The residents of the proposed Water Improvement Benefit Area #1 in Clarkson voted to move ahead with the water district project. The Town applied for and received $7,655,000 ($2,955,000 via grant, remaining $4,700,000 will be borne by the properties within the district) funded by a low interest loan from USDA Rural Development. This district will bring public water to all remaining residents in the Town of Clarkson.
Residents have long been asking for public water as many are forced to haul in water, use water softeners, replace appliances regularly, and install elaborate systems to improve their drinking water. This project identified several wells that failed the health department standards, and was unknown to the resident prior to the testing. Other concerns were losing the use of wells in the summertime and during power outages. The benefit to all within the district is fire protection and not having to wait for water tankers should disaster strike.
The Town hosted two public hearings attended by Monroe County Water Authority, Brockport Fire Department, its engineering firm MRB Group, Town Attorney Dick Olson, and Assessor Tammy Baker, to allow factual information to be disseminated.
Although the Town Board could have moved forward with the project without a vote, they opted to let the residents decide. The vote was 98-51 in favor of the project. The project will now move ahead with engineering, bidding of materials and construction. Once bids are awarded, the contractor will decide order of construction for the eight separate areas.
The Town Board thanks Dick Olson for all the legal work for the district and deciphering the complex laws surrounding the voting procedures that allowed Clarkson to hold the vote at the Town Hall. Also, to Scott Mattison, MRB Group for his experience and knowledge of the eight areas, water testing, and calculations within this unique district. Special thanks to Assessor Tammy Baker for the updated property information and Courtney Miller for communicating with Clarkson residents, and for preparing all election and mailing materials. Lastly, to election inspectors Deb Farese, Alan Hoy, Mary Scott, and Jill McCollough who made a very long day enjoyable and were wonderful stewards of the “old school” election process and the Town’s antique voting boxes.
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