Village of Moravia Board Meeting Summary (June 2025 – September 2025)

This summary compiles key activities, decisions, and discussions from the Village of Moravia Board Meetings held between June and September 2025, providing residents with a concise overview of Village operations.

Key Decisions Made

The Village Board passed several key resolutions and approved significant contracts during this period:

• Financial and Budgetary Approvals: The Board approved Change Order #1 for the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) upgrade, allocating $41,000 from the contingency fund. The machinery and labor rates were also approved. The Village voted to increase the Visa credit card limit from $7,000.00 to $12,000.00.
• Water Infrastructure Funding: Resolution #12 of 2025 was approved, authorizing the expenditure of up to $18,000.00 from the Water Line Replacement Reserve to repair a pump in Well #2.
• Wastewater Infrastructure Contracts: The SCADA Proposal for Aqualogics contract for the WWTP project was approved. The Board also approved the purchase of two new chlorination systems for Well #1 and Well #2 from Avanti Control System Inc. for $28,022.
• New Local Laws and Policies:
  • Local Law #2 of 2025 was approved, modifying the sewer use law unit formula for commercial and public buildings, changing the water use standard from 1 unit per 70,000 gallons to 1 unit per 60,000 gallons.
  • Local Law #3 of 2025 (regulating public events and festivals) was introduced. This law requires applicants to submit insurance documentation (no less than $1,000,000 liability coverage) and management plans at least 45 days in advance, with a $25 fee plus officer rates, though parades are excluded.
  • The updated Village of Moravia Employee Handbook was formally approved.
• Village Court Upgrades: Resolution #13 of 2025 was approved, authorizing the Village Court to apply for a Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) grant up to $30,000.00 to fund virtual arraignments and security equipment upgrades.
• Parking Regulations: The no-parking time on Main Street was updated to 2 am to 7 am to facilitate winter plowing and ticketing.
• Opposition to Utility Rate Increases: Resolution #15 of 2025 was unanimously approved, formally opposing the proposed rate increases by NYSEG and RG&E, citing substantial and unjustified burdens on residents and small businesses.

Ongoing and Completed Projects

Progress was made across several major infrastructure and community projects:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Upgrade: Construction is continuing to progress. Work included installing helical piles, pouring concrete for digesters and aeration tanks, and staking out the control building. A temporary easement was approved to relocate a utility pole necessary for construction. However, vermiculite (presumed asbestos) was found in the control building, requiring abatement planning. Work hours were temporarily amended to 6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. due to construction timing and summer heat.
• NY Forward Grant Projects: The contract for the Streetscape/Ethel Fuller Park project is nearly complete with the State. Due to other project sponsors not moving forward, $275,000 was reallocated, resulting in the Streetscape/Ethel Fuller Park project now being fully funded. The project was put out to bid, scheduled to end on September 29, 2025. A Small Project Fund meeting was held on August 13th for public questions.
• Water System and Pumphouse: Well #2 underwent repair and was reinstalled, using funds allocated from the Water Line Replacement Reserve. Well #3, installed in 1998 but never operational, was examined and is expected to provide 20+ years of service once fully set up. Well #3 requires a decontamination plan, with the goal of being operational in mid to late 2026.
• Roads and Paving: Paving for School, Grove, and Walnut Streets was initially postponed from July due to conflicts, but street milling and paving were scheduled for August 25th through August 29th. The Village also rented a street sweeper for use from September 8th to October 6th.
• Inventory and Inspection: The Village is investigating purchasing the “Swordfish” electrical resistance testing tool ($12,500) to help determine the makeup of water piping as part of the Lead and Copper Inventory priority. Sewer Smoke Testing was approved and scheduled for late August.
• Village Vehicles: New radar signs are up and running on North Main St., Aurora St., State Route 38, and Church St.. New police cars have arrived, received decals and lettering ($1,400 expense), and were expected to be in service by early September.

Budget Discussions and Financial Updates

Financial activity included utilizing reserve funds and securing competitive pricing:

• Expenditures: Major purchases included $43,450.00 for well redevelopment and service contracts, $7,000.00 for tree trimming, and $7,594.50 for a network upgrade in the Village office.
• Contingency Use: The General Fund Contingent account was used to transfer $175.70 to Taxes on Municipal Property and $4,000.00 to Street Cleaning. The Sewer Fund Contingent was used for a $1,200.00 transfer to Sewer Administration.
• Awards: The Village of Moravia received $507 for the Comp Alliance Safe Workplace Award.
• Procurement Decisions: After researching contracted shredding services, the Village decided to purchase a large shredder for the court instead. Quotes for a new DPW/Sewer mower were discussed but the purchase was pushed off until the following year.
• Financial Reports: Treasurer’s Reports and various Department Reports (Public Works, Police, Sewer Chronicles, Code Enforcement, Justice) were routinely approved.

Public Comments or Concerns Raised

Several recurring concerns were brought up by residents and Village officials:

• O’Tooles Gravel Pit and Truck Traffic: Residents raised repeated concerns regarding truck loads not being covered and the issue of jake breaking (engine braking) on North Main Street. The Police Chief issued warnings regarding uncovered loads. The Board began working on synthesizing engine brake laws from other municipalities to create a new local law for Moravia.
• Owasco Meats Composting: Concerns were raised by residents regarding Owasco Meats’ composting of renderings. The Village Code Enforcement Officer contacted the DEC, Health Department, and Owasco Lake Watershed, but no official determinations had been made regarding noncompliance.
• Sewer Noncompliance: The Village sent letters to Hillcrest Dairy regarding continued noncompliance with sewer law and the SIU permit/sampling.
• Village Maintenance: The Garden Club requested that the DPW take over the duty of watering village planters starting next spring, while the Garden Club would handle pruning, weeding, and winterizing.
• Police/Traffic: Difficulties persisted in finding crossing guards. The Police Chief suggested training select DPW workers to act as backup crossing guards to allow police officers to remain on patrol.

Upcoming Initiatives or Events Mentioned

• NY Forward Small Project Fund Meeting: Held on August 13, 2025.
• Training and Conferences: DPW and Sewer training was approved. Numerous officials planned to attend the NYCOM Fall Training in Lake Placid (9/15 – 9/19).
• Proposed Events: The “Manifestation in Moravia” event was proposed for October 18th, with activity likely shifted to the Historical Society. The Methodist Jubilee Parade permit was approved.
• Deferred Items: Discussions regarding amending the Handbook/Conflict of Interest policies were tabled for future meetings. A proposal for a domain change to .gov and additional website support was tabled.

At a Glance

• NY Forward Project Fully Funded: $275,000 was reallocated, fully funding the Ethel Fuller Park/Streetscape project, which is now out to bid.
• Major Water System Upgrades Approved: New chlorination systems for Wells #1 and #2 were approved for $28,022. $18,000 was allocated for Well #2 repair.
• Sewer Law Modified: Local Law #2 of 2025 was approved, tightening the usage threshold for non-residential sewer unit calculation.
• Opposition to Rate Hikes: The Board formally opposed the proposed rate increases by NYSEG and RG&E via Resolution #15.
• Traffic Enforcement Focus: The Board is working to develop a new local law to address residents’ concerns about truck jake breaking.
• New Police Vehicles In Service: New police vehicles were finalized with decals and equipment, expected to be fully operational in early September.