Milltown council hears residents on water-quality fixes and lead-service-line work as bond items advance

The Milltown Borough Council on June 22 opened public hearings and advanced bond measures tied to the borough’s water system as residents pressed for details about water quality and the lead service-line replacement program.

During the hearing on Ordinance 261589 — described in the meeting as a bond ordinance ‘‘providing for the acquisition of various water sewer utility equipment appropriating $155,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of [bonds and notes]’’ — resident Rosa Taris asked whether the bond was tied to previously discussed equipment intended to correct recently reported water-quality problems. ‘‘Is this pertain to what was discussed last time in terms of equipment to address the issues that we're having with the water quality?’’ she asked. Borough officials said the ordinance is aimed at correcting the issues and confirmed this bond is separate from a larger bond previously discussed.

Resident Keith Cook asked what a ‘‘water mixer’’ is and whether the work would replace an existing device. The borough’s on-site engineer described it succinctly: ‘‘It’s almost literally exactly what it sounds like. It’s a giant agitator to, you know, keep the water from laying stagnant for too long … the one thing I can tell you is it’s not working now, and it needs to be replaced.’’ Officials added the borough has been flushing roughly 200,000 gallons of water intermittently to mitigate stagnation while the mixer is nonoperational.

Council members probed the financing and term of the bond. One member warned about the tax burden of a 15-year bond, calling it ‘‘a lot of money’’ for residents. Administrator Scott Stevens said the appropriation is intended to ensure funds are available when program applicants or repairs arise and that some roadwork included in other capital items may be covered in part by Department of Transportation grants.

Officials also addressed the upcoming lead service-line replacement program. Borough Engineer Lou Liska said the project is ready to go to bid once required right-of-entry forms are finalized: ‘‘So, we’re … ready to go to bid. … Once that’s finalized, I think we’ll be ready to go to bid.’’ On homeowner concerns about property impacts, the borough said contractors will be required to restore properties ‘‘to at least a condition that existed beforehand’’ and that replacement trees would be included in contracts where tree removal is necessary.

Council projected a likely start in the fall, contingent on bonding, contract award and insurance: ‘‘By the time bonding is in place, contracts are signed, insurance, it’s probably a late summer start,’’ one official said. The council also said lead-line replacements will be coordinated with milling and paving work to reduce repeated roadway disruption.

The public hearing for the water equipment bond was held and motions on the ordinance were made and seconded as recorded during the meeting. (Transcript records show the ordinance reading and public comments; a roll-call vote on the ordinance was taken during the meeting and the mayor and council proceeded with the motion, recorded as carried.)

What’s next: The council will finalize bonding and contract awards before work begins; officials said they will make right-of-entry documents and project information highly visible to homeowners in advance of construction.