Town of Clifton & Town of Fine Efficiency/Consolidation Study ...
Town of Clifton & Town of Fine Efficiency/Consolidation Study Committee Meeting Meeting #7 – 7/22/2015 @ 6:00 p.m. @ the Town of Fine Municipal Building Minutes 1. Committee members and guest introductions were completed. C. Tuttle provided an overview of the Consolidation process and where the Towns are at in the process. The webpage was shown to guests and it was explained that all information is publically available at www.danc.org/operations/engineering/clifton-fine-efficiencyconsolidation-study. 2. Sixth Topic: Water/Sewer/Lighting - presentation given by Carrie Tuttle.
Carrie gave an overview of how the water, sewer, and lighting districts are relevant to the consolidation study, before giving the presentation to the Consolidation Study Committee.
There was discussion about the Woodhaven Water District being put together when the J&L site was active, and that it was turned over to the Town because it was going into debt and could not continue privately.
Carrie led discussion about the issues with the Newton Falls Water Plant. There are tannins in the water that restrict what kind of treatment can be applied to the water. Asset life for this type of plant ranges from 15-30 years, so this system is on the tail end of its useful life. Newton Falls’ filters are primarily automated, vs. Star Lake filters that are manual. Sherm observed that it doesn’t sound like the Newton Falls water plant would be used to supply water to Star Lake, given the feasibility study underway to explore interconnecting the systems. Mark responded that the Town is searching for a ground water source in the water project, possibly the Woodhaven well, because a groundwater source is a better alternative to surface water. The project would look at trying to consolidate the 3 water districts into 1, with a groundwater source. Chuck mentioned that the Town of Clifton did look for a groundwater source for the original Newton Falls plant, but they could not find one.
Woodhaven and Newton Falls water systems are managed by DANC as of 7/1/2015. The Town of Clifton still handles breaks and repairs.
There was a discussion about funding for these water projects, and how it can be difficult to obtain the funding. Carrie stressed that funders want to see projects that are organized, planned out, and committed to being “shovel ready”. The first phase of the project has received funding and the second phase is positioned well to apply for grants this year.
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Users in different districts may not have to pay different rates, due to the funding agencies basing their funding on median household incomes. The difference could be subsidized by the grants.
The Wanakena sewer plant has room for capacity and could take on more users.
Should Star Lake look at also adding a sewer system? Carrie mentioned that water and sewer projects can’t usually happen at the same time due to funding issues and additional costs for customers. This would be a good future project if there was interest from Star Lake users.
Chris asked about solar panels for street lighting. Carrie stated that it is not reliable in the winter and not cost usually cost effective. The Towns pay per light, whether they are lit or burned out. Does NYS pay for the lights on the state highways? Mark thinks it is paid for by the Town. Chris also mentioned the speed signs. Carrie mentioned that some towns have lighting districts where only users in the district pay for it. In Fine and Clifton, most of the lighted areas are “common” areas that benefit many users in the town so districts likely do not make sense.
We are winding down on the existing conditions phase; the next two topics are personnel and budgets. DANC is drafting the Existing Conditions report for committee and will have it ready by December. From there, we’ll get ready for the first public overview presentation.
3. Future meeting schedule for reference Kick Off Meeting
January 28, 2015
Demographics & Taxes
February 25, 2015
Services Provided: Highway Department Part I
March 25, 2015
Services Provided: Highway Department Part II
April 22, 2015
Services Provided: Fire Department
May 27, 2015
Services Provided: General Fund Town Services – June 24, 2015 Library, Arena, Golf Course, Dog Control, Court, etc. Services Provided: Water/Sewer
July 22, 2015
Personnel & Personnel Functions
August 26, 2015
Budgets
September 23, 2015
Draft "Existing Conditions/What Exist" Report &
Oct. 2015 – Dec. 2015
Informational Meeting #1
January 2016
Evaluation of Alternatives
Feb. 2016 – June 2016
Public Informational Meeting #2
July 2016 Page 2 of 3
Recommendations & Final Report
August 2016
Public Information Meeting/Hearing
September 2016
4. Other Business – Committee assignments: There is some drop off in attendance from the Clifton members and different assignments in Fine. Carrie recommended that the boards review their initial committee appointments and make adjustments to make sure there is equal representation.
