Trustees approve Ballston Spa Carpet water hookup; mayor reiterates applicants bear connection costs

Trustees approved a motion to allow Ballston Spa Carpet & Tile to connect to village water at Doubleday Avenue after LaBella Engineering approved the connection. The motion passed by voice vote after a trustee moved and another seconded.

During public comment, attendees asked whether outside properties pay a higher rate and who bears the physical expense of hooking up. The mayor said “It's the applicant that bears the expense,” adding that applicants must provide a LaBella letter (about $300) confirming pressure and capacity; if a property becomes a water customer, that letter fee may be credited toward escrow. The mayor said these practices are temporary while the village finalizes consolidation with a regional water district (Milton), after which the district will collect tap fees and manage service under intergovernmental agreements.

The trustees also discussed outside water rates: one resident noted older bills showing three times the in‑village rate, and the mayor said the differential is now approximately 2.8x under the current fee schedule. The Ballston Spa Carpet connection motion included the LaBella engineering approval as a condition.