- By Dan Veaner
- News
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The choice depends on how successful Mayor Don Hartill and Town Supervisor Stephen Farkas will be at getting the State Department of Transportation (DOT) to waive its procedures for construction on State roads, allowing the Town to simply close Route 34 for the 12-13 weeks estimated to complete the trunk line. Without the waiver the $2.4 million project would cost an additional million dollars.
The Town had determined that the railroad bed was the best route, because it could use a gravity system that would cost considerably less than the other two routes in construction and maintenance. The Village disputes those figures, however, noting that purchasing the right of way would cost more than the Town has allotted, and that traversing two stream beds along the route would be trickier than originally calculated.
The four Trustees were a lot more hard line about their decision than the Mayor. Lynn Leopold lamented, "Bringing sewage South to go North is just not right." She was referring to Lake Cayuga's counter-clockwise current which would bring water treated for the sewer past drinking water sources, notably the Bolton Point water treatment plant. Both existing treatment plants are South of the water source.
Larry Fresinski maintained that the estimated costs of the routes were irrelevant to the Village's choice. He said hidden problems would add costs, and the Trustees' choice comes down to "what's best for the people involved?"
John O'Neill read a quote from a letter a Village resident had sent, noting that it summed up the Trustees' dilemma. "Route 34 would have the smallest negative impact on the Village," he read. Frank Moore said that the cost of the project is not the Village's problem. "It is interesting," he said, "but not what the Village will decide."
Mayor Hartill had a more moderate view. He noted that the Village had a stake in keeping cordial relations with the Town and that working with them is preferable to an open scuffle. He also noted that the village will be buying into the trunk line project between 10% and 20% of the total cost, because it will be able to hook up areas of the Village to the sewer that are not currently connected. The percentage was based on an estimate of the number of Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) Village residences would add to the system relative to the Town's usage. "Realistically," he told the Trustees, "we have to have a backup position that allows the Town to go forward."
Mr. Hartill and Mr. Farkas will meet with DOT officials to try to get them to waive their regulations before January 15th. Normally a State road must be kept partially opened, has restricted work hours and requires that the construction equipment be removed from the road in the evening hours. Both Town and Village engineers estimate this would add an extra million dollars to the project, creating extra work, stretching out the construction period and requiring traffic control for the duration of the project. Closing the road entirely would mean a detour along North Triphammer Road, which the Mayor noted will be "new and improved" by the time the sewer project begins, somewhat reducing traffic flow problems.
If the DOT is not willing to waive the rules it seems likely that the sewer line will be constructed along Cayuga Heights Road. While the Town feels it is more expensive than the railroad bed, fears on both sides of litigation and eminent domain make it a better route politically. The Town is anxious to begin the project because as time passes it gets more expensive. The Mayor estimated that bond act funding that would have covered 70% of the project when it was originally granted will only cover about 50% now.
Even with dispensation by the DOT the route along 34 offers special challenges. For example, the treatment plant is literally above the road so a pumping station will be needed. The location of the station is problematic because of limited available land in the area. But with costs reduced the Town can live with the choice that the Village passionately prefers.
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