Let's hope the BOS makes sure the "findings" are announced. If the allegations are baseless, then Ms Taylor deserves her good reputation back.

But the state did not pay for any upgrades or maintenance as of yet.

Where are you getting this?

The State paid for the repairs after the fire and there were no major repairs since, until the pump repair.

Instead of having the State pay for it, the CM put a proposal to the BOS, for engineering and another repair bid, without any clue that the County was repairing a state facility.

So instead of letting the State handle the engineering and bid, the CM and BOS spent $200,000 or so of county sewer district #2 money to repair a state facility.

Talk about "unfunded mandate!"

Didn't insurance cover the fire? who paid for the igloos needed for the rbc digesters?

No, the insurance didn't cover the fire. The fire was caused by a welder, hired by the Sewer District, who didn't have liability insurance. The county policy wouldn't pay.

So the State had to pay for it.

Then why would the county approve spending if the state will fund the sewer plant? I guess you are correct in questioning this $200,000 spending

This also raises 2 other questions. The $200,000 could be for pump stations on the depot. If the State will fund the sewer plant, why has the county not submitted all their spending for reimbursement?

As I understand it, it was for a pump in the actual sewage treatment plant. Had any one in authority KNOWN that the State owned the plant and notified the State, the State would have engineered and paid for the repair. Since the State didn't even know about the problem....it will be very hard for the county to say OOOPs please reimburse us.

In fact, I understand that the CM didn't know the State owned the plant until a discussion at a meeting about the plan to merge the three plants.....at a cost of $18 million or more. That was in March and it was mentioned at a board meeting.

Who made the decision to contact the state after the fire? Why hasn't this been a policy for repairs and/or upgrades?

Everyone working for the districts at that time, September 17, 2013, knew the state owned the plant.

In fact, in addition, to the Five Points and Willard DOCCS facilities, there is a state Office of General Service office located at Willard. Probably no one needed to tell the state.....they could all see the smoke.

Normally if the accusations are false one would not resign but stick around to prove the accusations were false. Because she resigned the truth may never come out because it's a personnel issue and may not be made public.

You two obviously know each other and are just putting this CRAP out there so some people might fall for it. You have just enough information to make it sound believable and then try to make the county board and the county manager look stupid. All seeing eye is so devious she deserves a prize.

Chuck, that is the nicest thing you ever said about me.

I don't have to make things up. Here is the resolution approving the bid:

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SENECA COUNTY
Waterloo, New York 13165
27 day of December 2016.

AWARD BID FOR ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION FOR PUMP CONTROL REPLACEMENT AND AUTHORIZE COUNTY MANAGER TO SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION

RESOLUTION NO. 303-16, moved by Sprvr. Trout, second by Sprvr. Wadhams and adopted by 656 ayes and 94 nays (Kaiser, Hayssen).

WHEREAS, Seneca County received bids on December 14, 2016 for General Construction for Pump Station Improvements (New FRP Liner) at Five Points Wastewater Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, three (3) bids were received and ranged in price from $140,970.00 to $185,900.00;
and
WHEREAS, the low bidder is Blue Heron Construction Co., LLC.; and

WHEREAS, MRB Group completed a review and all documents required to be submitted with the bid; and

WHEREAS, the project cost is within 10% of the estimated budgeted amount; and

WHEREAS, MRB Group has contacted the Contractor and the Contractor stated that they have a clear understanding of the project scope and the associated bid price; and

WHEREAS, the Public Works Committee has reviewed and approved this resolution at its December 27, 2016 meeting; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Seneca County Board of Supervisors award the project to Blue Heron Construction Co., LLC in the amount of $140,970.00 contingent on the Contractor submitting the proper
Bonds and Insurance as set forth in the Contract documents; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the County Manager of Seneca County has the authorization to sign the Notice of Award and all other Contract Documents upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth.

When you add the payments to MRB and cost overruns, the total cost was about $200,000.

Where does it say that they don't know it belongs to the State ?? They know it belongs to the state and they run it for the state and they get paid by the state to do so.

The County is paid to operate the plant, and the State pays a pretty penny quarterly to have them do it.....but that does NOT include the county paying for capital repairs and improvements in the treatment plant.

In fact, State ownership of the facility may be a problem with the consolidation of districts that is being considered.

Nobody is dumb enough to enter a deal like that. So unless you can provide me with the original contract all this is just your opinion.

So you changed the topic because you were losing now you're losing this one too.

Why would I do that? You wouldn't believe it anyway. The original contract expired in 2010, another reason you would not accept it.

The agreement was signed in 2001. The Depot was closing and someone needed to take over providing Sewer Services to the Depot and to the Hamlet of Romulus, which were served by the plant. The State was building Five Points and needed sewer, but did not want to operate a sewer district, especially one that included other customers. That would have left the state setting rates, collecting payments, etc. The County formed Sewer District #2. The State accepted the plant from the DOD, upgraded the plant and contracted with the County to operate it.

But the plant is owned by the State. From what I hear, the State didn't even know about the problem, much less engineer or approve the repair... or pay for it.

So I think the deal works for both sides, unless the County decides, using customers' money, to pay for repairs. Then the State wins.

Talk about unfunded mandates.

But you said



Normally the rates charged to the customers, including the State, would provide a reserve for repairs. Can you balance your own checkbook ?

Chuck, this is Seneca County where nothing is "Normal." The State pays a rate developed in 2001, and apparently unchanged, based on the estimated percentage of usage of the plant by Five Points and the estimated expenses. It was to be readjusted annually, based on actual expenses and Five Points usage which was never done.

That includes the cost of operation and maintenance of the District, but does not include capital improvements.