The village of Aurora is preparing to operate the Wells College-owned water plant, but the college has not yet signed an agreement to transfer ownership of the facility.聽
Aurora Mayor Jim Orman told 人兽性交 Thursday that the village approved a resolution to take control of the water plant on Oct. 1. It was forwarded to the college, but there has been no response.聽
"As of (Wednesday), it hasn't been signed," Orman said.聽
Discussions about the water plant began in May, shortly after Wells College announced it would close at the end of June. The village buys its drinking water from the college, which has operated the water plant for more than 90 years. It is one of the few privately-owned water plants in New York.聽
As Wells College winds down its operations, Aurora officials have been pushing for a quick solution to what's been described as a "complicated" water plant transfer.聽
Orman said the village plans to hire the two water plant operators, despite a lack of funding in the budget for the positions. However, the college has not provided technical details about the facility, including information about the locks and security.聽
An added hurdle arose over the summer when, according to Orman, Wells College decided it would shut off heat to several buildings, including the water plant. He said the village bought a small boiler that will be installed this week to provide heat at the plant.聽
There are benefits to the village owning the water plant. Orman noted that there is a $3 million grant the village can access to extend the water intake in Cayuga Lake. Other funding sources are available for municipal-owned water systems.聽
But Orman's concern is the lack of urgency from Wells College.聽
"If something happens and we can't run that water plant, and Wells has walked away from it, that could lead to a catastrophe," he said.聽
The last update Wells College provided about the water plant was shortly after the institution's closure announcement. On its website, the college said the water plant "will continue to operate normally without any changes as we work with the attorney general's office and the village to determine an ownership transition plan."聽
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.