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Residents press board on cellular endpoint water meters and long-term costs
Summary
A resident raised questions about the cost, battery life and disposal of newly installed cellular endpoint water meters and urged the board to pause further installations until long-term costs and environmental impacts are addressed.
During public comment a resident questioned the town's installation of cellular endpoint water meters, provided per-unit cost estimates and challenged the town on opt-out and disposal fees.
The commenter said the town budgeted $200 per endpoint for 1,049 meters (totaling #209,800 as cited in the comment) plus recurring Wi-Fi charges and asserted retail costs and battery-life estimates differ from town statements: "After being told by the supervisor that the batteries in the meters would last 30 years, the truth is that they last only about 10 years," the commenter said, adding a current per-unit price check of $260 each and an estimated 10-year Wi-Fi charge. The resident asked where encapsulated lithium-ion batteries will be disposed of after replacement and urged the board to stop installing additional endpoints until long-term expenses and environmental issues are addressed.
The supervisor replied that the water department and board have discussed the project at multiple budget meetings and that explanations had been provided; the board did not reverse the installation plan during the meeting.
The town did not announce a policy change on the meter rollout. Officials encouraged concerned residents to follow up with the water department and the board for specific technical and financial details.
