Submitted Images
Pictured is the proposed Water District No. 4 plans, designed by CPL, submitted to the Town of Sheridan. Water District No. 4 consists of portions of South Roberts Road, Miller Road, and Route 20, as highlighted in red on the map.
At a recent meeting, the Town Board approved the formation of Water District 4, which will bring water to more than 60 customers in the town.
As stated in the report issued by CPL: Architecture, Engineering and Planning, “The Town of Sheridan is committed to providing safe and reliable portable water supply and fire protection to its residents. This specific project will be instrumental in achieving that goal.”
Water District 4 will consist of properties along portions of South Roberts Road, Miller Road, and Route 20. A water main was previously installed by the North Chautauqua County Water District along the route of the project, which resulted in a substantial benefit to the properties impacted by the District’s formation.
As it stands prior to the District’s formation, residents in the impacted area rely solely on private wells to serve their homes. The town of Sheridan has noted several complaints about the poor quality and insufficient quantity of water in the area. The high cost to operate and maintain the existing wells has also led to frustration of residents in the area.
Submitted Images
Pictured is the proposed Water District No. 4 plans, designed by CPL, submitted to the Town of Sheridan. Water District No. 4 consists of portions of South Roberts Road, Miller Road, and Route 20, as highlighted in red on the map.
The poor quality of water comes with its own health and safety risks, but so does the insufficient quantity of water available to residents in the area. Aside from health and hygiene concerns of needing to boil water for consumption or to conserve water to shower and do laundry on separate days, the area is a concern for fire protection without sufficient water nearby to draw from in case of an emergency.
As a result, the Town Board took action to form a new district. A feasibility study was conducted after residents petitioned the Town to form a new district. The total cost of the capital project is $487,000 to cover the installation of 62 water services, including meter pits and water meters. The service will connect to the existing water main. All construction will take place in existing road right of ways or easements. Proper mitigation and restoration efforts will be made, as well.
The cost for the project will be assumed by the residents of Water District 4, based on a 5% interest rate for a 30-year term. The estimated annual cost of water for residents in the district is $586.40. The total estimated unit cost is rounded to $1,078, with an estimated 64.5 total units within the district. Of those 64.5 units, 54 units are single-family residential units. Six units are commercial properties, three units are accounted for by two double-residential properties, and three vacant developmental parcels account for the remaining 1.5 units.
One-time costs of a service line average to $2,000. A service line will be installed to all residences from the water main to the road’s right of way.
Well separation and plumbing modifications are estimated at $500. Property owners have the option to abandon their well, keep it separate from public water plumbing, or keep it installed with a backflow prevention modification.
A public hearing was held recently by the Town Board to field comments from the residents who will be impacted by the project. Residents were also afforded a 30-day moratorium to allow for petitions against the project.
At the recent hearing, more than 20 residents were in attendance, along with a representative from CPL. According to Town Clerk Rebecca Schafer, the only opposition to the project came from out-of-district residents who would not be impacted by the project. “Everyone who came that night was very much for it,” Schafer said.
More details regarding the process moving forward will be provided by the Town to residents of the district in the coming months.