Clarkson residents seek water

This will be the eighth petition that Town of Clarkson resident Wayne Ward has tried to push through in his quest for water. Ward, who has lived on Sweden Walker Road since 1982, has attempted to gain support of both residents and town officials to bring public water to his area of the town.

"I've been doing this for a long time," he said. "There are some people on our road who have water but not all of us. We had heard at one time that the town didn't want to put water on our road because they wanted to keep it undeveloped - forever wild."

Ward's property is between Gilmore and Ridge Road where there is public water surrounding this two-mile stretch. A majority of the homeowners have signed letters in support of creating a district, Sheldon Meyers said. Meyers, a past candidate for town office, said he was at a meeting when Ward addressed the board with his request for water and after the meeting offered his assistance. "Whether I am on the board or not, I feel it's a resident's duty to help others," Meyers said. "Sometimes I just don't feel like the board goes the extra mile for residents. We are hoping the board will offer more guidance to the residents who are seeking water and guide them through the process and procedures."

Town Supervisor Paul Kimball said there is no reason the board would deny a request for a water district if it was economically feasible. "There are thresholds that the state sets forth that outline what the top limit for the cost of a water district - per taxpayer in the district - can be," he said. That threshold is $603 annually for debt service and water usage fees. "There are 31 people on that stretch of road and the last time we conducted a survey, only 14 of the 31 wanted water - we have to have a majority in order to pursue a district."

Putting a water district in that section could be cost prohibitive because it is a rural stretch that isn't heavily populated and also has agricultural parcels in the mix. "Ag parcels can't contribute to a water district," Kimball said.

Kimball said town officials have tried to work with Monroe County Water Authority on a plan to bring water to the area but because the MCWA doesn't need a connection in that area, they are not willing to contribute to the project.

At the May 8 board meeting, Kimball said council members approved a May 22 special meeting and will invite the residents on the Sweden-Walker stretch of road to come and discuss whether they want the process started for a water district.

May 13, 2007