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Residents, board press for release of commercial water‑district map‑plan report; supervisor says report will be shared
Summary
Residents and board members at the March 3 meeting asked why Delaware Engineering's map‑plan report for a proposed commercial water district — promised in July 2024 — had not been released; the supervisor said he would request the report and that the town will prioritize forming a smaller initial district tied to immediate commercial customers.
Residents and board members at the Town Board meeting on March 3 pressed for release of a taxpayer‑funded map‑plan report from Delaware Engineering that was described to the board as necessary to evaluate a proposed commercial water district serving parts of the town.
Chris Haley, a town resident, asked whether the board would vote to proceed with any commercial‑district plans without releasing the engineering map‑plan that had been promised in July 2024. Several council members, including Council member Cantarino and Council member Gallo, said they did not want to move forward until the report was available for review. Supervisor Petro said the district work has been long‑running, that the district map has evolved as new potential customers (including BOCES) expressed interest, and that the town has spent roughly $66,000 so far on consultant work related to the project.
Discussion focused on three issues: (1) the delayed map‑plan report and when the town could expect it, (2) which properties would be required to connect if a district were formed, and (3) whether a wastewater treatment plant under discussion was a town liability. Several board members said they were waiting for the Delaware Engineering report; Supervisor Petro said he would contact the consultant and attempt to get the report distributed to the board and the public before the next meeting.
Board and public concerns
Speakers asked how the district would affect commercial and residential parcel owners in the shaded planning area, whether every parcel would be required to connect at initial formation, and what the cost implications would be. Supervisor Petro said the recommended path from consultants and outside counsel was to form a smaller initial district that would include properties that plan to connect immediately (for example, Amy’s Kitchen and other commercial users) rather than forming a very large district at once; he said additional parcels can be added later. Board members noted the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) had previously declined to continue operating an older regional wastewater plant and that the state had in some cases favored running new lines to Middletown rather than invest in older plants — a factor the board said requires careful study before assuming plant ownership or debt.
The board also discussed timing and public communication. Several members urged earlier public distribution of the consultant report and more outreach to parcel owners in the proposed district; Supervisor Petro committed to asking Delaware Engineering to provide the map‑plan report to the board and public as soon as possible.
No formal action or vote to form a district was taken at the meeting. Board members said they would not proceed with district formation or incur additional obligations until the consultant report has been reviewed by the board and discussed in public sessions.
Speakers quoted in this article are taken from the meeting transcript.
