Sept. 24, 1993
City Council changed its mind last night and granted the town of Fleming permission to use 12 feet of city land for a new water line so it can buy water from Owasco.
Councilors had refused last week to give Fleming the easement it needs to connect with Owasco’s water. But last night, councilors reversed their earlier position and unanimously agreed to let Fleming start digging.
They said the decision wasn’t so much a reversal, but a reaction to the way the proposal was introduced last week — as a threat.
Fleming Supervisor Don Chase had told city officials that he would ensure the county Legislature voted against helping the city pay for renovating Falcon Park if the city didn’t give him the easement he has been trying to get for several months.
Fleming is under an order from the county health department to fix its water pressure problems. The town wants to do this by buying about half its water from Owasco.
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Chase said city officials, including City Manager James Malone and Mayor Guy Cosentino, agreed in a “back room” meeting before the council meeting last week to give up the 12 feet in exchange for baseball money. Cosentino said Chase misunderstood and that there was no such deal.
Nevertheless, a proposal to grant Fleming the right-of-way did appear suddenly on council’s agenda last week.
A majority of the councilors said they felt they were being blackmailed and refused to give in, although they all said they had no problem with giving up the 12 feet.
“This was mucked up last week by other issues that were inappropriate at the time,” Cosentino said.
— Compiled by David Wilcox
