WEEDSPORT - A new water district is being formed in the Town of Brutus.

The town board voted 3-0 to create Water District No. 7 after a public hearing attended by seven affected residents Monday night.

Board members James Hotaling and Jeffrey Hinman were absent.

Residents have 30 days to object.

If so, they must submit a petition, and the the matter would then go to a permissive referendum or public vote.

If no one objects, the town can go ahead with its application at a special meeting on Dec. 16.

The state comptroller's office would also have to approve the cost per resident

“Grant money isn't going to be available forever,” town board member David Miller said. “We have to move forward.”

The town has been working on the project for more than a year.

It will essentially bring water to 170 acres of land or 28 parcels with existing homes, businesses and vacant land on Dunn, Stickle, Trombley and Coyle roads as well as parts of Route 34.

The water line will be provided at a maximum amount of $524,000 (construction and fees) with a total cost to the typical property owner not expected to exceed $674.53 per year for each residential unit and $1,185 for a business.

The average cost for installing individual water service and meter is anticipated at $1,500.

A proposed Rural Development grant of $343,000 as well as a low interest loan of $166,000 will fund the project.

“Do we have to get this if we want it or not?” resident George Warren asked.

The board replied if residents holding 51 percent of the assessed value of the total district agreed, everyone in the district would pay a debt service of $142.03, but those not hooking up wouldn't pay for water.

The estimated amount of water used per household is 55,000 gallons at a charge of $7.50 per thousand gallons per year, billed quarterly

Resident Joann Hildebrandt said, “We have a gas line at the corner of Dunn Road. You're going to have to go around it.”

Miller said aerial photos will be taken to show the district in detail in order to let contractors know what the work will entail before it's put out to bid. Detailed drawings will be made by town engineer Tom Piascik, who will go out and mark the area.

Over the years, a number of ideas had been generated to get water out to residents who needed it in the rural areas of the town, Thomas Flynn, town board member, said it included putting a line along the bridge over the Thruway to piping water in from other areas, even using the Seneca River and filtering it.

“When we heard they were going to tear up the Thruway and start from scratch, we said now's the time to get started,” Flynn said.

The town had sleeves laid under the road bed during Thruway construction so that the pipe could easily be inserted later.

If the town had to bore under the Thruway to lay pipe, the cost would have been prohibitive.

“We tried to minimize expenses,” Piascik said.

If funds are available or the project comes in under budget, the line might be extended to the end of Trombley Road.

A State Environmental Quality Review will have to be performed, to show no adverse environmental impact.

Piascik said there would also have to be an archeological study.

In other news:

€ The board discussed three alternatives for the formation of Water District No. 8, including adding 32 parcels on Jericho Road or just replacing service to existing homes served by the old line.

The board will consult with Ag & Markets as well as the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Piascik said he would complete a district formation report including a fourth alternative of water from the village.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net