Misinformation for funding for Water District 2

Recent mailers, town hall public comments, statements made at the October 20th Meet

the Candidates night give the impression that $600,000 of funding for Water District 2

(WD2) construction is at risk. Water District 2 will supply municipal water to Algonquin

Middle School and nearby neighborhoods. The creation of the WD2 was approved by

homeowners in the district on June 27, 2024.

The $600,000 represents a portion of the total construction project’s cost of $5.5 million,

95% of which is through various appropriations the Town received. The $600,000

amount is the County’s contribution to the project. Under President Biden’s America

Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, Rensselaer County received $30 million to use for various

projects. The town also received $450,000 in ARPA funding that was used for other

projects. The breakdown of Capital District funding is shown here:

The County’s contribution occurred in November 2023, seven months before

homeowners approved the water district.

Under ARPA, municipalities had to appropriate, or “obligate”, funds for specific projects

no later than December 31, 2024 and must spend them on these projects by December

31, 2026. The current timeline for Water District 2 has bids going out in November

2025, construction beginning in the spring and water flowing by November 2026. The

ARPA funds received from the county are likely to be the first used to pay for

engineering, design, and planning, well before the expiration date.

A detailed breakdown of all funding can be found on Laberge’s website:

extension/

For more information on the obligation and spending deadlines, see this link to the

National Association of Counties.

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