Water Quality & Watershed Updates!

The Sidney Center Improvement Group, Inc. (SCIG) hosted a town hall style meeting for the residents of Sidney Center to hear possible solutions for the hamlet's ever-present water quality issue. Several parties were in attendance to educate the general public and field any questions or concerns.


Shelly Johnson of the Delaware County Planning Board, who is also working with the SCIG on zoning matters for the hamlet, introduced the presenters of the evening – Lamont Engineering. Lamont Engineering, a civil and environmental engineering firm, recently completed a project in the town of Hamden and in the process wrote a "Guide to Developing a Municipal Wastewater Project," which could be applied to the similar situation in the hamlet of Sidney Center. Judy Pangman of Lamont Engineering presented the necessary steps to take in order to establish a feasible wastewater system. Henry Lamont, also of Lamont Engineering, explained the different types of water systems that could be implemented after the initial steps are taken. Both Pangman and Lamont reiterated the cooperation and patience needed by residents and planners alike to make this type of project successful.



Another notable in attendance was Terry Deuel of the Environmental Facilities Corporation, which provides low-cost financing and technical assistance to communities like Sidney Center, embarking on environmental projects. Deuel offered his expertise by posing important technical questions, which translated into funding necessities – funding of course being the greatest obstacle facing any small municipality attempting this sort of project. However, Assemblyman of the 127th District, Pete Lopez was also in attendance to show his support for solving the hamlet's water quality issues and quelling any fears of failure should the community decide to commence in a wastewater system project. Lopez assured everyone at the meeting that it takes much time and dedication but "it can be done."

This was only one of many meetings of this kind, which will occur in the coming months and years. The insight gained from the meeting was the recipe for success that involves the motivation and commitment by residents, concerned citizens, project planners, politicians, and the SCIG. When these issues are resolved, the quality of life for the residents and the habitat will be dramatically heightened – making Sidney Center a more pleasurable place to live and visit.

The Sidney Center Improvement Group, Inc. is a non-profit community activist group for the restoration and preservation of the Sidney Center area and hamlet. The SCIG encourages anyone who would like to be involved with this cause to please attend one of these meetings. For more information please visit our website: www.sidneycenterimprovementgroup.org, or email us at: scigny@gmail.com, or call SCIG Chairman, Joe Lally at 607.369.5705

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The Sidney Center Improvement Group, Inc. (SCIG) held a planning meeting to address the Carr's Creek Watershed. The meeting was open to the public and many Sidney Center residents came out to take part in the restoration project.

Carr's Creek, which is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, has been one of the main focuses of the SCIG - specifically to increase awareness of the problems that have existed along the stream and made worse after the 2006 floods.

The meeting was presided over by Wink Hastings of the National Park Service who facilitated by fielding questions and listing suggestions on how to work towards a successful stream assessment in the coming months. A proper stream assessment with cooperation by the landowners, which the stream affects, was the top priority at the meeting. Also, determining water quality issues and problem areas were discussed in detail. Volunteers will be a large part of the success of this project and affiliating with other environmental agencies, educational research, and community groups were suggested. The SCIG and concerned citizens of Sidney Center are working to promote this project throughout the summer with hopes of having the stream assessment completed by the fall.

The SCIG Chairman, Joe Lally, closed out the meeting stating, "What we really need to focus on here is the impact this project could have in the future - indeed for the Carr's Creek Watershed and its habitat, but also for our children and the younger generation who may be influenced in such a way that when they're walking and see a piece of trash on the ground, they'll think to pick it up."

The next Watershed Planning Meeting will be held on May 27th at 7:00pm in the Sidney Center Fire Hall. The SCIG encourages anyone who would like to be involved with this project to please attend one of these meetings. For more information please email scigny@gmail.com or call Joe Lally at 607.369.5705.

The Sidney Center Improvement Group, Inc. is a non-profit community activist group for the restoration and preservation of the Sidney Center area and hamlet. Web address: www.sidneycenterimprovementgroup.org