Homer Seek Bids For Water Storage Tank After Receiving Over $2.2 Million in Grant Funding

The Village of Homer Board of Trustees approved a resolution during their meeting last night placing out to bid for a new water storage tank for the village. The village was awarded $2,225,300 in December towards the project.

With the project going out to bid, the village has also retained Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. to assist the contract documents for the project and with the bidding process. Providing an overview of the project was Jacquline Jones from Barton & Loguidice, who noted this project has been in the works now for two years.

The new water tank will replace two existing steel tanks located on the hill on the east side of I81. Jones added she has been working with the Department of Health regarding the replacement of the steel tanks with a new concrete tank that’ll be located above the cemetery in Homer on Route 281. The decision was made not to place the new tank where the two current ones are due to logistical issues with a water main running underneath I81.

Homer Mayor Pat Clune did stress that the village’s water quality is good and the project is replacing two outdated tanks. The new tank is expected to last well-over 50 years, Jones noted. With its new location above the cemetery, a study was also conducted on the water pressure for fire hydrants within the Historic District of Homer; no issues were found.

The total estimated cost for a new water storage tank for the village is estimated at $3,519,000, the grant is estimated to cover about 63% of the cost. The remaining cost of the project will be covered by a New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation market rate loan, which the village has secured.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and is expected to take one construction year, according to Jones.