Excerpts:

Wilmington Council’s water committee met Thursday to discuss water fluoridation, the practice of billing landlords for their tenants’ delinquent bills and a $46,000 water fund appropriation for equipment…

The committee held no vote and will continue to review the ordinances…

• On fluoridation, Swindler said Middletown projected annual chemical costs of $8,000 a year, lower than Wilmington’s initial projections of $18,000 annually. Swindler said she would research the costs further.

• The committee also heard from Dr. Shawn Swick, who said the studies showing negative effects of fluoride weren’t at all related to what the water plant would do. Clinton County Health Commissioner Pam Bauer also supported fluoridating the water, saying, “For pennies, you can do a lot of prevention.” The committee is considering a public forum to discuss the possibility of fluoridating water.

• Will recommend to finance committee to approve a supplemental appropriation of $46,000 from the water fund to pay for a hydro-excavator.