Water & Sewer Commission

Town of Mount Airy Water and Sewer Commission Meeting Minutes – February 1, 2017 Commission members in attendance: Dick Swanson, Council Liaison Peter Helt, Ted Cisowski, Fred Goundry, Mark Moxley, and Ron Runkles. Fred Mason is an excused absences. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Brian Johnson, Director of Public Works, attended the meeting. Dick Swanson welcomed our newest member Ted Cisowski, Minutes: Peter Helt moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2016 meeting. Seconded by Fred Goundry and the motion passed unanimously. The Commission did not meet in December or January. Old Business: Well Production: Well production continued trending down during the December. The lost water rate for 2016 was 18.70% which is higher than normal. The Water Department is aggressively addressing this anomaly. FY 2018 Budget: Dick Swanson stated that preliminary budget numbers for W&S operating and capital budget are not available. However, it is reasonable to expect that W&S will incur a deficit in FY 2017 similar to FY 2016 and FY 2018 proposed budget may include a deficit unless rates are adjusted accordingly. Dick Swanson distributed copies of the current rates for reference. New Business: Purchase of Equipment: Brian Johnson advised the W&S that replacement equipment is required to improve monitoring capabilities of the water system. Equipment malfunctions are causing errors in the internal controls governing the water treatment process and must be corrected during this fiscal year. Peter Helt moved and seconded by Mark Moxley that the Commission recommend shifting approximately $100,000 in funds from a capital budget account to fund the needed repairs or request Council to amend the FY 2017 capital budget if funds are not available within the current budget. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Water & Sewer Master Plan: Dick Swanson stated that the Heather Smith (Town Staff) asked the W&S to review and make recommendations for the update to Mt Airy's section of the Carroll County Water and Sewer Master Plan and requested that the W&S provide any comments by April 5th . Each member was provided a copy the the latest MT Airy section of the county plan. Stormwater Management: Dick Swanson reported on the status of discussions with Carroll County to address stormwater management and flooding issues along Rails 2 Trails. He stated that the County suggested applying for an Alternative Transpiration Grant and he provided the information to Heather Smith. Heather Smith will schedule a coordination meeting to look into potential funding for R2T stormwater remediation. Other Business: The House of Delegates introduced a bill establishing specific criteria for allowing municipalities to shut off water to local customers. A similar bill introduced last year failed to make it out of committee. Dick Swanson made copies available to Commission members. Adjournment: Peter Helt moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ted Cisowski and passed by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. W&S Meeting: The next W&S meeting is March 1, 2017 in Town Hall at 7:00 pm. Prepared by Dick Swanson, Secretary