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 historical measurements and mean-depth calculations.

Mayor Mike Ferguson and staff described near-term work on treatment systems. In his report, Mayor Ferguson said a temporary backup chlorination system is in place and the village is pursuing replacement: "The chlorination system has temporarily been replaced with a new model or a second backup," he said, and the village will pursue a permanent replacement through engineering and procurement steps with LaBella (engineering) and guidance from the county health department.

In addition to the grant application, trustees approved the gearbox servicing to permit a full drain and inspection of the clarifier tanks, including new cover gaskets and oil. The board recorded the motion and a second; roll-call votes were recorded as unanimous "Aye." The Mully Industries invoice of $6,587.50 was authorized for payment.

Trustees also moved to make Phelps's appointment permanent after he passed the civil-service exam. Mayor Ferguson praised Phelps: "He worked hard at that. He does a fantastic job," the mayor said during the vote.

The county health department's most recent assessment had listed several deficiencies and cited production or capacity figures that some trustees and residents contested. Village officials said the county report lists an average production figure of 1,400,000 gallons per day while village records show average daily production closer to 800,000 gallons. Trustee and staff speakers said that discrepancy affects whether certain listed deficiencies would require major repairs or can be addressed through routine maintenance.

Trustees discussed next steps, including drafting a CMAR (construction management at risk) plan, producing engineering drawings through LaBella for a chlorination-system replacement, and preparing an RFP and bid package. The village indicated it is working to reconcile the county's report with local data and to prioritize fixes that reduce the risk of future boil-water advisories.

The board recorded the EFC grant application authorization and the gearbox payment in the meeting minutes and voted to move those items forward. The board also indicated it will continue coordination with the county health department and LaBella engineers on the chlorination replacement and other water-treatment needs.

Votes at a glance - Environmental Facilities Corporation engineering planning grant application (authorize treasurer to apply; 20% match, amended from 25%): approved (roll call: Trustee Esperson Aye; Trustee Brockler Aye; Trustee Syracuse Aye; Trustee Wandel Aye; Trustee Twitchell Aye). - Payment to Mully Industries for clarifier gearbox servicing, $6,587.50: approved (unanimous Aye). - Permanent appointment of David Phelps as chief operator, salary $77,251.20/year: approved (unanimous Aye).

Background and why it matters The village is addressing both immediate maintenance (gearbox servicing) and planning-level engineering needed to replace aging chlorination equipment cited by the county health department. Securing an EFC planning grant supplies engineering and planning funds that are typically required before larger capital grants or construction can proceed. At the same time, public commenters flagged apparent differences between village and county data on reservoir capacity and plant production, which trustees said they will reconcile as part of the planning effort.

What's next Village staff will proceed with grant paperwork, continue engineering work with LaBella, and prioritize short-term repairs that lower the risk of boil-water advisories while preparing for the larger procurement and replacement of the chlorination system.