Chemung County holds public hearing on Elmira Sewer District extension for Fairway Phoenix area

Chemung County held a public hearing on May 5, 2025, to receive comments on a proposed extension of the Elmira Sewer District boundaries to create the Fairway Phoenix Service Area Extension. The hearing, which began at 6:55 p.m., limited public remarks to five minutes per person and was restricted to comments about the proposed sewer extension only.

Residents of Phoenix Avenue and nearby properties told county officials their septic systems are failing and urged the county to extend municipal sewer service. Johnny Stewart, a resident of 435 Phoenix Ave., said homeowners face large repair bills if leach fields fail. "You're looking at somewhere between 15 to $20,000 to get it fixed or repaired if you have a problem with the leach field," Stewart said.

Ken Dawson, who gave his address as 522 Phoenix Ave., said his septic is "spitting water" after being pumped and that high groundwater causes pumps to fail. "They pump it, and you can watch it fill right back as they're pumping," Dawson said, describing repeated failures. He said many neighbors have experienced failed septic systems and that residents are "hoping this project does get pushed to, and the sooner, the better."

Michael Rice, 448 Phoenix Ave., said he is "for it," citing concerns about groundwater levels and failing systems. Heather Sturmer, 432 Phoenix Ave., said replacement costs are unaffordable for many neighbors and described a contractor estimate she was given: "He told me $50,000 to replace it. I don't have that kind of money," Sturmer said, and added that some households are low- or middle-income single-parent families.

The hearing officer opened the meeting by explaining the scope and rules: the hearing was "duly noticed to begin at 06:55 PM" and provided "an opportunity for the public to comment and be heard on the subject matter of this hearing only," with comments limited to five minutes and no questions to legislators answered during the hearing. After public remarks, the hearing was closed with no decision announced during the meeting.

The transcript shows residents focused on three central concerns: (1) failing septic systems and high groundwater near Phoenix Avenue; (2) the high out-of-pocket costs to replace private septic systems (residents cited figures ranging from $15,000–$20,000 to as much as $50,000); and (3) the potential for decreased property values or displacement if systems cannot be repaired or replaced. The record does not include a vote or formal action to approve the extension; next procedural steps and any timetable for county or district action were not specified during the hearing.

Speakers who addressed the hearing identified their street addresses and whether they were residents; no county determination or timeline was announced at the close of the hearing.