the current plan is a sensible route to pursue and the current proposal will be a viable and fundable project, although there is still a good deal of work ahead . The Town Board and Pond discussed the alternative suggested on April 3rd of routing water to the State Park through the Village system . Pond explained this would require installation of pumps, and also noted that the proposal calls for a controlled, i . e. emergency, interconnection between the Bolton Point and Trumansburg water systems and Bolton Point may not be amenable to a continuous co-mingling of water from the two systems . Pond noted this alternative is not impossible, but could be difficult to manage. Pond observed that he is not sure why the Village put in pumps without increasing the water pressure in the system. Rod Ferrentino explained installation of pumps adequate to accomplish system wide pressure increases would have necessitated the installation of pressure regulation valves throughout much of the Village system. In answer to a query, Rod Ferrentino stated there are water quality and pressure problems within the Rabbit Run Road area ( the proposed route to the State Park) as well as along Route 96 outside the Village. A question was posed as to whether it might be feasible to route the water mains behind Smith Woods and down to the State Park. Pond explained it is best to stay within rights of way and also that this area probably has a fairly low population density, making the cost per equivalent dwelling unit much higher. Discussion ensued concerning the development potential of this area and any parts of the Town to be served by the water district . Don Ellis stated he believes the Town Board needs to do something more affirmative on this matter than just stating, "not much will happen. " Ellis suggested identifying the concerns about development, discussing means of addressing each concern, and setting forth a plan to do so . Eric Pond explained the process of water main planning and design includes identification and consideration of concerns regarding wetlands, archaeology and hardwoods . Pond noted that these concerns are regulated by State agencies, and described the NYSDEC ' s policies for addressing wetlands concerns as an example. The Town Board and Pond next discussed the full scope of the project, as it is currently proposed. Pond explained he estimates the Project would receive a DWSRF score of at least 170 points, which is a good score that he believes, would be eligible for no-interest financing through DWSRF . Doug Austic asked if the addition of more area to the Project scope would destroy the fiscal viability of the Project . Pond answered that it would not if the project accomplished the same essential objectives and was substantially the same. Austic later asked how much of a change the Department of Health would accept. Pond explained his experience Town of Ulysses 2 Special Board Meeting 4/24/2006 is the DOH tends to accept trade-offs in scope where the revised Project will still accomplish the key goals . Pond also noted that addition to the scope of a Project will not cause the project budget, as listed in DWSRF ' s Intended Use Plan, to increase, although the Town could pursue additional funding sources if it wished to go beyond the scope of the original project and needed additional funding to do so . Roxanne Marino asked if this combination is the only one that would get the 170 points . Pond answered Alternative #4 might be ranked at or above 170 points if he argues with the Department of Health. Pond also explained that the 170-point estimate he associated with the full scope for the project is a safe minimum ; this project could be worth over 200 points . Don Ellis asked what Pond would expect to happen with respect to Auble ' s Leisure Living Manufactured Home Park. Pond stated he believes the decision to connect or not would be up to the owner of the Park. Roxanne Marino asked who from the Manufactured Home Park would be eligible to vote in a referendum. Pond replied, in his experience, there is generally one vote per parcel of land . . . Eric Pond briefly reviewed the per-household cost estimates and he and Doug Austic responded to questions posed by Ms. Tyler and the Town Board concerning operations and maintenance cost calculation and whether the estimates are adequate in this respect. In this discussion, Pond stated that the Town and State Park need to determine and agree to the scope of the Town ' s responsibility for the Park ' s water system . Pond suggested having the Town listed as the Operator of Record for the Park ' s system, meaning that the Town would be legally responsible for testing and delivery of potable water but not necessarily for the work associated with system repairs and maintenance. Don Ellis asked how much Pond expects the archaeological study to cost, and Pond answered the Water District #3 study cost about $ 13 ,000 . Pond explained the Archaeology Study