The Village of Tannersville Board passed a resolution on Tuesday, March 13 to amend their current sewer use law following a public hearing on the proposed revision that would require more property owners to connect to the municipal system.
The Village Board passed the resolution unanimously, and it will now be presented to the Greene County Legislature for review.
Proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2025 would amend the Village’s existing sewer connection requirements for the first time in nearly three decades.
The revision extends the mandatory connection distance from 100 feet back to 250 feet, a move Village officials say is necessary to encourage development and bring the law in line with current water protection efforts by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP).
“To allow for more development in the Village, the current administration has decided to amend the sewer use law back to the original 250 feet, which will be good for future growth,” Mayor David Schneider said. He noted that under the previous administration, the mandatory connection distance had been reduced to 100 feet.
The law applies to areas served by the NYC DEP Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Tannersville and areas that may connect in the future.
Key Changes Under the Proposal
Under the proposed revisions, any property with a structure used for human occupancy, employment, or other purposes within 250 feet of a sewer main would be required to connect to the system within 90 days of notice from the Building Inspector.
Connections would be subject to the availability of capacity at the WWTP and require NYC DEP approval, which must be granted or denied within 60 days of application. Property owners beyond 250 feet from a main would not be required to connect, and those denied a connection due to capacity constraints could apply to install an on-site septic system under NYC Watershed rules.
The proposed law also requires that when new sewer mains become available, structures within 250 feet must connect, and existing cesspools and septic tanks must be decommissioned and filled.
Additionally, under the 1997 Watershed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Sewer Extension Program, any building with plumbing that predates the agreement would have to connect to a newly constructed sewer main within 90 days of notification.
Election Issue
The proposal has emerged as a key issue in the upcoming March 18 village elections, with both trustee and mayoral candidates weighing in on whether expanding the sewer connection mandate will either help with sustainable growth, or prompt too much growth.
Supporters argue that extending the connection requirement will open more properties to development, getting those properties back on the tax rolls and eliminate obstacles that have prevented property owners from building or improving structures. Opponents have raised concerns about costs to property owners and the pace of development.
A draft of Proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2025 – Sewer Use Law (Revised) is available for public reference online. For more information, residents can contact the Village Office at 1 Park Lane in Tannersville at 518-589-5850, Ext. 1 or by email at office@hvc.rr.com.
Max Oppen is a contributing reporter. Send correspondence to reporting@theoverlooknews.com.
