Mayor Linda Gorton says Kentucky American Water declined request for public meeting on delayed Fontaine Road project

Mayor Linda Gorton said Kentucky American Water has declined a request to hold a public meeting for residents affected by an ongoing Fontaine Road water line replacement project, which residents say has been delayed. The exchange, reported by LEX18 on Aug. 5, centers on whether community members will have an opportunity to hear directly from the utility about the project’s status and next steps.

Gorton said she asked the company to convene a public meeting so residents could receive updates and address concerns related to work on the water line corridor along Fontaine Road. According to the report, the request was not granted by Kentucky American Water, prompting the mayor to draw attention to the need for public communication as the project continues.

The Fontaine Road project involves the replacement of a water line, and the delay has continued to affect nearby households and other local stakeholders. In her comments to LEX18, Gorton characterized the situation as one in which residents are seeking clearer information about timing and impacts from the construction activity.

The report did not indicate that Kentucky American Water has scheduled an alternative public forum in response to the mayor’s request. It also did not provide additional, document-based details in the story about the underlying cause of the delay or the specific decision-making process behind declining a meeting.

Public meetings are often used by local governments to provide a forum for residents to ask questions, hear mitigation plans, and understand construction schedules. In this case, Gorton said the refusal to meet leaves residents without a structured venue to seek direct answers as work continues.

LEX18’s report frames the latest development as part of an ongoing public process around a major utility infrastructure project. With the project still underway and the mayor’s meeting request denied, the next step for residents may be to pursue project updates through other channels that the utility or local government identifies.

Gorton’s remarks also raise broader questions for local oversight of infrastructure timelines, particularly when construction affects daily life. While utilities control operational decisions for water systems, communities typically expect clear communication about delays and practical impacts, especially when work stretches beyond initial expectations.