Council rejects lead water line reimbursement policy

The Sandwich City Council voted down a 50/50 policy on lead water service line replacements and reimbursements.

During Main street reconstruction last year the City discovered over 30 lead lined water pipes that had to be replaced. The City covered the full cost on Main street but proposed splitting costs with residents 50/50 going into the future. Some council members said the city still does not know how many properties could be affected or what the total cost could be. Ward 2 Alderman Adam Arnett pointed to shifting estimates discussed by the city.

“I’ll go back to not knowing how many there are. We were told six on Main Street, there were 30. We were told 70 for the entire town of Sandwich, and now there’s possibly up to 600. So, we’re voting for something that we don’t even know the cost of. And once again, I don’t think that’s fair to the residents.”

City Administrator Geoff Penman said the policy would have set a clear process and a 50-50 cost approach, with a five-year payback discussed. After the measure was defeated the mayor said staff will send a questionnaire to council members so the city can bring back a new proposal the council can pass.