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Residents, trustees debate LaBella report recommending county interconnect for water system
Summary
A LaBella Engineering report recommending an interconnect with the county drew public concern over higher long‑term costs and potential rate increases. Village officials discussed grant options and next steps but took no formal vote.
A LaBella Engineering study recommending an interconnection with the county drew sharp questions from residents and trustees at the June 9 Village of Fredonia meeting, where a former village administrator warned the county option would raise rates and dramatically increase total lifecycle costs.
Jim Sandreo, a former village administrator and clerk‑treasurer who identified himself during public comment, cited figures from the LaBella report showing an estimated annual average total cost of $7,529,000 for the county interconnect ("Alternate 2") versus $5,766,000 for improvements to the village reservoir and treatment plant ("Alternate 1"). "The difference is $1,763,000," Sandreo said, adding that the report projects a 30‑year total cost difference of roughly $52.9 million in favor of keeping and upgrading the village system.
The LaBella findings and Sandreo's summary prompted trustees to emphasize additional study and grant pursuit. Mayor Mike Ferguson said the village is reviewing the technical and financial details and noted that some costs included in public estimates exclude reservoir drawdown and dredging, items LaBella marked as ineligible for certain funding sources.
Trustee Twitchell raised a separate concern about the county proposal: "I see enough information to know that there is no good deal to be had by the village to become dependent on the county and the city of Dunkirk for its water supply," he said, urging caution before surrendering local control.
Trustees and staff discussed applying for external funding to narrow the cost gap. The board announced it had received a $37,500 DEC nonagricultural nonpoint‑source planning and MS4 mapping grant to map the village storm sewer system; trustees also discussed the possibility of a FEMA study to analyze options for managing the reservoir dam. Trustee Wandel said FEMA work could inform decisions whether the village keeps the reservoir or pursues an interconnect.
No vote was taken to adopt LaBella’s recommendation. Multiple trustees said more financial analysis is needed, including a formal review by a financial consultant and further details on dredging costs and eligible grant items. Officials asked LaBella and county representatives for clarified cost schedules and requested that the village treasurer and engineering staff continue coordinating with DEC and other agencies.
Officials said the village would pursue additional briefings and grant opportunities and bring more complete cost estimates back to the board before any final decision.
Sandreo and trustees emphasized the importance of transparent financial analysis and the need to show residents the projected impact on household and commercial water bills if the county interconnect were chosen.
