“I’ve cast a lot of votes as a board member.  If there was one vote I could take back, it would be the one I cast to take fluoride out of the water,” said Trustee Richard Hurd.

The Village Board of Walden did an about-face at their meeting last week on the issue of fluoridating the village water.  The board had previously directed that the fluoride treatment of the municipal water supply would end on May 5, because of concerns presented at their regular meeting at the end of April.

Those concerns ranged from fluoride’s corrosive effect on well parts, to health concerns resulting from overexposure.

Following that decision, many local dentists questioned the board’s decision at the next meeting of the Village Board.  The dentists touted the chemical’s ability to prevent tooth decay and expressed disappointment in the board for not consulting them beforehand.  Last week, Dr. Robert Kimball, a dentist who has been practicing in the Village of Walden for the past 43 years, implored the board to rescind their decision.

“It was a mistake to eliminate fluoridation,” said Dr. Kimball.

Mayor Brian Maher agreed.

“After months of research it is my belief…that fluoride should be put back in the water supply,” said Maher.  “Every official at state and county level has said it’s safe and to put it back in the water.  All the [local] dentists have said to put it back in.”

Trustee Susan Rumbold was against putting the fluoride back in, stating she did not believe that opponents of fluoridation should be “categorized as crazy people,” as respected professionals had spoken against fluoridation.  She also stated that she felt the decision should be put to a referendum, allowing village residents to decide the matter for themselves.  The majority of the board however, did not agree.

“I think it’s a vote that came too fast in the village,” said Trustee Mary Jean “Midge” Norman.  “I’m a little embarrassed about it too.”

“It needs to go back,” Bowen agreed.

According to village Attorney Kevin Dowd, the board cannot reintroduce fluoride to the water supply without passing a local law.  A motion was passed to draft the necessary local law for the board’s next meeting, at which time a public hearing will be scheduled.
During the board meeting it was brought to the board’s attention that two members of the Recreation and Parks Committee are town residents, not village residents, and it was questioned whether that was allowed.  Attorney Dowd advised the board that he had not been aware the two members were town residents, but he agreed, saying that according to state law, they could not serve on a village committee.

Both agenda items concerning the committee were tabled.  The committee’s anticipated recommendation regarding the old farmhouse at James Olley Park was not made.
A public hearing was held in regards to Local Law “Fire Lanes”, and was closed with no comment from the public.

A public hearing in regards to the Local Law “Retirement Incentive” was also held.  The board clarified that they would need to show a collective savings of 50 percent of the overall payroll, not 50 percent savings for each person individually, as they had previously stated.

“It’s going to be difficult, sure,” said Village Manager John Revella.

“It does seem like a good opportunity for us as a village, not only to save money, but for infrastructure,” said Maher.

The public hearing was closed and the law adopted.

Delaware Engineering made a presentation regarding the sewer plant project, advising the board that the plant was no longer in violation, but some capital improvements were necessary to avoid it happening again.

Several upgrades were recommended, including updating the sludge pumps and grinder, as well as the sludge processing system.  The planned improvements are expected to last 20-30 years before needing another upgrade.

The village has a deadline of May 31, 2011 from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), so an accelerated bid process was recommended.

The project was set to go out to bid the following day.  At the recommendation of Delaware Engineering, the board also voted to have it listed, (placed in the running), for state funding.
Three different capital projects were presented by Lanc & Tully at the meeting as well, including a new roof for the municipal building, fixing of the tennis courts in Bradley Park and an issue with the telemeters of the village wells.

The roof is reportedly 40 years old, with various issues.  The cost of the project is estimated to be $45,000-$60,000.  Repairing the tennis courts will entail resurfacing, new nets and fixing cracks and drainage problems.  The cost of the project is estimated to be $60,000 – $70,000.

The village wells, numbers 4 through 8, are having trouble communicating as 4, 5 and 6 are on one system and 7 and 8 are on another.  In order to fix the problem, 4, 5 and 6 will need their systems updated to match the system on 7 and 8.  The estimated cost is $50,000.
The roof and the wells projects will go out to bid on Aug. 17, while the tennis courts will go out to bid around Aug. 9.

The board also addressed the alignment of the village square and acceptance of funds from the Walden Community Council.  The municipal square is to be redesigned for pedestrian traffic.  Unfortunately, the project is facing a ticking clock as the money comes from a state grant that requires the $9,000 to be used by Aug. 22 or it is lost.

A plan has not yet been accepted by the board.

“The community hasn’t even had the chance to look at those plans that affect their streets,” said Hurd.

The issue is expected to return before the board at their next meeting.

By RACHEL COLEMAN
rcoleman@tcnewspapers.com