by Mary Pankow

     The proposed Central Water District for Perrysburg will move forward even though there are problems with the sale of the former J.N. Adam Hospital property.

     At a public information meeting on Jan. 18, Village of Perrysburg Mayor Tony Kota and Town of Perrysburg Supervisor Myrton Sprague announced that they, and other town and village officials, had met with the City of Buffalo Finance Committee earlier that day to discuss the J.N. situation. A small portion of the J.N. property is needed for the Central Water District.

     The officials expressed their concern over the sale of the J.N. property. They recommended that the city sign off on the reverter clause to allow the sale to go through (to high-bidder Trathen Land Co.). The Buffalo Common Council had just last week denied the sale.

     Mayor Kota explained that there is a resolution before the Common Council for their consideration on Jan. 25. The resolution concerns a reverter clause that is “on the parcel specifically related to the water district.”

     Perrysburg officials say that they were assured by several board members that the Common Council will approve the resolution. The state would then, being released from the clause, deed that property over to the Central Water District.

     With regard to the rest of the property, the City of Buffalo is still not satisfied with the Trathen Land Co. deal.

     Supervisor Sprague commented, “We tried to convince them [Buffalo’s representatives] that along with value of J.N. [property], there are liabilities. Mr. Trathen is taking on quite a challenge there and they’re fortunate to get anybody. There are a lot of problems, but one of their main concerns is this business about trees. I told them today, we’ve got farmers throughout the whole town who cut trees. What if we told you people you couldn’t cut any trees? Why would we tell Mr. Trathen he couldn’t cut trees?”

     Sprague said he hoped that they had talked some sense into city officials about the circumstances. Also, Perrysburg representatives will continue to work with the state, City of Buffalo and Trathen, hoping to resolve the problem, but concentrating first and foremost on establishing the Central Water District and providing residents with water.

     Engineer Mark Alianello reviewed the water district project package, originally estimated at $2.48 million and costing each home (Equivalent Dwelling Unit or EDU) $518 per year.

     (The state continues to run the water system for Perrysburg even though J.N. is out of business. A bypass line to the village down Peck Hill Road was constructed and J.N. campus waterlines were shut down.)

     After surveying residents and being petitioned by residents, the board considered’ extending the water district. This means an extension on Route 39 to Hooker Hill Road, extension along Route 39 to Jolls Road and a portion thereof, and extension on North Road to the Ratzel residence.

     To extend any part of the originally proposed water district, studies were conducted.

     The Edwards Corners Road wells were deemed good for emergency back-up use, but need rehabilitation.

     Rehabilitating the Mosher Road wells (village and state) is also needed.

     A capital cost summary of the district - with the extensions - is as follows: Mosher Road wells - $123,000, Mosher Road treatment - $365,000, Edwards Corners Road wells - $58,000, transmission main - $325,000, reservoirs - $130,000, main reservoir to village and pressure zone remodeling - $275,000, original extensions - $790,000; further extensions - $550,000, operating and maintenance cost estimate - $90,000. Total capital budget is $2,616,000.

     Thus, the capital budget includes rehabilitating the existing wells - $1,075,000, and proposed water main extension $1,541,000. This means cost per EDU will be $414, down from the initial project EDU cost.

     Funding for the project would be through the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund.

     Along with project plans, Cattaraugus County Agent and Cooperative Extension Educator Joan Petzan explained that the eight-year Ag District Review is currently being conducted in Perrysburg. Petzan noted that Perrysburg was the first Ag District formed in Cattaraugus County.

     Cattaraugus County Senior Planner David Paoletta added that during this review process, the window of opportunity exists for those wishing to remove a parcel from the Ag District. This benefit is especially helpful during the water project process as property owners, with the municipal water system, may decide to opt out of the Ag District to consider land development. Petzan stated that landowners will be receiving letters regarding the Ag District soon.

     Senior Water Resources Specialist Catherine Rees detailed the next steps to be taken. The SEQR process for the water line extensions needs to be done. The environmental quality review for the original scope of the project has already been completed.

     The amended environmental assessment form then needs to be sent to all the involved agencies. Following this will be soliciting lead agency status by the town board and a letter of intent composed. Then, district formation, adopting a bond resolution and securing professional service agreements.

     A final Drinking Water State Revolving Fund application must be submitted by October, Rees stated, and closing the DWSRF short-term financing prior to the May 2006 deadline.

     Other steps in the water project include surveying the project area, land acquisitions and easements, preparing engineering design plans, submitting those plans to agencies for permits and approvals, preparing a bid package and awarding the bid and finally, project construction.

     “You can usually estimate a 25 percent growth with a new water district,” Engineer Alianello said.

     “With the extensions, the EDU cost will be significantly less,” Rees noted, pointing out that with more households connected to the new line, cost per household decreases.

     Town resident Rick Noecker thanked the town and village officials for all they have done to get the Central Water project off the ground. The rest of the 40-plus audience agreed, also expressing their gratitude.

     Water problems seem to plague Perrysburg, but village and town officials are working hard to provide residents with reliable sources of water at the best price possible.

     A public hearing will be held - at a time and date not yet announced - to establish the Central Water District. This will get the ball rolling and hopefully, within a year or year and a half, residents will be hooked up and utilizing the new municipal water system.