Jay board to offer free voluntary lead grab-sample tests after mailed notices; water-meter options debated

Town officials told residents on Nov. 14 that the town will offer voluntary, no-cost grab-sample lead testing to water users who receive a state-required notice about unknown or galvanized service lines.

Paul Mintz, the town's water/wastewater supervisor, explained the tests are informal "grab" samples that would not be submitted under state monitoring methodology and would be used only to give concerned residents peace of mind. He said the town would pay for a test if a water user who received a notice asked for one: "So we'll supply a a lead test for any water individual that has received a letter and asks for a lead test." The board amended the motion to clarify the offer applies to water-district users who received the notice or who have been identified as higher-risk (galvanized or known lead lines) and approved the measure.

Separately, board members reviewed a meter-feasibility report from MJ Engineering. The report presented two broad cost scenarios: installing meter hardware inside homes across all three districts (estimated about $657,000) or installing pit/outside meters at curbside (an estimate the town discussed around $2,500,000). Officials stressed tradeoffs: in-home meters avoid some upfront pit costs but can miss leaks occurring after the curb stop; pit meters are more expensive but make leak detection on the town side easier. The board asked MJ Engineering to finalize the preferred design assumptions so the study can be used in grant applications.

The motion to offer voluntary lead tests carried by voice vote; the board discussed funding the tests from district administrative budgets if uptake is moderate and indicated the program could be scaled if many residents requested tests.