After hearing, Malverne moves closer to new iron removal plant

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At a special exception hearing last week, the Village of Malverne gave a green light to New York American Water’s plans to file for a permit and begin construction of Iron Removal Plant #23, on Cornwell Avenue. It was the fourth meeting the water company has had with village officials and residents about the plant’s construction.

The plant’s two major components include four backwash tanks and four filters that are of primary aesthetic concern to villagers. To make them more cosmetically pleasing, the water company agreed to relocate the backwash tanks 15 feet from its property line, and to surround them with plantings. The four 21,000-gallon filters will be housed in a pre-engineered metal building that New York American Water agreed to make look more residential. The company also agreed to reassess the landscaping with officials and residents six months after it is completed to ensure that the trees are properly camouflaging the plant.

Once the water company submits drawings, and they are approved, it will take three to six months to build the plant. Construction work would be done only on weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents whose backyards abut the property continued to voice concerns about the value of their homes after the plant is completed, the ability to sell in the future, and whether they would be able to successfully grieve the decreased values in order to reduce their property taxes. They also worried, they said, about the water company’s pledge to listen to and address residents’ complaints in the future.

“We’re hoping you’re going to be a good neighbor,” Malvernite Diane Crimmins told the water company executives in attendance.

“We’re here for the long haul,” replied John Kilpatrick, New York American Water’s engineering manager.

The company’s property, in a residential area on Cornwell Avenue, borders the backyards of most of the properties surrounding it on Cornwell, Linden Street, Legion Place and Maple Street. The company has owned the property since the early 1960s. According to company executives, the plant is needed because iron in one of the wells on the property exceeds the legal concentration limit.

The water company will present possible colors for the metal building’s siding, roofing and backwash tanks at the next village Architectural Review Board meeting, on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. The board and residents may also present other concerns.