Dec 20, 2021
OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford The Pomfret Town Board meets Dec. 8. From left are Town Clerk Allison Vento and board members Ann Eckman, Brett Christy, Christopher Schaeffer, John Sedota and Dan Pacos.
Pomfret Town Board members decided this month they want to complete Phase 2 of North End Water District infrastructure construction all at once, even though it will cost more than $15 million.
Town Supervisor Dan Pacos led a discussion about the project at the board’s monthly meeting. In November, they heard a presentation from the town’s civil engineering consultant about the plan, which would add 184,000 feet of new mains in the northern part of Pomfret.
“I’m of the mind that we have to take in the whole area,” said Town Councilwoman Ann Eckman. “We don’t have the density (of population) to do a Phase 3.”
Pacos said he agreed with Eckman. He spoke optimistically of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s efforts to find both federal and state funds for water infrastructure projects.
In fact, two days after the Pomfret meeting, Hochul announced nearly $5 million in funding for a new water connection, including a pump station and storage tank, between Dunkirk and Fredonia.
Pacos noted he sent information on Phase 2 to the state, as well as the town’s water projects in Lily Dale and Van Buren, to get in position for grants.
Eckman said Berry Road residents should be included in the water line projects. Pacos said that would constitute a separate water district, “but it’s on the radar.”
Board members agreed the North End Water District work should all get done together. “I don’t know if we’ll ever get a chance to do it again,” Pacos said. “It’ll never be cheaper.”
