TOWN OF COLONIE

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

TOWN OF COLONIE

ALB ANY COUNTY, NEW YORK

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADVI SORY COMMITTEE (C P AC) MEETING

To: Town of Colonie Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC)

From: Katie Crawford, Land Use Planner I – Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.

Re: December 21, 2016 Committee Meeting - Summary Notes

Date: December 22, 2016

Meeting Location: Town of Colonie Public Operations Building

Meeting Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00pm

Meeting Attendees: Committee, Barton & Loguidice, and several members of the

general public

Summary Notes

This was the fifth meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) for the Town

of Colonie Comprehensive Plan project. The meeting was attended by the CPAC, consultants

(B&L), and many members of the general public.

This meeting was primarily dedicated to the following agenda items:

Welcome and Agenda Review

Community Outreach Process

Water and Sewer Infrastructure

Public Comment

Wrap-up and Adjournment

Community Outreach Process

Positives identified from the 6 Community Workshops

o Quality of Municipal services

o Diversity of the tax base

o Recreational resources

o Great Public Schools

o Historic and Cultural resources

o Convenient location

o Remaining open space/green space

o Safety and community feel

o Variety of housing options

o Transportation options

Negatives identified from the 6 Community Workshops

o Traffic

o Need better transportation alternatives

o Open Space conservation

o More control over the impact of development on the environment

o Adopt design regulations

o Infrastructure

o Neighborhood character should be maintained

o Density and character of new development has become a problem

o Lack of Affordable Housing

o Communication between Town and Residents

o Public facilities need upgrading

A discussion between the Committee based on the findings of the 6 Issues Identification

Workshops follows:

The Committee reviewed the compilation of likes and dislikes from the six community issues

identification workshops. The Committee felt that the comments were reflective of the existing

conditions that were identified by the community. The Committee feels that it is very important

that the individual neighborhoods be well represented within the comprehensive plan. Mr. Welti

noted that this may need to be carried out in the implementation and evaluation phase of the

project or completed as smaller more focused plans in follow-up to the Comprehensive Plan.

The Committee would like to better understand what kinds of tools are available to the Town to

address the issues identified by the community. The Committee would like to determine what

goals they should focus on in regards to some of the public comments that appear to

contradict one another.

The Committee would like the survey to include questions such as “willingness to pay” in regards

to open space preservation, etc. The conversation concluded with discussion about the need to

educate the public about the many options/tools available to help the Town to meet its goals.

The Neighborhood Coalition meeting is set for January 25th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall. There are

more meetings that will be scheduled with other local groups.

Six members of the Committee volunteered to be a part of a subcommittee that will work to

develop initial questions for the community survey.

Committee members who volunteered were:

Christine Cary

Robert Daggett

Christopher Dennis

Jessica Mahar

Craig Shamilin

Paul Shepard

The first meeting with the subcommittee and the Siena Research Institute will be held on January

10th at 10:30 AM at the Town of Colonie Public Operations Building.

The Comprehensive Plan Website is in the process of being updated and changed to make it

easier for residents to navigate.

Water and Sewer Infrastructure

Presentations were given by John Frazer and Chretien Voerg (attached) to inform the public on

the operations of DPW.

John Frazer – DPW, Division of Latham Water District

Mr. Frazer gave a brief presentation to the Committee about the Town’s water service capacity

and areas, basic mechanics of water treatment plants, pump stations, etc., the Latham Water

District’s capital planning process, major projects to be completed in 2017, and existing GEIS’s.

Chretien Voerg, P.E. – DPW, Division of Pure Waters

Mr. Voerg gave a brief presentation to the Committee about the Town’s sewer services. The

presentation outlined the goals of Colonie Pure Waters, system capacity and purpose, and the

division’s capital planning process.

Next Steps

The next CPAC meeting is scheduled for January 18th. Among other things, there will be a brief

presentation about the Town’s Generic Environmental Impact Statements (GEIS’s). The meeting

after that will be on February 15th.

Public Comments

1, Mary Beth: wanted more public education and public participation. The committee needs to

stop using acronyms. Looking for measureable objectives and tracking of progress placed in the

plan – evaluation.

2, Joel: Outreach to Neighborhood Coalition to try and get more participation in the meeting. In

regards to water pressure issues the presentation Mr. Frazer gave is available at bnaonline.us

(map on slide 11) – the presentation gives the area topography impact in regards to pressure in

the Vly Road service area and surrounding neighborhoods.

3, Paula: Appreciative of Mr. Voerg and Mr. Frazer’s presentation and work in the community.

4, John: Cost per gallon of water is lower in Colonie than surrounding communities.

Wrap-up and Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned just after 8:00 pm.

