The town of Colden may be expanding its water district into the north end of town, reported Councilman Gerald Pietraszek at the Colden town board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Pietraszek said approximately 90 citizens attended the public informational meeting he held on October 29 at the Senior Center regarding the expansion of public water.
Based on the July 2009 water survey results it was determined that the new water district should begin in the northwest area of town. “It seems to be of the most interest there and it seems like the best area to begin in because of logistics - getting water there,” said Pietraszek.
The water board has discussed a map planning report with four different engineering firms and Pietraszek recommended accepting a bid of approximately $8,000 from Conestoga-Rovers, the firm that originally worked with the town on the first water district.
“The roads that will be involved are Center Road going from the town line south to Darien Road; west on Darien down to Hayes Hollow; Hayes Hollow down to Heath; north to Irish Road and cutting over to the western end of the map and north on 240,” said Pietraszek. “It could turn out to be one or two separate water districts depending on how it works out.”
When the map planning report is completed the water board will hold another public hearing to present the plan and citizens will have a chance to ask questions and then vote on it.
A question was raised by Councilman Terri Kloiber about whether the new district would be connected to water district 1 or be its own separate entity. Pietraszek clarified that the district would be a separate entity, but physically connected to water district 1. “It will come down Route 240 and bookend,” he said. But Kloiber reminded the Board that when they gave the okay to the town of East Aurora to put a water tower on Center Street near Darien the stipulation was that the tower could be used by Colden. Pietraszek said the water board will consider going that route alternatively.
Councilman Annie Hoffman commented that she had heard that when water district 2 is formed the price for water district 1 could go up as well. “It seems like water district 1 is working good now,” she said. “It doesn’t seem fair that their prices should go up too.” Pietraszek explained that the additional fees would depend on whether a new water tower close to water district 1 was necessary and reminded the board that the new fees would have to be voted on by both water districts.
The board voted to accept the vote from Conestoga-Rovers.
In other matters:
• The board voted to accept the Colden preliminary budget for 2010. Town Clerk Alice Wangelin presented the proposed salary of the following elected officials: councilmen (4): $4,668 each; town justices (2): $10,210 each; highway superintendent: $53,397; town supervisor: $25,358; town clerk: $33,926.
• Kathy Koehler from the Bicentennial Committee gave a report on the first annual Sunkist Hills Festival held this fall. The Committee is asking for comments, both positive and negative. Koehler thanked the board, especially Wangelin, for their help and support. “There is one problem though,” she said. “We need more volunteers.”
• Kloiber is still working on getting cable internet for Center Street.
• Highway Superintendent Ed Wochensky asked the board to approve exchanging the current snow plow for a new model. The town is currently in an exchange program with John Deere and the new truck will cost the town $8,000. The warranty on the current machine has expired and a new warranty alone would cost $4,000. The board voted to approve the exchange.
• Hoffman reported that Lorrie Bieler, Colden dog catcher, is resigning. The town is in the process of hiring a replacement and is accepting applications. Hoffman also recommended cracking down on owners with unlicensed dogs.
• The board voted to approve Fran Smith as the clerk of the water committee at the rate of $11.50/hour.
• The board approved the renewal of Carl Metzler’s permit for Carl’s Trucking. At the October 1 Board meeting the Board gave Metzler a one-month grace period on his expired permit to bring the number of junk cars on his company property down to the approved number. Code Enforcement Officer John Kotlarsz reported that Metzler is now well under the approved limit.
The next town of Colden Board meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 at the Colden Town Hall.