Fees, Fines and Water

The June 10 Town Board Workshop (by the way -- the definition of Workshop is a "meeting with a purpose"... it is left to the reader to determine if that objective was met) was to cover a wide range of items (and some, that were mentioned in earlier board meetings as "let's do that in a workshop... never even made it to the agenda)...but alas only a few topics were discussed during the 2 hour Saturday morning session.

A discussion of an update to the fees and fines for building projects was discussed. The building department spent time reviewing the schedule of fees and streamlining and adding consistency, increasing commercial fees to ensure that the additional complexity and time required by the building department to oversee commercial property development was accounted for. A discussion about ensuring that "open" permits were appropriately closed after several periods of extension ensued.... with the major concern about safety - especially on decks and pools -- even above ground, inflatable pools -- where electrical inspections and fencing are required. This will be on the 2nd Town Board Meeting in June -- with the changes anticipated to begin July 1.

There was then a litany of the water and sewer "plans" for the town -- with the various status and inhibitors reviewed.

Route 9 Sewer and Water - currently a grant application is being amended and refiled. The estimate for the project is $16.7 M for water and $5.2M for sewer. It has been divided into two phases - a North Phase and a South Phase. The nomination by Congressman Ryan for a $3.5 M grant would be applied to the North Phase. The Town's Business Groups and the County Health Department has endorsed the plan. There would be the potential for lateral extensions from the Route 9 plan to go to the rest of the community - for example for Fleetwood, which has a notice of violation.

There currently is no water district defined for this area... and there are two ways to form a district - 1) a petition from the property owners (no referendum required) or 2) a Town Board Motion (requires a referendum). The district could be defined and held in abeyance -- the tax consequence for the members of the district - the assessments wouldn't change until they are "hooked up".

Woodhill Green - which is a condo managed by a HOA -- has issues with both water and sewer -- and any action is inhibited by the reluctance of the HOA to make investments in improvements. A plan to connect to TriMuni and a water connection with village was discussed.

The TriMuni clarifier was reviewed and will be further discussed at the June 12 Town Board Meeting.