PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh Town Council approved a resolution Monday night to create the Cumberland Head Sewer District.

The vote, which was expected, clears the way for opponents to get 5 percent of the property owners in the proposed district to sign a petition to put the matter to a permissive-referendum vote.

The petition needs to be submitted within 30 days of the resolution’s adoption.

Town Council members explained why they voted to create the district, despite many people speaking against it at previous meetings.

CAMPAIGN VOW

Councilor Tom Wood said that his campaign two years ago emphasized improved and expanded infrastructure, grant acquisitions and environmental protection.

“The sewer project on Cumberland Head meets all of these criteria,” he said.

The $12.2 million in grant and loan funding provides an extraordinary opportunity to build a system that may be required at a later date, when such funding might not be available, Wood said.

FEAR OF MANDATE

Councilor Gerard Renadette said he is concerned a sewer system could be mandated by the federal government if the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 passes Congress. The act would give the federal government jurisdiction over waters of the United States, including wetlands.

He cited the Town of Black Brook, which was mandated to install a wastewater-treatment system. Proposals by the town had been voted down a number of times, but it now has to build the system at time-inflated costs.

“When an opportunity comes along for the first time in approximately 20 years which will make a project feasible, we have a responsibility to get all the information to the public and then hear everyone,” Renadette said.

He dismissed claims that the town is forcing the project on Cumberland Head residents. He has no doubt opponents will be able to gather enough signatures to put the matter to a public vote.