Village moves ahead with proposal calling for $3,500 lateral fees

The Fredonia Village Board has directed the public works director to move forward with a plan that, if approved, would assess 13 homeowners $3,500 each for the village to line the laterals that connect their homes to the main sewer line.

Lining the laterals is necessary, officials say, to reduce the amount of “clear water” seeping into the village storm sewer system through cracks and joints in sewer lines around the village.

The 13 homes — 12 on Edmaro Street and one on Summit Drive — are the first in what officials see as a plan to line laterals around the village whenever streets are replaced.

The work will be done when Edmaro Street is rebuilt starting this spring.

Bids on the project are expected to be received this week. The project’s total cost — including street work, water main and sewer improvements — is estimated at $395,000.

If trustees approve assessing the properties, a public hearing would have to be held.

Laterals from the house to the street, where it joins with the main sewer line, are owned by and the responsibility of property owners. Main sewer lines are owned by the village.

Property owners would be able to pay the $3,500 in one lump sum within 60 days after the work is completed, or make five annual payments, plus a 2% interest charge.