OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen
Deputy Supervisor Bernie Feldmann urged the Town to seek waterline improvements in Hanford Bay and Sunset Bay following more than a dozen breaks in the past 14 months.
HANOVER — The Town of Hanover is moving forward with plenty of developments, including a substantial water main project along Routes 5 and 20, but this past year has proven that there is plenty more that needs to be done in the town.
This winter has been rough on everyone across western New York, but the Hanover Water and Sewer Department has had it rougher than most. More than just a handful of water line breaks have occurred this winter, at times well below freezing temperatures.
In Sunset Bay, the most recent water line break brings the total to seven breaks in the past 14 months, dating back to the end of 2023. Additionally, eight water line breaks have occurred in Hanover Bay in the same timeframe. Three other breaks have occurred throughout the town, bringing the total to 18 in 14 months, all of which have been addressed in-house by the Water and Sewer Department.
At a previous meeting, Deputy Supervisor Bernie Feldmann urged the Town to seek water line improvements in Hanford Bay and Sunset Bay with a future project once its current project completes later this year. He reiterated that sentiment at the most recent meeting.
“I really think it’s time we look to replace some of these aged lines,” Feldmann said.
Feldmann estimates that each water line break costs the town approximately $1,500 in hardware to fix. That does not include the cost of labor, which is often billed as overtime, as well as the cost of the water that is lost.
“I think it’s time we get Jody (Falkner) looking at some infrastructure,” Feldmann said. Falkner assists the town with securing grant funding through her company, J.F. Grant Consulting Services.
At its recent meeting, the Board approved a payment of $922.50 to Koester Associates for maintenance of the fish grinder at the cleaning station located at the Hanover Boat Launch. The Town also cancelled its flood insurance policy with Wright Insurance on the Hanover beach pavilion with the intent of establishing a property replacement reserve fund. The yearly premium of $1,902 that was budgeted for the flood insurance policy will go toward the property replacement reserve fund.
Additionally, Michael Kreuter was re-appointed as a member of the Board of Assessment Review, with a term expiring Sept. 30, 2029.
Hanover Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri and Deputy Clerk Hazel Deet will attend the 2025 New York State Town Clerks Association Annual Conference and Training Program from April 27-30 in Syracuse at a cost of $984 for each attendee. All other travel expenses will be covered in accordance with Town policy.
The next meeting of the Hanover Town Board is Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m.