Water supply still a discussion topic in Kendall and Hamlin

Water supply still a discussion topic
in Kendall and Hamlin

Whether the towns of Hamlin and Kendall should disband their long running water board partnership and come under the umbrella of the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) is still a topic for discussion among board members and residents.

At a recent meeting, held in Kendall, residents came forth again asking for answers on rates, changes to installation of new water districts and lines and potential changes to responses for service calls were raised and addressed.

"The topic has been hanging fire since November when it was first brought up," Hamlin Supervisor Denny Roach said. "We've had meetings to discuss rates and costs several times."

At a February meeting, residents were presented with an "apples to apples" comparison, Roach said. "They wanted to know what it will cost us if we go with MCWA compared to what our rates are now?"

Kendall Supervisor William Vick said the town is still considering all its options. "If Hamlin switches we will really have to take a long look at whether we can afford to run a water department on our own," he said. "No decisions have been made but we have set ourselves a deadline of April to be closer to a resolution on this."

In 2005, the Hamlin-Kendall Water Department showed a loss of about $45,000. It had revenues of $697,882 and expenses of $742,888.

In the comparison of pricing, the retail rate of water with Hamlin-Kendall is $2.93 per gallon; with MCWA it would be $2.50 but would come with an annual $44 meter fee. Rates are based on a per gallon fee based on annual consumption but taking an average usage of 50,000 gallons annually, with Hamlin-Kendall the rates are $164 per year. With MCWA the rate would be $169 - an increase of $5 per year or about .42 cents per month. If residents used 60,000 gallons or more per year, the rates would decrease in ranges from $2.80 a year up to $29 annually if a user consumes 100,000 gallons.

"While the comparisons are apples to apples there are more subjective items to consider," Roach said. "There are the emotional issues of customer service, loss of jobs at our water department and allocation of $850,000 from MCWA for us to use for system improvements."

Former Kendall Supervisor John Becker said in December 2005 that Kendall residents would likely pay more for water if Kendall had its own water department. "Money would have to be raised through water rates to offset wages for employees, maintenance of lines and the purchase of physical inventory and equipment," he said. "The town might pay substantially more if it went with our own water authority rather than the slight amount of increase that could come with switching to MCWA. One of the pay-offs with Kendall having its own water department, though, would be access to better service."

Vick said there are benefits and drawbacks to either situation and that the town is still open to listening to residents' concerns.

There is another meeting scheduled at the Kendall High School on March 30 to further discuss the issue.