Wellsville council votes to continue study of sewer district with Mendon

The Wellsville City Council voted to continue discussions about forming a sewer district with neighboring Mendon after a workshop focused on long‑term wastewater planning.

City staff opened the workshop noting state rules and rising regulatory pressure could force communities with certain population thresholds to move from pond systems to treatment plants. An attendee from Mendon said, “we don't know what's coming in the future, but it's highly likely as Wellsville grows, the ponds aren't gonna be enough,” and urged the cities to keep open channels for coordination.

Council members and residents discussed triggers and timing. One council member said rules change around a 5,000‑person threshold and observed the valley's growth; another noted Wellsville's current population was cited in the discussion as about 4,000. Council asked whether there would be immediate expenditures to begin the collaboration; Mendon representatives said the first step is a political and planning commitment and that detailed expense estimates would come later.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to continue studying formation of a sewer district with Mendon. The council voted in favor.

Next steps: staff will continue inter‑city conversations, collect cost estimates, and return with proposals and a timeline for more formal agreements and potential costs for participating jurisdictions.