Greg Ballard advocates for Citizens to manage water assets in Westfield

During the recent Special Town Council meeting in Whitestown, a passionate plea for collaboration with Citizens Energy Group took center stage. Resident Greg Ballard emphasized the importance of leveraging the expertise of Citizens, a company with a long history in natural gas and water services, to ensure the town's economic growth and infrastructure development.

Ballard argued that without this partnership, Whitestown risks seeing its assets plummet in value from $37 million to as low as $7 million within two years. He highlighted that Citizens possesses the necessary knowledge and experience to manage water services effectively, unlike other entities that may lack this expertise. "These guys know nothing about water," Ballard stated, urging the council to consider the long-term benefits of working with a proven company.

The discussion also touched on the financial implications of infrastructure costs. Resident Philip Snowberger raised a question about how costs for new developments, such as water towers, would be distributed among customers. He suggested that partnering with Citizens could alleviate the financial burden on current residents by spreading costs across a larger customer base.

As the meeting progressed, the council members were encouraged to weigh the potential economic advantages of this partnership against the risks of going it alone. The outcome of these discussions could significantly shape Whitestown's future, as leaders consider the best path forward for the community's growth and sustainability.