Knickerbocker: Water Department Will Need to Borrow Money

Following Thursday's public referendum that ended the possibility of a deal with Aquarion, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker distributed a release covering the steps planned for the immediate future.

"I would like to thank the voters of Bethel for their participation in the voting process concerning this very important issue," said Knickerbocker. "Tonight the public has informed the Public Utilities Commission and Board of Selectmen that it is important for the town to retain ownership and control over the town's water department."

The next steps, as outlined by Knickerbocker:

• Work will continue on the South Street pump station that is needed to comply with new state health regulations that become effective in October 2013.

• The Board of Finance will be informed at its next regular meeting that the water department will need to borrow approximately $400,000 to $500,000 from the General Fund over the next few months for the cost of completing the South Street pump station and/or to have the Town back bonds for the pump station if the Board of Finance believes it to be more prudent for the Town.

• At its next regular meeting I will ask the Public Utilities Commission to approve an RFQ (request for qualifications) seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive engineering services to guide the Commission through the process of planning executing system upgrades. The RFQ will ask respondents to establish guidelines to assess the condition of the system, develop engineering specifications for all necessary upgrades and provide cost estimates and timetables for implementation.
  
  
• Staffing levels within the department will be analyzed to insure there is adequate management oversight to insure completion of all upgrades, as well as to insure ongoing compliance with all state health and environmental protection regulations.
  
  
• When all cost factors, including borrowing estimates associated with the work above, are known, further rate analysis will be conducted to determine impact on future rates to insure a financially solvent operation.