Water & Sewer Commission

Town of Mount Airy Water and Sewer Commission Meeting Minutes – November 4, 2015 Commission members in attendance: Dick Swanson, Council Liaison Peter Helt, Fred Goundry and Mark Moxley. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Ron Thompson of Vanmar Associates, Virginia Siemer Source Water Specialist of the Rural Water Association, Michael Berman, John Maguire of Hollman, Maguire, Titus & Korzenewski, and Michael Haufler of Hydro-Terra Group attended the meeting. Minutes: Peter Helt moved to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2015 meeting. Seconded by Dick Swanson and the motion passed unanimously. Old Business: Available Water: Dick Swanson presented an updated assessment of the available water for in-Town development and redevelopment. The spreadsheet showed that 81,444 gpd (before adjustment for permits issued under Chapter 98 of the Code) could be released for development. The W&S concurred with the estimate and, by consensus, agreed that the W&S should recommend release of the entire amount of available water for allocation to categories by the Planning Commission with approval of the Town Council. Dick Swanson will present the findings to the Town Engineer. The final number will be submitted to the Council for approval as required by Section 109-19.2 of the Code. Dick Swanson asked the W&S to recommend that Section 109-19.2 be changed to allow more flexibility by the Council to review and modify the water allocation by category. Currently, the Council only reviews the allocation every two years. The W&S concurred. FOG Compliance: At October's meeting Dick Swanson asked the W&S, and they agreed, that a letter should be sent to FSEs that, based on their Grease Control Form, may be eligible for a variance. Dick Swanson presented a draft letter and the W&S approved the letter. Based on Councilmember Scott Strong's concerns about who determines what FSEs should have a grease trap and how the Town plans to monitor compliance with FOG requirements, the W&S will coordinate with Carroll County and address the issues at the December meeting. Scott Strong also believes that the process of approving FOG variances is an administrative function and approval/denial should be determined by staff. The W&S agrees and will make a recommendation to the Council that the Code be modifies accordingly. Late Payment Fees: Peter Helt briefed the W&S on Council's action on the W&S recommendation to change the late payment fee from 1.5% of the bill to $20 per bill in order to more accurately reflect the costs of preparing and sending late notices. He stated that the Town Attorney will draft an ordinance to make the change and the Council will determine the amount of the fee. Mark Moxley recommended that the Notice section of the water bill should be used to make customers aware of the change when it takes effect. Water Sources: At the October meeting,Peter Helt stated that several years ago the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company advised the Town that the MAVFC would consider allowing test drilling and development of additional well(s) on the carnival grounds. Peter Helt moved that the Town Engineer contact the MAVFC to make arrangements for the Town to drill exploratory wells on the Carnival Grounds. Seconded by Mark Moxley and unanimously approved. New Business: There was no new business. Adjournment: Peter Helt moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mark Moxley and passed by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. W&S Meeting: The next W&S meeting is December 2, 2015 in Town Hall at 7:00 pm. Prepared by Dick Swanson, Secretary