Setting Stewart’s Water Rate..For Now
By Doug La Rocque
The new Stewart’s Shop on Route 22 has a water meter, and it has been read once, but to date, the store has not received a water bill. That is because the Town Board has yet to set a rate for Water District 2. That matter is still a topic of discussion between the Board and Water Commissioner Ben Krahforst. At the Town Board meeting on Thursday, February 14, the members decided it was time to set a temporary rate, until a final figure is reached. That rate is $4.60 per one thousand gallons. It will be applied retroactively back to the last water meter reading in January, which showed the store had used about 100,000 gallons since the meter was installed. The bill is now in the mail.
Public Hearing on Water District Loan
One of the requirements to secure a loan to cover what a NYS Department of Health (DOH) grant won’t to construct a water tower to prevent possible contamination of the District’s drinking water supply, is a public hearing. The Board set Thursday, March 14 at 6 pm as the date and time for that hearing. DOH is requiring the District to construct that tower, fearing possible contamination from a backflow out of the reservoir, which DOH has found tested positive for the presence of bacteria.
The tower construction, along with the installation of water meters for all users in the district, is expected to cost $2.25 million. The DOH grant covers 60 percent of the cost, and the district is taking out a 30-year loan from DOH to cover the rest.
Cable Construction Causing Havoc on Some Town Roads
Highway Superintendent Jim Winn said the constant freeze and thaw cycles this winter are creating enough road problems on their own, without the help of crews laying cable lines for Consolidated Communications. The work has left some roads, like Madison Hollow and Lower Stage, a deeply rutted mess, that the town highway department crews have had to repair the best they can until spring. Superintendent Winn says he has brought a member of Consolidated’s management team to the site, and they promised to pay for the repairs.
Dog Tales
This meeting proved to be one of the few that Dog Control Officer Doug Goodermote didn’t have a tale to spin about man’s best friend, leaving all in the room disappointed. The DCO could only report he is planning a Spring Rabies Clinic.
Other Business
Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger said the surveillance cameras they purchased for the Recycling Center and areas of the Municipal Complex are installed, and keeping an eye (er lens) out.
The Tax Collector turned over $905,550 in receipts for this year. Rensselaer County makes good on any shortfalls, and will relevy the taxes on those that are behind in payments. The Board approved the issuance of bids for sand and gravel, and Town Clerk Anne Maxon reported January collections of $3,210 in local, county and state revenues, as well as $717 in non-local revenue.