In a recent village meeting, concerns were raised regarding the proposed funding for a water study by La Bella Engineering, aimed at assessing the North County Water District's ability to meet Fredonia's water needs following the closure of the village's reservoir and filtration plant. Trustee Michelle, representing 100 constituents, argued against the study, citing flawed rationale and a history of miscommunication between village officials and La Bella Engineering. She emphasized the importance of Fredonia's water resources to the district's integrity, referencing past agreements that guarantee reciprocal water provision.

Trustee Michelle highlighted a significant issue: an interconnection failure that occurred when the village requested water from the district earlier this year, raising doubts about the reliability of the proposed changes. She criticized the lack of a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis regarding the village's water resources, which is a requirement under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Additionally, she pointed out discrepancies in reported costs for dredging the reservoir, which ranged dramatically from $30 million to $238 million, and questioned the assertion that the filtration plant was inadequate due to its age.

Rob Clark, another resident, echoed these concerns, arguing against further taxpayer investment in the water study. He criticized the process surrounding the study, claiming it lacked transparency and failed to present clear data to the community. Clark noted that a preliminary engineering report suggested changing the water source to Lake Erie, but an informal poll indicated strong community support for retaining the village's reservoir.

Former trustee James Linden also voiced his support for maintaining Fredonia's water assets, suggesting that the county's push for change appeared to be an attempt to take over the village's water resources to alleviate budgetary pressures within the North County Water District.

The discussions reflect a growing tension between village officials and county authorities over the future of Fredonia's water supply, with residents advocating for a more thorough examination of existing resources rather than a shift to external sources. The outcome of the proposed funding for the study remains uncertain as community members continue to express their concerns.