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Rome urges residents to verify water service materials ahead of May federal grant deadline
Summary
Commissioner Giuliano told the Rome Common Council the city needs verification of about 800 water service lines by May 2025 to qualify for a bipartisan infrastructure law grant to replace noncompliant lines; the city will mail follow-up notices and enter two sample pipe exhibits into the record.
Commissioner Giuliano told the Rome Common Council on Jan. 22 that the city is stepping up efforts to identify water service line materials so it can submit a federal grant application in May 2025.
Giuliano said the city has been working on the project for several months and has been sending letters to property owners. “I just want to remind everybody publicly and on the tape portion of the meeting, to go back to those letters and pay attention to them and answer as they request so that we can get some information on the materials of these water service lines,” Commissioner Giuliano said.
The city plans to verify at least 800 service lines before the May deadline, he said, and will enter two pipe samples as exhibits at the meeting for public viewing. “Our big push for the 3 year identifying the water service materials is, a milestone is going to hit this May of 20 25. We need to, update at least 800 services. So in that update, were able to put that percentage into a bipartisan infrastructure law grant application. So were looking for at least 800 service verifications before May,” Giuliano said.
Giuliano said the city will follow up with postcards and future mailings and increase public outreach to encourage homeowners to respond to the verification request. He described the grant as a funding source the city could use to replace service lines that “do not comply with the copper.”
During the public comment period, resident Anne Sullivan of 418 Floyd Avenue asked when project signage at the Colonial Apartments would be removed and raised concerns about sidewalk snow removal on Floyd Avenue. "That sign's been there probably about 8 months... So just curious about that," Sullivan said. Giuliano replied that project signs have required display periods tied to funding and that the city would follow up with the property manager about removal. On snow clearing, Giuliano said city sidewalk equipment is focused on downtown and major boulevards and that clearing isolated residential stretches is not feasible with existing staffing and equipment.
No council action was taken on the verification program during the meeting; Giulianos remarks were intended to boost homeowner response ahead of the May application deadline.
