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Cheektowaga amends sewer law to clarify property‑owner responsibility for lateral connections
Summary
The town adopted a local-law amendment to clarify that property owners applying for building sewer connection permits are responsible for connection work and testing; board members debated DEC consent-order implications and engineering questions but voted to align town code with county peers.
The Town Board approved Introductory Local Law No. 3 of 2025 amending Section 198‑27 (connection inspection) of the town’s sewer code to clarify that the applicant for a building sewer connection permit is responsible for making the connection and paying for any required testing. The change was framed as bringing the town’s code into line with other municipalities in Erie County.
Council members and staff discussed the amendment’s interaction with ongoing work under a DEC consent order. Supervisor and several council members said the town’s actions under a consent order — where the town may cause repairs to be made — are distinct from routine owner-initiated permit work that would trigger Section 198‑27. Engineering staff had submitted last‑minute questions that the board agreed to address after the up‑or‑down vote.
Proponents argued the amendment removes duplicated inspections/subcontractor costs for homeowners (the homeowner’s contractor would complete the connection and the town’s inspector would then inspect it), while opponents and some engineering staff raised concerns about potential damage to town infrastructure and the need for clear permit language. After discussion, the resolution passed on roll call.
The board agreed to work with the engineering department to review and, if necessary, refine the implementing language in the days ahead.
