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Committee considers $1 million reappropriation to fix seasonal water‑meter cross‑contamination risks at parks
Summary
Staff told the Assembly the borough plans to reappropriate $1,000,000 to bring 19 seasonal water meter locations into compliance with cross‑contamination prevention requirements, relocating many installations above ground and consolidating or closing unused meters.
Assembly members on Nov. 6 reviewed a proposal to reappropriate $1,000,000 within the capital projects fund for a seasonal water meter compliance program covering borough parks and recreation facilities.
Janice Smith (presenting with David Bradley and Matt Boyer) said 19 locations were assessed after 2024 findings showed many underground installations did not meet cross‑contamination prevention requirements. "Fixing the potential contamination issues provides the opportunity to relocate the meter connections above ground outside of confined spaces," Smith said, describing a new configuration that places the meter and required cross‑contamination device above ground inside a locked metal cage.
David Bradley explained the funding request is a reappropriation from a multi‑year repair and maintenance program that imposes a $300,000 per‑project limit; because the work exceeds that per‑project cap, the ordinance would reallocate funds so the program balance remains sufficient for the year. "That program was set up to fund projects like this but it does have a limit of $300,000 per project, so the funding needs to be reappropriated," Bradley said.
Parks and Rec staff said the meters irrigate athletic fields, landscaping and support an RV filling station and restrooms. Matt Boyer said, excluding Pioneer Park filling station, the facilities supported by these meters had an estimated 184,000 visits over the past summer.
Assembly members asked about safety of above‑ground meters in winter (snowplows, ATVs) and were told the cages will be tall, marked and that the borough will blow out piping in the fall to leave them empty during winter months. Staff also said portable toilets are used where restrooms are removed and that some meters identified for closure are either unused or can be consolidated with nearby connections.
The transcript records committee questions and clarifications but not a committee vote on the ordinance during this meeting.
