By PETE KLEIN

For the Express

INLET– “It’s full steam ahead,” said Bernier & Carr’s Matt Cooper during discussions on the Clean Waters sewer project held with the Inlet Town Board when it met Tuesday, June 12. Cooper said he plans to start awarding contracts shortly with work to start soon but a formal ground breaking ceremony might not take place until August because Governor Andrew Cuomo might not be available before then.

Cooper said, “The governor would like to be here.”

Supervisor John Frey said, “The governor was instrumental in making this happen.”

But an important detail need to be resolved for all the ducks to be in a row for this project to go forward.

The board passed a resolution to purchase land to have transmission pipes and rights of way for a force main line and gravity outfall to cross under and be placed in the Fifth Lake outlet.

This proved to be a lengthy process because much research needed to be done to determine who owned the land. First it was thought New York State might own the land and a lease could be purchased from it. Eventually it was determined a James Galvin was the owner but he was deceased and it took time to track down his heirs. This then led to price negotiations that resulted in Galvin’s heirs agreeing

to sell for the sum of $33,000 about 730 acres located along the banks and under the waters of several lakes including Limekiln Lake, Forth Lake, Fifth Lake, Sixth Lake and connecting streams.

CELL TOWER

AT&T is showing a renewed interest in establishing cell phone service in Inlet, according to Dan Schweigard, the regional manager for Independent Towers, Latham.

Town property is not the only game in town. According to Schweigard there are two other possible tower sites on private property. If all three possible site owners are interested in having a cell tower, Schweigard said AT&T would make the final decision.

“They are looking for the one that provides the best coverage,” said Schweigard.

After a lengthy discussion, the board agreed to a non-binding lease agreement of town property to be reviewed by its attorney before deciding to enter a formal lease agreement.

If a town owned site is chosen by AT&T, it could see monthly revenues (rent) of $1,200 or even more if other cell service providers were to co-locate on a tower that Schweigard estimates would be 50 to 60 feet in height. AT&T would also pay the property tax on the land it leases.

Also, if the town site is chosen, Schweigard said Independent Towers would make an up-front lease payment of $1,200 to the Town but no further lease payments would be made until the tower was up and functioning.

This could take up to a year or more because of design work and the need to have the project reviewed and a permit issued by the Adirondack Park Agency.

ARROWHEAD PARK

REVITALIZATION

The board passed a resolution stating: “The Town of Inlet fully supports an application to NYS Department of State for implementing a second and final phase of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Project to restore Arrowhead Park's cultural and historical heritage and ensure that it “remains an environmental and economic asset to the Town.

CAP-21 will be writing the grant application

OTHER BUSINESS

The board accepted for a first read and a review by its attorney a draft of an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Law, drafted by Phillip J. Sansone.

The board approved spending up to $8,000 to complete work on the “Coach’s Cabin” in Arrowhead Park.

The board approved funding $1,250 for the continued operation of the Kommunity Youth Activity Center in Old Forge for the balance of this year and promised to consider the original request of $2,500 from KYAC when doing its 2013 budget.

The board approved the request from the Barnstormers Snowmobile Club to officially turn over 1.8 miles on the Uncas Road for the club to do the grooming since the club has been doing the grooming but the town has been getting the payments for the grooming from the Office of Parks and Recreation.

Councilman Herb Schmid said, “No problem. They have been doing the grooming.”

Councilman Bill Faro commented that the Community Transportation Services is in need of volunteer drivers and anyone interested in volunteering should call him at (315) 357-4328.

The Inlet Town Board will next meet on Tuesday, July 10, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.

There will also take place during the meeting at 7:45 a public hearing on map adjustments, corrections and changes done by the Planning Board.