Kortright Looks To Resolve Backup Water Supply Issue in Bloomville

BLOOMVILLE – Finding a solution to put a backup well on line for the Bloomville Water District won't be cheap, but town officials took a step forward on Monday by approving a motion to study the hydrology of the existing system and to determine where and what they may be able to tie into the system to satisfy the state Department of Health that there is a backup well.

Michael Harrington, a physical engineer for Lamont VanDeValk (LVDV) of Cobleskill, took privilege of the floor to present a proposal to provide a redundant well for the water district. He explained he wanted to hire a hydrologist to study what is there and what can be done and in anticipation of possible state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) permitting, if needed. "Their scope of services is included in the proposal," said Harrington. However, the water district budget does not contain enough to do all Harrington was proposing. 

Town officials said they may have to seek funding for any project and it would help to know the plan and whether they could sell some property to help offset the costs.

Harrington was hoping the town could swing $9,400 for the study and to develop a plan, however, board members approved a motion to hire the hydrologist at a cost of $4,000 to study the lay of the land and determine the possible options while they research the district's finances and any possible funding sources in order "crunch the numbers".

"We have got to start somewhere," said Supervisor George Haynes. The issue was discussed last month as the town was receiving quotes for water plant services. Cedarwood was selected, but the company has not been responsive on the water well issue. Henry Lamont of LVDV said they could, however, engineer the system to provide a backup water source for the hamlet.

Harrington agreed to get the hydrologist started on the study so the town might have some idea of what a project to meet DOH regulations might entail to allow them to seek grants for various aspects of the project.

The town already owns property where a spring and two wells are located. One of the wells is no longer producing and DOH has said the hamlet needs a backup source. The town has been looking at a nearby location but it needs testing to allow them to know if it is a feasible location to dig a new well.

In other business, Haynes reported he had visited local cemeteries and took photos of the headstones and markers that needed repair. He flagged several locations. Board members approved repair of 24 headstones in the Sack Rider cemetery and 32 stones in the McMurdy Brook Road cemetery. It is the continuation of a project started last year. A motion to do the repairs was approved. the cost is $5,400 for the Sack Rider cemetery and $9,600 for the Mcmurdy Brook Road cemetery.

Supervisor Hayne reported there is nothing new to report on the proposed Post Office in Bloomville and when he asked about it, he said it has been referred to yet another person. Board members are of the opinion the USPS is "blowing smoke" in its consideration of relocating a post office facility in the hamlet.

New banners honoring the town's veterans have been erected on poles around the hamlet of Bloomville, in place just in time for Memorial Day. Members of the Bloomville Fire Department worked to get the Kortright Hometown Hero Banners up. They show a picture of the veteran and list their name, branch of service and era served.