ORCHARD PARK, NY (WKBW) — During Wednesday's Town Board meeting in Orchard Park, community members voiced their concerns about Providence Farm Collective's months-long water shortage.
"I wish I could get back to growing vegetables instead of worrying about this all the time," said PFC's Farm Manager Isaac Frisina.
Frisina says he is frustrated with the new barn built in November, still without water.
Earlier this month Orchard Park residents took advantage of the public forum to share their concerns. You can watch our previous report below and read more here.
The collective is waiting for the Orchard Park Town Board to turn on the water, which Farmer Dan Schuester said should have been done sooner.
"Please help them get hooked up without creating an undue hardship for Providence Farms," said Schuester. "I am embarrassed by my Town and some of my fellow citizens for not celebrating these new immigrant farmers and their dreams."
The Erie County Farm Bureau is also voicing frustration with the Town Board.
"We encourage you to do the right thing: support a small farm in your community that's putting food on the table. Don't be grinches; allow them to hook up to the water," said Dan Brenner, Erie Co. Farm Bureau County Director.
The Town proposed a new water district along Burton Road, even though the farm has the Erie County Water Authority hookup on its property.
Town Supervisor Eugene Majchrzak said he was unaware the farm had asked to be part of the Town's water supply.
"The one thing that frustrates me is the exaggeration of the process, and it has not been three years as far as treated water; it's only been a few months," said Supervisor Majchrzak.
However, Providence Farm Collective shared the below emails with me that show correspondence with past town board members and Wayne Bieler, Orchard Park's Town Engineer, dated back to 2021 and 2022. In the emails, the collective asks about public water.
Councilman Joe Liberti sent this statement:
We understand the importance of this issue and have been working diligently to resolve it. We are committed to ensuring that the farm has the necessary resources to continue its valuable work in the community.
We are working with our Engineering Team to get this to the finish line.
The Town Board hopes to present solutions on January 15 to connect the collective to water.
