Water, sewer, streetscape projects in North Creek advance

NORTH CREEK | The resurrection of commercial activity in North Creek took a major step forward recently as town and regional officials met to strategize funding for a long-awaited sewer system for the hamlet. Johnsburg Town Supervisor Andrea Hogan met in late October with EDC Warren County President Jim Siplon, Warren County Director of Planning Wayne LaMothe, and Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Director Beth Gilles to discuss available grants and loans for such a project, Hogan said recently. Developing a sewer system that serves businesses and residences along Main Street in the hamlet is expected to cost about $7 million, Hogan said at the town board's Oct. 27 meeting. "Our hope is to have over 70% of the cost paid with grants," she said. Doing so would leave the residents of downtown North Creek with $4.9 million to pay over time — likely a long-term, low-interest bond. In mid-December, the Johnsburg town board voted on a state Environmental Quality Review assessment, and has been making incremental progress since. After review of a variety of options for a sewer system, the town board is eyeing an innovative approach — a hybrid between gravity-fed and effluent-only systems. The next step toward establishing a sewer system is completing a formal map and plan of the system and establishing a sewer district. The lack of a municipal sewer system has hampered local economic growth, because the state Department of Health won't allow restaurants and many other kinds of businesses to start up or expand without a modern sewer system. Also, the continued operation of some existing businesses is at risk without a sewer system, town officials have said. Most commercial lots in North Creek are too small to host commercial septic tanks and leach fields. "There's tremendous momentum to develop a sanitary sewer in town in the Main Street area," Hogan said this week. "It's exciting, and it will be really positive for our town." Water system improvements slated for 2021 Meanwhile, the Johnsburg government is poised to begin work this next spring on a comprehensive project to improve the town's aging water system. Last December, the state announced a $3 million grant toward repairing and replacing elements of Johnsburg's water system. The project calls for replacing the town's southern water tank, as well as to eliminate water main dead-ends which allow buildup of rust, minerals and contaminants in the water system. The southern water tank, which is 200,000 gallons in capacity, has sprung leaks. The project also calls for the construction of a new water main to loop from Well No. 6 on Ski Bowl Road to the town hall on Main Street. Also included is replacement of the water mains, service lines and the installation of hydrants along both Peaceful Valley Road and on Main Street from the town hall to the state Route 8 intersection. The maximum cost of the project is $5,325,000. About three fifths of that sum is to be paid off by the state Environmental Facilities Corp. Streetscape project underway The town's streetscape project, bankrolled by grants, is now underway. Tasks include replacing water laterals along Main Street, and to construct new granite curbs and several lengthy sections of sidewalks. The successful bidder, Keller Construction, started work on Oct. 30 and is tentatively scheduled to complete the project by mid-December. To save taxpayer money, the town highway employees will be constructing new sidewalks on Main Street — on the west side of the street a full 500 feet south from the northern end of town, and on the east side from where the sidewalk reconstruction ended several years ago, to the Adirondack Spirits wine store.

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Water, sewer, streetscape projects in North Creek advance

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