Village Board Weighing its Water Supply Options

members discussed its options for the future of the town's water supply during Monday night's work session. 

The Village is debating whether to purchase water from the Bethpage Water District or to update Farmingdale's existing wells.

According to Vice President of H2M Water, Paul Granger, Farmingdale's wells are in need of improvement if the town decides to continue supplying water without help from an outside source.

A full upgrade suggested by Granger includes rehabilitating storage tanks, addressing outdated control systems and standard electrical upgrades, which will cost an estimated $2.9 million.

Granger stated that Farmingdale's equipment is currently inferior to that of other villages. Farmingdale's dates to the 1950-60s.

"A lot of villages have gone through what the Village of Farmingdale has gone through. You're making steps in the right direction in terms of improving the assets and making its integrity at a higher level," he said.

The board also discussed the possibility of building a new well if needed in the future which would cost an estimated $1 million. Granger said a new well is not currently a necessity for the village to consider and would only be deemed necessary if the village required substantial irrigation or experienced unforeseen growth. 

"I don't lose too much sleep. If you lose a well, am I concerned? Absolutely, but were not dealing with the scenario where we are going to have cats sleeping with dogs and things like that. This is is not a crisis situation."

Granger stated that although purchasing water is a viable and financially sound option for the village, that he believes remaining in the water business will give the town more control.

"Your water system is an asset. You have a lot of growth and controlling the water asset allows you to better control how growth and development goes on. There could be issues with water availability down the road," he said.

In other village news:

• will host their first farmer's market on Main Street on Saturday, Sep. 9 with an expected 30 vendors to be on site.
• "Welcome to the Barclays" signs will be displayed in all vacant store fronts on Main Street during the week of Aug. 21.
• The board has decided to delay the vote on adding red light cameras in Farmingdale until they're receive more information regarding the source of the traffic research utilized.
• The board discussed sever proposals and are looking to chose a network by September. There is a plan in motion to provide WiFi at the courthouse and the Village Green at no cost to residents.