process, noting that he would estimate completion of both a Phase 1A and Phase 1B archaeological study would cost between $20,000 and $25 ,000; this cost could easily double if a Phase 2 study is needed. Ellis asked at what stage of the project the archaeological study is conducted, and Pond explained the Phase 1A is usually done during the Map, Plan & Report development phase and the intention to proceed with a Phase 1B is set forth in this document and is conducted after the Map, Plan & Report is complete. Pond added that the archaeological study work to be undertaken is identified in the SEQR SERP . Eric Pond briefly discussed the process for obtaining short-term funding through DWSRF. Pond explained, basically, the Town would need a Map, Plan & Report, the district to be formed, a bond resolution, and a complete DWSRF application in order to close on short-term financing. Discussion of the costs and timeframes associated with these steps ensued . Pond estimated that the Town will have to pay an additional $ 10,000 to $20,000 before these steps are accomplished and a total of about $25 , 000 before the district is formed, after which the costs can be levied to the District. . . Eric Pond next discussed DWSRF as a funding source, noting it is in his opinion the best bet for project financing and has a more achievable threshold for funding than other sources. The Town Board and Pond briefly discussed the option of undertaking an income survey. Don Ellis expressed concern about not spreading DWSRF funds evenly throughout the geographic area of the project. Ellis expressed particular concern over the appropriation of funding that will benefit the Village of Trumansburg, noting the Town needs to study what Village residents pay for their water service and the Town needs to engage the Village in the project. Pond stated the average Village homeowner' s water cost as of last year was $245 . 50 . Noting the financing term for Water District #3 was reduced mid-project from 30 years to 20 years, Don Ellis inquired about the risk of this happening with Water District #5 . Eric Pond explained that 20 years was the figure stated in the Hardship Letter for Water District #3 , and that it was determined the loan could be paid off affordably even with the Town of Ulysses 3 Special Board Meeting 4/24/2006 shorter term. Pond added that DWSRF is the most reliably stable funding source. Ellis noted this means, however, that DWSRF ' s policies could change mid-project or mid- payback-term . Ms . Tyler posed a question as to what will happen if gasoline costs sky rocket causing the Project to go over budget . Eric Pond explained the project budget does include 3 % for contingencies and stated, if this is not adequate, the Town can request more money. In his experience, Pond noted, such requests would be granted if reasonable and substantiated. Don Ellis asked Eric Pond about communication of project information to the residents of the proposed project area. Pond noted the means of communication is up to the Town Board and he will do what they direct in this area. Pond also explained that he will seek to set forth clear, thorough and well-divided cost estimates with illustrations and explanations to as many affected residents as possible . Pond added that Ulysses has the particular benefit of having the real and recent figures from Water District #3 to give residents recent and local examples and costs . Eric Pond then reviewed Alternatives 1 — 5 . Alternative # 1 includes the State Park and interconnection with the Village of Trumansburg ' s water system . This alternative involves installation of approximately 3 . 8 miles of water main, would serve approximately 112 E .D .U. ' s, and is estimated to cost $ 119,255 total, or approximately $ 1 ,065 per EDU, annually. This option can be expected to score 100 to, perhaps, 120 points and is therefore unlikely to qualify for hardship funding through DWSRF. Alternative #2 adds those areas along Waterburg Road and Curry Road that are currently served by the Village of Trumansburg ' s Water System to the scope of Alternative# 1 . This alternative would entail installation of approximately 6 . 6 miles of water main, would serve approximately 236 E .D .U. ' s, and would cost approximately $ 189, 888 total or about $ 805 per E .D .U. annually. Pond stated this alternative would be likely to score between 100 and 140 points, and could come very close to either side of eligibility for hardship financing. Alternative #3 adds a loop for Searsburg, Curry and Route 227 to the combination of Alternatives 1 and 2 , entails installation of approximately 8 . 9 miles of water main, would serve approximately 287 E .D .U. ' s , and would cost an estimated $236,286 , or about $ 823 per E . D .U. annually. Pond stated this alternative also would be likely to score in the vicinity of 145 points, and therefore also could fall on either side of the line for hardship financing. Alternative #4 goes along Rabbit Run and along Taugharmock Creek Road to connect the Park eliminating service areas of Alternatives 1 -3 , entails installation of approximately 11 . 