Berry schedules public hearing on $5.24 million elevated water tank near Pine Hill Road

The Town Board of the Town of Berry opened a public hearing on a proposed 250,000-gallon elevated water storage tank and related site work, stating the project cost at $5,244,850 and scheduling a follow-up hearing for Dec. 10, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. at Berrytown Hall. A meeting official read the resolution describing the scope: a new pump next to the existing tank, upgrades to the pump station and tank, and associated grading and driveways.

The board introduced Jason Foote, identified in the meeting as the engineer in charge for the project, who answered technical questions from residents. Foote said the site named in the funding paperwork is a placeholder for the grant application and that "we haven't had any conversations with any property owners" about final siting. He said multiple candidate sites exist and the town will reopen site discussions and do additional environmental review once funding is secured.

Town speakers and residents questioned whether the tank could be sited on land already owned by the town; Foote said elevation requirements drive siting choices and higher ground can reduce the structural height needed for the tank. On hydraulic targets, he said the project team is aiming for a top-of-tank elevation near 860 to meet system needs. The engineer estimated that, if grant funding is obtained, construction could begin around 2027 with completion possibly by 2028, though exact timing depends on grant awards and permitting.

The hearing closed after a motion by Dave and a second from George; a voice vote was taken and the motion carried. The board continues to await grant decisions and will refine site selection and permitting details in subsequent steps.