PROBLEM STATEMENT
An unknown quantity of volatile organic solvents was introduced into the groundwater near a gravel pit sometime in the late 1970 - early 1980 time period. The contamination was initially identified in 1990 during routine testing of the village water supply located ~2 miles away at Modock Springs. The use of the spring for potable water was discontinued at that time and the only know contaminated well was switched to town water. Intermittent investigations over the next 17 years identified a much larger scope of contamination with an old non-definable source located on the active Gravel pit property. A prominent and somewhat inflammatory newspaper article about the site in early 2007 has resulted in a great deal of anger, angst, and fear in the community. The result has been a huge increase in response from the local and state leaders, the NYDEC, NYDOH, and active community leaders. Part of the local town response has been a call to form a voluntary committee of citizens to assist in finding solutions to the multitude of issues that have arisen.

MISSION
The committee is a voluntary group of concerned citizens, business owners, and property owners that deeply care about the people’s lives that have been impacted by the Modock Springs contamination as well as the image of the Victor Community. They serve as the eyes and ears of the community by identifying, communicating, and prioritizing the issues impacting homeowners in the investigation area. They also provide input and recommendations to those carrying out the investigations and to the Victor Town Board as they carry out their responsibilities to Victor citizens.

Specifically the Committee will:

1.Insure that all issues impacting homeowners in the investigation area are identified and communicated to the Victor Town Board and to the DEC and DOH investigation teams.

2.Aggressively advocate for solutions to both health and property value protection.

3.Monitor, collect, and communicate citizen expectations and feedback on Modock Springs work as it moves from the investigation phase into the remediation phase.

4.Provide education, interpretation, and perspective on the overall Modock Springs situation so that effective communications are prepared for the Victor community.

5.Provide input and recommendations to the DEC and DOH investigation teams on their proposed groundwater remediation measures and their solutions to address homeowner issues including issues surrounding the continued monitoring of the site.

6. Make recommendations to the Town’s Building Department and to the Planning and Zoning Boards to guide future development and modifications to homes in the investigation area.

7.Continue their work until a positive outcome is realized for those impacted Victor community members.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Operating Principles are intended to guide how committee members act during meetings, how they relate to fellow members, and how the work of Committee is completed. It is the responsibility of all Committee members to follow the Principles AND to speak up when they don’t see them being followed.

•  All members have equal standing.

•  Committee meetings will be lead by Chairman/Co-Chairman and run by a facilitator.

• Members are expected to attend each meeting, be prepared, and actively participate.

• All members have equal opportunity to provide agenda items (items must be submitted at least 2 days in advance)

• Chairman makes final decision on agenda and sends out at least 24 hours in advance.

• Decisions are made using consensus voting (majority rules).

• In order for a Committee resolution to be approved, more than half of the existing Committee members must vote for the resolution.

• Once decisions are made, each member abides by team decisions.

• Discussions are open, respectful, controlled, and candid.

• Communications "outside" the team occur only after team has discussed information to be released.

• Committee meetings are "Working Sessions" where work completed outside the full committee by sub-teams is reviewed and approved.

• All Committee meetings are run using a standard format agenda and started/completed on time.

• Committee meetings are open to the Public.

• Conversations with the Press are controlled by a standard process approved by the Committee.

• Budget requests are delivered to the Town Board via the Town Board Liasion.

• Committee updates are provided to the Town Board following a schedule approved by the Committee.