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Public debate over sewer-connection inspection law: who pays for laterals?
Summary
Residents and officials debated a proposed change to the town’s sewer connection inspection law Jan. 13, with many asking why Cheektowaga would fund private lateral repairs and whether work should be performed by town crews or subcontractors; speakers asked for a delay to gather more data.
A proposed amendment to the town sewer connection inspection law drew extensive public comment and technical questions at the Jan. 13 meeting.
Tony Felipski, one of the evening’s speakers, said the draft change would align the town with neighboring municipalities and Erie County practice by clarifying who is responsible for lateral connections. Felipski urged a delay until the town can collect data and review whether the change creates opportunities for private contractors at resident expense. Other speakers, including Kevin Hoffner and Dan Callender, asked why the town would subcontract lateral repair work rather than use in-house sewer‑maintenance crews, raised equity questions about which parts of town (consolidated vs. Erie County sewer districts) would be affected, and sought clarity on how consolidated sewer district tax assessments would apply.
Town staff explained that the amendment would affect only residents inside the town’s consolidated sewer district (not those in Erie County Sewer District No. 1) and that policy differences with other towns had led to confusion. Several residents asked the board to postpone action and study the implementation and potential fiscal impacts, while others asked for parity with nearby municipalities. The board closed the hearing and directed staff to provide more details on coverage, legal constraints and program mechanics.
