Mburgh Village Approves Sewer Hook-up, but Wont Extend Lines

MIDDLEBURGH - The Village of Middleburgh added another sewer user last week, but cannot extend sewer lines because of the cost.

At their meeting last Monday, village board members approved a sewer connection for Rob and Jackie Farrell on Grove Street. The village sewer line ends near their home. "The Farrells are connecting to the existing sewer line through their personal property, so there will be no cost to the village," Mayor Tim Knight said

The village reached out to more homeowners on the street and there is interest in connection to the sewer system, but it would be cost prohibitive to the village to extend the sewer lines further up the street, Mayor Knight added.

It would cost about $45,000 to extend the lines another 250 feet, he said. The cost would be for line-set-up and contractors. It would make the most economic sense to extend the sewer line all the way up Gove Street, about 1,000 feet. That work would cost about $200,000. The village cannot afford either extension, the Mayor said.

"The Village is not extending sewer lines at this point on Grove Street, as the cost is prohibitive to fund in-house. We will need to seek state and federal grants," Mayor Knight said.

Village officials have said that more sewer users would lower the cost for the current users.

DPW head Cole Keyser did note that recently the water peaked at 176,000 gallons at the plant, which is rated for 180,000 gallons.

Village did note that the village will have some bonds coming off the books in the next five or six years which will help possibly fund an extension.

The village board is in the process of starting a committee that will help seek grants. 

Board members received a letter in December from the Farrells asking permission to connect to the village sewer system.