[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6199460,"mediaKeyId","3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43","parentId",3833402,"title","Engineering report recommends tying Fredonia to North Chautauqua County Water District over rebuilding reservoir","audioSeconds",946,"startMs",70000,"endMs",1016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43&start=70&end=1016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43/thumbnail_70000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199460/Fredonia/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Engineering-report-recommends-tying-Fredonia-to-North-Chautauqua-County-Water-District-over-rebuilding-reservoir","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199460-ee24df4a5185c73a2d52b227d5f891eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166938&Signature=fI3SNKWMMNN2VcRCgum9Clky-smJnyK-WbDs2eimZyt9hHQMf44KdkMxqn7eg-bSYzfYev0GWt0fpwJdOjwTAU-tMDdH2YqSefq6YAwj2T5BexiUbr76PafixEQCGv7UTFnYzp11T4UCp7qIvLJZtuOOq7566IkgoJ6dgn1bgyCQScBLEvyexfNQGDRBjCIVsYF5g~KzMmSEvMu88cL0USX~gO8J0Tq-YlXlAFDeNA5Hq2XcPxn~Jrb-5uwaRjPgdJWgncMmf9X81RE~4I~mrt7rub70wiEbpWfDusc64HZICJk7KD3Q1hvtCNuyP5Rl7BWIjGA0zioQ1doT1oj~ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fredonia Access","date","2025-05-28T13:28:42Z","article","La Bella Associates recommended that the Village of Fredonia decommission its water treatment plant, draw down the village reservoir and interconnect the village distribution system with the North Chautauqua County Water District, La Bella engineers told the village board and a public meeting May 27.

The recommendation — what La Bella called Alternative 2 — follows an engineering evaluation and hydraulic modeling of Fredonia’s treatment plant, reservoir, dam/spillway and distribution system carried out in 2023–2024. “Our recommendation is alternative 2, which includes decommissioning the village water plant, drawing down the reservoir, and tying in with North Chautauqua County Water District,” said Matt Higgins, a water/wastewater engineer with La Bella Associates. Higgins told the board the recommendation weighed both capital and lifecycle costs and “meaningful nonmonetary factors.”

Why it matters: the decision affects drinking water supply, fire protection capacity, the village’s capital budget and long‑term liability for a dam that La Bella said regulators have found in poor condition. The firm presented two principal options: upgrade and retain the village plant, reservoir, dam and distribution system (Alternative 1), or decommission the plant and rely on interconnections with the North Chautauqua County Water District (Alternative 2). La Bella estimated Alternative 1’s construction cost at just under $35 million and Alternative 2 at about $20.7 million; the firm emphasized those figures exclude any grant funding and noted life‑cycle cost differences and operating tradeoffs.

Most important details: La Bella described major deficiencies at the water plant (process upgrades, an additional clarifier, HVAC, electrical, SCADA and streambank stabilization for a constrained site adjacent to the stream), vulnerability of the reservoir to drought, and a county/DEC assessment that the dam and spillway are in unsound condition and require improvements. To maintain pressure across the village’s varying topography, the consultants said the distribution system would be split into two pressure zones under either alternative and that a new 150,000‑gallon potable storage tank would be required for storage and fire protection under the village‑owned option.

If the village ties into North Chautauqua County Water District, La Bella described three interconnection locations: one near the intersection of Route 20 and Route 60 (near Wendy’s and Rite Aid), one on West Main Street near the village boundary, and one on Water Street at the village boundary. Those interconnection sites would include pressure‑reducing and control valves and chemical injection facilities to preserve distribution water quality; La Bella said those structures would require easements or land acquisition.

On costs and lifecycle assumptions, Higgins said La Bella modeled 30 years of operating, maintenance and debt service costs and provided a simple annual average for the water‑purchasing component if the village buys from NCCWD at the current rate of $6.50 per 1,000 gallons. “It’s very in the weeds,” Higgins said, noting the $4.7 million figure discussed in the presentation is a 30‑year average rather than a single‑year bill. The report also presents estimated annual cost per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) under scenarios with and without grant funding.

Nonmonetary factors and risks: La Bella stressed nonmonetary considerations in its recommendation. Higgins and Oliver Sugarman, also a water/wastewater engineer with La Bella, pointed to the reservoir’s historical susceptibility to drought and to documented regulatory concerns about the dam and spillway. Higgins said stabilizing and maintaining the current plant site would require significant stream bank work because the building sits very close to the stream. He said those site constraints and increasing climate extremes made reliance on a nearby, larger system appealing for long‑term reliability.

Dredging and missing data: La Bella excluded dredging from the preliminary cost estimate because up‑to‑date bathymetric and sediment survey documents were not yet available. Higgins said the firm is working with the Chautauqua County Department of Health and SUNY to obtain field data and will incorporate dredging analysis if and when that data arrives. “Consideration of that is still pending,” he said.

