Village of Weedsport (Winner)
County: Cayuga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 834-663

The Village of Weedsport's aged sanitary system and 0.30 MGD activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) had an average daily flow of nearly 100% of the plant's capacity. Peak wet weather flows in excess of the plant's influent pumping capacity occasionally necessitated emergency bypass pumping operations. The Village and Barton & Loguidice, P.C., completed a combined collection system I/I Study and Facilities Plan to reduce wet-weather flows and provides a "green" solution to upgrading the WWTP.

City of Watervliet (Winner)
County: Albany County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (518) 270-3800

In an effort to cut expenses and consolidate its workforce, the City of Watervliet implemented a Water Filtration Plant Automation Project. In 2008, the City began a systematic plan that in two years time resulted in a fully automated Water Filtration Plant with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Computer System (SCADA) which is now monitored remotely by a supervisor. The alarm is linked to Police Dispatchers and Water Department personnel who respond to emergencies. Any municipality that operates a Water Filtration Plant would be a candidate for this type of project.

Village of Frankfort (Winner)
County: Herkimer County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 895-7651

The Village of Frankfort is an economically distressed Mohawk Valley community whose utilities have been plagued by unidentified leakages, unauthorized users, and meter tampering. Studies by the water department indicated an estimated potable water loss of up to 40% was occurring throughout the Village. In an effort to control treatment, personnel costs, unlawful consumption, and to promote efficiency, the Village embarked on a Village-wide utility smart meter replacement project with 2009 CDBG funding.

Village of Williamsville (Winner)
County: Erie County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
Village Hall: (716) 570-2472

The purpose of this project was to repair a collapsed wall section along Ellicott Creek, and to also restore access to Glen Park from the Village's Main Street. Poor drainage had caused erosion behind the historic wall and had undermined the wall structure. The Glen Park Committee held fund raising events to finance the project.

Village of Minoa
County: Onondaga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 656-3100

The Constructed Wetland Project was developed in 1993, and its sole purpose was to take the wastewater lading off the Treatment Facility. Research was completed over a 14 year period, and the Village was able to achieve 99% removal of wastewater from sewage.  The wetland was built at a low cost and has been beneficial for small municipalities as well as possible third world applications. The Village used available materials to create the wetland, and the project used no electricity or chemicals. The wetland has the ability to break down complex compounds, and in 2009, the Village was even able to test estrogen, which is not typically broken down in a Wastewater Treatment Facility. As a result, it was discovered that the wetlands have the ability to reduce the amount of estrogen in the wastewater. The Village is moving forward with research to actively remove more complex compounds.

Village of Rouses Point (Winner)
County: Clinton County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (518) 297-5502

Placing all utilities underground became a Village goal after NYSDOT reconstructed Lake Street (Main Street) in 1992. The visual impact of removing utility wires was immediately apparent, and as a result the Village began to budget for future undergrounding. Seeing the effects of the 1998 ice storm, the undergrounding project began that spring in an attempt to avoid future catastrophes. Today, approximately 95% of utilities are underground. The Village of Rouses Point, a Municipal Electric Association member, worked in partnership with the cable and telephone companies to accomplish its goals. The Village Electrical Department has been primarily responsible for the project, using in-house expertise to install underground conduits and electrical lines and services.

Village of Phelps (Winner)
County: Ontario County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 548-3861

The transfer station project was a complete renovation, including a new building, to update the Village's trash collection process from a volume-based system to a weight-based system. This change made charges fair to end users and eliminated operator discretion while building accountability into the system by allowing supervisors to verify amount being paid for, to amount being disposed of. A proprietary "debit" card system utilizing existing Trash Flow Software was also developed. The project was developed specifically to reduce or eliminate the cost overrun of $20,000 annually.

City of Watervliet (Winner)
County: Albany County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (518) 270-3800

The City of Watervliet, after decades of having its refuse and recycling picked up by outside contractors, felt the task could be performed more cost effectively and at a higher quality, and as a result started picking up its own refuse and recycling. The City appointed a committee of residents to write a new policy and implement the program.

Village of Evans Mills
County: Jefferson County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 629-4753

The NYS Department of Health would not allow any additional growth within or outside the Village of Evan Mills until the water storage tank was replaced. As a result, a housing project was put on hold until the tank was addressed. The former tank had severe corrosion and stability issues and the NYSDOH required the Village e to replace it.

Village of Geneseo
County: Livingston County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
Village Hall: (585) 243-1177

The Village of Geneseo has a curb-side brush pickup system that runs every other month. In order to address the problem of residents accumulating debris at other intervals, a Lend-a-Truck program was introduced. The Village now allows a dump truck to remain overnight at a residence, so that the resident can load the truck with brush and Village removes the truck the following morning.