ENDWELL, NY (WSKG) — A special meeting to vote on a resolution allowing Binghamton Mayor Rich David to enter into a contract for a maintenance audit of the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewer Treatment Plant has been cancelled to give councilors more time to consider the proposal.
City Council President Sophia Resciniti made the announcement in a statement issued Friday afternoon, two days after over 20 people spoke against the proposal during a regular council meeting.
“Based on public input, Council will be seeking additional information," Resciniti wrote. "Council has invited a representative from Veolia to attend City Council’s next work session on April 19 and answer members’ questions regarding the firm’s proposal."
Councilmembers requested more time to review the proposal during Wednesday’s business meeting, leading to a special session to be scheduled for Monday.
Some council members and members of the public have raised concerns about Veolia, the firm being considered for the proposal. Some machinery currently in the plant, which serves several communities in Broome County, is from Veolia and the company had submitted a proposal to privatize the facility in 2019. The firm has also drawn irefor its role in the Flint, Michigan water crisis. The state’s attorney general later sued Veolia, though much of that suit has been tossed out by a judge.
An agenda for the April 19 meeting has not yet been posted. According to the city’s website, the meeting will be held at city hall. Previous meetings have been held over Zoom and live streamed on YouTube.