POTSDAM — A Potsdam property owner accused the village Monday night of mishandling the state environmental quality review process for the Route 56 Lowe's store.
Lloyd Vienneau believes improper blasting at the store site contaminated groundwater in the well serving his eight-unit apartment complex at 38 Country Lane, across the street from the big-box retailer. He didn't present any documentation supporting his claim at Monday night's village Board of Trustees meeting.
Even so, Mr. Vienneau demanded that the board vote for a law change in order to provide water service to his tenants — without annexing the 31-acre property into the village.
"I have water standing on my property. None of this would have happened if you people issued a building permit according to the SEQR process," he said. "I could annex into the village, but if I do that, the taxes will be raised, and a lot of my tenants are older and not in the position to pay more rent."
Deputy Mayor Ruth F. Garner said she would need a better explanation to change village law.
The last time the municipality entertained the idea of allowing outside users to purchase a service, it took months to negotiate a law change — which fell through in February — to provide sewer service to Wal-Mart.
"We were assured this would be taken care of," Christine Kowalchuk told the board. "We ask you to intervene on our behalf."
The tenant added that she's worried about what health problems she could face from bathing in the contaminated water, as well as the cost of buying bottled water and dining out more.
"I don't feel the village is at fault," Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler told Mr. Vienneau. "This is between yourself and the developer. You're in the town of Potsdam."
Mr. Vienneau said if the board didn't take immediate action, he would be "forced" to place a strip of land that he owns on both sides of Route 56 adjacent to the Lowe's site in a land trust — which he thought could prevent the municipality from annexing any other properties in that area.
"I'm not threatening you. I've spent $6,800 on legal fees recently, and I don't want to get attorneys involved. But I can spend $6,800 again," he said. "You might leave me no choice. I welcome progress in the community; I'm probably going to sell a piece of land for a hotel."
Along with Paul M. Blevins, Mr. Vienneau owns 75 Market St., where a $10.5 million Hampton Inn was planned for downtown. They bought the 2.3-acre site for $280,000 in 2006, and are now asking $2 million for it.
The hotel project has been stalled for months while the property owners negotiate with Hampton Inn developers. Mr. Vienneau refused to elaborate on the deal after the meeting.
He said it would probably cost him about $5,000 to install a ultraviolet or chlorination system to provide clean water to his tenants.