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DUANESBURG
Sewers for Rte. 7/20 hamlet critical for business, residents
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    Progress for Duanesburg Four Corners is stalled by a lack of sanitary sewers.
    For years, businesses and residences around the hamlet have struggled to keep up with failing septic systems. Town Code Enforcer Dale Warner estimates nearly half of the septic systems are failing, something that has drawn ire from county Health Department offi cials.
    “Most of the systems are old,” he said Tuesday. “We have done a lot to improve them over the last 10 years, but they’re basically Band-Aids to get them to comply.”
    And then there’s the damper a lack of sewers has placed on development around the busy intersection of Route 7 and Western Turnpike. Warner said any prospective developer must contend with installing a sanitation system in clay and bedrock — which can cost upward of $15,000.
    But all this could change in the near future. Duanesburg offi cials are awaiting a private engineering company’s report, which they hope will serve as a precursor to creating the town’s third sewer district.
    Supervisor Rene Merrihew said, “Economically, it could make a big difference.”
    Results of the $40,000 study should be submitted to the town in April. Merrihew said the report is expected to outline a plan that would connect the hamlet with the wastewater treatment plant at Delanson’s sewer district, thereby saving millions.
    Merrihew said the idea would be to run a line down Route 7 toward Cole Road or perhaps utilize an abandoned piece of the railroad stretching between the hamlet and village. .........................>>>>....................>>>>..........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01201&AppName=1

Even the folks in Duanesburg realize that sewers are needed for economic development.   When will Rotteram's residents and leaders wake up  and realize that public sewers are needed to promote economic growth?

Everyone will agree that public sewers are needed but nobody can afford the price being charged to convert from septic systems to public sewers.

Quoted from Shadow

Everyone will agree that public sewers are needed but nobody can afford the price being charged to convert from septic systems to public sewers.

we cant afford not to.....doing nothing will create nothing.....if we build it they will come.....BUT...AND I MEAN BUT...there CANNOT
BE ALLOWED THE CRAPPY PLANNING/BUILDING OF THE LOCAL DEVELOPERS....I know everyone wants a piece....but the town is carved
up and it certainly doesn't come close to classy patina.....

The town board wants to put the cost burden on the taxpayer without any contribution by the town. The town missed the boat when grants were available to help pay for sewers those in charge had interests other than the taxpayers best interest. Remember the deal that almost happened where the developers in this town were going to put sewers in from exit 25a/Rte7 to the sewer plant.

Thanks Senders, I forwarded your links to our engineering firm!  

Shadow - the big difference between Rotterdam and Duanesburg is that Duanesburg has a government that works for the good of the town, not the good of a few wealthy developers and families. If there was a town board here with some stones, there would be sewers throughout the town.

I totally agree with you Hack.

Quoted from Hack

Shadow - the big difference between Rotterdam and Duanesburg is that Duanesburg has a government that works for the good of the town, not the good of a few wealthy developers and families. If there was a town board here with some stones, there would be sewers throughout the town.

A number of times - Rotterdam residents have voted DOWN sewer referendums in specific neighborhoods in the town.   The town officials can't just build the sewers without property owners approving the sewer district.

  You have the same vicious cycle --  property owners  b**ch and moan about high taxes   .... developers say they need sewers to  build commercial or residential projects to expand the town tax base  .....   property owners vote DOWN the new sewer district ....   developers go to another town that has sewers and other infrastructure ........ property owners b**ch and moan about high taxes ...... and on and on ......

At some point the property owners have to bite the bullet and invest in the infrastructure needed to move
the town forward.    Until then , we will never make any progress on lowering taxes.

Quoted from Hack

Shadow - the big difference between Rotterdam and Duanesburg is that Duanesburg has a government that works for the good of the town, not the good of a few wealthy developers and families. If there was a town board here with some stones, there would be sewers throughout the town.

AGREE!! However, it looks like it may be too late for rotterdam. After decades of poor planning and with taxes already high.....I don't think it will happen any time too soon. And Rotterdam is starting to look like a sh!thole. IMHO

There is not enough density there to warrant a sewer plant and system. Why are they even talking about it? Secondly the gripe is that the cost of a septic system is 15K. Do they think a sewer district is going to be cheaper? It won't happen. Infrastructure is wildly expensive to build considering EPA/ENCON rules that run up the price tag in the stratosphere. They are as likely to get sewers throughout Duanesburg as they are to get a daily shuttle to the moon. Getting the 'four corner' hooked into Delanson will is possible but when the price tag comes out this matter will quickly be settled in the minds of the property owners. Good luck anyway. Too bad they spent that 40 grand.

DV you wouldn't understand how much money it costs to raise 4 kids, pay your school/property taxes, feed and cloth your family, and then be asked to come up with a small fortune to fund a sewer district. It must be nice to just let someone else pay your bills.