ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
Saturday,ÊA prilÊ23,Ê2 016
>>
www.SunCommunityNews.com
In PHOTO SPREAD | pg. 9
>>
In NEWS | pg. 3
>>
Wind energy project expanding
One Question: Did you vote?
Last stop: oil by rail
More turbines to be added in northern towns
Check out photos from political events last week
In NEWS | pg. 2
Advocates fight for federal ban
Mooers officials table water, sewer feasibility study
Town gathering more community input on implementing new system within the old village By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
MOOERS — The town has tabled their sewer feasibility study until next month due to lack of interest. “Nobody wants it,” Supervisor Jeff Menard said at last week’s town board meeting. “I’m a little discouraged about it.” The study, made possible, in part, through $24,000 in federal grant funds, is intended to incorporate a main system for properties
within the old village. The grant covers 75 percent, leaving the town to pay $6,000. “I haven’t had a lot of good response,” said Menard. “I’m a little leary to spend the money if people don’t want it.” The town previously sent out surveys to households in regards to how they would feel about the water and sewer system. Little response was given back. A few attendees at the meeting stated they never received the survey. Initially, the town applied for a grant that covered the entire expense. However, due to having too many residents, they were rejected. The grant called for up to 2,000 residents, but Mooers has a little over 3,500.
Several residents at meeting brought up concern with cost. At a previous meeting, Matt Cooper of Bernier, Carr and Associates stated it would cost the town $1,700 per household yearly for both water and sewer, which is the average cost in New York State. The feasibility study would determine the exact cost of the system, which would depend on how many households participate. The more households, Menard said, the cheaper the cost. The town board decided to hold off on applying for the grant until gathering more community input. Menard said the town plans on sending out a survey to residents and hosting a meeting
PlantingÊ together
>>See Elementary Garden | pg. 11
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Perry and Manning said the project would help the town grow in residents and business owners. Menard said a lot of the buildings are emp>> See Feasibility Study | pg. 13
Superintendent: CCRS’ taxes to increase District to maintain all programming and services for 2016-17 school year
Student-run Peru Elementary Garden promotes sustainability, teamwork PERU — Last week, Peru Elementary students experimented how many of them could fit into their new compost bin at one time. Apparently, five kids can, said Greg Badger, Peru Elementary art teacher. Teah Th e bin is the school’s newest addition Dowling Writer to its Elementary Garden. Badger, who’s also the overseer of the garden, said over 40 of his fifth and sixth grade students help upkeep the garden on a weekly basis during recess. Some students, like sixth grader Molly Martineau, participate to promote going green. “I want to help the environment,” she said. Other students, such as sixth grader Abigail Bruce, like feeling dirt in between their fingers. “I really like gardening,” she said.
toward the end of the month to present the ins and outs of the project. The exact date is not set yet. “Cost is always an issue,” said Philip Perry, one of the few residents who opted to share their opinion with a reporter after the meeting. “But I think it’s a good idea.” “It will help us in the long run,” said another resident, Jerica Manning.
By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
Sixth graders Abigail Bruce and Molly Martineau enjoyed their new compost bin they just received for their Elementary Garden last week. Apparently, five kids can fit in the bin. Photo by Teah Dowling
CHAZY — Chazy Central Rural School District taxpayers will see a tax hike for the 2016-17 spending plan. The tax rate of $20.67 is scheduled to rise 20 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value, or about $20 for those with a $100,000 home. The district managed to stay below the tax cap by $94 and stay just under their tax levy limit of .97 percent, said Superintendent John Fairchild. Fund balance use decreased $20,000 from last year to $550,000. Fairchild said he’s pleased with the spending plan, which was recently approved April 12. Last year, the district exceeded the tax cap. “We’re in a much better ace we have been in the past couple years,” he said. “If we wouldn’t have done it last year, we would’ve had to do it this year.” The district is facing no cuts and is maintaining all of its programming despite the state budget, he said. >> See Chazy Budget | pg. 10