Residents press board on brown water as trustees reallocate bond funds for roads; debate over water plant repairs continues

During public comment residents repeatedly described brown, cloudy or strongly chlorinated tap water in parts of the village and asked why funds were being reallocated before the board addressed the apparent age‑related problems at the water plant.

Pat Leahy and other residents asked whether the village had replaced or refurbished the main water filters and pressed the trustees to delay reallocating borrowing authority until filtration work is completed. One resident summarized the concern: “Why are we diverting money from the water system to another fund when we haven't rectified a major part of our filtration system for the drinking water of Highland Falls.”

Trustees and staff responded that plant testing is conducted daily and that some FEMA reimbursements have been received for post‑flood work; the board recorded and approved a resolution amending a prior water authorization to $650,000 and moving remaining amounts into a roads/general category (subsequently a $3,050,000 roads amendment was approved). Trustee Guerrero recorded at least one 'no' vote on an amendment; trustees said they would provide residents with information and send water‑department staff to test specific households on request.

The board and residents agreed to follow up: staff will provide phasing and notification plans for the Mearns Avenue construction and the village offered to perform household water sampling where residents report quality problems. Questions about the number, condition and replacement cost of filters were raised at the meeting; board members noted an engineering report and said long‑term filter replacement/refurbishment is part of ongoing infrastructure planning.