The village Board of Trustees voted Jan. 21 to amend the Aquifer Protection Law which will now enable residents living along Ferry Lane to install septic systems if they meet New York state regulations.

The new law was approved following a public hearing and review by the village which revealed the change would have no negative impact on the environment. The aquifer law was first passed in 1999. Two or more properties along Ferry Lane do not have septic systems at this time, said Trustee John Basile, and this will enable owners to go that route if they choose and meet state qualification.

Trustees also voted to renew its employee health insurance plan with MVP effective March 1 with a 4.8 percent premium increase. The plan is for currently eligible employees and retirees.

Deductibles will continue to be paid in full by the Village of Stillwater and prescriptions reimbursed to each employee until the deductible is met. Deductibles under the plan are $3,900 for individuals and $7,800 for families. The board also accepted the renewal of existing employee Delta Dental and Empire Vision Plans for another year.

In other business Jan. 21, the Village Board,

• Heard an update from Eagle Scout candidate Eddie Berthiaume, Stillwater Troop #4035, on his project for installing two new wooden benches around the village water splash pad and a new informational message board at the entrance to the park. Berthiaume said his proposal has been given local and regional approval by the Boys Scouts of America since he first presented it to the Village Board in October. Berthiaume will be fundraising for the project to be completed prior to his 18th birthday on April 1. He will work with village Department of Public Works Foreman Matt Rifenburgh on the specifics.
• Discussed the water line replacement project from the Hillside water holding tank to Rt. 4 in the village. In December, the Village of Stillwater was awarded a New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant totaling $733,418 to pay about 60 percent of the cost of the new water line. The total replacement cost is estimated at $1,222,364. The remaining monies will be funded through a low interest loan from the DWSRF program. The supply line from the storage tank into the water distribution system is more than 83 years old, approximately 4,840 linear feet in length, heavily corroded and needs replacement. The projected start date is the summer 2020.
• Schedule a public hearing for Feb. 18, 7 p.m., at the Village Hall, to consider increases to the village’s water and sewer billing rates.