Village Approves Capital Water Fee, New Phase Water Improvement Application

STAMFORD –  The village of Stamford will charge a $40 fee per water meter to cover the cost of improvements to its water system and they approved an application for a Community Development Block Grant for a new phase of improvements to the village's water infrastructure, during their meeting on Tuesday.

The village has hired Cedarwood Engineers to complete the engineering report for improvements along portions of West Main Street, state Route 10 south of state Rt. 23 and Grant Place. It identifies proposed improvements and the anticipated cost to water district residents. Because affordability is a concern for the residents, the village is applying for CDBG funding. The application will be prepared by Municipal Solutions. 

The vote followed a public hearing in which Mayor Robert Schneider provided a powerpoint presentation regarding the parameters of the grant, which received supporting comments. The project is a continuation of the project begun by the village eight years ago. It is Phase 2 of the project which is estimated to cost $1.2 million. The village already has materials for the project. This is the second round application for the village to complete the improvement of the village's water infrastructure.

The regular water fees in the village will remain the same, but each meter will be charged $40 to cover the cost of a capital project. This fee will cover the cost of the loan to make the repairs at the water treatment plant and allow the village to use normal water rates for regular operation and maintenance of the facility and the distribution system, according to the resolution. 

In other business, trustees approved a contract for IT services, tabled last month to get more particulars of the contract and what is covered.

Street Superintendent Jesse Calia reported that  the resurfacing and painting of the tennis and basketball courts was recently completed. They will be returning to correct a couple of small areas of ponding. The village swimming pool is ready to open. The electricity and light at Archibald Field have been repaired and the lights are working. The field can be used again.

Trustee Catherine Snyder thanked Calia for fixing the sewer system at Churchill Gym. She said it has been a chronic problem for the past 30 years.

Trustee Clifford Curley reported the stewardship program on Mount Utsayantha has started and it is something the business people should support as it is bringing people into the community. More stewards are needed to sign in visitors and provide a brief history of the fire tower and the history of fire observers in the state. Training is available for the volunteers and he said, it is a  way to give back to the community. Volunteers can work as much or as little as they wish.  Mount Utsayantha is unique in that it is accessible by vehicle and the village, in collaboration with the town of Harpersfield recently upgraded the roadway for access. The Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) oversees the stewardship program. It is a volunteer program. Anyone interested may contact Brandy Reed at brandyareed@yahoo.com or Laurie Rankin through the  NYSFFLA website for more information.

Someone suggested it might be a good project for those seeking to do community service, projects such as scouts or National Honor Society students. Stewards must be 18 years of age.