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Richmond Drive residents tell Monroe council persistent well failures and convenience concerns push need for municipal water
Summary
Several Richmond Drive residents told the Monroe Town Council on June 22 that recent well failures and broader convenience or resale concerns support pursuing municipal water; the council referred funding and payback terms to the board of finance for review in July.
Several residents of Richmond Drive urged the Monroe Town Council on June 22 to advance a municipal water project after reporting worsening private-well conditions and citing resale and convenience reasons.
Sue Baressi, who identified herself as living at 36 Richmond Drive, said a June 17 subcommittee contact with affected households showed 78.57% of respondents favor moving forward. She added that only about 21% (three families) reported serious water problems, while the remainder sought municipal service largely for convenience or potential resale benefits.
"I would think that there are hundreds maybe thousands of residents in town who might want the town of Monroe to provide them with the same option," Baressi said, urging the council to consider the wider community interest.
Colleen Gardner, of 15 Richmond Drive, said she had voted against the proposal at an earlier meeting but changed to a "yes" after recent problems left her family with very limited water for bathing and laundry. "We don't have really good water to drink. We don't have water to shower with," Gardner said, adding that municipal water would be a considerable financial burden for her household.
Mike Sado, another Richmond Drive resident, said his household has experienced iron in the water and aging well equipment and expects costly repairs or upgrades soon. He thanked the subcommittee for bringing the matter forward and urged the council to move the project along.
A Richmond Drive resident who spoke later asked the council for clearer next steps and public notification, noting the project must go through the town finance process and a town meeting. Council members and the First Selectman said the board of finance will review funding sources and payback terms at its July meeting, the town attorney will prepare any necessary legal documentation, and the council will proceed if a majority wishes to move forward.
The council did not take a vote on the Richmond Drive matter at the June 22 meeting; residents were told the immediate next step is the board of finance review and follow-up briefings by town staff.
What happens next: The council expects the board of finance to deliver an opinion on funding source and payback terms at its July meeting; the town attorney will be asked to draft any required legal documentation before the council decides whether to place the matter before a town meeting.
