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Residents press board on water quality, town outlines filtration plan and district steps
Summary
Residents told the Town of Goshen board on March 20 that they have recurring brown water and high iron in Scotchtown; the town said it is preparing cost estimates to install Greensand filtration there and will present a plan to the board within weeks.
At the Town of Goshen’s March 20 meeting, multiple residents told the board they are experiencing brown, iron-laden water in the Scotchtown neighborhood and asked what the town will do to fix it.
Supervisor Petro said the town has completed Greensand filtration upgrades at Hamiltonian Park and is monitoring those systems. He told resident Ali Shalyan, who brought a sample and photographs to the meeting, that town staff had not previously been aware of a widespread Scotchtown problem and that the town will obtain cost estimates for installing a Greensand filtration system there.
Shalyan described repeated brown water episodes and domestic impacts: “...yesterday, 2 days ago, I'm getting, like, a brown water. Dishwasher doesn't work. Refrigerator, no ice. This the the washer the washer is not working. It's broken.” The supervisor replied that the town had not received prior reports from Scotchtown residents and that staff will seek an estimate “within a week or 2” and present options to the board. The supervisor said the town has also sought federal and state funding and is working with county and state officials on possible grants.
The board indicated it would test and size a system after receiving samples; supervisors and public works staff said they will provide a written plan and cost estimate to the board for approval. The supervisor said the town is coordinating with the county health department and that residents will be notified when sampling and treatment plans are ready.
Separately in public comment, resident Chris raised questions about the town’s commercial water district map and whether parcels — including 2602 Route 17M (a parcel referenced in the meeting) and the former Amy's Kitchen site — were included. The supervisor said the initial district would include two commercial customers (Signs of the Soul and Amy's Kitchen) and that the engineering “map, plan and report” required for full district formation is in progress. He said ongoing negotiations over possible acquisition or transfer of wastewater treatment facilities are at the discussion stage and that no finalized sale or closing has been announced.
Why it matters: the complaints reflect an immediate public-health concern for affected households and tie into broader town plans to expand water infrastructure and to form commercial water/sewer districts. The board committed to producing a cost estimate for Scotchtown’s filtration needs and to share updated district mapping and engineering reports as they become available.
The report to the board also noted steps to apply for funding and the town’s intent to coordinate technical studies, including water-sample analysis from Scotchtown and sizing guidance for any Greensand installation.
