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Council authorizes town administrator to negotiate sale of PFAS‑free water for Army Corps monitoring work
Summary
Richmond authorized the town administrator to negotiate and execute a contract, assisted by the solicitor, to sell PFAS‑free water (about 1,500 gallons/week) to Weston Solutions/Army Corps from July through December, pending a final estimate on meter and related costs.
The Richmond Town Council on May 20 authorized the town administrator, with solicitor assistance, to negotiate and execute an agreement to sell PFAS‑free water to Weston Solutions (working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) for monitoring-well work at Ninigret Park.
Town staff said Weston Solutions requested roughly 1,500 gallons a week from July through December, and that Richmond’s water system is one of the few in the area that tested PFAS‑free. Because the town does not normally sell bulk water, staff proposed charging a rate approximately equivalent to residential rates with an additional fee to cover installation of a meter and a backflow-prevention device. Staff estimated the cost of a new meter and backflow device near $2,000; preliminary suggested revenue for the period was roughly $2,800 after covering the meter cost, though the town will confirm exact costs before finalizing the contract.
Councilors asked for an additional cost estimate and for a final contract to be presented if the price or terms changed. The motion the council passed authorized the town administrator to enter into the agreement, to set a rate that covers costs and is consistent with market rates, and to include the cost of the water-meter installation in the arrangement. The council explicitly amended the authorization to require the town administrator to ensure the meter cost is covered in the contract terms.
Town staff and councilors noted that Northeast Water (the town’s operator) would handle operations and that any operator time would be billed directly to the buyer. Council members also raised concerns about ensuring the sale would not increase customer rates or place an operational burden on the system.
Motion and vote: The council approved a motion authorizing the town administrator to proceed with contract negotiations and to include provision for meter/backflow costs; the motion passed by roll call vote.
