Fredonia declares emergency for water chlorination system, approves LaBella Associates $109,000 contract

The Village of Fredonia Board of Trustees on Monday authorized immediate repairs and upgrades to the water-treatment plant’s chlorination system and directed the mayor to execute a professional-services agreement with LaBella Associates for $109,000.

The board’s resolution declared the condition an emergency affecting public health and safety, described recent boil-water orders and Department of Health findings, and classed the work as a Type II action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR), 6 NYCRR Part 617. That classification allowed the board to proceed without further SEQR review and authorized the mayor to move forward with equipment selection, purchase and installation and with contracts necessary to complete the work.

Why it matters: The chlorination system repairs are explicitly tied to repeated public‑health measures (boil-water notices) and to the village’s ability to maintain safe drinking water. The board’s action authorizes immediate spending and procurement steps to address the problem.

Details and funding

- The board authorized LaBella Associates to perform inspections, design, installation oversight and construction observation at a cost of $109,000. - Village staff said they applied for emergency funding through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC); the board discussed using fund balance if emergency state funding is not approved. Meeting notes indicate the EFC emergency funding is a no‑interest program for qualifying emergencies. - During the earlier workshop, staff said the original RFP was modified to remove items (including a SCADA system and some testing) so the project could meet an accelerated timetable requested by the County Department of Health.

Board action and votes

The SEQR/type‑2 declaration and authorization to contract with LaBella Associates took effect immediately. The resolution explicitly finds the project falls under SEQR Type II categories (maintenance/repair and emergency action) and exempts the project from further environmental review; the mayor was authorized to execute LaBella’s proposal and to proceed with necessary purchases and contracts.

Speakers and participants

- Mike Ferguson, Mayor (government) - LaBella Associates (consultant) - County Department of Health (agency; not represented by a named speaker in the meeting record) - Village staff (DPW/engineer; names not specified in transcript)

Authorities

- Administrative/regulatory: New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), 6 NYCRR Part 617, including Part 617.5(c) — referenced in the resolution.

Clarifying details

- Contract amount: $109,000 (as stated in the board resolution). - Funding options discussed: emergency EFC funding (no-interest for qualifying emergencies) and use of village fund balance if EFC funds are not granted. - RFP modifications mentioned at the workshop removed items such as a SCADA system and some testing to meet an earlier Department of Health timeline; those removals reduced cost and accelerated schedule according to staff discussion.

Actions

- Resolution declaring chlorination system repairs an emergency, determining the project is a SEQRA Type II action, and authorizing the mayor to execute LaBella Associates’ $109,000 proposal: approved (vote recorded as unanimous in the meeting minutes). Outcome: approved; mayor authorized to proceed immediately.

Meeting provenance

The board discussed the modified RFP and Department of Health timetable during the workshop and adopted the emergency/SEQR resolution in the regular meeting. Excerpts in the record refer to removed items (SCADA, asbestos testing) and to Department of Health’s request for accelerated completion.

Proper names

[{"name":"LaBella Associates","type":"organization"},{"name":"Department of Health","type":"agency"},{"name":"EFC","type":"other"},{"name":"Village of Fredonia Water Treatment Plant","type":"facility"}]

Searchable tags

["water_system","SEQR","emergency_funding","public_health"]

Provenance

[{"block_id":"2152.165","local_start":0,"local_end":320,"evidence_excerpt":"...we had sent out for RFPs, and we received 1 from La Bella... the updated RP does not detail what modifications are... they eliminated the SCADA system... they eliminated the need for asbestos testing..."},{"block_id":"8264.93","local_start":0,"local_end":420,"evidence_excerpt":"Whereas the village is continuing its review... LaBella Associates to provide such services at a cost $109,000... the mayor is authorized to execute the proposal from LaBella... as a Type 2 action under SEQR."}],