4 WATER BOARD SEATS ON NOVEMBER BALLOT; THREE HAVE SAID THEY'LL SEEK RE-ELECTION.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

The Castaic Lake Water Agency board will face some big decisions in the coming years as the Santa Clarita Valley continues to grow, and November's election could play a part in whether enough water is obtained to satisfy the demands of development.

This fall, four of the seven elected seats on the agency board will come up for election.

Those seats are held by Randy Pfiester in Division 1, which includes Canyon Country and parts of Saugus; Richard Green in Division 2, covering Newhall and parts of Valencia; Don Froelich in Division 3, involving Valencia, Stevenson Ranch and parts of Newhall; and Richard Balcerzak in the at-large post.

So far, three of the four board members have said they plan to run for re-election, and they have until 5 p.m. Aug. 7 to file nomination papers with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office. The document filing period for the November election opened July 13.

Balcerzak, who has served on the board for one four-year term, said he would like to finish important projects that are now at the forefront for the water agency.

The agency, part of the State Water Project, provides state water to the four water retailers in the Santa Clarita Valley: the Newhall County Water District, Valencia Water Co., Santa Clarita Water Co. and Los Angeles County Waterworks.

One of the most significant issues has been the agency's effort to buy the rights to 40,000 acre-feet of state water from a Kern County water agency for $41 million.

Officials have said the additional water would provide for the proposed Newhall Ranch project, a city-size development west of the Golden State Freeway that could have up to 24,000 homes and 70,000 residents.

``I get a sense of public service out of being on the board,'' Balcerzak said. ``I think the district is doing a good job of looking out for the water supply for the valley. I'd like to see that continue. It's very, very important that we buy water from the Central Valley.''

Pfiester, who is in his first term on the board, also said he plans to run for re-election but would not comment on his interests on the board until his candidacy is official.

Fellow board members said Froelich plans to run again, and the county registrar-recorder office has issued election papers to him. Green, however, has indicated that he is undecided about whether to run again. He did not return telephone calls Thursday.

One local resident has taken an interest in the election. Peter Kavounas has taken out papers with the Registrar-Recorder's Office, though he has not officially filed. Kavounas could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The water agency board has 11 members, comprising seven elected seats and one representative from each of the four water districts.

Those interested in running for the Castaic Lake Water Agency board must pick up nomination papers in person at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office, 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk.

No filing fee or nomination signatures are required.

To have a statement printed in election materials, Divisions 1 and 2 candidates must pay $250, Division 3 candidates must pay $700 and at-large candidates must pay $1,000. The costs vary due to the size and number of registered voters in each of the districts. The money is due at the time of filing.