Varna water project hits snags

The sewer and water project for the hamlet of Varna is currently facing a slew of obstacles, which Dryden Town Board member Jim Skaley said puts the construction start time “up in the air.”

Skaley, who is leading the charge on the project, has been investigating the ins and outs of the sewer and water mains in Varna since February 2019. According to Skaley, the main pipe that conducts the sewer and water systems in Varna is “over 60 years old,” recently facing a “number of main breaks and a fair share of repairs.”

“It’s getting old and needs to be replaced,” said Skaley, who has been a resident of Varna for about 23 years.

The projected cost for the water and sewer projects together is $8.3 million, with $4.8 million of that going to sewer improvements and the other $3.5 million going to water improvements.

“It’s costly but something we have to do,” Skaley said.

Plans are in place to replace the main pipe in Varna’s sewer and water system, but nailing down a construction start time has “become a complicated process,” Skaley said. He added that the goal from the town was to begin construction in March of next year, but the start state is a “bit ambiguous.”

With the hopes of starting construction in 2022, Skaley noted that the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to conduct a project in the same year that involves a complete resurfacing of the road on Route 366, which includes Varna. This project also includes new sidewalks and the potential for pedestrian crosswalks, Skaley added.

Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer noted the resurfacing project will go from the town line to the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) building on Dryden Road and near the industrial park as well.

The Town Board and DOT are currently working on an agreement that would allow the town to go through with the project in Varna prior to DOT getting their resurfacing project underway.

“The question is if DOT is willing to postpone their project so we can get the new sewer and water mains in place,” Skaley said. “We can’t do it after the resurfacing project because that would require digging up the pavement.”

Skaley said the DOT recognizes that it “doesn’t make sense to pave” before the project in Varna. However, issues with supplies for the project and getting grant funding to pay for it “makes the situation difficult,” he said.

Leifer said the issues with supplies stem from the ongoing supply-chain issues the country is currently facing. Skaley added the pipe needed for the project may not be available for another six to eight months.

“Whenever we get the pipe, we can begin the process of construction,” Leifer said.

Skaley, however, added that the town can’t bid out to construction companies for the project until the town can guarantee grants and/or loans for funding.

Dryden recently applied for two state-funded Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grants. One of the grants would cover 60% of the cost for the water project, and the other would cover about 25% for the sewer project. Skaley said the town won’t hear about those grants until early next year.

The town applied for a Community Development Block Grant that could potentially offer $1.25 million, Skaley said. Dryden officials are also in line for a hardship grant, which Skaley comes with no interest.

“There are a lot of hoops to go through to get approvals,” he said. “If we get these grants, we’re in good shape. If we don’t, we’ll have to bond out.”

Leifer noted that the town has been mostly applying for funds through the state, but applications might stretch beyond New York. He added that the federal government offers funds from an infrastructure bill that gives municipalities money “for specific water and sewer projects.”

“We try to get as much as we can,” Leifer said.

IN BRIEF:

Second annual Ugly Sweater 5K slated for Nov. 28

The second annual Ugly Sweater 5K and Fun Run/Walk is slated for 11 a.m. Nov. 28 in Dryden.

The event will begin at Montgomery Park in the village of Dryden, which is behind The Dryden Hotel. The first quarter of the race will be on Elm Street, with the rest continuing on the Dryden Rail Trail.

Registration for the event ends Nov. 26. Proceeds from the event will go to the Dryden Rail Trail Revenue Fund to aid in completing and improving the rail trail.

Participants are encouraged, but not required, to wear an ugly sweater during the event. Following the event, there will be a get-together for participants at The Dryden Hotel.

For more information and to register, go to runsignup.com/Race/NY/Dryden/DrydenUglySweater5K.