CHATHAM – The Village Board opened bids for construction of a water tank before their regular meeting March 8. Mayor Tom Curran said bids came in higher “than we excepted.”
The water storage tank would replace the village’s reservoir on High Street. In 2016, it was announced that the village received $484,930 in grant money and $323,287 in a low interest loan as part of the governor’s NYS Water Grants.
At last week’s meeting, Mayor Curran said the project was estimated to cost about $830,000 but that the bids–three for the tank and three for the electrical work–came to much more than anticipated when all the work was included.
He said the engineering firm that the village is working with on the project is going back to the state to look for more funding and that the engineer will also look at the plans to see if some things can be cut out to reduce costs.
Changing the reservoir to a tank will, in the long run, save the village money, since the reservoir leaks and the water that comes from the reservoir must be treated twice before it flows to residents’ homes.
Also at the meeting:
• After a closed door session, the board voted to terminate the contract for accounting services with Sickler, Torchia, Allen & Churchill and hire Robert Patterson as the village accountant effective immediately
• The board approved the request from the Chatham High School to use the Tracy Memorial second-floor courtroom for a mock trial later this month. Trustee Jay Rippel suggested the board waive the $30 fee for use of the space since it is a school group. The board decided not to waive the fee for this group since they do not waive it for other groups
• A public hearing on the proposed zoning law update was scheduled for 6 p.m. April 12 before the regular monthly board meeting. The suggested changes to the law will be on the village website for the public to review
• The board accepted the resignation of Planning Board member Stephen Piazza. The village has received two letters of interest from residents seeking appointment to the Planning Board. Village Clerk Debra Meyers will pass the letters to the Planning Board chair
• The village Department of Public Works will pick up brush that fell during the last few snow storms, Phil Genovese of the DPW said that residents must “wait for the snow to melt” before they put the brush near the curb. The village will issue a notice when the pick-up will begin. He also said there would be another village-wide trash pick-up day but residents who want materials picked up must register in advance at the clerk’s office their
• Ms. Meyers was authorized to request for bids for weekly garbage collection in the village. The board’s two year contract with County Waste ends this year
• The board approved having the county foreclose on village properties that have outstanding tax debt. Foreclosures would be at the county’s expense. Mayor Curran said that village did not want to be in the business of owning properties after foreclosures. The county can auction off properties obtained by foreclosure
• In a letter read by Ms. Meyers the state DOT said it is reviewing the speed limit the section of Route 203 in the village where the limit is 55 mph. The DOT will inform the village of its decision on a request to lower the limit by late spring or early summer.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m.
To contact reporter Emilia Teasdale email eteasdale@columbiapaper.com
