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As the Town Board decides whether or not to extend the water district to Algerine and Lansing Station Roads, there are many things they must consider. Will the extension be for the greater good, or will it just be too expensive?

The proposed project will cost $574.00 per year for most homeowners, more or less.  In fact the price keeps going up as fuel and materials costs rise.  But a favorable loan rate from the State could nearly halve this fee.

What are the pros and cons?

  Pros Cons

  • Insures safe drinking water
  • Solves infected well problem
  • Safe water available, even in power outages
  • Will encourage development, increase the tax base andl reduce the cost per home
  • Annual fee will be a burden to some residents
  • Annual fee is mandatory even if a home is not hooked up
  • The people who do not need it are the ones who can least afford it.
  • Costs may drive out some residents

A fair percentage of those opposed to the project won't be able to vote, because they are renters.  Town Attorney explained to me "That's the purpose of a public hearing, to hear everyone's point of view."  So while they may be disenfranchised in the final vote they are being heard and their comments are being considered by the board.

This fee only covers the loan pay back for constructing the project.  Hookup and water usage fees will be additional charges, so residents who can least afford town water will pay the annual fee even though they are not using the water.

 It is ironic that the people who have good wells and don't need town water are the ones who can least afford it.  But it does seem inevitable that water will come.  Given that the best case scenario is to get a reduced rate loan and to find alternate funding to offset the annual fees.

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