Arguments recycled in Potsdam annexation talks

POTSDAM — Town and village board members squabbled Monday over whether businessman James M. Snell should be allowed to have 5.8 acres of land he owns on Route 56 annexed into the village.

It was the third time the boards have met jointly to talk about Mr. Snell's annexation request.

Mr. Snell is seeking water and sewer service and police protection for his apartment and office complex, which is near the town and village boundary.

Village policy bans extending water and sewer service outside its boundaries. Town officials are proposing the village abandon that rule, providing the property with water and sewer service to a special district the town would create.

Monday's meeting was scheduled as a public hearing on Mr. Snell's annexation request, but in the absence of any citizen participation, the meeting turned into a replay of previous town and village arguments over the merits of annexation versus a special water and sewer district.

Potsdam town Supervisor Marie C. Regan said she has been keeping news clippings in recent weeks about area municipalities working together to extend utilities to entice economic growth. She expressed dismay that Potsdam is unable to do the same.

"I have a folder now that I keep adding to, and during the past weeks, Ogdensburg has decided they will be more than willing to provide a water and sewer district for Morristown and Lisbon, saying they are more than willing because development would be good for the area," Mrs. Regan said. "Louisville now just had one this week, where they are going to be working with Norfolk. It is very, very upsetting to me to think that we are the only town and village that don't seem to think that it would work."

Village Trustee Steven W. Yurgartis said he understood there were strong philosophical differences between the town and village on the merits of annexation, but he said Monday's public hearing was the wrong forum to air those views.

"I have a strong feeling about the creation of water and sewer districts. I've put a lot of information on my Web site, and a long letter to the community trying to explain my point of view," Mr. Yurgartis said. "But I would just like to point out that I don't think tonight is the time to have that debate."

His comment drew a quick response from Potsdam Councilman Michael J. Zagrobelny, who said there never seemed to be a good time for the two boards to have the discussion.

"It's never the right time," Mr. Zagrobelny shot back. "That was the same thing last time, when we tried to discuss it last time."

Mr. Yurgartis said he was open to talking with town officials about a water and sewer district on outer Market Street, if the town brings forth "new and substantive arguments" for its cause.

"It's hard to bring them forward without a forum," Mr. Zagrobelny said.

Village Trustee Ruth F. Garner also entered the fray, reminding Mr. Zagrobelny that the village's annexation requirement for water and sewer service has been around for decades.

"This has been a policy of ours for 40 or 50 years, not to provide water unless it's annexed," Mrs. Garner said.

"How's it worked for you?" Mr. Zagrobelny asked.

"Perfect," Mrs. Garner said.

Village Trustee Stephen J. Warr was the only village official to side with the town board, repeating as he has in the past that he supports creating a water and sewer district for Mr. Snell.

"I am for the water and sewer district, but I am the only one," he said. "It is OK for us to agree to disagree, but I will keep pursuing ways."

Mr. Warr said he plans to meet with two members of the Potsdam Town Council to look for a way to end the town and village stalemate.

"I'm trying to come up with a way to at least start a dialogue," Mr. Warr said.