Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council tables ordinance to allow out-of-city water connection after cost, infrastructure concerns
Summary
An ordinance to authorize a water connection to property in North Smithfield was tabled for a work session after council members and staff raised concerns about infrastructure costs and long-term financial payback.
The City Council voted Feb. 3 to table Ordinance 25-011, which would have authorized an out-of-city connection to the Woonsocket Waterworks System for property in North Smithfield, and asked staff to prepare a work session to analyze costs and policy issues.
Councilman Kenoyer moved to table the ordinance after Director Pagliarini outlined infrastructure costs and financial considerations. Pagliarini said the proposed connection would require roughly 1,000 feet of 12-inch water main and that contractors estimated installation at about $300 to $500 per foot. "On the low end, that's $300,000 for just the pipe," Pagliarini said. He compared that infrastructure cost with a local business's water bill to illustrate the long payback period: "Last year ... they used 3,700,000 gallons of water total. ... They paid in FY '24 $27,000. So even on the low end, that's 11.1 years to recoup $300,000," he said.
Council members said the city can sell water but has long resisted building infrastructure outside city limits because of the capital cost and uncertain financial return. Councilman Dubois noted that the ordinance requires the out-of-city customer to pay infrastructure costs and maintenance "in perpetuity," but he supported tabling so council and staff could examine details.
The motion to table passed unanimously; the item will return to the council after a work session that staff will schedule to examine design, cost-sharing, legal terms and alternatives.
