WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The lack of public water facilities in the Town of Pomfret poses potential health risks for Town residents and has inhibited economic development. In 2007, the Town of Pomfret was awarded a $10,000 grant to complete a Water Supply Study.  This study investigated the following:

• •§        Identify portions of the Town where inclusion in a water district would be feasible.
• •§        Conduct an investigation of water quality in potential service areas.
• •§        Perform a hydraulic model including the existing and proposed system.
• •§        Prepare preliminary cost estimates for creation of a water district.
• •§        Prioritize build-out of proposed waterlines

Based upon this report published in 2008, the Town of Pomfret Town Board initiated the process to form the North End Water District as well as proceed with Phase 1 of the project.  The following are some frequently asked questions regarding the formation of the water district and design and construction of the Phase 1 project.

Formation of the Water District

Q:        What are the limits of the North End Water District?

A:         The North End Water District is all parcels north of Webster Road and Ellicott Roads (including the parcels on the south side of the road) within the Town of Pomfret excluding the Berry, Chestnut, VanBuren, Route 20, and Route 60 water districts and Village of Fredonia.

Q:        How were the limits of the North End Water District determined?

A:         The limits of the North End Water District were determined after a review of the population density, hydraulics, topography and water quality and quantity concerns conveyed by the residents.

Q:        Are residents of Laona who are currently serviced by the Village of Fredonia included in the North End Water District?

A:         Residents of Laona within the Town of Pomfret that are currently served by the Village supply lines will now be a part of the proposed water district.

Q:        How many homes are within the North End Water District?

A:         There are approximately 363 homes (single family residential and mobile homes) within the proposed water district along with an additional 129 parcels in the Laona area that will be part of the North End Water District.

Q:        What is the benefit of forming a large water district?

A:         There is a municipal and regulatory process that must be followed every time a water district is created.  These districts require local, state, and regulatory (NYSDEC and Health Department) approval before the design and construction of the waterline can take place.  This formation takes extensive time and money.  With the formation of a large water district, this process does not need to be repeated unnecessarily.

Phase 1 Project

Q:        What is the total cost of the Phase 1 project?

A:         The approximate cost of the Phase 1 project is expected to be around $4.5 million.

Q:        How many residences will the Phase 1 Project serve?

A:         There will be approximately 243 homes (single family residential and mobile homes) serviced as part of the Phase 1 project.

Q:        What is the total length of waterline to be installed as the Phase 1 project?

A:         The total length of the Phase 1 project is 54,000 LF of waterline.

Q:        What areas of the Town are included in the Phase 1 project?

A:        

Q:        What percentage of homes will be services as part of the Phase 1 project?

A:         There are approximately 530 homes (single family homes and mobile homes) within the proposed North End Water District that are currently not serviced by water.  The Phase 1 project will serve approximately 68% (363) of these homes.

Q:        How is this project being funded?       

A:         The project can be funded through a number of sources including grants and funding packages through the New York State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, US Rural Development Agency, or standard municipal bonds.

Q:        What is the anticipated annual capital and O&M cost for the waterline for each homeowner?

A:         At this time the estimated single family homeowner cost is $275.00 per year that will be paid on your annual tax bill.  This amount will go toward repaying the bond for the project as well as annual operation and maintenance needed on the water system including hydrant flushing, testing and future repair work.

Q:        How long will this payment be on my tax bill?

A:         The Town anticipates bonding this project for 30-years.

Q:        How was the estimated cost of $275 per homeowner determined?

A:         There are a number of ways that the Town of Pomfret could have charged the residents of the water district.  These include a unit charge (as proposed for the North End Water District), total length of road frontage, or assessment.  Based upon feedback from the residents and what was deemed affordable to community, the Town Board elected to set the total cost to $500 per year.

Q:        What is the anticipated annual water cost?

A:         Based upon average uses for single family homes (170 gallons per day) the estimated water cost is $225.00 per year.  This cost may very depending upon the water use of your individual home.

Q:        Will this water cost always remain the same?

A:         No.  The estimated water cost of $225 per year is based upon the proposed rates from the Village of Fredonia.  As the Village periodically raises their rates, the Town of Pomfret will have to do so as well.

Q:        What is the total estimated cost per year for a single family home?

A:         The total estimated cost per year is $500.00 per home.

