The Fleischmanns News

Published by The Fleischmanns Board of Trade

Volume No. 8, Issue No. 1

January - February 2006

Fleischmanns is poised for growth

These words may have been heard before, but they are true now more than ever. Three main developments are starting to come together now. They all point to growth in the near future for Fleischmanns. These three developments are: 1) The construction of sewers for Fleischmanns and the surrounding area. 2) The growing operation and expansion of Belleayre Ski Center, and 3) The legalization of gambling in the Catskills. Let’s look at these developments one by one, and see what they can mean for the future of Fleischmanns.

Sewers in the Catskills

Although it may sound like a mundane item, sewers will mean a lot to the area. Federal law requires that all major cities in the United States filter their water supply. However, Senator Moynihan of New York obtained a special exemption to the law for New York City that allows the City to clean up its water supply at the source. (The Catskills). Instead of having to spend about $13 Billion for a filtration system, New York City will only have to spend about $1.3 Billion to install sewers and take other steps to clean up it’s water supply here at it’s source in the Catskills. Sewers mean expansion and growth in the Catskills. You cannot have such growth without them. Large hotels need sewers. Condos on the ski slopes need sewers. Housing developments need sewers. Sewers are a necessary prerequisite to growth and orderly development in the area. Currently sewer plants have been completed in Pine Hill (5 miles from Fleischmanns), Grand Gorge (About 18 miles from Fleischmanns), Tannersville (About 23 miles from Fleischmanns), and the existing plant in Margaretville (7 miles from Fleischmanns) has been expanded to a larger capacity. The Pine Hill plant and the Margaretville plant will have the greatest impact on the Fleischmanns area, since they are so close to Fleischmanns.

The Pine Hill Sewer Plant

This sewer plant built at a cost of about $35 Million was recently put into operation. It was designed and built for a capacity of 500,000 gallons of sewerage per day. The current needs of Pine Hill are about 55,000 gallons per day. Thus one can easily see there is a large growth factor built in here. The plant, which is located on Route 28 (Soon to be renamed Catskill Parkway) in the Town of Shandaken is a model for other sewer plants. If you drive by it, you might be tempted to stop in to reserve a room. It looks like a resort complex rather than a sewer plant. While the appearance of the plant is impressive, it is the capacity that is important. There is a lot of room for growth in the area with such a capacity available.

The Margaretville Sewer Plant

This plant has been in operation for a number of years. Its capacity is now being expanded to allow for growth in the area. The system from the Margaretville plant extends east to Arkville (about 3 miles from Fleischmanns). It was originally intended to hook up with Fleischmanns about 25 years ago. However, the Village fathers at that time, turned down the opportunity to have sewers connected. But this time things are different.

The current status of sewers in Fleischmanns is:

1. Construction of the sewerage system began in April of this year 2005. It is anticipated that work will be completed by September of 2006.

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