City approves surcharge for dam repairs

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February 3, 2012

JOE LoTEMPLIO Press-Republican The Press Republican Fri Feb 03, 2012, 02:28 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — City of Plattsburgh councilors unanimously approved a surcharge to help pay for repairs to one of its reservoir dams.

The vote came at Thursday night's meeting after no one spoke about the plan at a public hearing before the meeting.

"I think people see this as a reasonable way to pay for a very necessary infrastructure project that will ensure that we have a safe and reliable supply of water," Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4) said.

The Mead Dam off Rand Hill Road in the Town of Plattsburgh is in need of major reconstruction that will cost about $3 million.

The spillway at the 90-year-old dam does not meet regulations and must be reconstructed.

A spillway is a structure that controls the release of water overflow to prevent damage to a dam.

The spillway chute also needs to be replaced. The chute is a long concrete slide that carries overflow down into a nearby stream.

To pay for the work, the city would bond the project over 20 years. The bond would be paid for with funds generated from an Infrastructure Investment Charge placed on water users.

Water users with a 5/8 meter would pay a monthly surcharge of 95 cents, and those with a 3/4 meter would pay $1.90 per month.

Most residential users in the city have 5/8 meters.

The money raised through the charge would be put into a dedicated fund and cannot be used for anything else.

"This is our gift to future councils," Calnon said.

Councilor Chris Jackson (D-Ward 6), who proposed the surcharge, said the investment will benefit the city well into the future.

"For 95 cents a month or $11.40 a year, most people will get a secure and safe drinking supply for 40 years," Jackson said.

"We have to improve our infrastructure and this is a good way to do it."

Councilor Chris Case (D-Ward 5) said paying off the bond over 20 years will be easier.

"It's better to pay this off as you go year to year than to make one big payment all at once," Case said.

The council voted 5 to 0 to approve the charge, with Councilor Timothy Carpenter (D-Ward 1) absent.

The charge will go into effect March 1.

Construction on the dam repairs will begin in either late summer or the fall.