In Monday night’s Owego Village Board meeting, trustees censured Mayor Ed Arrington for among other things, the handling of the sale of Village wastewater. Today, Mayor Arrington issued a statement explaining the negotiations between the Village and Inflection Energy.
Mayor Arrington Sound Clip
According to the Arrington, the proposal would have meant $3.65 million annually for the sewer fund and $1.4 million annually for the general fund. He is asking constituents to contact their trustees and provide feedback on their decision to terminate negotiations.
From the Desk of the Mayor
March 22, 2011
At the March 21, 2011 board meeting the Village Board voted 6 to 1 to break off talks with Inflection Energy, LLC for the sale of gray water and to grant river access. Trustees Clark, Hartman, Legursky, Lockwood, Sternberg and Woody voted against the sale of gray water and granting access to the Susquehanna River. I was the only voice to vote against breaking off negotiations. By this action the Board has let a great funding opportunity go by that would have helped alleviate most, if not all of the burden to the taxpayers. This proposal would have meant up to $3,650,000.00 annually for the sewer fund and $1,400,000.00 annually for the general fund. All up-front costs for the necessary facilities to enable the Village to sell gray water and grant river access would have been provided by Inflection Energy, LLC. The only way Inflection could recoup their cost was to buy water and pay property rental for access to the river.
The sewer fund annual budget is less than $1,000,000.00 and the potential revenue from the sale of gray water would have been over three times the annual budget. The Federally mandated upgrades needed to meet the new SPDES permit requirements to the Village Wastewater Treatment Facility have an estimated cost of 7.2 million dollars. What that means to the taxpayers is that without the deal with Inflection Energy LLC., Inc. the sewer bills could increase by approximately 40%, this is in addition to the 38% increase implemented in 2010. The average sewer bill could increase from $525.00 to $786.00 annually. The projected funds from the Inflection Energy, LLC proposal could have been used to up-grade our aging sewer system as well.
Additionally, Inflection’s proposed agreement for access to the river would have yielded up to 1.4 million dollars to the general fund. The proposed sale of water contract would have yielded 36.5 million dollars and the access to the river would have yielded 14 million dollars over a 10 year period. The Village taxpayers have lost the potential to receive 50.5 million dollars that could have been used to reduce the tax rate, repairs to Evergreen Cemetery and repairs to various municipal buildings and roads.
As every taxpayer is being affected by this loss of funds, I ask that you contact myself and the Trustees and tell us how you feel as we are your representatives and should work together for the best interest of you the taxpayer.
