Displaying items by tag: Todd Kusnierz
$12 Million Secured for Moreau Sewer Project
MOREAU — On Jan. 10 the town of Moreau found out that it was approved for a $12 million interest-free loan to help finance the sewer project. According to Moreau Supervisor, Todd Kusnierz, a number of large companies have already shown interest in locating to the commercial corridor on County Route 9 in Moreau.
“This was the piece of paper that was the final piece in the financing puzzle that we have been waiting for... Anxiously for,” Kusnierz said.
“We’re absolutely thrilled. This is the largest municipal project in the history of the Town of Moreau. It’s going to create incredible economic development opportunities, job opportunities for our residents and those in surrounding communities and most importantly it’s going to increase our commercial tax base.” There have been two previous attempts to bring a sewer plan forward; however, both were unsuccessful.
The $12 million interest- free loan was approved by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), and will last up to 30 years. In addition, the sewer line will be financed by $4 million in grants, totaling in $16 million.
According to Kusnierz there will be a fee charged to landowners that will be predicated on assessed value; however, it will only be applied to the property owners that are contained within the legally- created boundaries of the district. It is roughly 94 parcels.
“When I took office it was clear to me that all the developments were to the north of (Northway) Exits 17, 18 and 19 or to the south of us (Exits) 16, 15 and 14 and it was because they had all the components for infrastructure that a commercial district needs,” Kusnierz said.
“We have been always lacking sewer and without sewer, no large company would come in and spend a lot of money that would bring great jobs. So it was clear to us that we had to put forward an affordable plan that the public supported.”
Moreau will soon be taking bids on engineering firms to work on the project. The project will be completed in November of 2021.
Moreau Sewer Expansion Update
Photo provided.
MOREAU — The town of Moreau plans on moving forward with the $16 million sewer expansion.
The map, plan and report were prepared by the Laberge Group showing boundaries of the proposed extension, the project justifications and the cost estimates, according to meeting minutes. The Laberge Group is the approved engineering company in charge of the project. The planned sewer extension will be at the commercial corridor of County Route 9 and consists of 553 acres. Moreau Town Supervisor, Todd Kusnierz hopes that the sewer line will encourage economic development in the area.
According to Kusnierz the town on of Moreau is next on the list of towns that are rapidly growing in the area, but there was some pushback from town residents. He also stated that the longer they put off the expansion, the more it will cost and added that the board had worked diligently with the engineering firm to address most of the issues that were raised, according to meeting minutes.
“One of the greatest concerns that was highlighted during the public hearing was that landowners would be forced to sell their homes because they would not be able to afford the annual cost of the sewer infrastructure in some cases,” stated in a town meeting on May 22.
“This board does not want to force anybody out of their home because they can’t afford to stay here.SoIamgoingtosuggest,with feedback from the board, we’ll be able to come to a conclusion on how best to move forward; That wepulltheresidentialclassesout ofthemap,planandreport,and ask the engineers to update the map plan and report, provide it back to the board for review, and schedule another public hearing,” the board member went on to say.
The Method of financing the cost of the expansion consists of the issuance of $12 million in serial bonds from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), maturing in annual installments over a period not exceeding 30 years and grant funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant program in the amount of $4 million, totaling $16 Million, according to meeting minutes.
Marissa Gonzalez was a contributing writer to this story.
