Dozens of homeowners along Route 5 could get a public sewer system if the Town of Batavia receives Community Development Block Grant funds.
The second of two public hearings regarding a proposal for the use of the CDBG money was held Wednesday evening. No one from the public attended.
Now the town will apply for $600,000 in CDBG grants to cover about half the cost of a putting in a public sewer line along a portion of Route 5.
Supervisor Greg Post explained that, “We have a concept plan to provide sanitary sewer facilities along Route 5 -- from the end of the existing district (near Duro-Shed, Inc.) -- that would go west to the mobile home park, which is just past Wortendyke (Road).”
He said residents along that stretch of roadway have septic tanks and most of those need repair or replacement. But that would be a serious financial burden for them.
“There are limits to what New York State will allow people to construct on facilities they have owned for generations,” Post said. “These extraordinary restrictions weren’t in effect when those houses were constructed and it leaves homeowners somewhat out of options as far as improving the value of their homes.”
About 75 residents would benefit from CDBG funds being used to install the proposed public sewer system.
“This differs from some other grant funding to improve the economic vitality or commercialization in a development," Post said. "This is essentially scoped around a residential aspect here. Using the funds this way will greatly improve the quality of their lives.”
When and if a public sewer system is installed, residents will have to connect a line to it within a certain period of time, although Post he didn't know offhand what the time frame was.
For the homeowners, there are several factors to consider, including how much they have invested in their current septic system.
As for how much it might cost residents to be part of a sewer district, Post says it's too soon to tell. The town hasn't yet applied for the grant.
"This is the first of many steps," the supervisor said.
In poor economic times,
In poor economic times, adding an unnecessary burden to the proposed district's homeowners is beyond the pale.. Failing septic systems are noted within aging and poorly maintained mobile home parks- get the facts ! The cost for a 2 person home will be $ 4,500 - $6,000 for the termination of their legal and functioning septic system and connection to a public system. Then , the annual water useage bill will increase $592 ( per info provided at a Town of Batavia info meeting). There is no thriving and expanding commercial base , and industrial parks already exist.
Pensioners and low income people can ill afford unnecessary expenses. Rent in mobile home parks will dramatically increase .
Those entitled to vote on such a project is NOT limited to business owners and tax paying homeowners.. Tennants and renters also can exercise an equal vote. Be careful of what you spending money on.
I maintain my property and expect others to do the same in the area. Why should I pay for their septic issues? A couple hundred dollars every 5 years for septic maintenance is a much easier expense to bear than paying for septic in a trailer park and some yet to happen business that will receive tax breaks and concessions then abandon the area when economic benefits elsewhere beacon ??
Ask to see the numbers , not the percentages because if 10 people respond to a survey of 500, the results are less than useless...
great points Steve..Sounds
great points Steve..Sounds like it is poor maintenance on the part of the trailer park not maintaining the septic systems on the lots..Now they want taxpayer dollars in the form of a grant because they didn't maintain their septic system...What tree does this money grow on.............