Debate continues over Salt Springs water

TOWN OF MANLIUS – Two distinct groups have formed in the debate over the proposed Salt Springs Water District.
On one hand, there are the residents of the current Sky Ridge Water District, who nearly universally support the project as a long-term fix to the aging well-based water infrastructure that serves the 29 residences around Gulf Road and Horseshoe Lane.
On the other side are residents of Salt Springs Road, many of whom have voiced opposition to the plan, which would extend public water the length of Salt Springs Road from Fayetteville to Chittenango, connecting the Sky Ridge Water District to the Onondaga County Water Authority’s infrastructure along the way. They feel they are being asked to unfairly subsidize the necessary improvements to the Sky Ridge district with a public water project they do not want or need.
Last week, the Manlius Town Board held the second part of a public hearing on the first portion of the plan – outlining improvements to the Sky Ridge Water District. After an hour and half of debate, the hearing was tabled again until the next meeting. The third round of discussion is scheduled for May 12.
The current system in Sky Ridge features two wells. It has low water pressure and not enough flow for effective fire protection. Engineer Taylor Bottar, from Barton & Loguidice, corrected a statement made at a previous meeting, when he indicated one of the wells nearly ran dry last summer, but he did indicate the current aquifer level is down about 20% from last spring and about 50% from two years ago.
“We feel that being part of the OCWA system is more cost-efficient in terms of operation and maintenance in the long term,” said Erin Trojan of Horseshoe Lane. “Fire protection is also something that is very important to us and our neighbors.”
Trojan also warned residents on private wells that many of them share the same aquifer that is presenting problems for the residents of the Sky Ridge Water District.
“The numbers that Taylor just explained can demonstrate that [a well running dry] can happen to anyone, at any time, very quickly,” she said.
The projected cost of the project is $9.2 million, much of which would be offset by grant funding. The price tag for individual homeowners would be approximately $1,194 annually plus an additional one-time cost to hook into the system. Residents who opt not to hook into the proposed new system would still be responsible for the annual fee.
Those one-time hook up costs were of concern to many Salt Springs Road residents, several of whom have long setbacks from the road in an area known for its rocky terrain.
Bottar has estimated that for a resident with a 60-foot setback on mainly soil those one-time costs would be $2,700. However, for those with longer setbacks and those who have bedrock near the surface, the costs could rise quickly. He estimated it would cost more than $22,000 for a home with a 250-foot setback on rocky terrain to hook into the system.
“The rock here is so prevalent and overwhelming,” said Stuart Ben, who said when his house was built, they needed to bring in topsoil to cover the rock so they could have a lawn. “It would cost me a heckuva lot more than $2,700.”
There are many steps before the Salt Springs Water District can be formed.
The first step is outlining the improvements to the Sky Ridge Water District, which is taking place now.
Once that is completed, additional public hearings will take place on the proposed Salt Springs Water District in the towns of Manlius and Sullivan.
In the end, the public will decide whether to form the new district. The formation of a district requires signatures from residents representing 51% of the assessed value within the district.
The project schedule calls for signatures to be obtained through June. If the project gets the go-ahead from area residents, grant applications would be filed later this year.
Construction would likely begin in 2023 with an anticipated completion in 2024.