Ashford and West Valley residents voice opposition to proposed water system

Citizens of Ashford and West Valley let their opinions concerning a local water issue be heard during a public meeting held on Monday, Feb. 13. Representatives from the New York State Public Service Commission joined the owner of West Valley Crystal Water Company to field questions and explain the situation. Many of the citizens, however, said they left with the same feelings with which they entered.
“The existing [WVCWC] system is approximately 100 years old, with the majority of water mains’ deteriorating [and] at the end of their service life,” said a document available to the public, which explained the need for a new water system. “Some of the water mains are above ground and [others] are near the surface, which makes them vulnerable to breakage from frost.”

The proposed solution is to “redevelop the existing source of supply (five springs); install [a] filtration system, install a new storage tank of a larger capacity, replace and upgrade transmission lines, replace distribution lines and service laterals, replace flushing hydrants and valves, perform electrical upgrades [and] install meters.”

While many of those in attendance said they agreed that the current system is inadequate, they also expressed their unease, “[WVCWC]’s petition filed with the department of public service to finance, through a customer surcharge, a $3.2 million interest-free loan to repay the Environmental Facilities Corporation and to make capital improvements on its water system,” according to Valerica Oreifej, an engineer from the Department of Public Services in the office of gas and water.

It is that $3.2 million cost, which is set to be charged to the residents over a 30-year period, that does not sit well with the citizens who would be affected. This charge means that residents have to pay higher water bills, but will not have ownership over the water system. Bob Runge, owner of WVCWC, will possess those rights.

“This community deserves better,” said Rich Bernstein, resident of Ashford. “It deserves a voice. We should have ownership of what we have in our community.”

Bernstein presented the panel with a petition featuring numerous signatures from the community members. “What this is,” he said, “is an objection to Mr. Runge’s company getting the financing.”

The petition also included a request for the town of Ashford officials to form a public water district as the answer to the deficiencies in the current water system.

“I think it’s the best answer,” said Bernstein. “I want to help everyone. This rate will be a hardship to business, to municipals [and] to communities, as far as churches, schools and residents.

“At this time, the loan adds more tragedy than the conditions of the water, if you can believe that, to the community,” he added. “West Valley will be the highest rate anywhere with the surcharge.” Oreifej disagreed, saying she has the numbers to back her up.

Regarding the owner of WVCWC, Bernstein said, “I don’t say there’s anything wrong with what Mr. Runge has done. I said it’s good to be in business, but we want it to be a municipally-owned water district. I’m not here to enrich Mr. Runge. He seems like a nice fellow, but that’s not why I’m here.

“It’s obvious we don’t want this,” Bernstein concluded. Assistant Financial Development Manager Christopher Rienzo said he does not know of a real alternative. A water district would also require funds, and Rienzo said he is uncertain that the community would qualify for the necessary grants to offset the cost.

“You may qualify,” he said, “but you might put this on hold for a year and not get reached for funding. You may lose this offer here that is on the table and come up with nothing.”

Oreifej assured those in attendance that the petition would be taken into consideration. “Every comment is received and reviewed and not ignored,” she said.

Residents have begun to seek ways to opt out of the proposed system, including digging their own wells. However, Peter Sorgi, an attorney for the project said, “State law compels people, if there’s a public water system, to connect, unless it is not legally feasible.” He noted that circumventing the public water system would raise the cost for those who would still be affected. Environmental Health Director Eric Wohlers also said that current wells cannot be “grandfathered” as being apart from the new system.

Installation of water meters was also addressed. Wohlers said that meters would be a benefit to the people, as the meters would be “counting gallons and not people.” He said, “A family of 16 will pay more for water than a family of three.”

John Pfeffer, town board member, expressed concern over whether the water issue would affect the town’s population.“I am concerned about the loss of population because of this increase,” said Pfeffer. “I ask that you consider that, as you make this decision, that this population continues to dwindle, because we cannot afford this.”

“I am concerned about the comments I’m hearing,” said Wohlers. “There’s been nothing that hasn’t been transparent. There is no attempt to pad our own interests in some other company. We want to make sure you’re not overpaid or ripped off. There have been meetings scheduled and nobody showed up. [Tonight has] been the best gathering.” However, some residents insisted that the Feb. 13 meeting was the first they had been informed about.

One resident in attendance said, “I hope the town board has its ears open tonight.”