Newfield offering funds for septic system repairs

As the town of Newfield reaches the conclusion of its sewer system enhancement project, officials are offering funding for septic repairs on specific properties.

Newfield Supervisor Michael Allinger mentioned that the town is offering funds through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for eligible homeowners within Newfield’s sewer district to make the necessary repairs, including to their own septic tanks. The funding is available for single-family and one- to four-unit rental properties, with eligibility based on a low-to-moderate income scale.

Allinger said that a handful of households have taken advantage of the funding so far.

Funding availability for household sizes, based on maximum income, is as follows:

• Household of one, with an income of $59,400
• Household of two, with an income of $67,900
• Household of three, with an income of $76,400
• Household of four, with an income of $84,850
• Household of five, with an income of $91,650
• Household of six, with an income of $98,450
• Household of seven, with an income of $105,250
• Household of eight, with an income of $112,050

Town officials are partnering with consultants from Thoma Development to guide residents through the process of securing funds. A consultant at Thoma Development can be reached at 607-753-1433.

Noted on the town’s website, “[The consultants will help] with hiring contractors and restoring your septic [system] to 100% efficiency.”

Newfield’s sewer district consists of about 200 customers and homes, Allinger said. The total, Allinger added, also includes the Newfield Central School District and several other multi-unit dwellings and businesses along Main Street.

“Obviously, usage in those locations would be greater than that of the average homeowner,” Allinger said.

The opportunity for funding and for residents to repair their septic system is beneficial to the lasting effects of the sewer system enhancement project, Allinger said. The $1,113,485 project, which began in April, entails an upgrade where the town can closely monitor the flow control within the town’s sewer infrastructure.

“Another important outcome of this project is [that] the reduction of stormwater flow into the system could potentially allow other customers to connect to the sewer system,” Allinger said. “[As of right now], we are at maximum flow capacity, which leaves no room for expansion.”

Allinger noted that the town will now have the capability of keeping the flow of the sewer system in check. The infrastructure links the individual septic tanks and facilitates wastewater conveyance along Main Street, Pearl Street, Bank Street and a section of Depot Road to the town’s leach field.

“It’ll be good to have [this project] behind us, and we look forward to solving the problems of the stormwater flow,” Allinger said in the past. “This [project] will allow us to get cameras down into the pipeways in the system and take a look at flow at different points in time to establish where these leaks of stormwater are entering the sewer system.”

For more information, go to newfieldny.org.

First two shows of Newfield Music Series canceled

The first two weeks of the Newfield Music Series were canceled due to inclement weather.

The most recent cancellation was the July 10 show, which was headlined by the Cast Iron Cowboys. A rescheduled date for this show has yet to be determined.

The July 10 show postponement came after the June 26 show, which included The Yardvarks. That show was rescheduled to July 17 at 6 p.m. The rest of the series lineup is as follows, with each show beginning at 6 p.m.:

• July 24: Tim Ball and Mark Bickford
• Aug. 14: Square dancing with Caller Marc Faris
• Aug. 28: Rev Ezra

Further information on the Newfield Music Series at Mill Park can be found on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Noted on the Newfield Music Series Facebook page, “We’re striking out here, folks. Let’s hope we can finally get this ball rolling [on July 17].”

Newfield Notes appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Newfield library hosting family storytime

The Newfield Public Library will host a family storytime from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 6.

The event is in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and Tompkins Families CCE program. It includes baby doll circle time, Spanish and English storytime, songs and movement and socialization and free play.

For more information or questions, reach out to cce-parenting@cornell.edu or call 607-272-2292 (ext. 247).

Yoga for beginners held every Saturday

A yoga for beginners class will be held every Saturday at Newfield Public Library from 10 to 11 a.m.

Phyllis KuanYin Chi, a yoga teacher certified through Yoga Farm in Lansing, will lead the class. The instructor also has additional training trauma-informed yoga.

The class is on the second floor of the library. It is suitable for people new to yoga or those with mobility issues. There is also an opportunity to deepen poses for those with more experience.

The class is for ages 18 and older. Participants must have their own yoga mat or blanket. The class is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10.