Committee to pursue cleanup of Galesburg–Comstock water franchise boundaries after new demand

Committee members discussed a long-standing overlap in franchise/service areas between the city of Kalamazoo and the city of Galesburg in a portion of Comstock Township and agreed to pursue a cleanup of the franchise map, with action likely at a future meeting.

Tom Weep, regional commission engineer, summarized the situation: a new use in Comstock Township sought water service and approached Galesburg because a Galesburg main runs on 30th Street. Weep said that investigation showed two residential properties already served by Galesburg inside the green area, and a small blue‑hatched area where Kalamazoo has historically provided service. "This is a good time to clean this up because it really makes sense for that green area to be served by Galesburg," Weep said. He described a potential next step of obtaining agreement in concept from Comstock Township, Galesburg and Kalamazoo and then having attorneys draft the formal franchise language.

Committee members noted the driver for the cleanup was an immediate request from Comstock Township to serve a proposed fire station and earlier development interest on the large parcel. Staff said the city already plans transmission work in the capital improvement plan that would make service from 30th Street feasible and that a cleaned franchise boundary would reflect on-the-ground service choices.

No formal motion was taken. Weep and staff said they expect to return with a proposed boundary clean-up and draft franchise language for UPC and township review at a future meeting, followed by township board approvals as required.