The Town of Webb Board met for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8, in Old Forge, where it decided on new rates for the Old Forge Water District, and discussed heating efficiency options for two town-owned buildings, among other business.
Town Supervisor Ted Riehle reported that he attended a presentation last week about the purported benefits of wood pellet heat.
A representative of a company in Poland suggested an arrangement that would involve cost-sharing that could result from a NYSERDA grant.
CAP-21 Executive Director Nick Rose also attended the presentation at Supervisor Riehle’s request.
Following the presentation, Riehle said he began gathering information for a detailed analysis by the company on behalf of the town.
“We’re looking at the feasibility right,” he said.
Should the board find the company’s proposal desirable, it would involve converting existing furnaces to a pellet-boiler system, Riehle said.
The two buildings involved would be the Park Avenue Building and the Town Highway Garage, according to Riehle.
Those contribute most to the town’s monthly heating oil bill, he said.
Nick Rose expressed familiarity with these types of programs, according to Riehle.
“The governor has an initiative for green energy projects, and this grant would use locally produced pellets [and] locally produced wood boilers,” he said.
“[The pellet boiler] ties into your existing system, so you can go to it. If [the system were to fail] or you happened to run out of pellets, the fuel oil would come on,” he said.
“It’s very preliminary,” he told the board.
Riehle added that the option appears promising, and that at least one local business is pleased at having made a similar conversion.
“I think it’s worth looking into the potential savings of it,” said Riehle, who described himself as cautiously optimistic.
“I’ll hopefully have a proposal to bring to the board before long,” he said.
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The Town Board also adopted a resolution to increase the Old Forge Water District’s rates from $3 per thousand gallons, to $3.50, a measure Riehle said was appropriate.
“The last time we had a water rate increase was 1991… Seeing as [this is] 2014, I think it’s long overdue,” he said.
Riehle said the board had been discussing the issue for some time, and actually factored a rate increase into the current year’s budget.
The increase puts a user’s minimum bill at $19.50 for the first 6,000 gallons of the billing cycle, up from $18.
Bills are sent out three times a year, in January, May and September, according to Town Clerk Nanci Russell.
In addition, the board agreed to levy a new $3 fee with each water bill.
The revenue raised will go to a capital reserve fund for the district, Riehle said.
“We recently upgraded all our water meters and computer systems…That was a very expensive project. We’re fortunate that the district had enough money in reserve,” he said.
The $3 fee will make sure funds are available for future needs, Riehle said.
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Councilwoman Kate Russell reported that the Main Street Decorative Basket project was a success this past winter, and will be expanded for next winter.
Ten more baskets will be added to each end of the street, including two at the Visitor Information Center, she said.
The plan of CAP-21, which organizes the project, is to grow the town’s beautification corridor each year, Russell said.
This was the first year for the new cold-weather arrangements, and they held up great all season, both greens and bows fared well, according to Russell.
Fred Trimbach, a volunteer for the project, complimented Russell on the arrangements, which she designed.
“They were wonderful. You did a great job putting them together,” he said.
Supervisor Riehle agreed. “They looked fantastic,” he said.
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Councilwoman Russell said it was appropriate to thank Highway Superintendent Casey Crofut and his crew for their fine work this past season.
Winter is a time when the Highway Department attempts to address the needs of motor vehicle drivers, snowmobilers and pedestrians.
“I know Casey works really hard to please everyone, and he deserves a pat on the back form all of us for doing a good job,” Russell said.