Shelby approves water contract with Royalton

No date set for when connection from Royalton could be used

SHELBY – The Shelby Town Board has reached an agreement with the Town of Royalton to buy water from that Niagara County community at a reduced rate from what Shelby is currently paying the Village of Medina.

Royalton agreed to sell the water to Shelby for $3 per 1,000 gallons in 2024, and then $3.20 in 2025, and $3.40 in 2027, Shelby Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz said.

Medina bills Shelby at a $5.97 rate per 1,000 gallons. Shelby still plans to buy water from Medina from the main transmission line down Maple Ridge Road and for water lines going north.

Shelby anticipates the water bought from Royalton will cover most other parts of the town from an existing connection. Shelby will soon be seeking a thorough engineering study to see how much of the town can be served from Royalton, and if booster pumps and a water storage tank are needed, and at what cost.

The water from Royalton, like from Medina, comes from the Niagara County Water District. Wengewicz said Shelby residents currently pay some of the highest water rates in the region.

Shelby officials also want to negotiate with Medina village officials about lowering the rate to provide some relief to Shelby water users, Wengewicz said.

There is no set date for when a connection from Royalton will be used, he said.