Ticonderoga board advances Gooseneck Pond study and authorizes Army Corps right-of-entry

TICONDEROGA — The Town Board voted to authorize the town supervisor to sign an agreement allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enter town-owned property to conduct a wetlands study that will support planning for the Gooseneck Pond water project.

Supervisor James O’Brien told the board that an updated map-plan-report (MPR) prepared by an engineering firm will be a critical part of applications to the New York State Department of Health and other state and federal agencies. A meeting with engineer Greg Schwartz of Suso Doty & Associates is scheduled to develop the MPR.

“Oftentimes these reports are necessary to determine the feasibility of utilizing Gooseneck Pond as a water project,” O’Brien said, and he urged timely study so the town can pursue water-district options or alternatives as appropriate.

Board members discussed a $25,000 line-item for work associated with the MPR (referred to in the meeting as the NPR/MPR), and the board described the permissive-referendum and reimbursement mechanics: if a water district is later formed, the district would reimburse the general fund for initial study costs; if not, the general fund would retain the expense.

The resolution authorizing the Army Corps right-of-entry passed by voice vote. The board also moved ahead with other technical and routine steps needed to complete the MPR and to coordinate with county and state officials as the study proceeds.

Next steps: the Gooseneck Pond task team will meet with the engineering firm to draft the MPR; the town will post study updates and make materials available to residents.