Oneida Co. Sewer District improvements will raise sewer bills for residents
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: January 9, 2013
If you live in Oneida County, expect to pay a little bit more for your sewer bill.
The Board of Legislators voted Wednesday to upgrade the Oneida County Sewer District System.
There are two parts to these improvements. Both projects total will cost over $40 million.
And the reason for the upgrades? Officials say a part of it is the DEC is requiring them to do so. But the other part, they hope this will bring economic development to our area.
Two measures were passed today to improve the Oneida county sewer district system.
The first being the North Utica interceptor, an estimated $6 million project. It will update a 50-year-old line as well as provide the infrastructure needed for economic development projects, like a potential computer chip fabrication center in Marcy.
Although it's no guarantee the center will be built, officials like Legislator David Wood says they are willing to invest.
"I think because of the positive feedback we've gotten we are willing to take the chance to invest in the infrastructure so we have a chance to move forward with a very positive economic prospect," said Wood, (R)- 28th District.
Two legislators, Harmony Speciale and David Gordon are against the project. Legislator Speciale say the money being put into the project is not worth it.
"I feel like we are gambling with the users money, the users of the districts money. We did a poll in the Democratic Caucus as to how many of them think we would land a Nano center in the first place and most of them said no," said Speciale, (D)- 22nd District.
For this project, residents in single family home will pay $6.70 a year on top of their regular sewer bill.
The second project is a consent order by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
That $35 million project will upgrade the sewer plant as well as reconstruct the Sauquoit Creek Pumping Station to remedy the high storm water flow.
This will cost the average single family $38 a year on top of their regular sewer bill.
Officials say people can see an increase in their bill starting as soon as next year. There will be a public hearing regarding these issues at the county office building February 13th.
