PART I https://harley508.wixsite.com/forbettergovernment/post/decline-or-growth-start-anew-or-wither-away
The Village of Ilion is undertaken many projects and issues, including sewer improvements, water infrastructure upgrades, stream and flooding remediation, and redevelopment of Duofold property. In all cases without exception, the hand of the County is leading the way. It is the County IDA that is the chosen lead agency in both Representation and study, of a potential Mohawk Valley Water Authority (MVWA) transmission line from Schuyler to Herkimer that includes the village of Ilion, and in redevelopment efforts of the Duofold property. It is the County and their Sewer district of which Ilion is included that drives 10.1 million in sewer improvements.
Ilion has a sitting county Legislator (John Stephens) appointed by the Mayor as Chairman of the Municipal Utility Board (MUB) that is to make recommendations and advisements regarding village water and electric utilities. A sitting Trustee, Mr. Lester sits on the County Sewer Board.
One must ask , whose interests are being represented, the Village or the County's. We have seen in many instances especially with the Village of Herkimer that these interests are not mutual or one in the same. Mr. Stephens has even commented on a post
"why would I or any other Legislator be concerned with the Village's water issues...".
There has been much talk about shared services, consolidation, dissolution of Village government on this blog, reality shows that there is no village, in the sense of community, transparency, or leadership.
This has been relinquished by the people themselves in voting for and allowing poor leadership as currently represented and in actions of those elected.
https://harley508.wixsite.com/forbettergovernment/post/keeping-vision-with-what-the-peoples-plan-are
We the people, the residents, the tax and rate payers must take back control. WE must demand that Village interests be first and foremost exhibited by our elected village leaders. WE the people must be active and invited in appointment on Advisory boards and most importantly in developing a comprehensive future for OUR community.
We live in Herkimer County and must work where we can with them and others to improve the region, but we must not continue to carry the heaviest financial burden and be poorly led and represented by Village officials and County Legislator's on issues that effect this community.
David Murray
https://www.mvwa.us/Minutes/Minutes.aspx
Very interesting conversations at this December Meeting. First is new regulatory requirements regarding Corrosion control; copper and lead rule. EPA and NYS are lowering the parts per billion currently allowed for lead in distribution systems from 15 parts per billion to 10 parts. This includes greater sampling and more precise action plans. Projections of costs to totally remove and replace ALL lead services in the MVWA service district 18 municipalities is $12 to $20 million dollars. This is being described as an unfunded mandate. Interesting is that the Village of Ilion is mentioned as already hiring an outside consultant firm "Corona" to investigate and lead efforts regarding corrosion control compliance. I have not heard or seen anyt…