The Town of Champion Town Board held a public information meeting on Thursday, February 26, 1998 at 7:00PM to provide information to residents of Great Bend concerning a proposal for the development of a regional sewage system that would serve the area.

Present were Supervisor Buckley, Councilmen Stewart, Miller and Buzzell,

Fred Brooks, Francis Brooks, M. Mullany, R. Taylor, G. Deskins, G. Woodworth, J. Faunce, W. Jackson, P. Hanss, A. Mix, J. Illingworth, L. Leddy, N. Eddy, E. Miller, I. Diaz, M. Ridsdale, W. Ridsdale, J. Files, L. Files, D. Swain, T. Ashley,

B. Robinson, D. Gorham, J. Emerson, T. Emerson, and D. Richter.

Supervisor Buckley began the meeting with an update of Champion Water District #1 refinancing and ad valorum costs. Refinancing with SRF should reduce average annual costs to $306 per household. P. Hanss questioned the number of gallons used daily. D. Richter reported that average daily use is about 14,000 gallons.

Supervisor Buckley continued with a summary of the proposed project stressing the regional cooperation between the Towns of Champion, Rutland, LeRay, Pamelia, and the Village of Black River. Each community has contributed monies to conduct a feasibility study. The project would provide adequate sewage disposal and have a significant, positive impact on cleaning up the Black River.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $20.7 million with an estimated average annual household cost between $350 and $390 including capital and operation and maintenance costs. The projected costs of a regional system are significantly lower than communities each building their own systems.

Supervisor Buckley stated that 51% of both property owners and property assessment must sign a petition in favor of the district according to the law but that the Town would not support participation in the project unless a large majority of affected residents support district development.

Public comment at the meeting was overwhelmingly in favor of a sewer district.

J. Illingworth will form a committee to collect signatures on petitions in support of the district. Supervisor Buckley requested that petitions be presented to the Town Board prior to March 20, 1998.

The meeting was adjourned.

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Christina Vargulick

Town Clerk