1 miles of water main, would serve approximately 313 E . D .U. ' s, and is estimated to cost a total of $269,310, or about $ 861 per E . D .U. annually and score approximately 150 points . Alternative #5 is the summation of Alternatives 1 -4 ( including Leisure Living Park) plus, would entail installation of approximately 13 . 9 miles of water main, and would serve approximately 450 E . D . U. ' s, is estimated to cost a total of $ 346,421 , or approximately $ 770 per E.D .U. annually. This project can be expected to score a minimum of 170 points, which is a solid point score for hardship financing eligibility. Rod Ferrentino observed that Alternative #3 seems like the minimum project that is worth undertaking. Don Ellis asked if it would make sense to follow Falls Road from the Village to the State Park. Eric Pond explained that Falls Road is not on the Health Department ' s radar screen as a problem area. Roxanne Marino asked how the Health Department becomes aware of well water problems — by complaint tracking or by large- scale routine monitoring. Pond answered complaint tracking is the primary means by which problems come to the Health Department ' s attention . Further discussion ensued as to how the costs estimates are calculated. Town of Ulysses 4 Special Board Meeting 4/24/2006 Don Ellis stated the Town Board needs to discuss costs, risks and impacts, noting that discussion of the impacts to date has been very limited and this is a very important issue. The Town Board asked Eric Pond to provide the Town with hard and electronic versions of the map showing the various alternatives and an electronic version of the Power Point presentation used tonight. Doug Austic opened the floor to questions and comments from the public . i Ron Loz asked if the poor water quality in the Waterburg area has been taken into account, and received an affirmative answer. Loz stated the discussion of the impacts on development caused by water service extension would be interesting. An unidentified member of the audience asked if the Town Board will be scheduling public information meetings. Doug Austic answered yes ; he hopes to set the schedule for these at the next Town Board Meeting. A comment was made that, in considering the advantages and disadvantages of extending water to each of the proposed areas, the Town Board should find out which areas actually want municipal water. An unidentified member of the audience asked if water service would extend to the Seneca County side of Auble ' s Manufactured Home Park if that area is included in the Project. Doug Austic replied there would need to be an agreement with the Town of Covert and with Bolton Point for that to be possible, and this is currently an unknown. Eric Pond added the current assumption is that the Town of Covert side of the Park will not be served by Water District #5 . Roxanne Marino asked if there are any known issues from Bolton Point or the Town of Ithaca with supplying water to Trumansburg. Doug Austic answered he understands Bolton Point will not supply Trumansburg completely, but is amenable to serving as a back-up supply for the State Park and Trumansburg. Marino stated this should be explored because the individual she spoke to in the Department of Health office advised that this would be a very obvious change. Marino strongly suggested the Town Board determine whether this option will be pursued immediately or in the long run. Austic explained this would not be feasible and, besides, would be the Village ' s decision. Eric Pond noted the present set up — where Trumansburg operates its own water system — is more economical than it would be to use Bolton Point as its primary source . Marino acknowledged, but stated wells do run dry and therefore it would be wise to consider whether this might be pursued in the future. Eric Pond noted DWSRF has emergency financing available that would allow the Village to connect to Bolton Point quickly in the event that its primary source ceased to be sufficient. Eric Pond concluded by stating this is, in his opinion, a viable Project and that many projects never reach this point. To him, the work ahead is a matter of going through the various hoops . An unidentified member of the audience asked if the Town Board is aware of any formal petitions circulating. Doug Austic answered no, and noted petitions would have to be initiated and undertaken by the public . Hearing no further comments, questions or discussion, Don Ellis moved to adjourn the meeting. Doug Austic seconded. Austic aye Ferrentino aye Ellis aye Marino aye Tyler aye The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 9 :45 pm. Town of Ulysses 5 Special Board Meeting 4/24/2006 Respectfully Submitted, Marsha Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk KTL: a