Members of Hyde Park’s business community attended a Nov. 26 Town Board meeting to gather information and provide input on a proposed central sewer line, which is expected to run along Route 9 from St. Andrews Road on the southern end of Hyde Park north to Linden Avenue.
Supervisor Pompey Delafield (D) assured the public that formation of the sewer district is still in its preliminary phase and details are still being worked out. “We are not signing tonight anything that will set up this district,” said Delafield.
Bridget Barclay, deputy director of the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority, was on hand at the meeting to provide additional information and respond to comments from business owners and residents. According to Barclay, 129 property owners will be affected by the new system; all members of the sewer district will incur an annual capital assessment and a separate usage charge will be assessed for those who choose to connect. The average capital assessment for a typical homeowner or small business owner is approximately $524; usage fees will run an average $275 annually, said Barclay.
Pete Setaro, Hyde Park’s town engineer, said the wait for a sewer system has been an arduous process. “I’ve been town engineer since 1995 and we’ve looked at a lot of options,” he said. “We’ve worked very hard to make sure this was going to be an affordable district. A lot of people worked very hard on this.” Costs of building a sewer system have been prohibitive until recently, when developer Pierre Gagne agreed to construct the system’s treatment facility at the Gagne-Baker proposed mixed-use development, St. Andrews at Historic Hyde Park.
Balancing growth and cost
Some business owners see the sewer district as potential for Hyde Park to expand commercially, while others worry the additional costs are prohibitive. Peter Carrasone, owner of Hyde Park Estates, told the board that the sewer assessments may require him to raise rents to a level that wouldn’t be competitive with other local rental units.
Pete Sassos, owner of Pete’s Famous Restaurant, said a sewer system will be a welcome relief to his business, which has suffered from significant septic problems. “I don’t think anybody in Hyde Park has had the problems I’ve had,” said Sassos, noting he was spending $1,200 a week for a pump station.
In addition to alleviating his own septic issues, Sassos sees the sewer system as a way to expand the commercial base in Hyde Park. “If we don’t bring businesses to help with the taxes we’ll all be out of business,” said Sassos. Expanding commercially will also bring renewed energy to Hyde Park, says Sasso. “You pass by at 8 at night, there’s not even a cat outside,” he quipped.
Kelly Hardisty, another Hyde Park business owner, encouraged the town to move forward with the sewer plan. “I think we’ve been given a gift by Pierre Gagne,” said Hardisty. “It’s our only hope to have Hyde Park revitalize itself and become a beautiful little town like Rhinebeck that everyone wants it to be,” she said.
Bob Baxter, who owns several commercial properties in Hyde Park, thanked the board for their efforts to bring a sewer to Hyde Park and acknowledged that growth comes with a cost. “Nobody wants to dig deeper in their pockets to pay for something,” said Baxter, who said the sewer will allow business owners to operate on a “level playing field” with businesses from other towns.
Councilman Bob Linville (D-1st Ward) noted the proposed system is designed with room for expansion, and Councilman Bob Kampf (D-3rd Ward) is hoping that the sewer line will eventually be extended to the Route 9G area near Prince and Holt roads to offer relief to homeowners who suffer with water and septic problems.
Barclay commented that expansion was a possibility, and as more users connect to the system, individual costs may be reduced as expenses are spread out. She also explained that the construction process will be implemented in phases, beginning with construction of the treatment plant on the Baker/Gagne property. Gagne must also secure a bond to assure that plant construction will be completed, said Barclay.
Councilman Rich Perkins (I-4th Ward) voiced his concern that the system will result in a rush of business expansion in the village. “This is something that’s good for Hyde Park but we should be cautious,” said Perkins, who suggested keeping the public hearing open to allow more input from the community. Linville was surprised that turnout for the meeting was lower than anticipated. “I’m struck by the smallness of the audience,” said Linville, who added that he’d like to be able to move forward with the sewer plan so that when Gagne is ready to move forward, the town is ready as well.
The town board agreed to keep the public hearing open until Dec. 10, when a special meeting is planned in town hall.