Town debates spending Covid funds on water, sewer or internet

Town of Port Washington officials are debating how to use the $160,000 they expect to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act — to prepare for the extension of water and sewer from the City of Port into the township or to extend broadband service.

Town Chairman Mike Didier said earlier this month that he wants to get proposals from firms interested in conducting engineering studies aimed at getting sewer and water service extended into Knellsville, saying this would pave the way for business development in that area.

The study could include everything from surveying and planning to cost estimates, he said.

“If somebody did want to bring in sewer and water, they would know what it would cost,” Didier said. “That would be a big step.”

Town Clerk Heather Krueger suggested using the money to extend broadband service into the town or to hire a grant writer to seek money for the extension of internet service.

“Most of the people (in the town) would benefit from that,” she said.

But Didier noted that broadband extension would likely cost more than the town will get in federal funding, noting that at one point the town looked at extending internet service to a portion of the community and it would have cost $60,000 to service 38 houses.

Internet providers, he noted, are going to go “for the low-hanging fruit,” areas adjacent to places they already provide service to where the cost is relatively low.

Supr. Greg Welton added that the estimate to extend service to Lange Estates subdivision was “well over $100,000.”

Didier also noted that extending utility service into the Knellsville area will benefit the entire town by expanding its tax base and attracting business to the community.