The Town of Brant and the Village of Farnham have come to a temporary solution concerning the expired Water Contract that stipulates Farnham will supply water to a portion of the Town of Brant. An extension of the previous 10 year contract, until December 31, 2006, has been signed by both municipalities, committees have also been established by both municipalities to meet and discuss all options.

During the Brant Town Board’s work session held on March 9, 2006, Farnham’s Mayor, Terry Caber, addressed the Board with a history of the water contract.

In 1995, the Town of Brant wanted to start a Water District. They approached the Erie County Water Authority who, at that time, did not want to be involved because the water lines were located along the sewer easements which were not necessarily across the fronts of the properties concerned. The Town approached the Village of Farnham, who had a working Water Department, and they said they would service a new Brant Water District.

Water rates in the Farnham Water Department have always been in two tiers, one tier for water customers located within the Village limits and one tier for water customers located outside of the Village limits. The second rate is approximately 10% higher than the first rate to cover additional expenses (truck, manpower, etc.) that are, in part, covered by the Village taxes that the residents already pay.

Mayor Caber assured the Brant Town Board that the Village of Farnham is not looking at their Water Department to make money but just to be able to cover their expenses.

It has been suggested that the Erie County Water Authority rates for water would dramatically lower the bills for the Town of Brant. The rates that are usually quoted are the bulk water rates and do not include the additional fees that accompany service through Erie County Water Authority such as hydrant fees, mandated water reserves, and seasonal service rates.

The Brant Town Board thanked Mayor Caber for his time and information. The Water Committee pledged to contact Erie County Water Authority and get official cost projections for using their services. After all information has been collected, the Water Committee will report back to the entire Town Board, so they can to come to a decision on which direction to proceed.