Archive: Opinions

As a follow-up on our letter that we issued last week, this letter will address the cost and benefits to those properties in Tier 1, the actual sewer service areas.

The current Map, Plan & Report assigns 60% of the debt to finance the 8.2 million cost to the Tier 1 properties which means that those in the service area are paying most of the cost. This  results in an annual charge per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) to the Tier 1 properties which is made up of 3 components: $219 represents the 60% of the debt to finance the project, $45 represents the replacement reserve charge and $210 represents the actual treatment charge. These 3 components total $474 which is below the goal set by the Sewer Committee as an affordable cost versus the $750 cost if only the properties in Tier 1 were charged.

Tier 1 properties have 8 years after the sewer is available to hook up to the system. The cost to hook up is the responsibility of the property owner and the Town will provide a grievance procedure to address hardship issues. The Committee is looking to apply for grants to subsidize the hook up charges and other means to minimize the hook up costs.

The Lansing Central School District Business Administrator, Mary June King, has projected the annual tax levy over the next 10 years based on their expected costs, the normal growth in the assessed value of property in the District and what the tax rate will be to cover those costs. We have prepared the attached table which shows what that school tax would be on a $250,000 assessed property if there is no sewer.


When we factor in the increased tax base due to developments currently in process, Lucente and Cardamone on Warren Rd., and the 2 projects proposed for the Town Land, NRP and Calamar, the school tax on that $250,000 assessed property is lower by $60 in the first year, and lower by $345 in year 10.

In effect the net cost is only $415 in year 1 and $155 in year 10. When adding up this net cost over 20 years it is substantially more cost effective than having to replace a property’s septic system.

As we mentioned last week, we believe the following will occur by having a municipal sewer:

• More commercial services available in the Town Center saving time and gas money traveling outside the Town. Such services we currently lack include medical and dental, pharmacy, laundromat, retail shops, etc.
• Job opportunities for our residents
• Additional housing options for our empty nesters, seniors and young adults.
• Lessen the environmental impact on the lake due to failing septic systems.

We will certainly enumerate other benefits in future letters which come with concentrating growth in the Town Center including how sewer extensions will affect the Tier 1 and Tier 2 costs.

Town of Lansing Sewer Committee

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