HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-05 - Water Commission Town of Ulysses Water Commission
Meeting Notes
March 5, 2009
Attending : Doug Austic , Diane Hillmann (chair) , Mike Lunger, Chip Martin, Mrs. Dilibero
(guest), Scipio Washington (guest)
The meeting began at noon with Mr. Scipio Washington outlining his concerns about the way
water service is charged to him as owner of a mobile home park on Rte. 96 in the Town. He has
one line leading into the park, and is charged 100% for 15 separate mobile home units . He
believes this is unfair, given that various apartment and double units are charged at 80% . After
some discussion of options with Mr. Washington, the Commission agreed to take the matter
under advisement, to look at the financial implications for the Town, and to get back to Mr.
Washington within 30 days .
Mrs . Dilibero asked the Commission to consider lowering her charges for water system
operations and maintenance as well as debt service, on the basis that she is not hooked up to
water and therefore makes no use of the service . Commission members discussed with Mrs .
Dilibero the range of benefits that she may not have considered, and explained why it was not
possible to make an exception for her, given that the district was set up with the understanding
that some residents of the district would not hook up but needed to help support the district
regardless .
Doug brought up some recent discussions with the Town of Ithaca, which has raised our
water rates by roughly 40% ; from $ 3 . 20/ 1000 to $435/ 1000 (Ulysses adds $ . 15 on top to cover
billing and other costs . The Town of Ithaca also feels that our system is leaking water and
though they have no real evidence that the leakage is from our lines they propose to charge us for
this, at a rate that would result in customer charges of about $ 5 .40-5 . 50/ 1000 . Our agreement
with Ithaca states that at any time either party can request that a meter system be installed at the
town line, to measure total water going to Ulysses and another to record water returning to Ithaca
(to cover water delivered by us to some Town of Ithaca residents .
The Commission agreed that this seemed like a reasonable solution, which would allow any
leakage to be pinpointed as our problem (or theirs) so that steps could be made to determine
where such leakage is happening. Doug has tentatively agreed to kick in $20,000 of the
estimated $60 ,000 cost for the meters and housing for them, with Ithaca covering the rest and
securing the land near their last hydrant. The money is available from the District 3 reserve
funds and the Commissioners supported this expenditure .
The Commission also discussed the recent motion to be presented to the Town Board to hire
a Water Superintendent and remove Doug from that position. The Commission did not support
this motion and several will be present at the Town Board meeting to present this view and to
participate in discussion of the issue.
The Commission has scheduled another meeting for March 18 at noon in Town Hall to
discuss Mr. Washington ' s issues and draft a reply to him . They will also discuss any remaining
issues concerning the proposed new meters and increased water charges at that meeting.
Notes prepared by Diane Hillmann