Report counsels Farmingdale water agency

A consultant examining two candidates to absorb Farmingdale's water district has advised that the Suffolk County Water Authority could save the village more money, if capital improvements are considered in the calculation.

A report by the Boston-based Guastella Associates showed that as the cost of improvements -- such as fixing the water tower -- rises, the cost of Suffolk service drops.

Should capital improvements fall below $6.24 million, residents would pay less with Bethpage Water District, which is also competing for a contract. But commercial customers would pay less with Suffolk, no matter the capital costs.

Suffolk has proposed to cover upgrades to Farmingdale's water infrastructure. Bethpage has not matched that offer.

With $6.24 million in capital costs, an average resident's annual bill would be $288 under both Suffolk or Bethpage. But an average business would pay $288 under Suffolk, which has a flat fee, and $623 under Bethpage, Guastella found.

SCWA attorney Timothy Hopkins on Wednesday said they "felt fully confident that we had the best offer moving forward, and the independent consultant agreed."

Suffolk's rates have increased 4.2 percent since the report's release, but agency officials believe they still provide the better deal.

Bethpage Water District Superintendent Michael Boufis said on Thursday that he "found flaws with the report" and said his agency saves Farmingdale money if capital costs are $4 million, as originally predicted.

Boufis in February sent consultant John Guastella a letter challenging the legality of SCWA's cross-border proposal.

Guastella wrote in his report that Suffolk is the better choice, and Farmingdale should face "whatever legal hurdles are necessary to accomplish the goal of charging the lowest available water rates."

Farmingdale officials on April 2 approved a payment of $16,000 to Guastella for his services, up from the $7,000 contract amount, "due to additional analysis needed in result of letters sent by water districts."

Farmingdale officials have indicated they plan to seek compensation from Bethpage water for the extra charges. Boufis said it was not Bethpage's intention to cost Farmingdale more money but did not comment on whether Bethpage would pay. He said the agency is to meet with newly elected Mayor Ralph Ekstrand in upcoming weeks.

At least three water authorities in New York State have secured statutory amendments needed to operate beyond county borders.

The outside municipality is responsible for lobbying lawmakers, said Michael Hooker, of the Onondaga County Water Authority, which serves 15 towns outside its county.

"The biggest thing is you need a champion in both houses, and you particularly want them in the majority of both houses" of the State Legislature, he said.

Ekstrand said he hopes to bring representatives of SCWA and Bethpage Water District together to discuss their proposals before village officials decide.