MONTOUR FALLS—Representatives from Hunt Engineers once again answered questions from the Montour Falls village board at their Jan. 20 meeting.

About an hour and a half was spent on them answering questions about the proposed county water district.  The board has said they are for the idea, but there is still a lot they do not know about.  After all the discussion though, the members agreed the future of the water district depended upon Watkins Glen's involvement.

Board member Bonnie Howell asked about the statement referendum.  Tim Skeed, from Hunt Engineers, explained that if the board made an official decision to form the water district, some people might want to petition to make each community vote on the subject.  However, there are specific requirement for who can sign the petition.

Dan Bower, also with Hunt Engineers, said the real selling point to people would be a cost by cost comparision of upgrading the village's water lines with a district or by themselves.  If the costs are going to be relatively the same, the advantages of a water district would be seen down the line.

Skeed said one option they had was to form the district as an entity, that at the start would be only for planning.  He added that Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) did not approve of that idea because they did not think it would be effective in getting the district started.

The board also discussed public informational sessions because there was a lot of misinformation and hearsay about the water district.

In other business:

・The board approved ordering the cab and chassis of a rescue truck.  The money will come from the equipment capital reserve fund.  Howell explained that Ford only makes these kinds of vehicles during a certain time and would need the plans by a certain time.

• The agreement between the village and the library over the library building was extended again until March.  The library board will take ownership of the building after they have funds from the Main Street Grant.  Mayor Donna Kelley said the attorney was writing up the agreement now.

・The board approved the Restore NY agreement for grant disbursement for the Montour House.

・March 18 elections will be held at the village hall.  Elections could not be held on March 17 because it is St. Patrick's Day.

・The board authorized for a landscape architect at Falls Park.  Clerk Suzanne Casselberry said that it would be a per hourly basis of $75 for a max of $500.

・Howell reported that the Montour House was interesting in doing something in conjunction with the NASCAR weekend event.  She said they might make it their open house for the month.