Funding and next steps: Jen Vaughn, a civil engineer with La Bella participating remotely, laid out likely grant and financing paths. She said La Bella would submit the preliminary engineering report to the New York State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to seek 0% hardship financing and advised pursuing the State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the intermunicipal grant program (through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp.). Vaughn described two grant‑application approaches: the village applying alone (eligible for higher percent grants in some programs up to program caps) or partnering with NCCWD under a binding intermunicipal agreement that can change grant eligibility or caps. Vaughn also described Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) opportunities that would require an income survey to qualify for programs targeted to low‑ and moderate‑income areas.

Phasing and scheduling: La Bella suggested a possible phased approach for Alternative 2: complete distribution interconnections and most distribution work in a Phase 1 (La Bella’s presentation estimated about $17.5 million for a Phase 1 excluding dam and reservoir work), then address reservoir/dam work in Phase 2. Higgins noted sequencing is necessary because the reservoir cannot be removed until a new source is established. He also recommended listing the project on the DWSRF intended‑use plan (IUP) before the funding agency’s Friday deadline to ensure the project is scored and eligible for programs.

Public and county input: The presentation drew substantial public comment and technical questions ranging from the adequacy of existing interconnections and past county commitments to the details of pumping, gravity feed, pipe relining, loss of outside water‑sales revenue, and the village’s debt capacity. La Bella repeatedly emphasized that some costs and eligibility for funding depend on unresolved items (dredging volumes, final tank siting and elevations, and confirmed intermunicipal agreements). Natalie Whiteman of the Chautauqua County Health Department said the county will need to redact portions of the report for safety and security before public posting and later described how grantor agencies review managerial capacity and shared responsibilities spelled out in intermunicipal agreements.

What was not decided: The board did not vote on any course of action at the meeting. Mayor Mike Ferguson reminded attendees that the session was for fact gathering and that “this is not the decision night” and that a formal vote would occur at a future meeting after further review and grant‑application work.

What to watch: La Bella and village staff said next steps include submitting the preliminary engineering report to the DWSRF and preparing environmental review materials, potential income surveys if pursuing CDBG, negotiating any intermunicipal agreements with North Chautauqua County Water District, and incorporating bathymetric/sediment data for dredging estimates when that information becomes available.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fredonia Trustees Workshop & Meeting May 27 ,2025","oneSentenceSummary","La Bella Associates recommended that the Village of Fredonia decommission its water treatment plant, draw down the village reservoir and interconnect the village distribution system with the North Chautauqua County Water District, La Bella engineers told the village board and a public meeting May 27.","taxTitle","Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York","taxId",70719,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199450,"Residents question Village of Fredonia budget and proposed tax increases at May 27 meeting",739,4663000,5402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43&start=4663&end=5402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43/thumbnail_4663000.jpg","/articles/6199450/Fredonia/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Residents-question-Village-of-Fredonia-budget-and-proposed-tax-increases-at-May-27-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199450-15cf928a9f98a0ff5e30cbb07f30480b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166938&Signature=LZTmixAknNtGiy7cFulbbvZgHnTpAkq4riheu2QlzTP1PQXf1YubRwTbPYdrlc-20VT1pApqO8LhdWFD64i0YxC3g54ezds0gKpkrMrgsppA4qB2VpuKRtK81OFrBeMwtRjKglouiTz2y4FMiUI77-EWa0tMHucepbb7ayh8WIhpBs2pxBvX1W4goAp6sGiHjrpg~AGn3CtA-A23~zwCblSsSy3vIPLZZ61AhKIXOwo42Zet-x9NOckqyY9qu7umLO0GFjRBJKVZe0fJspHZ5u23RlwNdNNWi4spyk3O2KMrIM19oTcAlj4jKNmK5EdsqmJ3j3orq-3bjksFv7qVfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the village public‑comment period May 27 to sharply criticize the adopted village budget and a proposed tax increase, question long‑term fiscal planning and ask for greater transparency in spending and auditing.

At the start of public comment, a resident identified in the record as Mrs. Landis called the budget unsustainable and directly criticized village leaders for overspending. “If I ever had to propose a 55% tax increase or vote to approve such an increase, knowing that the village has a poverty rate of over 21, I would have resigned,” she said, adding that she believes the village overspent its budget in the prior year and drew down reserves. Landis described the village’s prior fund balance and borrowing: she said the village “began last year's budget with a fund balance of about $766,000” and that the village later borrowed $825,000; she said the village entered this year with a $306,000 deficit and called the current plan “unsustainable.”

Other public commenters raised related fiscal governance questions. Sam Drea asked the board to narrow the term of an auditing contract, suggesting the village approve audits year‑to‑year rather than lock into a multi‑year deal without explicit deliverables. Several residents also asked for clearer detail on water‑service resolutions and for the board to list applicants or businesses associated with water‑service approvals. A member of the public asked whether the village had reviewed insurance coverages after recent property damage in the village and suggested the board review policies.

