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Cheektowaga board hears public comment on changing sewer connection inspection rule to require private contractors to make connections
Summary
The Town Board held a public hearing Sept. 9 on an amendment to the town code that would change who performs a building sewer lateral connection to the town’s main line, moving execution of the physical connection to private contractors while keeping town inspection authority.
The Town Board opened a public hearing Sept. 9 on a local-law amendment (Intro 4 of 2025) to revise section 198-27, “connection inspection,” which would change who makes connections from private building laterals to the public sewer main.
Councilman (last name in transcript: Polipsky) said the change was prompted by a recent case at 29 Deborah where a homeowner’s private contractor prepared a lateral for connection and the town delayed the actual hook-up. Polipsky argued the current code — which requires the town to perform the final physical connection — makes homeowners wait and uses taxpayer resources for what other nearby municipalities allow contractors to perform under inspection. He said he contacted sewer and engineering departments in Amherst, West Seneca, Tonawanda, Lancaster and Orchard Park; he reported those municipalities allow contractors to complete lateral-to-main connections and then require the contractor to repair any damage to town property.
Council member Anthony Phillipski said the amendment would be a small wording change removing the town obligation to perform the on-site connection and instead require the private contractor to complete the connection, with town inspection. Supervisor Brian Nowak expressed reservations about potential risks to the town’s mains if private contractors do poor work, but acknowledged the sponsors had added inspection language and the matter could be further reviewed ahead of final adoption.
After discussion the board voted to close the public hearing; no final adoption vote appears in the provided transcript. Board members emphasized the town will continue to inspect connections and that further refinement of language and review with engineering staff is planned.
Why it matters: The proposed change would shift the immediate physical labor and cost of making lateral connections from town crews to private contractors while preserving town inspection authority. Supporters said it aligns Cheektowaga’s practice with other Erie County municipalities and shortens homeowners’ wait time for repairs.
What was not decided: The transcript records the public hearing and debate but does not show a final vote adopting the local law. Board members requested further review and said there is time before a resolution would be filed for a vote.
Sources: Councilman Polipsky; Council member Anthony Phillipski; Supervisor Brian Nowak; town engineering references noted in debate.
