Beacon water to link to Fishkill district

By Maeleeke J. Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

BEACON -- Residents and businesses in Fishkill's Rombout water and sewer district are on their way to markedly improved water service, thanks to a collaboration between the town and the City of Beacon.

A recent agreement between the adjoining municipalities will connect about 2,500 customers in the Route 9D corridor -- where the water and sewer district is located -- to the City of Beacon's water system.

''I think when communities have the opportunity to work together it results in less expense to constituents and a building of relationships,'' said Supervisor Joan Pagones, who met Tuesday with Beacon Mayor Clara Lou Gould in a small ceremony at Dutchess Stadium. ''This is really a win, win for both Beacon and Fishkill.''

The Rombout district is just one example of the town contracting services from its neighbor. Sewer service to a different portion of the town also is contracted from the city.

Town works on repairs

Previously run by a private water and sewer system, the Rombout district's water service became plagued with leaking pipes and poor water pressure. At the request of customers, the town took over the system and is making strides to repair the damage.

A Federal Community Block Development Grant will fund the $123,923 for the Rombout project, which is expected to be finished by mid-September.

The new service -- drawn from Beacon wells and reservoirs -- will improve water pressure and quality for customers, including the new Beacon High School and Dutchess Stadium.

Without pipes leaking water, the town should save money by paying the City of Beacon for water that's used instead of what's used and lost.

Customers are metered to determine how much water they actually use and their rates won't change because of the new connection, Pagones said.

Gould said it's good to know the city's neighbors are being helped and more revenue is being brought into the city.

The ability for municipalities to work together gives projects like this a ''regional feel,'' she said. ''It also sets people up to be receptive to needs you might have.''

For information on the Rombout water and sewer district, call Fishkill town hall at (845) 831-7800.