The Village Board approved a payment of $2,000 to the Cassadaga Lakes Association (CLA) to go toward the engineering and permitting of the area under Maple Avenue bridge, approximately 500 feet down the creek. The Village Board will utilize its contingent fund account to cover the payment. The Cassadaga Lakes Association will also contribute $5,000.

CLA previously requested payment from the Board at a meeting in November when Bob Reuther spoke to the rising water levels. At that time, discussion with the Board was held regarding beaver removal or dredging as potential solutions, but neither option was viewed as a permanent or cost effective solution.

In the time since Reuther’s request, the concerns have proven to be warranted. Several lakefront properties have experienced flooding this winter, especially after thawing of snow and rainfall.

Cassadaga resident Kim Collins, a founding member of the Cassadaga Community and Business Alliance, highlighted that the issue is not only causing property damage and eroding the shorelines around the village, but septic systems are also at risk of being impacted by the flooding.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Village Trustee Cindy Flaherty and Mayor Bill Dorman were among the Village Board members to approve a payment of $2,000 to assist with dredging under a bridge on Maple Avenue to address water level concerns.

Reuther has met with Chautauqua County Planning & Economic Development, who has offered assistance with the water levels. Residents are urged to contact County Executive PJ Wendel’s office with letters of concern.

Reuther plans to contact property owners along Putnam Road regarding a beaver trap permit and permission for a trapper to access the creek. However, the permit would not allow for the beaver dams to be removed.

CLA is working with Engineer Andy Johnson and Watershed Chair Dave McCoy to complete the Department of Environmental Conservation permit application, as well as identifying funding sources for the necessary improvements to address the water levels.

CLA is also considering a permit application to drain water from the lower lake into the former Town of Pomfret Park for additional control over water levels. The permit process would be extensive. No action was taken on that avenue at the recent meeting.

Regarding the Village’s water system, three submissions met the Village’s deadline for requests for qualifications from engineers for a potential capital project. The proposals will be reviewed by Village Trustees Danna DuBois and Bill Astry, who will present the Board with their recommendations at the next regular meeting of the Board.

The Village of Cassadaga was recently awarded a Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grant of up to $5 million through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Up to 60% of net project cost can be covered through the grant.

According to Matt Zarbo, whose engineering firm submitted the engineering report and grant proposal, the necessary improvements to the Village’s water system would cost residents an additional $188 per year added to their water bills if no other funding source is secured for the project. The Board is tasked with deciding whether the project is too costly for its residents to support.

The next meeting of the Cassadaga Village Board is set for Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Village Hall.