Johnsburg seeking sewer grants

NORTH CREEK | A sewer system for North Creek, considered a necessity for Johnsburg's future prosperity, is now a step closer to reality. The Johnsburg town board voted unanimously April 20 to authorize the town to apply for a $1 million grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission and the state's Economic and Infrastructure Development Investment Program to jointly bankroll a portion of the $8 million projected costs of a sewage collection and treatment system for the North Creek hamlet. Johnsburg Town Supervisor Andrea Hogan said that while this grant would be consequential to the sewer project, other grants will also be sought. For many months, Hogan has been working with the Northern Border commission as well as the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board, the Warren County Planning Department, and EDC Warren County to secure grant funding. In upcoming months, the town board will be preparing to form a sewer district, Hogan said. Developing a sewer system that serves businesses and residences along Main Street in the hamlet is seen as a necessity for the vitality of North Creek, as the state Department of Health won't allow restaurants and many other businesses to start up or expand without a modern sewer system. Also, unless a centralized sewer is installed in North Creek, the continued operation of some existing local businesses is at risk because most commercial lots in North Creek are too small to host commercial septic tanks and leach fields. It is anticipated that grants could pay as much as 80 percent of the cost of a system, leaving property owners along Main Street to pay several million dollars over a few decades through a long-term, low-interest bond. Also, the board discussed launching a project to repair or replace more than a half-dozen doors on municipal buildings. Both exterior and interior, these doors are on the Wevertown Community Center, the town Senior Center, and the town Highway Garage in North Creek. A quote for $32,304 has been received from an area contractor to accomplish the work, but the issue was tabled to determine if the doors should be fixed several at a time, or in one project to save money. Also, the board may seek additional quotes. Town hires two seasonal employees The town board voted to hire Samantha Cleveland Locke as the town's Summer Youth Program Assistant Director at the rate of $20.31 per hour. Hogan praised the work of former assistant director Phil Goodman, who has retired from the position. "We're devastated to see him go," she said, adding that the board is confident that Locke, a long-time summer youth program counselor, will be a very competent replacement. Also, the board voted to hire an additional worker for the town Parks Department for the summer months at a rate of $12.50 per hour. In addition, the board heard about the town dog park workday on Aug. 24. After the event, Hogan reported that townspeople had gathered to install a sign, mow grass, place picnic tables and establish an informational kiosk. 'Pocket park' envisioned for Johnsburg hamlet Also at the April 20 meeting, board members heard from Hogan about the progress toward converting the former Johnsburg Garage property at the intersection of state Route 8 and Oven Mountain Road into a community park. Some time ago, soil on the property contaminated with petroleum substances was dug up and removed, but the garage building remains and must be demolished to enable additional contaminated dirt to be removed. Hogan said the property had undergone foreclosure many years ago and no taxes have been paid on the property for 25 years. Town officials envision the property to be developed into a pocket park, complete with parking spaces. Hogan said the park would be a pleasant place for town residents, as well as serving as a stopover for motorists traveling between Johnsburg and Speculator. Hogan also reported that the state Department of Environmental Conservation has developed plans for the Rabbit Pond Trail which call for it to be extended and rerouted to connect with hiking and mountain biking trails in the North Creek Ski Bowl area. Hogan noted that Braley & Noxon Hardware has pledged $5,000 towards fireworks for the 2021 Independence Day celebration, a sum that would cover about half the cost. The board voted to approve a contract with a fireworks contractor to present the aerial display on Saturday July 3. Town officials seek to improve senior transportation The topic of senior transportation services was discussed at the meeting. Board member Laurie Arnheiter reported that she had contacted officials of area towns, and discovered that their bus services varied considerably. After discussing several options, the Johnsburg Board decided to retain their present transportation program conducted by Warren-Hamilton Counties Community Action Agency which provides two trips per month for seniors to Queensbury and Glens Falls at an annual cost of $14,000. Hogan said the board would continue to consider alternative programs that would serve more Johnsburg residents with optimum efficiency and effectiveness. The discussion also occurred regarding marketing plans for the town, and how the cost for their development could be paid through occupancy tax receipts. The town voted to extend a deadline to May 14 for the submission of proposals for such marketing services. In other business, the town board was informed that the town Superintendent of Parks Matt Olden is making progress on upgrades to the town Senior Center which include new carpeting and painting. The town already has $25,000 set aside for such improvements, which are to be completed before the resumption of congregate meals at the center. Group now discussing uses of $427k stimulus appropriation Justin Gonyo that he, Andie Waldron, Deana Woods, and Arnheiter had met to discuss how to invest the $427,025 in federal stimulus money allocated for the town of Johnsburg through the American Rescue Plan Act. Gonyo said that criteria for allowed expenditures needed to be clarified before decisions were made, and the group would continue to discuss options. Deana Woods asked whether the town was pursuing a modification of the Wevertown Community Center to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Hogan replied that work had begun many months ago to get all town buildings in compliance, but the pandemic temporarily halted the project — and the construction work would resume soon.

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Johnsburg seeking sewer grants

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