Town approves water supply contract
Noise ordinance passed
by Brian DiTullio

CAVE CREEK – Summer is coming and Cave Creek’s town council took one more step to shore up water supplies Monday night.

By a 6‑1 vote, with Councilman Dick Esser dissenting, the council approved a water supply agreement between the town and Arizona American Water providing for a permanent connection between the Anthem Water District and Cave Creek service area. The agreement is for 10 years and subject to automatic renewals.

“It will allow for mutual aid between Anthem and now the Desert Hills Water Company and the Cave Creek Water Company,” said Cliff Mattice, the town’s attorney.

Up to 2 million gallons per day could be supplied under the agreement.

Esser questioned who would actually be supplying who, with Mattice responding the connection goes both ways but that Anthem would most likely be shoring up the Cave Creek area supply for the first few years.

Town Manager Usama Abujbarah indicated to council that installation of the pipeline would be expensive.

“A permanent connection will have substantial cost,” he said.

Mayor Vincent Francia asked how much the permanent connection will cost, but Abujbarah said he couldn’t answer that question at this time.

“Cost is subject to engineering and design,” replied Abujbarah. No time frame was given for when that cost would be available.

In other council business, the controversial Cave Creek noise ordinance passed the second reading by a vote of 4‑3, with council members Ernie Bunch, Tom McGuire and Grace Meeth dissenting. The ordinance didn’t pass, however, without more comments on both sides of the issue from the council and the public.

Francia, who cast the final vote, expressed his sorrow on how divisive the issue had become, saying, “This issue should never have risen to this level, and I’m tired of it.”