Flood Analysis Adopted & Water Meter Fees Discussed

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MARGARETVILLE - Mike Coryat from Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) presented the finalized Local Flood Analysis (LFA) to Margaretville Village Board members on Jan. 20th. After the presentation, the board unanimously adopted the LFA.

An LFA is an engineering study conducted to identify areas of high flood risk and recommend solutions. The analysis can help guide a municipality to access grant funding and move forward with flood mitigation projects.

Margaretville’s LFA was conducted by SLR engineering firm after village officials sought assistance from SWCD in 2023. The firm conducted hydraulic analyses and ran flood scenarios to identify problem areas, explained Coryat.

One major recommendation is to install a larger culvert for the crossing over Benikill stream along Cemetery Road. It is further recommended to clear debris from the stream regularly.

SLR will make several recommendations to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the Bridge Street bridge. DOT owns the roadway and has plans to replace the bridge in a few years. One flood-mitigation option would be to expand the bridge from Main Street to Route 28. However, Coryat notes this would limit access to stores.

It was recommended the village conduct further studies regarding the Fair Street bridge, including the possibility of removing the structure completely.

Another proposal is to lengthen the Bull Run Stream channel under the Swarts Street bridge.

SLR recommends extending the stormwater channel or drainage ditch on Swarts Street and Kennedy Heights Road.

It is recommended the Margaretville Central School District review projects proposed to help mitigate basement flooding. It is further recommended the district organize a new evacuation location.

Several other recommendations and project details are outlined in the LFA.

Coryat noted that many of the projects will help alleviate flood issues during five or ten year floods, but 100 year floods are unlikely to be affected. There is not much that can be done for the 100-year floods, he said.

SWCD and the Catskill Watershed Corporation both offer grant funding options the village can pursue for some of these projects if it chooses to move forward.

Water Meters

In another discussion, Highway Supervisor John Paul Beers asked trustees to consider establishing fees for uncooperative homeowners. To ensure water bills are fair, the department needs to read the meters often inside the home. Several property owners are not responding or making an effort to help us read meters, he reported.

Further, Beers asked for a fee for homeowners who have repeatedly had frozen pipe issues. One homeowner had their pipes freeze twice last year and once already this year, he explained. The issue can cause long term ware on the water infrastructure as a whole, said Beers.

Mayor John Hubbell noted that a committee will be established in order to address these concerns and review options for new water meters. The meters need an update, he noted. Trustee David Budin will take the lead.

In other business

Sargent Robert Walsh requested the village adopt a newly developed 100% tax exemption for fully disabled service-connected veterans. Hubbell is looking into the matter.

The March board meeting was moved to Tuesday, March 24, because of St. Patrick's Day. The election was also moved due to this holiday and will be held from noon until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Election inspectors will be paid $120 for the day.

Chris Ortiz was approved to host a glass-blowing class at the village park and to display artwork produced there during December. Ortiz is expected to present full plans to the board at a future meeting.

The furnace at the village hall was replaced, costing $5,200.

The village will contract with the County for planning committee consultation at a rate of $60 per hour.

The village is one of four final municipalities up for the $4.5 million NY Forward grant designed to revitalize main streets. Two municipalities will be rewarded.

The next regular board of trustees meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m.