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November 25, 2009

Cumberland Head sewer project will come to a vote

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — Town of Plattsburgh officials want residents to decide on the Cumberland Head sewer proposal based on proper information.

Town Water and Wastewater Department Director David Comfort said most of the people calling the town understand the need but are concerned about the costs.

He said one of his great concerns is that people are being given a great deal of misinformation by a small group of Cumberland Head residents.

"It's very important they get as much accurate data as they can so they can avoid making a decision based on misinformation and innuendo. People who have a problem with the project should state why they are opposed instead of trying to blur the issues."

HOOKUP COSTS
Connection costs, including the cost to decommission a septic system, are projected to be $1,500 to $2,500.

"We're estimating high so we don't have people deceived," Comfort said.

He said there may be cases where a homeowner needs to relocate his or her waste output pipe to connect to the new grinder pump system, which could be more costly.

YEARLY COST
Comfort said that, based on the average water-use figures on Cumberland Head, a homeowner will pay debt service and use fees of $671 per year.

The median figures for use and debt service in New York state are $739 per year. Any project that comes in over that cost requires review by the State Comptroller's Office, Comfort said.

Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said the ability to stay below the review threshold shows that the town has done its due diligence.

HEALTH BACKING
John Kanoza, director of the Clinton County Health Department's Environmental Division, said public sewer is the appropriate step to take on Cumberland Head, from his department's view. That's due to the shallow soils, underlying rock and high water table, especially around the perimeter of the Head.

Comfort said that some of the perimeter properties require specially engineered septic systems, which can cost $12,000 to $30,000.

Kanoza said the department receives five to 12 complaints about failing or leaking systems on Cumberland Head each year, more than most other towns in the county.

"In the long term, this is the right thing to do. I understand the costs hurt in the short term."

PLANT CAPABILITY
The sewage would be pumped to the City of Plattsburgh Wastewater Treatment Plant. Kanoza said concerns about the plant's ability to handle the additional flow are unfounded.

"It's been kept in good condition, and it meets its effluent levels well," Kanoza said.

The runoff issues that result from intense storms do not stem from the plant but from a portion of the collection system, he said. The city plans to address that issue.

AFFORDABILITY
Bassett said some Cumberland Head residents have asked for public sewer for several years, but the cost was too high. That changed when the town was told it was eligible for a $5.3 million grant and $6.8 million loan at 3.75-percent interest from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Dave (Comfort) and his team found a way to reasonably resolve that problem," Bassett said.

"The grant gave us the opportunity to let them (property owners) make a decision."

While some of those opposed to the plan have said there is no way the $12.2 million project will come in at or under budget, Bassett said the town has been pretty consistent in having projects come in under budget.

One example is the recently completed Champlain Park Lift Station and Force Main project. The project budget was $2.5 million. The lift station and mains were completed at $1.9 million, $600,000 under budget.

The town then petitioned the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. to use $390,000 to repair manholes and sewer mains in Champlain Park that had been allowing groundwater to enter the system.

That work was done, Comfort said, yet the entire project was still under budget.

Bassett said that, if the project isn't approved, the town may be forced to do it in the future without the federal grant and loan. While he's sensitive to residents' concerns about costs, the town also had a responsibility to let the people decide their own future.

"I hope they will make that decision based on facts, not emotion or fear," Bassett said.

THE VOTE
The special referendum vote is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 9. Cumberland Head property owners are eligible to vote between noon and 8 p.m. at the Cumberland Head Fire Station, 38 Fire House Lane, Plattsburgh.

Absentee ballots are available at the Plattsburgh Town Clerk's Office, 151 Banker Road, Plattsburgh, or by calling 562-6830 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 9.

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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