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Residents press township on water bills, road repaving and storm drain; fire company seeks township support after federal grant
Summary
Public commenters on Sept. 17 urged the Southampton Township Committee to help residents facing higher water bills, asked for repaving in Leisuretowne and clearing a storm drain, and the Vincent Fire Company requested township funding to supplement a federal grant to replace fire hoses. OEM and HLES staff announced preparedness activities and a free CPR class.
During the public comment portion of the Southampton Township Committee meeting on Sept. 17, residents raised several local infrastructure and utility concerns and emergency services provided operational updates.
Evie Doherty of Stratford Road said she had received her tax bill and was pleased about the low taxes but asked whether the township could help residents facing higher water bills tied to recent rate increases. Mayor Michael Mikulski replied that utilities operate within defined service territories, indicating the township’s limited authority over rate-setting.
Suzy Costales requested repaving for various streets in Leisuretowne and praised public works for maintaining traffic islands there; Mayor Mikulski said the township engineer will review township roads. Leisuretowne resident Bill Cozzi said the water company will submit a road-opening application to install an apron and lead into Leisuretowne’s lot, and he asked that a storm drain on Wooton Drive be cleared; the Township Administrator said he would report the drain to Public Works.
Eamonn Fitzpatrick-Ruth, representing OEM and HLES, reported that the third-quarter OEM meeting has been rescheduled, a tabletop exercise is in development for an EMAA grant, and he encouraged residents to sign up for emergency notifications during National Preparedness Month. In his HLES role he said the department reported calls for August, onboarded one per-diem EMT, expects new equipment by October, and is hosting a free CPR class Oct. 19 at the library.
Scott Mitchell of the Vincent Fire Company said the company secured a federal grant to replace most of its fire hoses and asked whether the township could contribute funding to obtain higher-quality hose. The committee did not commit to funding at the meeting; the request was noted for follow-up.
Township Clerk Melanie L. Brown announced a Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Public Works Yard.
Committee members also shared community updates: Committeeman James Young announced a tree lighting on Dec. 6 and a Christmas concert on Dec. 14; Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell highlighted a STAR Golf Tournament in October, a county agriculture meeting on farmland preservation, an Oct. 15 Board of Education meeting, and a library art show on Sept. 26–27; Committeeman William Raftery said he would explore options and grants for a larger electronic sign outside the township building and for a canoe/kayak launch and bird sanctuary at Browns Meadow; Deputy Mayor Ronald Heston asked the township administrator to notify a utility company about an incomplete road patch on Retreat Road.
No committee votes resulted directly from the public comments at this meeting; items raised were referred to appropriate staff for follow-up.
