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Council discusses water infrastructure, selling water rights and aging pipes
Summary
Councilmembers debated options to fund infrastructure—some suggested selling water reserves as one alternative, others warned of rate increases seen in other towns; Councilmember Bunny Parzych said many pipes were laid over 100 years ago and are failing, increasing emergency repair costs.
Councilmembers spent part of the work session debating how to fund major infrastructure needs and the long-term costs of different approaches. Councilmember Jennifer Gensemer raised alternatives to the proposed capital plan, including the option—discussed in other contexts—of selling the borough's water reserve. Councilmember Ken Biddick cautioned that "many neighboring towns that sold to American Water have their rates going through the roof," saying private takeover can shift substantial infrastructure costs to ratepayers.
Councilmember Bunny Parzych emphasized the borough's immediate infrastructure needs, stating that "our pipes have been laid over 100 years ago and are breaking," and noted that failing terracotta pipes often require emergency contracts that increase repair costs. The remarks framed the capital discussion: some members sought alternatives to borrowing while others stressed the urgency of addressing decaying water and sewer infrastructure to avoid higher emergency expenses.
The work-session transcript records debate and concerns but does not record any council decision to sell water reserves or to enter negotiations with private utilities; any formal action would require an agenda item and vote in a later public meeting.
