Trenton City Council on Dec. 2 approved a series of bond ordinances to pay for immediate and multi-year repairs at Trenton Waterworks and for sewer system improvements.

Director of Trenton Water and Sewer (Director Semple) told the council the measures will fund roof and HVAC repairs already begun, replacement of an aging HVAC system, and electrical upgrades identified in a DEP consultant assessment. "This bonds cover a variety of things. The first is the HVAC and roof repairs... This is gonna rectify most of these problems," Semple said, and described the program as a multi-year project (he said the work is estimated as a three-year program, with a goal of finishing sooner if procurement allows).

The ordinances recorded on the docket included an authorization to issue $20,000,000 to finance the next phase of lead service-line replacement in the Trenton Waterworks service area and a separate appropriation (listed in the docket) of $27,343,200 for 2025 capital acquisitions and improvements for Trenton Waterworks. Council also approved Ordinance 25-137, which authorizes $4,075,000 in bonds or notes to finance sewer-utility acquisitions and improvements. No members of the public spoke on these items before the votes.

Council members pressed for timing details and asked that an ad hoc committee meet with the director and other staff to track DEP deadlines and procurement schedules. Councilwoman Williams said she was concerned that a three-year project timeline "might not be realistic given what DEP is talking about," and urged that the ad hoc committee be convened so members can "dig a little bit deeper" into schedule and compliance issues. Business Administrator Richardson responded that the city has worked with DCA and DEP during the bond-waiver process and that, absent an official directive not to proceed, the city must move forward to protect its utility.

Votes were taken by roll call; council recorded affirmative votes by the members present and carried the ordinances as presented.

Next steps: administration said the work would proceed through phased bids and contracts; the council directed staff to provide the ad hoc committee with engineering timelines, exhibit materials and updates tied to DEP citations so the committee can monitor progress and compliance.