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Resident and former council member urges town to produce irrigation engineering after project lowered pipe 4 feet
Summary
Tom Sallaya told the Florence Town Council that a 2024 infrastructure upgrade tied to Western Crossing lowered a replacement irrigation line about 4 feet, risking siltation and clogging. He requested engineering drawings, MAG specifications and inspection reports after the town said its work met contract terms.
Tom Sallaya, a Florence resident who said he served 10 years on the town council, told the council at its April 14 work session that a town infrastructure project begun in summer 2024 altered irrigation serving his property and may be prone to long-term failure.
Sallaya said surveyors initially marked an area along the east side of his property as part of an upgrade tied to Western Crossing and Centennial Park and that a 20-foot strip (about one-third of an acre) was later acquired. He said town staff agreed irrigation service would be maintained, but when the replacement line was installed it was placed “approximately 4 ft lower than the original elevation,” and remains buried at that depth.
"A drop of that magnitude creates a high likelihood that the irrigation water and even rainwater could carry silt into the pipe causing backfill and potential clogging over time," Sallaya said. "By simply installing the line, the town considers its responsibility complete," he added, summarizing a recent response from the town manager that he said left him "feeling confused about the town's commitment to operate in good faith."
Sallaya asked the council to provide engineer drawings, Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) specifications cited by the town, inspection reports and any available photos or documentation for the two lateral distribution lines affecting his property so he can determine whether the system will function without ongoing maintenance problems.
Mayor Eaton asked staff to follow up; the mayor and others directed Public Works to continue investigating and update council. Council members and staff did not take formal action during the public comment period; the mayor closed the call to the public and moved on to the budget work session.
Why it matters: If the installed elevation compromises flow or allows excessive siltation, property owners can face repeated maintenance costs and reduced irrigation capability. Sallaya framed his request as a records and design review so he can independently verify functionality before incurring potentially expensive repairs.
What happens next: Council instructed staff to follow up with the resident and report back. Sallaya asked for specific documentation — engineering drawings, MAG specifications, inspection reports and pictures — that the town cited in its written response.
