PRESENT: Co-Chairs: Swanson, Wishnie. Members: Carsky, Delfino, Darcy.

ALSO PRESENT: Sal Celona, Director of Water of Agency; Health Department: George Haloukas, John D’Aquino, Director of Water Quality; Dan Donahue, Deputy Commissioner-DEF.

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 2 p.m.

AQUEDUCT SHUTDOWN: Mr. Celona was notified by the New York State Department of Health on January 22, 1996 at the start of the problem and the necessity to shut down the Aqueduct. Mr. D’Aquino explained the unusual snowfall and heavy rainfall caused a violent combination of water which caused a violent amount of water. As a precaution, the State and County Health officials met in an emergency meeting to address the problem preparing alternative sources of water. Mid-County was slightly effected around Pleasantville, other areas were not effective, other areas experienced slightly cloudy water or excessive air pressure. This was a temporary situation, mother nature took its course, all State and County water functions have resumed normal processing. Some areas did hook into their backup systems, but there was no interruption into the water systems to call for emergency procedures.

The members were satisfied with the information, Legislator Wishnie asked, when problems arise in the future, that the Board be notified prior to hearing the news publicly, so that Legislators can respond accordingly.

REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT: Mr. Wishnie summarized the Committee’s role to get communities interested to participate in a regional water district avoiding the costly duplication of building their own smaller plants, which would cause demands from the communities.

Mr. Haloukas reported the completed study of 1995 - meetings were held with communities, post studies were made, process of evaluation were made and at least ten meetings were held in communities to form options of the best approach, i.e. refinancing or supply, one approach, is to form a public benefit corporation. On February 15th at 1:30 p.m. in Room 102, a meeting will be held to present a report on a this corporation. Legislator Swanson asked why the push for the corporation when New Castle has already built the plant, knowing they were oversized, with hope that others would come on board. Is it the County’s responsibility, or another entity to put together this public benefit corporation. The Health Department is only a liaison, they are trying to present alternatives and having the communities make their own decision to have a more cost effective approach to the plan. Dan Donahue said in the beginning, municipalities were aware of the County’s role as well as numerous options from which to choose. Legislator Wishnie said the last committee met with the communities, it was clear the County was not recommending any one set plan. NYSDOH relies on Westchester to make the best possible decision for water treatment.

QUARRY HEIGHTS SEWER DISTRICT (NORTH CASTLE): Item E: Dan Donohue explained the procedures for extending a sewer district to the new members. In this particular case, the Town of North Castle passed a Resolution, send it directly to the Board, then referred it to Committee. this resolution requests an extension of a district to obtain a particular property within a sewer district, usually a request via the County Executive’s office, forwards it to the Department of Environmental Facilities, who then prepares an engineering feasibility study. The Department evaluates the impact the extension is going to have on a district, the increase in taxes and how much buying is required. This particular request only went to the Board, in order to have DEF prepare the necessary studies, the Committee will forward a Resolution to the County Executive asking for a review by the Department of Environmental Facilities. Mr. Donahue does not foresee a problem, it’ standard procedures. The Resolution was adopted on the motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Carsky [5-0].

ITEM F: Peekskill Sanitary Sewer Districts: Discussion to be held on Wednesday, February 7th at 11:30 a.m. with representatives from the Town of Cortlandt and the Health Department.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Darcy.