Grinder pumps are small sewage pumps that serve residential areas, usually one to two households. When Wrangell’s public works department began maintaining just five decades ago, it’s now up to 30, and most are on private property. And that is a huge problem, according to Borough Manager Mason Villarma. While figuring out what to do with this dilemma last month at a Borough Assembly meeting, the assembly voted to transfer the responsibility of 23 grinder pump stations on private property to the respective property owners, even though community members disapproved of the transfer.

Wrangell’s assembly will discuss its budget for a few projects at Tuesday’s borough assembly meeting.