Earlville gets funding for water project

EARLVILLE – More than a year after its first public hearing on a proposed water system project, the Village of Earlville held another information meeting Wednesday night to discuss the need for the project to be completed, but this time they may see some help from federal funds.

There has been a problem with the village water for years, according to village residents and officials. Brown water flows from the taps in many homes, and approximately two-thirds of the village fire hydrants are non-operational. Both problems stem from a build up of iron and manganese in the system.

“The state we’re in at the moment is that the fire hydrants are practically non-existent,” said Fire Chief David Baird. “It’s standard operating procedure for a tanker to shuttle water in for any area in the village, because of the inadequate water supply.” The fire chief said there are only two hydrants in the village that are in proper working order.

Brian Skidmore, senior project engineer for Barton & Loguidice, presented an abridged version of his original presentation from May 2007, but this time he added updated costs and information about federal grants and low interest loans the village could receive. The original cost estimates for the project totaled approximately $3.025 million, however with inflation and rising prices, Skidmore explained the project cost has now increased to approximately $3.09 million.

Earlville was offered a $500,000 grant from USDA Rural Development for the water system upgrade. In addition, the organization is offering to finance the remainder of the project over a 38-year period at an interest rate of 3.625 percent.

Mayor Toni Campbell and Village Clerk Christian Vischi explained this would bring the annual debt payment to approximately $126,607; however, Campbell added the additional cost to the taxpayers, could be even less than that. Currently, the village is paying $52,000 a year in bond payments on a project that was completed in 2004. The bond will be paid off after one more payment. Additionally, Campbell said money that is currently being set aside for other matters can be used toward the annual bond payment.