Watkins approves changes to intake plant

WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen planning board approved the preliminary site plan for the village’s new raw water intake plant, at the monthly July 21 meeting.
HUNT Engineer Chuck Franzese showed the planning board changes to the project, which were required because the federal government pulled American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds from the project.  He said it was changed to fit the budget.  He had previously told the village board at the July 19 meeting the proposed cost of the water intake building is $1.25 million.
However, Franzese said the changes are mostly to the structure of the proposed building on Salt Point Road.  He said instead of a complete, three story building, the intake facility will mostly be located within one story.
The proposed location is on Salt Point Road.  On the east side of the road, there is a drop down to ground that is level with the lake. The top of the structure will be accessible from Salt Point Road.  The structure at this point will only house stairs going down, cutting into the embankment.  The majority of the facility is one story on the lake-level ground.  He explained that the main access will be from Salt Point Road.
Franzese said this would help with replacing pumps.  He explained that there will be hatches in the roof over the two pumps at the lake level part.  He said when one needs to be removed, a crane can go through the roof and pull the pump out from Salt Point Road.
Another change to the plan is using reinforced concrete instead of pre-cast concrete.  Franzese said this is for part of the facility’s west side that cuts into the embankment.
He also said in the new plans, the water intake pipe will remain at its current railway crossing, until the village can find funds to lay out a pipe on the northern end of the property.  The current water intake facility is located right next to the proposed site.
A public hearing for the project was scheduled for the Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.