Volney gets interest-free loan for water district
by Andrew Henderson
The Town of Volney was awarded a $3.8 million interest-free loan for its Airport Water District—saving an estimated $3.1 million in interest expense over the term of the financing, according to Matthew Millea, acting president of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Millea presented Volney Supervisor Dennis Lockwood with a ceremonial check July 10 at the town hall.
“Ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water is of paramount importance to supporting the economy of communities like the Town of Volney,” said Millea. “We are a proud partner with the Town of Volney and its project. The $3.8 million interest-free loan is a tremendous victory for this community.
“The very wise supervisor, his staff, and the board has saved constituents of Volney $3.1 million because of the loan that we are providing today,” he added. “Even though you have to pay me back, it’s a zero percent.”
Supervisor Lockwood responded, “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
The water district, which was completed in 2007, included the construction of a pump station and a tower as well as the installation of water mains.
The water district is comprised of properties along NYS Route 3 from Florida Avenue to the Volney Fire Department and along County Route 6 from NYS Route 3 south to the Town of Volney park entrance. Also included is Flood Drive, Gillespie Road west from NYS Route 3 to County Route 176, and Florida, Michigan, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland avenues.
The district also includes County Route 176 north from the railroad to Howard Road, Colosimo Drive, and Airport Drive. Howard Road west from County Route 176 to the Metropolitan Water Board pipeline, Howard Road east from County Route 176 to Silk Road, and Silk Road north from Howard Road round out the district.
The loan finances costs for a public water supply system, storage tank, pump station, and distribution mains to serve the Oswego County Airport area. The area had previously relied on private wells, many of which were of poor quality and quantity. As part of the project, several mobile home parks were brought into the water district.
The town had also received a $400,000 grant from the New York State Office for Community Renewal for the project.
Congressman John McHugh said, “I am very pleased the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund provided the financing for the Town of Volney to complete this long-awaited water infrastructure project. Without this funding, the town would have been unable to make the improvements necessary to provide healthy and reliable drinking water to their residents, which is an absolute necessity.”
Superintendent Lockwood reinforced the notion that the project would not have been completed without the loan.
“Because of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the people in the Airport Water District now have pure, safe drinking water, higher pressure, and they feel very secure,” he said. “My residents could not afford this project without this.”
Assemblyman William A. Barclay said, “I am pleased the Town of Volney was able to receive this interest-free loan. Through programs like the State Revolving Fund, municipalities that are in need of drinking water for residents can apply for the loans and, in turn, pass those savings on to their residents. Several mobile home parks and residents will benefit from clean, potable water and it will improve the quality of life for the residents.”
Senator Darrel Aubertine said, “The Environmental Facilities Corporation’s revolving loan program is a vital piece of the puzzle for so many water projects in central and northern New York, including this one for the Oswego County Airport. Through this no-interest loan, the Town of Volney can move forward with this important infrastructure project without passing interest charges down to the ratepayer. It’s projects like this that maximize the use of taxpayer dollars with state and local officials working together.”
The Town of Volney was awarded a $3.8 million interest-free loan for its Airport Water District—saving an estimated $3.1 million in interest expense over the term of the financing, according to Matthew Millea, acting president of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Millea presented Volney Supervisor Dennis Lockwood with a ceremonial check July 10 at the town hall.
“Ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water is of paramount importance to supporting the economy of communities like the Town of Volney,” said Millea. “We are a proud partner with the Town of Volney and its project. The $3.8 million interest-free loan is a tremendous victory for this community.
“The very wise supervisor, his staff, and the board has saved constituents of Volney $3.1 million because of the loan that we are providing today,” he added. “Even though you have to pay me back, it’s a zero percent.”
Supervisor Lockwood responded, “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
The water district, which was completed in 2007, included the construction of a pump station and a tower as well as the installation of water mains.The water district is comprised of properties along NYS Route 3 from Florida Avenue to the Volney Fire Department and along County Route 6 from NYS Route 3 south to the Town of Volney park entrance. Also included is Flood Drive, Gillespie Road west from NYS Route 3 to County Route 176, and Florida, Michigan, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland avenues.
The district also includes County Route 176 north from the railroad to Howard Road, Colosimo Drive, and Airport Drive. Howard Road west from County Route 176 to the Metropolitan Water Board pipeline, Howard Road east from County Route 176 to Silk Road, and Silk Road north from Howard Road round out the district.
The loan finances costs for a public water supply system, storage tank, pump station, and distribution mains to serve the Oswego County Airport area. The area had previously relied on private wells, many of which were of poor quality and quantity. As part of the project, several mobile home parks were brought into the water district.
The town had also received a $400,000 grant from the New York State Office for Community Renewal for the project.
Congressman John McHugh said, “I am very pleased the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund provided the financing for the Town of Volney to complete this long-awaited water infrastructure project. Without this funding, the town would have been unable to make the improvements necessary to provide healthy and reliable drinking water to their residents, which is an absolute necessity.”
Superintendent Lockwood reinforced the notion that the project would not have been completed without the loan.
“Because of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the people in the Airport Water District now have pure, safe drinking water, higher pressure, and they feel very secure,” he said. “My residents could not afford this project without this.”
Assemblyman William A. Barclay said, “I am pleased the Town of Volney was able to receive this interest-free loan. Through programs like the State Revolving Fund, municipalities that are in need of drinking water for residents can apply for the loans and, in turn, pass those savings on to their residents. Several mobile home parks and residents will benefit from clean, potable water and it will improve the quality of life for the residents.”
Senator Darrel Aubertine said, “The Environmental Facilities Corporation’s revolving loan program is a vital piece of the puzzle for so many water projects in central and northern New York, including this one for the Oswego County Airport. Through this no-interest loan, the Town of Volney can move forward with this important infrastructure project without passing interest charges down to the ratepayer. It’s projects like this that maximize the use of taxpayer dollars with state and local officials working together.”