Fredonia trustees move to seek EFC planning grant, authorize clarifier repairs and appoint wastewater chief amid county report dispute

Fredonia trustees voted Monday to seek an Environmental Facilities Corporation engineering planning grant (with a 20% local match), approve servicing of four clarifier gearboxes, and make a permanent appointment at the village wastewater treatment plant as officials and residents debated the county health department's recent assessment of water-supply capacity.

The board authorized the treasurer to apply for the EFC planning grant with a 20% local match, passed a $6,587.50 payment to Mully Industries to inspect and service four clarifier gearboxes, and confirmed David Phelps as permanent chief operator of the village's wastewater treatment plant at an annual salary of $77,251.20, effective immediately.

Those actions followed extended discussion about the village's water supply and treatment capacity after public comment and department reports highlighted discrepancies between the county assessment and village records. James Linden, a resident who spoke during public comment, said the county's summary understated reservoir capacity and omitted certain measures such as mean depth. "I find these misleading numbers to the public," Linden said, arguing the county report did not fully account for…