The Village of Munsey Park is disputing recent claims made by the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District that a referendum is not needed for the district to use its capital reserve fund to help finance a $3.2 million project to reconstruct its water tower in Munsey Park.
In a Nov. 7 letter to the Town of North Hempstead comptroller’s office, Munsey Park village counsel Robert Morici requested the town monitor the water district’s adherence to an inquiry made by Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth last month that Manhasset-Lakeville officials submit a brief explaining why the district would be exempted from a referendum.
Morici argued in his letter that the project would qualify for a referendum under state municipal law.
He wrote that he has not yet received a brief from the water district.
“It is my hope that the town will continue to press the MLWD for a written response regarding their failure to comply with the Premissive Referendum requirements,” Morici wrote.
Efforts to reach the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District or North Hempstead comptroller’s office were unavailing.
The water district has proposed to replace the current 500,000 gallon-capacity tower located on Eakins Road in Munsey Park with one of the same 165-foot height that holds 750,000 gallons. Residents and village officials at public hearings have requested Manhasset-Lakeville look into a ground-level tank that they said would be safer and more aesthetically pleasing.
Manhasset-Lakeville officials have said that the current water tower does not comply with building and safety codes, while the proposed tower would meet regulations and be able to withstand extreme weather conditions in the future.
The water tower was last rehabilitated in 1998, and the water district has since made regular repairs to curtail its corrosion and deterioration.
But based on recent analysis and testing conducted by H2M Architects + Engineers, officials have said the tower would have to undergo major rehabilitation in the next few years or be replaced completely.
The state Appellate Division has twice rejected appeals made by the village to prevent the design or construction of a new water tower at the site.
The village first filed for a temporary restraining order against the water district in late July, saying Manhasset-Lakeville officials had not adequately sought alternatives for the project.
