November 5, 2018 Carpenter's Acres Sewer Committee Meeting

Town of Ballston Carpenter’s Acres Sewer Sub-Committee Meeting

Notes taken by a town resident on November 5, 2018

Attendance: 

James Callahan, Valerie Dussault, William Goslin, Ed Hernandez, Kim Kotkoskie, Jason Portier, Carl Thurnau, Warren (Kevin) Wheeler, and Steven Yeager

Observer from the public

Ruth Osterlitz

Meeting purpose:  Review of the Draft of the Map, Plan, and Report for Carpenter’s Acres Sewer.  Everyone received a copy of the draft at the last meeting.  This meeting’s purpose to voice comments and Kim K. will consolidate comments.

Valerie D. Did not have time to fully review the MP&R but would like to comment that some of the property owner information is incorrect.

James C.  believes the bond issue interest rate of 2% may be too low. He feels the interest rates are increasing and 2% will not be realistic.  The property owner information is not up to date on the MP&R.  He would also like the wording of “many” residents changed to “some” of the residents want as well as the section that says “many” septic failures to “some” failures.

Carl T. would like the operating regulations for this sewer district to be developed first.

Carl also commented that he thinks the contingency of 25% is too generous for this size project.

Kim K. ref. to page 5 at the top has standard language from other MP&Rs on law referring to connection and does not feel it is necessary on this project.

Kim K. noted the inspection fee would be $300 for a gravity system, not $500.

Ed H. states that residents will have a vote.

James C. We were told the board has other ways to go forward.

Wm Goslin said the most logical thing would be go to a vote

Jason P.  only comment is some of the owner’s names are incorrect.

Kevin W. stated that he has a more updated owner list than the MP&R

Kim K Had a question for Ed H.  Last meeting, you said that MP&R can be written contingent to upon receiving grant money.  Have you seen that before?

Ed H. yes, I believe there is, you have to have a financial plan in here and that can be written into the plan.

Kevin W. I would like to propose having a three-question vote; □NO, □YES, or □YES IF GET GRANT MONEY

Ed H. I don’t think you can vote that way.  You can not have a vote until the board adopts the MP&R.

Kevin W. can we put in a certain dollar limit for the vote?

Wm Goslin if you could, what dollar amount would you put in?

Kevin W. $1200.

Kim K. That is still over the state average.

Ed H. currently there are several grant programs going on here is New York State.  The one I think this project has the best shot at is a municipal agreement grant since this project has a municipal agreement with Saratoga County.  For waste water projects they are offering the lessor of 10 million or 40% of the net eligible costs.  This does not apply to operating costs.

James C. How much pressure is coming from the County to expand their sewer system?

Wm Goslin None

Wm Goslin - Any other comments? OK Kim will consolidate your comments and we will present these comments to the board.