Connecticut House Bill HB05961

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/19
• Refer: 1/24/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Reimbursement To The Town Of Wallingford For The Extension Of Municipal Water Service.

Impact

The legislative intent is to provide support to municipalities undertaking infrastructure projects that are essential for public health and welfare. By facilitating reimbursements for water service extensions, the bill underscores the government's commitment to improving local water access and infrastructure. This financial backing is particularly crucial for smaller towns or communities that may lack the capital to fund such projects independently, thus promoting equity in access to municipal resources across the state.

Summary

House Bill 05961 proposes financial reimbursement for the town of Wallingford to extend its municipal water services to certain homes on South Broad Street. The bill aims to allocate a total of $176,332 from the grant-in-aid program under the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to cover the costs incurred during this extension. The intent behind the bill is to improve access to municipal water services, ensuring that local residents have the necessary resources for safe drinking water.

Contention

While the bill appears straightforward in advancing public utilities, potential points of contention could revolve around the allocation of state funds and whether sufficient oversight will be maintained in the reimbursement process. Concerns may arise regarding how these funds are distributed, and whether similar requests from other towns for reimbursement will be managed fairly and efficiently. Moreover, local autonomy in decision-making about infrastructure projects may be debated, especially regarding the criteria set for approving grant-in-aid applications.