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Board approves Stewart—s Shop water connection; business to fund line extension and provide easement
Summary
The board approved Stewart—s Shop—s request to connect to the county water system; the business will pay capital costs, obtain and deliver an easement, and pursue required NYSDOT and NYS Department of Health permits. The county will review and require plan modifications.
The Columbia County Water District and Sewer District No. 1 board approved a request from Stewart—s Shop (at the intersection of Route 66 and 9H) to interconnect to the county water system, with the applicant responsible for construction costs and easement acquisition.
Officials said Stewart—s currently uses a private well that is treated as a public water supply, with on-site filters and UV equipment whose backwash drains to the sewer and results in higher operating costs. The business asked to connect to the county supply to avoid those costs and associated upkeep.
Staff said they have received plans and will require modifications, including installing a tee at the intersection and two shutoff valves to allow future extension of the system. The applicant plans to extend a 6-inch line and install a hydrant; staff noted the county will oversee construction and that once built the line would be dedicated to the county water district. The applicant must obtain a larger easement (the county does not have an easement for the spur behind the Dodge dealership) and provide necessary NYSDOT and New York State Department of Health permits and any required performance bonds.
On construction materials, board members urged caution about relying on PVC for directional drilling and suggested HDPE for drilled sections; staff said the county—s system is currently PVC but will ask the applicant to revise plans accordingly.
Board members discussed potential fiscal impacts on the sewer district and estimated a roughly $10,000 annual reduction in sewer revenue based on current volumes; staff said the county will review sewer rates next year once actual flows are known. The motion to allow the interconnection was made and approved by voice vote; the transcript records opposition but does not provide a roll-call tally or names of any dissenting members.
The board did not specify timing for construction, exact easement legal descriptions, or a final vote tally in the meeting record.