Board responses and outcome: the board accepted public comments; later in the meeting the board approved a two‑year auditing engagement (amended from an initial up‑to‑five‑year proposal) and a series of routine resolutions. Mayor Mike Ferguson and trustees acknowledged the comments and indicated additional budget information would be shared; no immediate reversal of the budget or tax action occurred at the meeting.

What to watch: residents asked for more accessible budget documents and for timely posting of consultant material—La Bella’s presentation was scheduled to be posted after redaction by the Chautauqua County Health Department—while commenters asked the board to provide clearer justifications for borrowing and capital spending. The board said it would make additional documents available and that follow‑up discussions on audits, insurance and the budget will continue at subsequent meetings.

","Multiple residents criticized the village budget at the May 27 board meeting, raising concerns about large tax increases, fund balance depletion and transparency in spending and auditing plans.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199454,"Fredonia fire chief defends department, explains ladder‑truck replacement and urges exploration of a fire district",0,5378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43&start=5378&end=5378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3833402-0123cbbf30c0b3715a7ddbc9f004ff43/thumbnail_5378000.jpg","/articles/6199454/Fredonia/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Fredonia-fire-chief-defends-department-explains-laddertruck-replacement-and-urges-exploration-of-a-fire-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199454-38bfa94aaa3d03c0d98f60304bf48e8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166938&Signature=Sa6vDrLwJcQInwRlUol9xwMepEvE6xwm2MHPr02TH5YgVEi-u4-AIzCB3NCjohsKxDOIQbuxocvT7eMY6gR8scjZBljbywcQEy-whxXTsdhIH8daka3msHBZyn0CDk7vEwM3SrlRNa17IIcFfXarLlyRUcvIcjp-N0Vy3vw6RaF~l45cwzMebm9fEqoqvYSEUx0fjHNbjZ~GU1EH23JcIw0c6kilfetwxBI4yk8SXhf5MMuQn5AovnM9SVSq7wY2HFCdnmxv9Le0WQzqqcdk330D4egjyjeYhuiJvGZ5haWZ0Xast3wqImMQD5rQ6m8dNolaKXUC~FBKSczmyjcksg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fredonia Fire Department’s chief used a lengthy address to the Village Board May 27 to defend departmental staffing and spending, explain the recent ladder‑truck replacement, present apparatus‑life guidance and urge the board and community to study creating a consolidated fire district.

The chief opened by reading the department mission: “The Fredonia Fire Department is committed to providing emergency and non‑emergency service to protect lives, property, and the environment of the community that we serve,” and said the department had been the target of recent criticism. “This community deserves explanations, and they deserve to know why decisions are being made,” the chief said.

Apparatus replacement: the chief said the department replaced an aging ladder (Bronto/Snorkel‑style) apparatus because it had reached an age at which parts and major refurbishments were impractical. He referred to National Fire Protection Association guidance urging that frontline apparatus be expected to provide about 15 years of service and that vehicles well beyond 25 years be retired, and said the department’s previous ladder would have required an estimated $400,000 refurb to be reliable. While the department purchased a used 1997 ladder truck as an interim measure, the chief said the older used vehicle is not a long‑term solution because it is “dry” (no onboard water) and requires additional personnel and apparatus when used.

On staffing and budgets: the chief urged a fact‑based conversation about relative budgets and staffing. He compared published budget lines from 2014 to the current budget, noting that in 2014 the police budget was about $1.52 million and the fire budget about $739,000; by the latest approved budget he cited police department appropriations of about $2.004 million (less $28,000 in budgeted revenue) and fire department appropriations of about $1.596 million (less roughly $1,000,090 in budgeted revenue). The chief said the fire department’s expenditures had increased modestly over a decade compared with larger increases in the police budget.

Recommendation and next steps: the chief urged a “solution‑focused approach” and asked the board and county to explore a fire district to combine resources, reduce redundancies and create a more sustainable structure for emergency services. He said Fredonia already works with mutual‑aid partners and that a district could formalize shared services, ownership and operational responsibilities.

Recognition for life‑saving care: the chief also presented certificates of distinguished service to two department members. Firefighter‑paramedic Tyler Bayless and firefighter‑EMT Mike Gustafson were cited for their May 7 response to a patient with an inferior ST‑elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and prompt advanced life support and transport; the chief said the patient was discharged in stable condition two days later.

What was not decided: the board did not take a formal vote on creation of a fire district at the meeting. The chief requested an executive‑session discussion later in the meeting on an unrelated bargaining‑unit memorandum of understanding and asked the board to treat future discussions about departmental finances with factual, transparent analysis.

","The fire chief told the Village Board on May 27 that the fire department has been unfairly criticized, outlined why the department replaced an aging ladder truck, cited NFPA apparatus‑life guidance, and urged the board to consider forming a consolidated fire district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Engineering report recommends tying Fredonia to North Chautauqua County Water District over rebuilding reservoir

Residents question Village of Fredonia budget and proposed tax increases at May 27 meeting

Fredonia fire chief defends department, explains ladder‑truck replacement and urges exploration of a fire district