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December 10, 2009

Cumberland Head sewer plan rejected

Cumberland Head project would have been partly funded by feds

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — Cumberland Head property owners rejected a proposed $12.2 million sewer project Wednesday night.

The vote was 376 opposed and 151 in favor.

Town Clerk Ricky Collins said there was a steady flow of voters throughout the day despite snowy, windy conditions.

Some Cumberland Head residents have asked for public sewer for a number of years, but the Plattsburgh Town Council found the costs too high.

That changed when the town was told it was eligible for a $5.3 million grant and $6.8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year. The town passed a resolution to move forward, and opponents were able to get enough petition signatures to force a referendum vote.

There has been vocal opposition to the plan, mainly based on the cost to hook up to the new system and decommission functioning septic systems. Others questioned why every home is required to hook up when many say they have an adequate septic system.

Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said the project will not go forward and the grant will not be utilized.

"The Town Council did what we are elected to do," he said.

"We found the funding to allow it to be brought to the voters and let them decide what they wanted to do. Obviously, a number of people were concerned."

Some voters took time to share their view of the proposal as they exited the polling place. Jim Varin said he was totally opposed.

"For me, it's totally a no-brainer," he said.

Varin said he could pay to pump out his system 20 times for what it will cost to connect to the proposed system. People who have a failing system should pay for its repair rather than burden those with functioning systems with this cost.

Phil Racine said it's a fact that Cumberland Head has shallow, poor soils that sit atop ledge rock. Many people say their system is working just because they can flush their toilet, he said, but the true test is if there is enough dry land for a leach field to absorb the wastewater produced.

While he does empathize with those who have invested so much in their septic systems, he would like them to look at the bigger picture.

"This (sewer project) is the right thing to do for our environment, our children and the people who will live on Cumberland Head in the future," he said. "It's important not to look at just the short-term gains, but look at the long-term gains for the environment."

Dr. Anthony Vaccaro said he feels taxes are already high enough. This is not the time to be putting additional taxes on the public, given the present economy.

"Although I feel it would be good for the health of the lake, this is a bad time to do it," he said.

Stuart Laidman said he has lived on Cumberland Head for 23 years and has never had a problem with his septic system. The cost to connect is just too much, not to mention the tax increase property owners would face during the 38-year term of the loan, he said.

Julie Steele-Goodwin said she thinks the plan was put together too rapidly. She agreed that burdening people with additional costs would create difficulties at this time.

"I think it's a waste of money," she said.

Terry Wiley said he voted in favor. He said people need to think beyond their personal situations and for future generations.

"I think it's an opportunity to take advantage of some funding that will not be available in the future. In the long term, it will improve property values and the water quality of the lake," he said.

John Pelkey said the main reason he was opposed is he's afraid it would lead to a huge increase in land development. He said he likes Cumberland Head as presently developed, and would even be in favor of slower, long-term development.

His wife, Jennie Pelkey, said she thinks the plan was rashly conceived. She's not convinced the proposed system would meet present needs, let alone the needs of future development.

If public sewer is to be installed, Mrs. Pelkey said, it should be a full-blown, standalone system.

Collins said there are presently 110 absentee ballots. That is not enough to change the outcome.

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

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