Town Of Oneonta OKs

Southside Water System

Project Completion Expected During 2018

WEST ONEONTA – It’s a go.

Following a public hearing last evening, the Oneonta Town Board approved both water districts expected to bring municipal water to the Southside business district and nearby homes by 2018.

In all, 195 properties will be served, according to Town Supervisor Bob Wood.

One district, the strip along Route 23, is primarily businesses, plus three homes.  The second, along Southside Drive, is mostly homes, but contains 13 businesses.

The project will cost an estimated $8.8 million, Wood said, with $4 million in grants easing the cost for property owners.  The other $4.8 million will be funded by interest-free loans, he said.

A design phase now begins that should be finished by spring of 2007, when bids will be let, Wood said.  It’s estimated the project will take 12-15 months to complete.

The district extends into the Town of Davenport, Delaware County – near Lowe’s – and will be served by a plant to be built in Fortin Park, across the Susquehanna from Emmons.

Because the City of Oneonta’s municipal water system has a surplus, attempts were made to have the new districts buy water from the city, but negotiations broke down over price.

While at least one editorial writer called the project “dumb growth” and encouraging sprawl, Wood said the project is actually “smart growth,” since it builds infrastructure where business development is already occurring.