Outdated water lines an ongoing issue

Pine Haven resident Donna Hardy stood with neighbors Tim and Kathy Barunagel and Paul and Jessica Loyning, all of whom are involved with the longstanding issue of the outdated waterline between their homes and the soon-to-be-abandoned town main along Pine Street at last Tuesday night’s meeting.

These homeowners have been tied into and actively using the obsolete water line installed in the 1970s that is no longer going to be maintained by the town. Upon receiving letters informing them of their responsibility to correct their part of this problem, the people sought to discuss with the governing body possible solutions that would not cost them more than they want or are able to pay.

Hardy explained to the council the situation, saying that much of the area into which the town at that time laid the line is hard stone.

“In fact,” Hardy recollected, “it took the town probably a day and a half just to get the meter in. We asked them not to place them there because of the issue with the rock, but they continued anyway.”

The residents have been acquiring estimates for their lines that are over $10,000 and the town is looking at a possible trajectory to the west along the back of the three homes before bringing the pipe eventually back to the east to meet the appropriate main water line. If this maneuver works, the problem may be solved without too much further delay.

Schell wrapped the escalating problem up without ado, “[The line’s] just going to continue to degrade. “You all need to tie into those [newer] meter pits.”

Mayor Bill Cunningham asked that the homeowners contact the contractor who gave them the estimate and the three entities can meet at a special meeting to further discuss possible solutions.

The citizens expressed their willingness to work with the town to finally get this debacle corrected, “We’re more than willing to do whatever it takes, said Loyning.