What a great opportunity to assist the PEOPLE to shape, and grow their downtown/water front area!! But this has not been SHOUTED BY ANY OF THE FIVE Tax payers money paid for B & L to apply for such a grant, and they did their job to perfection!!
What a great opportunity to announce this when sharing a local business gives back to the community, by gifting sharing in a free meal!
Why not share this news, while Mr. Lawton (Chris) was updating about the transmission line. Personally Thank him, for going above and beyond securing this grant, for the residents! Perhaps acknowledging, they (5) look forward to working with Mr Lawton as he helps push this plan forward, with the residents!
Not even on the village website .
Perhaps much like not sharing the important 2% , as this is nothing more then a token from the 5, trying to portray , they are being proactive! Once again, misleading the public, that the water dept. finances are in good shape. Remember this 2% does not go towards improvements, but needed as stated in the article, it is for DAY TO DAY operations! Budget issues of continued mismanagement and operations that have led to this water quality crisis.
'Deputy Mayor Charles Lester said the increase is being recommended to assist with the cost of day-to-day operations'
The Truth the five servants are being led by events, and re- actionists. Proof: is no comprehensive plan and no long term commitment to water quality. Despite all the rhetoric, the 5 servants, are no closer to a commitment to join with the other communities in having safe clean water provided by MVWA to the residents.
A 12% increase, (10% from 2018 and 2% now) is substantial. This just the beginning in many rate increases to pay back bonding, loans, and financing infrastructure improvements, estimated by B & L t o increase:
Total is $106 + $160 + $300 + $200 = $766
This could be reduced by the $200 if MVWA takes over O&M. (no comittment from the 5 servants)
An eventual Ilion user water cost would be $106 + $160 + $300 = $566 per year compared to the $408 per year now
NOTE THE LOCATION OF THE MEETING
Ilion residents will have the opportunity to comment on a proposed 2% water rate increase during a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The hearing will be held prior to the start of the regular village board meeting and will take place in the third-floor board room of the Municipal Building on Morgan Street.
7. Arranging For Space and Equipment — Space, furnishings and equipment needs should be assessed as soon as possible, and arrangements made according to the following needs:
▪ amount of space; ▪ number of chairs and tables; ▪ lectern for the witnesses to testify from (having a single location for the witnesses is important if the hearing is being recorded); ▪ special equipment, such as microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, power cords, easels, chart paper, computer and audiovisual equipment, and recording devices; and ▪ water pitchers and cups located conveniently for witnesses and board members.
The last PIM had 50 people showed, 50 people will not fit in the Board room. Are the 5 Servants now intentionally trying to make the taxpayers feel even more unwelcome , then the normal routine of not providing required documents before meetings?
Village of Ilion Village Board Public Informational Meeting on Water Project October 8, 2019 . Appears as such.
Mayor Brian Lamica called the public meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. in the Village Municipal Building Auditorium.
Present: Mayor Brian Lamica, Deputy Mayor Charles Lester, Trustee Ron Schoonmaker. Trustee Joanne Moore, Trustee Bridget McKinley.
Village of Ilion Public Hearing November 16, 2015
Mayor Terry Leonard called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30 P.M. in the Village of Ilion Municipal Building Auditorium.
Present: Mayor, Terry Leonard, Deputy Mayor Joanne Moore, Trustee Fred Hartmann, Trustee Bridget McKinley, Trustee Kalman Socolof
Also Present: Village Treasurer Connie Gagliardi, Village Deputy Clerk /Treasurer MariJo Thompson, Village Attorney Mark Rose, Village Clerk Cindy Kennedy
Public: 4
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
The Public Hearing notice was published in the Times Telegram on November 4, 2015.
Purpose: The purpose of the Public Hearing was to discuss the proposed 14% water rate increase for Village of Ilion municipal water users, to take effect in the December, 2015 billing cycle.
Mayor’s Welcome and Presentation: Mayor Leonard welcomed interested residents to the Public Hearing and presented a powerpoint presentation on the necessity of a 14% increase in Village of Ilion water rates. The Village Board of Trustees identified four main factors for the proposed increase. They include: 1) The Ilion water department is losing money each quarter and hopes to increase revenue for the second half of the 2015-2016 fiscal year. 2) The new wells were put into use to supplement the groundwater reservoirs that the Village maintains and the Village will begin to repay the USDA loan of $5.2 Million with the first payment of $307,971.00 in 2016. The water rate increase will assist with the repayment schedule that begins in 2016. 3) General personnel and health insurance costs are increasing. 4) The water department is facing staff retirements and replacements. This will involve a lengthy training period.
Summary: After a thorough analysis by Village Treasurer Gagliardi and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Thompson, the Village Board reviewed all options to increase water department revenue while balancing the needs of the Village and its residents. The Village Board also looks to the future and aging infrastructure. The 14% increase is thought to be the best solution at this time.
Question and Answer Period:
November 16, 2015 Page 2
Resident#1: While the reasons are valid, the increase could pose a problem for those residents on Social Security, who will not see an increase in their benefits for 2016. By imposing the increase in the December billing, there could be a problem with those who wish to modify their usage based on the new estimated costs.
Resident # 2: Since there is often brown water, water main breaks, and dirty water in my area of Ilion, will I now need to pay extra if they don’t bypass my meter to flush the brown water out of my system? A pressure issue was discovered with the new wells being operated, and a new pressure release valve installation should lessen the amount of water main breaks throughout the Village. In addition to the prv, the Village water department will continue to bypass this meter whenever there is a need to flush the system.
