Decision on Hamlin/Kendall water drawing near

Officials from the towns of Hamlin and Kendall met with residents on March 30 in Kendall to conduct another public hearing on the proposal to switch from the Hamlin/Kendall Water Department to Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA).

"There were about 58 people at the meeting to hear the presentation," Hamlin Supervisor Denny Roach said.

Each town was represented by its board and the opinions and comments of the residents were noted.

Kendall's Deputy Supervisor Skip Scroger filled in for Supervisor William Vick. Roach gave a presentation which included information on the current water districts and the Hamlin-Kendall Water Department, the background of the proposed lease, the anticipated advantages and disadvantages of leasing with MCWA, the cost of doing business in 2005, the procedure for determining the current rates and an analysis and comparison of current rates versus rates with MCWA.

"Several residents asked questions or voiced concerns about potential loss of local jobs at the water department, cost of installing lines, reading meters, response time for repairs and fear of rate hikes," Roach said following the meeting "I think the meeting was of value to all the residents, who had a chance to hear all the facts, and the town boards, who were able to hear their constituents' concerns."

The towns have been in discussions about the switch since late last year. Roach said it's anticipated that both boards will make a decision at their April board meetings. Vick has said in the past that if Hamlin decides to make the switch, Kendall will likely go along as it could be cost prohibitive for the town to run its own water department.

April 9, 2006