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September 22, 2009

Council vote enables sewer referendum

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh Town Council approved a resolution Monday night to create the Cumberland Head Sewer District.

The vote, which was expected, clears the way for opponents to get 5 percent of the property owners in the proposed district to sign a petition to put the matter to a permissive-referendum vote.

The petition needs to be submitted within 30 days of the resolution’s adoption.

Town Council members explained why they voted to create the district, despite many people speaking against it at previous meetings.



CAMPAIGN VOW

Councilor Tom Wood said that his campaign two years ago emphasized improved and expanded infrastructure, grant acquisitions and environmental protection.

“The sewer project on Cumberland Head meets all of these criteria,” he said.

The $12.2 million in grant and loan funding provides an extraordinary opportunity to build a system that may be required at a later date, when such funding might not be available, Wood said.



FEAR OF MANDATE

Councilor Gerard Renadette said he is concerned a sewer system could be mandated by the federal government if the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 passes Congress. The act would give the federal government jurisdiction over waters of the United States, including wetlands.

He cited the Town of Black Brook, which was mandated to install a wastewater-treatment system. Proposals by the town had been voted down a number of times, but it now has to build the system at time-inflated costs.

“When an opportunity comes along for the first time in approximately 20 years which will make a project feasible, we have a responsibility to get all the information to the public and then hear everyone,” Renadette said.

He dismissed claims that the town is forcing the project on Cumberland Head residents. He has no doubt opponents will be able to gather enough signatures to put the matter to a public vote.

“As I stated earlier, we have a responsibility to the public to bring an opportunity such as this to you. You have the right to say yea or nay as you see fit.”



WORK ON COSTS

Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett was out of town but submitted a letter that was read by Deputy Supervisor Sheila Brockway. In it, Bassett said he would have voted to create the district if he had been able to attend the meeting.

He said he believes that is the best decision and leaves room for a vote that allows all to have their voices heard. If the proposal does go forward, Bassett said, he would continue to seek additional funding sources to reduce the economic impact to Cumberland Head residents.

Brockway said she always tries to do what’s best for her constituents. She has had numerous calls from people on both sides of the issue.

“I just want the people to have the option to vote and have their say.”

She also pledged to work to find ways to further offset the costs for homeowners.



‘BURDEN’

Councilor Martin Mannix said the number of concerns about the project’s financial impact at the recent public hearing had an impact on him.

“This will clearly be a financial burden on many people on Cumberland Head.”

On the other hand, he said, the No. 1 issue among Cumberland Head residents when he campaigned for council in 2007 was the need for public sewer.

The best way to decide is to gather the needed signatures to hold the referendum vote, Mannix said. That vote will create a record of the people’s will.

“When that’s done, there will be clarification of where we stand,” Mannix said.



E-mail Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com

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