New sewer line sought for YMCA site

Johnstown council to discuss request

By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN — The Common Council will consider approving a new sewer line requested by the Fulton County YMCA for its new $6.4 million facility on Harrison Street.

The Y is renovating the 68,185-square-foot former Gates Mills plant for use as a center for its fitness, recreation and child care programs. Officials hope to complete the project by July.

Mayor Sarah J. Slingerland informed the council Monday the YMCA wants changes in the sanitary sewer line in the Harrison Street area.

City Engineer Charles Kortz said the YMCA site is in the town near the Johnstown and Gloversville city lines. The existing sewer line runs along Harrison Street.

Kortz said the 1™-inch-diameter line ties into a Gloversville pumped force main on nearby Route 29. That connects to the city of Johnstown’s collection system, running eventually to the Gloversville-Johnstown Wastewater Treatment Facility on Union Avenue.

Kortz said the line is inadequate for the new YMCA facility, and the organization wants a new line installed.

He said the YMCA wants a 10-inch gravity sewer line to exit out of the rear of the YMCA building, moving toward the Crossroads Industrial Park on Route 29 in Gloversville and back to the Johnstown sewer system.

A new line would need approval by both cities, Kortz said.

Slingerland urged council members to read the YMCA’s proposal and contact Kortz with any questions. She said the council may consider a resolution approving the line at its next meeting, at 7 p.m. May 19 at City Hall.

In other business Monday:

• The council accepted a $5,000 bid from Richard LeCount of 93 E. Main St., Johnstown, for a piece of vacant land the city sold at 119 N. Perry St. His bid was the higher of two for the parcel.

• Kortz said his office has identified “priority” windows that need to be replaced at City Hall. He said funding will come from a $50,000 state grant the city received last year.

• Kortz reported the city demolished the former Gloria’s Pizzeria, 314 N. Perry St., on Monday.

The former H & J Leather building, 312 N. Perry St., will be demolished by the city next week, Kortz said.

• Fire Chief Bruce Heberer said blacktop work at the new Microtel on the Route 30A arterial is expected to be done next week. The motel is slated to open in mid-June, he said.

• Police Chief Gregory Horning said the Police Department is expected to receive a new K-9 police dog soon.

• City Assessor Leamon Steele reported property assessment Grievance Day will be May 29, from 4 to 8 p.m., at his office.

• City Treasurer Michael Gifford said the city should discuss whether to continue a $150 fee established in 1999 for any private building with a red fire box to tie into the Fire Department alarm system. He said there’s not much expenditure related to the system now.

“Maybe it’s time to get rid of this fee,” Gifford said. “It seems [the city] might be accumulating money that we might actually not need.”

• Slingerland said the city is entering an aesthetically pleasing time of the year.

“The Rail Trail is just about ready to explode with wildflowers,” the mayor said. She said people have been seen fishing along the Cayadutta Creek.

Slingerland said City Hall will be closed May 26 for Memorial Day, and the citywide garage sale will be May 30 and 31 and June 1.



Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.