David: Binghamton Should Explore Sewage Privatization

Republican mayoral candidate Richard David says privatization of the sewage treatment plant and other services provided by the city of Binghamton should be studied.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David indicated it would be useful to examine whether specific operations might be privatized.

David said: "I don't think that we can leave anything off the table." He said consolidation, privatization and sharing of services are worth considering. But he said it would be important that any change would maintain or improve the level of service while also saving money.

David said the city should take a look at operations of the sewage treatment plant that's jointly owned by Binghamton and Johnson City.

He said he's been thinking about the possibility of a "private operator" being brought in on a "short-term basis" to examine future improvements and operations of the facility in Vestal.

David said he wasn't aware of any sewage treatment facility in New York state that's been turned over to a private operator but he said there are some elsewhere in the United States.

David said he would talk more specifically about possible privatization of the sewage treatment plant in the future.