Two towns study changes in water distribution

Two towns study changes in water distribution

A proposed change to the way water is delivered in the Towns of Kendall and Hamlin has drawn mixed reactions from residents.

A December 1 meeting in Kendall, which Supervisor John Becker said went "fairly well" and drew close to 100 people, addressed some of the concerns raised by residents.

"There were questions about pricing, costs and services offered by the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) brought up," Becker said. "Most of the questions were regarding the impact on future waterlines for those residents that don't have access to public water yet."

According to Becker, if Kendall decides to make the switch to the MCWA when Hamlin does, there should be minimal impact on the installation of future water districts.

"MCWA doesn't build new water lines but the town still can," he said. "The change would be that the residents would pay MCWA once the hook up was complete."

With Kendall it's a wash, Becker said. "It all boils down to a matter of do we want to pay more to operate our own water system or do we want to make a switch to the MCWA if Hamlin does."

If Hamlin decides to make a switch to the MCWA it would mean disbanding the Hamlin/Kendall Water Authority and Kendall would be forced to make a decision on whether to follow Hamlin's lead or get into the water business on their own.

"Residents would likely pay more if Kendall had it own water department," Becker said. "Money would have to be raised through water rates to offset wages for employees, maintenance of the lines and the purchase of physical inventory and equipment."

The cost of water in Kendall would go up if they stayed on their own. "We might pay substantially more if we went with our own water authority rather than the slight amount of increase that could come with switching to MCWA," Becker said. "One of the pay-offs with Kendall having its own water department, though, would be access to better service."

About 109, or five percent, of Hamlin's 2,400 water customers attended the December 6 information meeting.

Town Supervisor Austin Warner said if Hamlin and Kendall stick with their own water authority, Hamlin water users would see an increase in their bills.

"We're going to have to charge a maintenance fee. There are no cash reserves in the water department," he said. "Right now there are four districts that are 40 years old - you never know when one of them will go."

With the added maintenance fee, Warner said, water users could see higher rates than if the town switched its service to MCWA.

"Costs continue to escalate and we don't have enough cash in reserve to keep up," Warner said.

Town of Hamlin water users will be receiving a letter in the mail outlining the proposal and offering price comparisons.

Becker said Kendall is in a 'wait and see' pattern because their decision hinges on what Hamlin does. "If Hamlin doesn't dissolve our partnership then we won't have to, either, and things will continue the way they have been," he said.