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Carrie gave an overview of how the water, sewer, and lighting districts are relevant to the consolidation study, before giving the presentation to the Consolidation Study Committee.
There was discussion about the Woodhaven Water District being put together when the J&L site was active, and that it was turned over to the Town because it was going into debt and could not continue privately.
Carrie led discussion about the issues with the Newton Falls Water Plant. There are tannins in the water that restrict what kind of treatment can be applied to the water. Asset life for this type of plant ranges from 15-30 years, so this system is on the tail end of its useful life. Newton Falls’ filters are primarily automated, vs. Star Lake filters that are manual. Sherm observed that it doesn’t sound like the Newton Falls water plant would be used to supply water to Star Lake, given the feasibility study underway to explore interconnecting the systems. Mark responded that the Town is searching for a ground water source in the water project, possibly the Woodhaven well, because a groundwater source is a better alternative to surface water. The project would look at trying to consolidate the 3 water districts into 1, with a groundwater source. Chuck mentioned that the Town of Clifton did look for a groundwater source for the original Newton Falls plant, but they could not find one.
Woodhaven and Newton Falls water systems are managed by DANC as of 7/1/2015. The Town of Clifton still handles breaks and repairs.
There was a discussion about funding for these water projects, and how it can be difficult to obtain the funding. Carrie stressed that funders want to see projects that are organized, planned out, and committed to being “shovel ready”. The first phase of the project has received funding and the second phase is positioned well to apply for grants this year.
Page 1 of 3
Users in different districts may not have to pay different rates, due to the funding agencies basing their funding on median household incomes. The difference could be subsidized by the grants.
The Wanakena sewer plant has room for capacity and could take on more users.
Should Star Lake look at also adding a sewer system? Carrie mentioned that water and sewer projects can’t usually happen at the same time due to funding issues and additional costs for customers. This would be a good future project if there was interest from Star Lake users.
Chris asked about solar panels for street lighting. Carrie stated that it is not reliable in the winter and not cost usually cost effective. The Towns pay per light, whether they are lit or burned out. Does NYS pay for the lights on the state highways? Mark thinks it is paid for by the Town. Chris also mentioned the speed signs. Carrie mentioned that some towns have lighting districts where only users in the district pay for it. In Fine and Clifton, most of the lighted areas are “common” areas that benefit many users in the town so districts likely do not make sense.
We are winding down on the existing conditions phase; the next two topics are personnel and budgets. DANC is drafting the Existing Conditions report for committee and will have it ready by December. From there, we’ll get ready for the first public overview presentation.
3. Future meeting schedule for reference Kick Off Meeting
January 28, 2015
Demographics & Taxes
February 25, 2015
Services Provided: Highway Department Part I
March 25, 2015
Services Provided: Highway Department Part II
April 22, 2015
Services Provided: Fire Department
May 27, 2015
Services Provided: General Fund Town Services – June 24, 2015 Library, Arena, Golf Course, Dog Control, Court, etc. Services Provided: Water/Sewer
July 22, 2015
Personnel & Personnel Functions
August 26, 2015
Budgets
September 23, 2015
Draft "Existing Conditions/What Exist" Report &
Oct. 2015 – Dec. 2015
Informational Meeting #1
January 2016
Evaluation of Alternatives
Feb. 2016 – June 2016
Public Informational Meeting #2
July 2016 Page 2 of 3
Recommendations & Final Report
August 2016
Public Information Meeting/Hearing
September 2016
4. Other Business – Committee assignments: There is some drop off in attendance from the Clifton members and different assignments in Fine. Carrie recommended that the boards review their initial committee appointments and make adjustments to make sure there is equal representation.
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