Town board seeks clarification on water restriction

Miranda L. Pennock

As of Monday, March 5, 2012 -11:58 a.m.

Skaneateles — The need for clarification on a water volume matter during its most recent meeting kept the Skaneateles Town Board from voting on a request to extend the consolidated water district to service a new Victory Sports Medicine facility on East Genesee Street.

The extension was on the agenda for a public hearing March 1 and, though no one spoke specifically for or against it, VSM Enterprises Chief Operating Officer Lance Wardell voiced concerns over restrictions that were written into the resolution.

Victory Sports Medicine, owned by Dr. Marc Pietropaoli, purchased approximately 99 acres of land two miles east of where the medical facility is currently located at 791 W. Genesee St., with the intent to construct a larger facility to meet the growing needs of his business. Victory Sports Medicine & Orthopedics first opened its doors in April 2001.

According to Wardell, there were two separate issues — fire flow and the facility’s affect on pressure — and was concerned with how the facility can be restricted on the number of they could consume in a day.

“I think the restriction components in this resolution don’t need to be in there,” Wardell said.

Supervisor Terri Roney said the facility is allotted 3,600 gallons per day. However, the maximum water flow for fire flow in a major event is 3,600 gallons per minute, which the water line cannot withstand.

“The most they can get on that line is 800 gallons per minute,” Roney said.

Wardell said the town’s engineering firm, Plumley, does not want VSM Enterprises to put a fire hydrant on the line because of fire flow. There are alternative water sources, such as holding ponds, in case of major events.

The restrictions are in the resolution because the village, which the town purchases its water from, requested they be put in the order.

Eaglenewsonline.com