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As I continue to read about the progress of the sewer trunk line project (from the Cayuga Heights treatment plant to the Town of Lansing), my concern about this project grows.

As it stands, the project will cost taxpayers an additional $883/year for each home or "equivalent dwelling unit" (EDU) that is connected to the new sewer. This does not include a connection fee (which, if applied, generally runs $2000 or more), nor does it include the monthly sewer fee.

I have read that the true cost per EDU is unknown, and that it is "hoped" significant funds donated by private donors or large corporate interests will bring the cost down to $375 or so per EDU per year. In reality, like most municipal construction projects, the actual costs of construction will probably far exceed the projected costs. I have no optimism that EDU cost will be reasonable or that it will meet a projected amount.

If this project continues beyond the trunk line and into the town, what is the benefit to Lansing? Does the Environmental Impact Statement for this project show that we need a Town of Lansing sewer district to protect the lake? I have heard that this is not the case.

The proposed initial sewer district is very selectively cut from the town map, carefully including some properties, such as large chunks of undeveloped land along the lake, and surgically excluding others, such as large, wealthy established neighborhoods in the southern end of the town.

How were these decisions made? Why are small neighborhoods being hooked into a system that avoids large neighborhoods and benefits the owners of undeveloped land along the lake? I would like to point out that the two sewer committee members that have homes on the lake (one of whom’s septic system has, in the past, been flooded by the lake) get the benefit of the taxpayer subsidized initial sewer district, while only one sewer committee member not residing on the lake will be on the system.

The proposed service area map needs to be explained to the public so that the citizens of Lansing will understand the logic of the service area and not have lingering questions about fairness or bias.

I have sent several questions along these lines to the sewer committee via their inquiry form at www.lansingsewers.com I have received no replies. The committee also does not post its meeting dates on their web site, although there is a place for a schedule.

My overall impression is that this entire process of bringing a sewer district to the Town of Lansing is happening with very little public input and communication. The same thing just happened when Lansing wanted $35 million in new funds for the schools. The result was a public defeat before the issue could even get to a vote.

I would ask all Town of Lansing residents to begin to ask themselves what they are going to gain with a sewer district and if they can afford another $883 annually plus hook up fee and monthly usage charges. Keep in mind the sharply increased state and local taxes we have been paying lately, and the fact that some sort of Lansing School expansion will be added to your tax bill in the next few years.

Finally, I would also ask the Sewer Committee to be more open and responsive to the public, including posting meeting dates (so the public may attend and ask questions) starting right now.

From: Hugh Bahar

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