Fredonia council addresses sewer flooding, utility billing, library expansion plans

The Fredonia Town Council tackled a wide range of operational and community issues during its January 20 regular meeting, in­cluding sewer flooding claims, utility billing concerns, library ex­pansion plans and em­ployee compensation.

Members of the Fredonia Town Council listen during public comment at the council’s January 20 meeting at Town Hall.

Several residents raised concerns dur­ing public comment. Ted and Linda Jenson questioned whether their home’s solar pan­els were being properly credited on their elec­tric bill, saying their expected savings have not materialized. Town officials said the issue would be reviewed further during a future work meeting.

Gary Mudrow also addressed the council regarding sewer back­ups and flooding that occurred in September 2025, urging the town to take responsibility for damage to affected homes.

Later in the meet­ing, council members discussed those claims with the town attor­ney participating by phone. Officials said insurance reviews are ongoing and empha­sized that the town has not abandoned ef­forts to seek coverage, though some claims have already been denied. Mayor Don Johnson said the town continues to work with its insurer and attor­ney and is “not done fighting.”

Among the action items approved, the council voted to pur­chase a shipping con­tainer for storing the town’s Christmas deco­rations at a cost of $3,859.70. Officials said the container would protect decora­tions purchased jointly by the Civics Commit­tee and Public Works Department.

Library Director Sheena Cram pre­sented preliminary ideas for a new library building, suggesting possible locations near the park or ceme­tery and a facility of roughly 15,000 square feet. Council mem­bers asked Cram to research costs, design concepts and funding options and return with more detailed information within 30 days. She noted the library has a one-time fund available and plans to pursue grants.

The council also ap­proved a pay increase for Cram, raising her hourly wage from $20 to $22, and approved retirement benefits for Municipal Judge Serena Cutchens, who has served full time since 2019.

Utility billing and enforcement drew extended discussion. Town staff reported that roughly 20 resi­dents are significantly behind on utility pay­ments. The council directed the town office to send an additional notice outlining as­sistance options and policy details, with shutoffs authorized to begin February 26, if balances remain unpaid.

Other approvals in­cluded financing ar­rangements for a sewer line project that ex­ceeded its original bid, revisions to vacation and holiday policies, and plans to evaluate improvements to the Care and Share build­ing used by volunteers and local families.

The meeting ad­journed at 8:36 p.m.