Board Receives Water Tower Update
by Doug La Rocque
It may be nearing the dead of winter, but construction of the new water tower remains on the minds of the Berlin Town Board as it listened to a progress report from Tom Suozzo of Cedarwood Engineering.
Mr. Suozzo reported that a recent survey of the portion of Judson Road (formerly Reservoir Road) that a neighboring land owner claims to own as well as the town, was inconclusive as to who actually owns what. The town needs to lay piping along the road from the new water tower out to the pump station. If the ownership cannot be worked out, Supervisor Rob Jaeger says the Town most likely has user rights, but if push came to shove, eminent domain proceedings remain an option.
As to that pump station, Mr. Suozzo discussed a number of energy efficiency measures they have planned, as well as making sure the building sits above the 100 year flood plain. He said it currently does, by about three feet.
Currently Berlin’s Water District # 2 bills its users by the number of faucets and toilets in a structure. Mr. Suozzo is suggesting that change, perhaps using an EDS Water Measurement system to determine how much to charge. He is also urging that whatever rate structure the district uses, it should be equitable as well as clear and easy to understand. As to that rate, he feels it should not stay stagnant, but be reviewed, perhaps yearly.
Cedarwood is also looking into nearby sources of PFOA free water, should something happen to make the current well unusable. Water District 2 Operator Ben Krahforst noted the most recent PFOA measurements are 8 parts per trillion. The newest New York State maximum contaminant levels limit that measurement to 10 parts per trillion. Mr. Suozzo indicated looking for another water source is a prudent thing to do, but certainly not indicative of any problems with the current well or the filtration system.
As for the new water tank itself, Mr. Suozzo says he believes construction will be complete by late summer.
Rejecting Petersburgh’s Transfer Station Offer
The Town of Petersburgh is gearing up to open its own transfer/recycling center, breaking away from the joint use agreement with the Town of Berlin. According to Supervisor Jaeger, Petersburgh is offering $700 per month to continue to use the Berlin facility past December 31, the date the current contract between the two towns expires. Petersburgh is hoping to have its own facility up and running in early 2021. The Berlin Board voted unanimously not to accept the offer, but also agreed not to leave Petersburgh residents that have transfer station permits good until April 30 of next year, out in the cold. These residents will still be able to use the Berlin facility, but would have to purchase their dump tickets from Berlin, not Petersburgh.
Supervisor Jaeger also reported the Town is free and clear from any lawsuit filed against or by Monolith Solar. The Town had agreed to lease land to Monolith for the installation of solar panels. That never happened, and Monolith was placed in receivership in December of 2019.