Council considers relaxing water rules
By Tom Shevlin

The town is set to consider relaxing water restrictions for the month of July.

At the meeting of the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners, Councilman Julio DiGiando suggested that members begin thinking about once again relaxing restrictions on water use should water levels continue to remain high. Council President David Long agreed, remarking that residents should "reap the benefits of the improvements" made to the town's water infrastructure.

"If we have the water, I'd like the residents to use it," Long said. Long suggested that the issue be added to the agenda for the first council meeting in June rather than waiting for the next scheduled Water and Sewer Board meeting in mid-June.

According to Public Works Director Steve Goslee, April's rainfall was three times the monthly average and has left both the north and south reservoirs at full capacity with additional wells scheduled to come online within the week.

Water tower completion delayed

In his monthly report to commissioners, Goslee reported that the start date to begin painting the town's new water tower has been pushed back to June 15. According to Goslee, painting should take several weeks depending on weather and after taking approximately two weeks to fill, the tower should be operational sometime in August. Asked by Councilman William Kelly whether the potential of drought or increased water demands of the summer season present any problems to the project or town, Goslee replied that neither issue poses a concern to either satisfying residents' water needs or the tower completion.

Also at the meeting, commission members discussed cracking down on illicit sewer connections by conducting a house-by-house inspection process. Goslee remarked that in some cases the survey could resemble "door to door, hand to hand combat with residents," however it was the only way to effectively crack down on illicit connections which strain the island's water and sewer system.

Though the exact cost to the town was not available, according to Goslee, Middletown recently conducted a similar survey at an approximate cost of $40 per home. Councilman Schnack suggested the possibility of offering amnesty for residents who come forward with illicit connections in order to save the town the added expense of inspection. The matter is slated to be further discussed at the next commission meeting.