Newcastle approves temporary 2‑inch public service line to connect 3301 Southeast 32nd while staff studies larger main

Newcastle officials voted March 9 to have city staff install a 2‑inch public service line under Pennsylvania Avenue to a meter on the east side of the road to allow a homeowner at 3301 Southeast 32nd to connect to city water while longer‑term engineering for an 8‑inch extension is pursued. The motion also instructed staff to make the same service available to other property owners who meet right‑of‑way requirements.

The council and Public Works staff discussed three options: the city extend an 8‑inch main at city expense, the homeowner pay to extend an 8‑inch main (staff estimated $45,000–$50,000 for roughly 700 feet), or the city provide a public service line to a meter positioned at the public right‑of‑way and let private service lines run from that meter to individual houses. Staff recommended the third option as the fastest way to restore water without creating private service lines in the public right‑of‑way.

"My slab got poured, and I'm really needing that water to come across 32nd in a 2‑inch line," said Keith Mullenix, the owner at 3301 Southeast 32nd, who told council he had already bored private pipe and paid for the bore but needed the public meter connection to serve an active job site. Council members and staff frequently raised the precedent issue — whether allowing one temporary or private arrangement would oblige the city to provide the same for others — and discussed ordinance and subdivision provisions (Ordinance 5202 and subdivision regulation 153.007) that govern required connections within certain distances.

Several neighbors spoke during public comment. Olivia Snow, who owns a nearby corner property, asked how many separate 2‑inch service runs the city would allow and whether the piecemeal approach would leave later buyers with unaffordable connections. Staff and council responded that the short‑term 2‑inch service is intended to solve an immediate hardship and that engineering for an 8‑inch main to the east side of Pennsylvania Avenue would be pursued and shelved for future construction if demand justifies the cost.

Council members asked staff to obtain engineering estimates on extending an 8‑inch main and to confirm DEQ/engineering thresholds (staff noted lines over 6 inches or over certain lengths may require formal engineering). The approved motion directs staff to proceed with installation of the 2‑inch city service line to the meter, to offer the same connection to other property owners who meet right‑of‑way and easement requirements, and to return with cost and engineering information for a potential 8‑inch main extension.

The vote approved the measure with an amendment to clarify that other property owners may receive the same city service option if they meet right‑of‑way requirements. Staff will produce engineering estimates and return to council for any decision on building or funding a larger main.

What happens next: staff will obtain engineering estimates for an 8‑inch extension and schedule a follow‑up agenda item. Meanwhile the city will install the temporary 2‑inch public service line to the meter on the east side of Pennsylvania Avenue so the property owner can complete his active construction project.