- By Dan Veaner
- News
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Sewer Committee Chairman Bud Shattuck called for a report from Village trustee Frank Moore, who has been attending Town Sewer Committee meetings from the beginning. The village is scheduled to send the Town its choice for a trunk line route through the Village before the end of this month. Mr. Moore reported that although the Village hasn't come to an official determination yet, that their strong preference is the Route along East Shore Drive (Route 34). They are aware, however, that State Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations make that route too expensive.
Meanwhile attorneys explained what the Town's rights are in the event that the two municipalities cannot agree on a route. Committee Chairman Bud Shattuck stressed, speaking directly to Mr. Moore, that the Town strongly prefers to work cooperatively with the Village. "It's beneficial to have you here, Frank," he said, explaining that he wants Village officials to have the best possible understanding of the Town's needs so they can find the best solutions together.
Town Attorney Guy Krogh defined the Town's legal rights, answering questions about what remedies the Town might have if it cannot come to an agreement with the Village. He reiterated that cooperation is the best route, but indicated the Town has the right to build the trunk line if it is contested. He and attorney Charles Schachter reviewed legal procedures for forming a sewer district to help officials decide which would be best in proceeding locally.
Mr. Shattuck set the time frame for the final route selection. The Village was given a two month extension for telling Town officials which route they endorse. That deadline is up this month, but Mr. Shattuck agreed to wait until January 15 before making the final determination. This will allow Village Mayor Don Hartill and Town Supervisor Stephen Farkas to approach the DOT to ask for the exception. Mr. Farkas felt that due to the limited time period that he would like to involve State officials such as Senator Michael Nozzolio if he is willing to be an advocate for the project.
In other business Mr. Krogh discussed ways the Town might try to enforce an agreement in which Kingdom Farm will contribute. Evidently the agreement was entered into when it was anticipated that a major Watchtower operation would be located on the Auburn Road farm. Watchtower is the publication of the Jehovah's Witnesses, who own the property. Now that those plans have been changed the farm is for sale and the organization wants to renege on the agreement.
Andy Sciarabba reported that efforts to raise funds from other donors are going well, with a number of major players interested in contributing to the project. Finally the committee discussed a schedule for public education and outreach. David Allardice noted that it will be about six months before the project is solidly defined so that questions about costs and details of construction and engineering can be answered. In the meanwhile Stearnes & Wheler engineer Jim Blum is maintaining a web site at www.lansingsewers.com/ that explains the project to the public.
The first step going forward is choosing the trunk line route, and that should be complete by mid-next month.
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