AUBURN -- The city council is interested in changing the way residents of Auburn and surrounding towns receive sewer and water services. But there is still a way to go before any possible changes are made, members say.
Councilors unanimously passed a resolution Thursday authorizing city officials to work with nearby towns on consolidating Auburn's water and sewer system. According to the resolution, a state grant might be available to interested parties for a study on whether such a move is feasible.
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. The final result of such efforts could lead to a water authority of which Auburn and surrounding towns are all part owners.
City Manager Mark Palesh told councilors before the vote that he has asked town governments to pass similar resolutions. Before the state considers any grants, it must know who is willing to participate in the project, he said.
"It has taken a long time to get to this point," Palesh said.
Auburn currently supplies water and sewer services to the towns of Aurelius, Fleming, Owasco, Sennett, Throop and the county Water and Sewer Authority. The city hired a consultant this summer to examine where it 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.
Councilor William Graney said after the meeting that a regional water and sewer authority could ensure everybody pays the fair rate for using the system. As of right now, all the towns are benefiting from the city's infrastructure, Graney said.
Such a new system would be a "good end" for the outlying towns, as they would have a role in running it, he said.
"This is just a first step to break the ice and get everybody talking," Graney said of the resolution. "We will sit down and talk and see what happens."
Councilor Matthew Smith described Thursday's move as "progress," saying the city's hands have been tied by some of the water and sewer contracts with other municipalities.
Smith said he does not expect any changes to come easily.
"Change is never easy," he said.
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. The final result of such efforts could lead to a water authority of which Auburn and surrounding towns are all part owners.
City Manager Mark Palesh told councilors before the vote that he has asked town governments to pass similar resolutions. Before the state considers any grants, it must know who is willing to participate in the project, he said.
"It has taken a long time to get to this point," Palesh said.
Auburn currently supplies water and sewer services to the towns of Aurelius, Fleming, Owasco, Sennett, Throop and the county Water and Sewer Authority. The city hired a consultant this summer to examine where it 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.
Councilor William Graney said after the meeting that a regional water and sewer authority could ensure everybody pays the fair rate for using the system. As of right now, all the towns are benefiting from the city's infrastructure, Graney said.
Such a new system would be a "good end" for the outlying towns, as they would have a role in running it, he said.
"This is just a first step to break the ice and get everybody talking," Graney said of the resolution. "We will sit down and talk and see what happens."
Councilor Matthew Smith described Thursday's move as "progress," saying the city's hands have been tied by some of the water and sewer contracts with other municipalities.
Smith said he does not expect any changes to come easily.
"Change is never easy," he said.
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