Sewer study, tax rates set in Village of Williamsville
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

The Williamsville Village Board has approved a sanitary sewer investigation to look at alternatives to the siphon near Mill Street.

The resolution was passed at the board's meeting on Monday.

The siphon directs the flow of sanitary sewer water from various areas of the village to Amherst's sanitary sewer waste plant.

"It is approaching the end of its usable life," Bob Lannon of CRA Engineering said of the siphon.

Lannon outlined four options that the village's engineers are exploring as solutions to the siphon problem, including: putting in a new gravity sewer that would direct flow away from the siphon; installing an underground lift station to intercept flow and direct it away from the siphon toward the Amherst collection plant; refurbishing the siphon; or replacing the siphon with new piping.

"The ideal situation for us would be to abandon the siphon altogether," Lannon said, "The ultimate solution would be a gravity system, if it works."

He noted that if abandoning the siphon is not cost-effective, other options must be available, which would be the purpose of the study.

In a related matter, the board held public hearings on the budget amendments.

Mayor Mary Lowther announced that the general fund tax rate will increase by 2.99 percent. The rate will go from $4.04 to $4.16 per $1,000 of assessed valuation at a 100 percent equalization rate.

The increase is a result of increased utility and gasoline costs as well as contractual obligations such as garbage and refuse collection and disposal fees.

The sewer charges for the upcoming fiscal year will remain the same for operation and maintenance. The capital portion of the budget, which will increase from 69 cents to 84 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, is being increased in anticipation of the removal of sanitary sewer overflows, which will be required by the state Department of Environmental Conservation in the near future.

"This is the first increase in several years," Lowther said, citing the siphon study as well as the reconstruction of the North Ellicott sewer as examples of capital projects that the village will be taking on in the near future.

Water rates will also remain the same as were implemented in January 2007 after the Erie County Water Authority increased its rates.

"Our water system is extremely efficient," said trustee Basil Piazza. "That's why we don't see an increase in fees."

The board also held a public hearing on the distribution of garbage totes to village residents.

"This is quite a change to move from regular garbage cans and bags to totes," Lowther said.

The 95-gallon totes, which will cost $60 and will have attached lids and wheels, will be distributed the week of April 16. Residents will be billed for their tote. The cost also includes an information packet that will be distributed with the tote.

After the totes are distributed, only yard waste may be kept in a container other than the village issued totes. No changes to the village's recycling policies have been made.

The next meeting of the Williamsville Village Board will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 9 at Village Hall, 5565 Main St.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com