Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Assembly approves Republican Way natural-gas LID after residents support measure
Summary
The Assembly adopted Ordinance 26-041 to create Local Improvement District 672 for a natural gas line on Republican Way after staff reported 75% support among returned ballots and residents urged the project to lower winter heating costs. Questions about concurrent paving were left to public works.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on May 19 adopted Ordinance 26-041 to create Republican Way Natural Gas Local Improvement District (LID) 672, allowing construction of a natural-gas line and equal assessment of costs among participating properties. Finance staff reported that 9 ballots were mailed, 8 were returned and 6 were marked “yes” (75% support), and the work is scheduled for this construction season.
The item drew short public testimony from Republican Way residents who supported gas service for reduced heating bills and improved property value. Tom Chipman, who said he represented the LID proponents, thanked the borough and said the gas connection “will improve our property, plus it’ll help on heating bills in the winter.” The Assembly asked public works whether paving would accompany the gas work; staff said the LID is for gas only and there is no paving project for Republican Way scheduled this summer.
Assembly members discussed whether the LID boundaries could be revised to add additional properties before construction. Borough attorney explained that adding or removing lots after ballots are taken typically requires failing the LID and rebalotting affected properties under state statute, though staff can be directed to redraw and reballot if the Assembly wants to pursue that path. Several members urged neighbors who want to join later to either pay for an extension or initiate a separate LID.
With no recorded objection, the Assembly passed the ordinance. The measure authorizes the manager to proceed with the improvement and to assess costs equally among properties within the district. Implementation timing and any additional requests to modify the district boundaries will follow the borough’s LID procedures and state-law ballot requirements.