Resident#1: The installation of the new wells as a supplement the reservoirs was supposed to be cost-saving, but it seems to be costing more right now. The wells were put into use to supplement the reservoirs for Village water. The reservoirs also need repair and the use of the well water will assist when those repairs need to take place.
All input will be carefully considered before a final vote will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the November Village Board meeting.
We must now ask what/where/how did the 24% combined under Leonard term operation and maintainecce go to?
Village of Ilion Public Hearing – Water Rate Increase March 14, 2018
Mayor Terry Leonard called the Public Hearing to order at 5:30 P.M. in the Village of Ilion Municipal Building Auditorium.
Present: Mayor Terry Leonard, Deputy Mayor Joanne Moore, Trustee Fred Hartmann, Trustee Bridget McKinley, Trustee Kalman Socolof
Also Present: Village Treasurer MariJo Thompson, Village Clerk Laura Madore, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Bruce Morgan, Water Distribution Supervisor Ken Scott, Barton & Loguidice Engineer Eric Schuler
Public: 7
The Public Hearing notice was published in the Times Telegram on March 3, 2018.
Purpose: To discuss the reasons for the water rate increase and hear public comment on the proposed 10% in the Village Water Rates.
Discussion/Comments: • Mayor Leonard reviewed the history of water rate increases in the Village for the past years and discussed justifications for the proposed increase this year.
• Eric Schuler from Barton & Loguidice Engineering Firm gave a summary of the issues the Village faces, cost estimates for the issue & funding opportunities the Village could look at to help fund the project.
• Mayor Leonard addressed the public by reviewing the demonstrated need for the water rate increase. The Village Board did a careful analysis and have always been dedicated to making decisions based on the needs of the Village.
• Mayor Leonard opened the meeting up to public comments.
• Resident #1: Does the Village plan on taking litigation from previous engineering firm? • Resident #1: What improvements were made from the 2015 increase?
• Resident #1: How many budget transfers were made since the last increase in 2015?
• Resident #4: What is the long-term plan going to be, so the residents see improvements being done?
• Resident #7: What made the Board decide a 10% increase?
• Resident#7: Resident thanked the Village Water department employees for doing an outstanding job.
• Resident #7: Would it be possible to have the increase in October?
Mayor Leonard thanked everyone for coming and announced that the open Village Board meeting would be moving upstairs to the Board Room where the proposed water rate increase would be further discussed.
Adjournment: 6:05 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Madore Village Clerk
Village of Ilion Public Hearing November 16, 2015
Mayor Terry Leonard called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30 P.M. in the Village of Ilion Municipal Building Auditorium.
Present: Mayor, Terry Leonard, Deputy Mayor Joanne Moore, Trustee Fred Hartmann, Trustee Bridget McKinley, Trustee Kalman Socolof
Also Present: Village Treasurer Connie Gagliardi, Village Deputy Clerk /Treasurer MariJo Thompson, Village Attorney Mark Rose, Village Clerk Cindy Kennedy
Public: 4
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
The Public Hearing notice was published in the Times Telegram on November 4, 2015.
Purpose: The purpose of the Public Hearing was to discuss the proposed 14% water rate increase for Village of Ilion municipal water users, to take effect in the December, 2015 billing cycle.
Mayor’s Welcome and Presentation: Mayor Leonard welcomed interested residents to the Public Hearing and presented a PowerPoint presentation on the necessity of a 14% increase in Village of Ilion water rates.
The Village Board of Trustees identified four main factors for the proposed increase. They include: 1) The Ilion water department is losing money each quarter and hopes to increase revenue for the second half of the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
2) The new wells were put into use to supplement the groundwater reservoirs that the Village maintains and the Village will begin to repay the USDA loan of $5.2 Million with the first payment of $307,971.00 in 2016. The water rate increase will assist with the repayment schedule that begins in 2016.
3) General personnel and health insurance costs are increasing.
4) The water department is facing staff retirements and replacements. This will involve a lengthy training period.
Summary: After a thorough analysis by Village Treasurer Gagliardi and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Thompson, the Village Board reviewed all options to increase water department revenue while balancing the needs of the Village and its residents. The Village Board also looks to the future and aging infrastructure. The 14% increase is thought to be the best solution at this time.
Question and Answer Period:
November 16, 2015 Page 2
Resident#1: While the reasons are valid, the increase could pose a problem for those residents on Social Security, who will not see an increase in their benefits for 2016. By imposing the increase in the December billing, there could be a problem with those who wish to modify their usage based on the new estimated costs.
Resident # 2: Since there is often brown water, water main breaks, and dirty water in my area of Ilion, will I now need to pay extra if they don’t bypass my meter to flush the brown water out of my system? A pressure issue was discovered with the new wells being operated, and a new pressure release valve installation should lessen the amount of water main breaks throughout the Village. In addition to the prv, the Village water department will continue to bypass this meter whenever there is a need to flush the system.
Resident#1: The installation of the new wells as a supplement the reservoirs was supposed to be cost-saving, but it seems to be costing more right now. The wells were put into use to supplement the reservoirs for Village water. The reservoirs also need repair and the use of the well water will assist when those repairs need to take place.
All input will be carefully considered before a final vote will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the November Village Board meeting.
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