The city of Auburn could be moving closer toward consolidating its water and sewer system.

That may involve forming an authority that would include the city and surrounding towns, according to one Auburn official.

City Manager Mark Palesh said Monday that he has met with multiple town representatives and discussed possible changes in the water and sewer systems.

And interested parties might be eligible for a state grant to fund a study on whether or not consolidation is feasible, he said.

The Auburn City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday on a resolution that would authorize city officials to work with nearby towns on this issue.

Under the grant, which would be available through the state Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, each community involved in the study could be eligible for up to $200,000, according to the proposal.

Though it is not the only possibility, the final result of these efforts could be a water and sewer authority that would include the city and surrounding towns, Palesh said Tuesday.

“It may all turn out that this doesn't make sense,” he said. “But early numbers show we can all benefit and all have an equal say in how we plan for the future growth of the system.”

Auburn currently supplies water and sewer services to the towns of Aurelius, Fleming, Owasco, Sennett, Throop and the county Water and Sewer Authority.

A regional authority would be governed by a board with voting representatives from each town, Palesh said.

If approved, Thursday's resolution would only be an early step toward consolidation. Palesh said the city is not yet asking for a commitment on anyone's part.

“Let's just look at the numbers,” he said.

Sennett Town Supervisor David Sikora said his town is interested in participating in such a study. Consolidation of certain systems could be the best move for the entire community, he said. And by entire community, Sikora said he doesn't only mean Auburn and Sennett. He also means Aurelius, Throop, Owasco and other towns, he said.

“We will gladly partner with the city to help obtain that grant and see what feathers out after that,” Sikora said.

Palesh said he also invited town representatives to a Sept. 18 council meeting at which a consulting firm will give the results of its survey of the Auburn's water and sewer systems.

Amawalk Consulting Inc. was hired this summer to examine where the city needs to invest in the system, how it charges its customers and surrounding communities for services, and the costs it incurs due to the current system.

As with any major changes, town representatives could raise concerns as the process moves forward. What will the services cost under a new system? How will a town's plans for growth fit into a water or sewer master plan? Palesh said he expects to face such questions.

But he also said he expects help from the state if the city and towns decide to pursue a regionalized sewer and water system. Though the state is facing financial issues and cutbacks to municipalities statewide, measures that focus on efficiency and consolidation will likely be the ones to catch Gov. David Paterson's attention, Palesh said.

“We have the opportunity to show the state that we're on board, and we'll do all that is within our power to meet the governor's expectations,” Palesh said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net