Montour Falls approves sewer study

MONTOUR FALLS—The Montour Falls village board approved a $185,000 repair study to prevent additional water from seeping into the sewage and sanitary pipe system, during the Thursday, Jan. 9, meeting. Mayor John King said the cost includes engineering plans and tests, which start in January and will last approximately until September. He explained the actual inflow and infiltration repairs, not included in the $185,000, won’t take place until 2015. King said the village has known about the estimated cost of the repairs for two years, while saving up funds to cover the work.
Greg Cummings, representing the Larson Design Group, presented the plan to the village board. King explained the problem comes from groundwater leaking into the pipes, such as storm water. He said the extra water then needs to be filtered.
King said the work this year includes examining some 45,000 feet of piping in the village and performing house inspections. He added the village will be applying for a grant to help cover the cost of the repairs in 2015. Cummings also presented a plan to treat the water system system with ultraviolet light. However, King said the board did not take action on the measure yet. He explained the state is requiring them to use the UV treatment and it will be addressed later this year. King called it an added measure of safety.
In other business:
• Fire Chief Jeff Confer updated the board on the purchase of a new fire truck. He said the department has not finished the specs yet and has not heard back about a New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association grant.
• The board approved writing a letter of support for expanding the Tioga Downs Casino.
• The payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the Arc of Schuyler was extended.
• Trustee Phil Smith was reappointed to the county’s environmental management council.
• The lease agreement with the Montour Falls Memorial Library was sent to be reviewed by the village attorney. The next Montour Falls village board meeting was moved to Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m.

This story reflects the following correction made Tuesday, Jan. 21: The story about the Montour Falls sewage repair project in the Jan. 15 edition of the REVIEW&EXPRESS incorrectly stated Montour Falls approved a $185,000 sewage repair project. The reported cost was actually for engineering plans and tests, and does not include the actual work that will begin in 2015. Mayor John King explained the repairs will cost approximately $1.5 million.
Montour Falls is seeking a grant to cover the amount.
The story also incorrectly said Montour Falls will use ultraviolet treatment on the sewage system. The village is proposing to use the UV treatment on the water system, as required by the state.