Q:        I understand the water bill will be based upon how much water you use, but does everybody pay the same amount on their tax bill?

A:         No.  The amount paid on your tax bill is dependent upon the type of property you have.  Please refer to the chart below.

Q:        I live in a mobile home park.  How much do I pay and to whom?

A:         If you live in a mobile home park, you will not receive a tax bill or water bill from the Town.  The charges outlined in the table above are assessed to the owner of the mobile home park.

Q:        I live on North Road.  I see that I am not part of the Phase 1 project.  Do I pay anything now?

A:         Yes.  As outlined in the chart above, you would pay $10.00 per year that would be added to your annual tax bill.  This money will go toward building a reserve account to pay for future phases of waterline construction that will allow the Town to reach your road with waterline sooner.

Q:        If the water line is installed in front of my (undeveloped) vacant land parcel, will I be assessed a fee?

A:         Yes, and that is currently estimated at $10.00 per year.

Q:        Is there a chance that the size of the Phase 1 project could be changed?

A:         Yes.  Depending upon the funding package provided to the Town, the interest rate of the bond, and bid prices, the size of the Phase 1 project could be reduced or increased.

Q:        Is there a timetable for a Phase 2 project and who will be serviced?

A:         There is no timetable for construction of a Phase 2 project.  The areas to be served will be determined at a later date.

General Questions

Q:        I have good water in my home.  Do I have to hook up?

A:         No.  But if a water line is in front of your home, you will still be required to pay the annual capital operations cost per year of $275.00.  You will not receive a bill for water use.

Q:        When will I need to decide if I want water?

A:         As the date of construction draws closer (Estimated Fall 2010), another public information meeting will be held to discuss installation procedures and cutoff dates for connection.

Q:        Can I continue to use my well for uses other than drinking water?

A:         Yes.  But it must get disconnected from your internal plumbing.

Q:        Where am I getting my water from?

A.:        The Town of Pomfret is anticipating the Village of Fredonia as the supplier of water for this project. As this project progresses the Town and Village will be working on a bulk supply agreement to service  this new  district.

Q:        I understand a benefit of having public water is having a constant water supply unlike the possibility of your well going dry, and water that has been treated for bacteria, etc. What other benefits are there to me?

A:         Fire protection and very high quality water which either meets or exceeds all Federal and State water quality and water treatment standards.

Q:        What is the typical distance between fire hydrants?    

A:         We are going with 500 feet.  The law requires that hydrant spacing may range from 350 feet to 600 feet depending on the area to be serviced.

Q:        Who owns the line from the road to the house?

A:         From the curb stop to the house is the resident's responsibility.

Q:        How are you handling pre-existing lots?

A:         If you have a building on that lot, we'll supply the water.  We do not run lines and taps to fields.

Laona residents currently served by Village of Fredonia water

Q:        I have heard that some Laona properties will be included in the North End Water District.  Is this true?

A:         Residents of Laona within the Town of Pomfret that are currently served by the Village supply lines from the treatment plant will now be a part of the proposed water district. These residents will be subject to the same rate structure as outlined in the tables above.  There are currently 119 parcels that would be included in the North End Water District.

Q:        What is the benefit to the Laona residents becoming part of the water district?

A:         Residents of Laona currently pay twice the Village rate as an out of district customer.  Once included in the water district, this water rate will be reduced based upon the contract that will be signed between the Village of Fredonia and the Town of Pomfret for water service.

Q:        Are there any other benefits?

A:         The infrastructure servicing these 119 residences are the responsibility of the individual homeowner.  Once part of the district, repairs to lateral lines located within the right of way will be the Towns (except lines located on private property). In future phases of this project, new waterlines will be installed to service these current customers.

This Water District FAQ was prepared by Robert Klavoon of Wendel Duchscherer in August of 2009, however,

the following Q & A was added by  members of the Town Board on 3/11/2010.

Q:        Can we save money on home owner's insurance premiums once fire hydrants are nearby?

A:         Insurance companies we talked to charge higher premiums for areas classified as "unprotected" or "semi protected". 

             Lower premiums are charged for areas classified "protected".  These classifications are based on proximity to fire departments & fire hydrants. 

             The best way to know for sure if you will qualify for a reduced premium is to call your insurance company.