Chautauqua County is stepping up to help get a water study completed regarding the possibility of Fredonia getting water from Lake Erie.

During the recent legislature meeting, an emergency resolution was brought before county lawmakers to use $50,000 to do a study to be used for LaBella Associates to do a study regarding the village joining the Northern Chautauqua County Water District.

The resolution was sponsored by Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, who explained the request. “The emergency resolution we have before us is the result of deadlines needed to be met,” he said.

According to Scudder, the Northern Chautauqua County Water District was anticipating a grant from the state but was recently informed that the funding was denied. “The study will provide the hydrologic modeling required for the NCCWD project,” the resolution states.

To pay for the study, the county is using interest earnings it made from American Rescue Plan Act funds.

During the discussion, Legislator Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, noted the resolution was vague in nature, not specifying if this was a loan or a grant by the county.

Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon said the county had recently learned about this need and had to act before the county finance director was able to return from being out of town. “At her request she suggested this treatment, with the understanding that next month we’ll bring another resolution, taking care of the accounting treatment,” he said. At that time it will be made clear if this $50,000 will be a loan or a grant.

Legislator Tom Carle, D-Fredonia, asked what will be different with this study compared to previous studies.

Chagnon noted LaBella has not done a study regarding Fredonia getting water from the Northern Chautauqua County Water District.

A previous study focused on Fredonia buying water from Dunkirk directly.

The emergency resolution passed unanimously.

The study is expected to cost $70,000 in total. In September the county legislature agreed to use $20,000 from its ARPA accounts, with the understanding at the time that the state was paying for the $50,000 balance.