Town to tap federal funds for water pipes

By THANE GRAUEL

Whether it proves to be a pipe dream or a $3.4 million federal funding windfall, time will tell. 

The town board Tuesday discussed pursuing a grant through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that would cover the rest of the cost to lay water pipes from Stamford, Conn., down Westchester Avenue, and to the newly formed Scotts Corners Water District.

The project to bring fresh water into the business district was needed because pollutants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” have been found in the area’s groundwater. The area also has had other environmental problems.

In November the town learned that the state had approved a $7.6 million grant for the project, which would have gone down the drain without it. That left a little more than $3 million to be covered locally.

If obtained, the federal grant, which is administered by the state, would complete the funding needed to lay water lines between the business district and an Aquarion connection near the state line.

Town Supervisor Kevin Hansan and Donald Rhodes of the Laberge Group, a consultant helping with the project, told the town board that to seek the additional funding, many federal program requirements would have to be met. Many program requirements were satisfied in the application to the state, but many more will now be needed, Rhodes said, from a wide variety of federal agencies.

On Tuesday, the town board approved an addendum to the contract with Leberge, and other measures needed to continue the pursuit of grants.

Officials expressed varying degrees of hope and caution.

“Not only will these people have clean water, their costs will be far less than we projected,” Rhodes told the board.

“So, you’re saying it’s very likely we’re going to get federal funding?” asked board member Namasha Schelling.

“I don’t like to use those words,” Rhodes said to laughs. “It’s a pretty good chance, your project scored really well, top three in the state of the category that we positioned it for, which is environmental contaminants with a disadvantaged community.”

He said the disadvantaged component is because of how the contaminated water has affected the area, including the high costs of providing clean water.

“To answer your question, I give it a high probability of being able to get a pretty good BIL award,” Rhodes said. “Will we be able to replace all of the loans? That’s my goal, but that’s a reach. We’re going to try though.”

Schelling asked how soon they’ll find out.

“I’d love to see that out in the next six months,” he said. 

There was concern that the new administration in Washington, D.C., might affect the funding.

“It’s already in the state coffers so it’s really a question of Albany, if Albany somehow changes its rules on this here ...” Hansan said. 

“We’re not dealing directly with the feds, we’re dealing with the EFC,” he said of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.

After the discussion, Hansan called it “pretty exciting news.”

“Seventy cents on the dollar is always good,” he said. “A dollar on the dollar is even better.”