Middletown board authorizes long-term water and sewer agreement with Goshen; estimates $2.2M annual revenue

The Middletown Board of Estimate and Apportionment voted to authorize an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Goshen for water and sewer services, estimating 300,000 gallons per day and authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement; the board said the measure is subject to subsequent council approval.

Board members and staff said the agreement is expected to generate roughly $2,200,000 per year when fully implemented and that those funds are intended to support ongoing infrastructure improvements. “Amy’s deal has gone south,” the meeting’s primary speaker said, and the Goshen arrangement would pay 100 percent rather than the earlier proposed 50 percent, producing significant revenue for Middletown’s capital needs.

At a hearing on the item board members asked whether the commitment was short term or permanent. The primary presenter described the pact as a long-term commitment, saying “It’s I think it’s 40 years” and noting the agreement includes extension opportunities so service would not be abruptly cut off. The board discussed a prior Orange County 20-year agreement as an example of a long-term contract that created complications for later customers.

Staff clarified that the Town of Goshen Water District is still being formed and that state approval of the district requires access to water and sewer services. The board and staff also discussed a separate arrangement that would provide 40,000 gallons per day to the State Department of Mental Health; staff said that allocation is over and above the Goshen agreement but would use the same line once the line is converted from a single-user connection to a district line.

Jacob, identified in the meeting as a public works staff member, gave a technical detail about meter placement: “the tap is right at the entrance of the sewage treatment plant and Dawson Avenue,” and he said the master meter for the line is located on Middletown’s sewage treatment plant property. Commenter Kevin added that the water lines were installed at Amy’s expense and that the Goshen district will be purchasing the lines from Amy’s.

A motion to approve the authorization was made by the meeting’s primary speaker and seconded by Council President Rodriguez. The board recorded three voice votes of “Aye,” and the motion carried. The board noted the authorization is subject to the council’s forthcoming consideration.

The agreement before the board was described at the meeting as an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Goshen for Water and Sewer Services estimating 300,000 gallons per day; the board’s authorization allows the Mayor to sign pending council approval.