Town of Colonie Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC)

December 21, 2016, 6:00 PM Agenda

I. Welcome and Agenda Review

II. Community Outreach Process

A. Issues Identification Workshops – November / December 2016 Summary / Discussion

B. Additional Meetings:

Neighborhood Coalition – January 25th, 7:00 PM @ Town Hall

C. Community Survey Establish subcommittee Set first meeting - January __ (afternoon)

D. Comprehensive Plan Website

III. Water and Sewer Infrastructure – presentation and discussion

John Frazer – DPW, Division of Latham Water Chretien T. Voerg, P.E. – DPW, Division of Pure Waters

IV. Next Steps Upcoming CPAC Meetings: January 18, February 15

V. Public Comment

VI. Wrap-up and Adjournment

12/23/2016

1

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

The Drinking Water System

By: John FrazerSuperintendentLatham Water DistrictDecember 21, 2016

The Drinking Water System

• Three Sources of Raw Water– Stony Creek Reservoir – 5.5MGD– Mohawk River – 31.5MGD– Wells Along the Mohawk River – 5.0MGD

• Sources Combined at the Mohawk View Water Treatment Plant

• Water is distributed through more than 430 miles of water mains

• Water for Fire Protection is available through more than 4,000 fire hydrants – 252 fire hydrants

12/23/2016

2

Drinking Water Treatment & Delivery

Drinking Water for Colonie

12/23/2016

3

Water System Capacity

Mohawk View Water Treatment Plant

River Road High Lift Pump Station

• Capacity Evaluated Through 2025

• Low Lift Pump Station – 35.0MGD

• Treatment Plant – 30.0 MGD

• Mohawk View High Lift Pump Station – 20.0MGD

• Current Capacity – 7.5MGD

• New Capacity (2017) – 10.0MGD

Hydraulics Basics – Static Head

500 ft.

410 ft.

250 ft.

Static Head at base of tank = 39psi

(500ft. – 410ft.) x 0.433psi/ft.

Static Head at water surface = 0psi

Static Head at House = 108psi

(500ft. – 250ft.) x 0.433psi/ft.

• The water level in Latham Water’s tanks (except the Vly High Service Area) varies between about

470ft. and 500ft. above sea level depending on time of day and time of year.

• The water level in the Vly High Service Area varies between 575ft. and 602ft.

• The higher you move up the hill, the lower the pressure will be at the hydrant.

• The further down the hill you move, the higher the pressure will be at the hydrant.

12/23/2016

4

Vly High Service Area

Capital Planning

• Town Capital Plan Committee

• Latham Water District Capital Plan Committee

• 5-Year Capital Plan for 2017 and Beyond

• Tools Used for Planning

– Hydraulic Model

– Age of Facilities

– Consequence of Failure (i.e. treatment or pumping system failure)

– Water Main Break Frequency (222 Breaks in 2015)

– Water Main Break Consequence (Route 2, 5, 7, 9, etc. vs. minor street)

12/23/2016

5

Capital Projects

• Major LWD 2017 Projects

– Maxwell Road/Route 9 Water Main Replacement

– Mohawk View Low Lift Pump Station

Rehabilitation

– Newtonville Standpipe Rehabilitation

Generic Environmental Impact Statements

• Boght Road – Columbia Street Area

• Airport Area

• Lisha Kill – Kings Road Area

12/23/2016

6

Questions

Telephone: 783-2750Email: frazerj@colonie.org

Town of Colonie

Department of Public Works

Division of Pure Waters

Chretien T. Voerg, P.E.Superintendent

Improperly treated wastewater transmits diseases and damages the environment Amebiasis

Buruli Ulcer

SchistosomiasisThe mission of Pure Waters is…to protect the public health and the environment through the safe, effective and efficient collection, transportation and treatment of sanitary wastewater in the Town of Colonie.

Nearly 5,000 cholera cases, 74 deaths in Tanzania: WHOOctober 22, 2015 10:44 AM

Sanitary sewers are engineered at a constant downhill slope using gravity to convey wastes.

In some instances, sewers become so deep that they are not cost effective to construct.

…Collection, Transportation, Treatment…

When systems become too deep, wastewater pumping stations are installed to lift and push waste to another gravity system.

Gravity FlowPressurized Flow

…Collection, Transportation, Treatment…

…Collection, Transportation, Treatment…

…Safe, Effective, Efficient…

…Safe, Effective, Efficient…

…Safe, Effective, Efficient…

Efficiency drives all aspects of our operations:

• Administrative

• Operations

• Capital Planning

Colonie Sewer Statistics

Collection SystemGravity Sewer:Pressure Sewer:Manholes:Pump Stations:Services:Service Coverage:

377 miles23 miles

9,37629

26,97494%

Treatment SystemPlants:Permit Plant Flow:Original Construction:1st Upgrade:2nd Upgrade:3rd Upgrade:

1 Permit & 1 Satellite 6.0 MGD

1978($8.3M) 1998($6.9M) 2005($3.3M) 2013

$1,215 per foot!

So, what’s the difference?

Capital Planning Factors…

• Equipment Life Projections• Preventative Maintenance Costs• Repair Costs• Failure Analysis• Predictive Evaluation• Probability / Consequence Rankings• Capital Availability

We need your help to complete our mission!

Feminine Products(including applicators)

Latex Products Dental Floss

For more information, contact:

Town of ColonieDept. of Public WorksDivision of Pure Waters518-783-2766 Ext. 4

THESE ITEMS BELONG IN THE TRASH CAN!

Cleaning Wipes Diapers, Baby Wipes& Nursing Pads

Facial Wipes

Grease

THINK TRASH,NOT TOILET!The label might say “flushable,” but disposable wipes

and other products clog sewer lines, damage pumps

and result in higher sewer rates!

These problems are expensive to fix and can cause

sewage backups into homes and overflows into the

environment!Graphics courtesy of King County Dept. of Natural Resources & Parks

Thank You!

Chretien T. Voerg, P.E.Superintendent

Division of Pure Waters518-783-2766 Ext. 4voergc@colonie.org