Water & Sewer Commission

Town of Mount Airy Water and Sewer Commission Meeting Minutes – March 1, 2017 Commission members in attendance: Dick Swanson, Council Liaison Peter Helt, Ted Cisowski, Fred Goundry, Mark Moxley, and Ron Runkles. Fred Mason was absent. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Mayor Pat Rockinberg and Virginia Siemer Source Water Specialist of the Rural Water Association attended the meeting. Minutes: Peter Helt moved to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2017 meeting. Seconded by Ron Runkles and the motion passed unanimously. Old Business: FY 2018 Budget: Dick Swanson provided updated preliminary budget numbers for W&S operating and capital budget and cautioned that the draft budget is not complete. However, it is reasonable to expect that W&S will incur a deficit in FY 2017 similar to FY 2016 and FY 2018 preliminary budget may include a deficit absent addressing a potential rate increase, transfers from reserves, and/or budget cuts. Mayor Rockinberg comments that since the prior and expected deficits are mainly a result of necessary capital projects, reserves could fund the shortfall and the W&S should consider using reserves. Water & Sewer Master Plan: Dick Swanson proposed removing Middle Run Branch and Gillis Falls Reservoir from the Long-Term Recommendation section and replacing it with a program to purchase/lease/easements water rights from property owners beyond the Town limits. The members agreed to leave the current potential water sources in the Plan and add the program to obtain water rights outside of Tow. They also recommended that the growth area boundaries estimated sewer demand of 1,064,000 gpd be verified. W7s will provide its comments to Heather Smith by the April 5th due date. New Business: Mayor Rockinberg's Comments: The Mayor presented four challenges to the W&S as the Commission carries out its mission in the future. He suggested that the W&S (1) consider increasing the information sharing and best practices with W&S commissions in other municipalities, (2) discuss the trade-off between water conservation and water sales, (3) look into innovation and new technology in water and sewer, and (4) consider options to join a purchasing group to buy in bulk. Stormwater Management: Dick Swanson reported on a 2/21/2017 meeting between MDE, Carroll County and the Town. The meeting addressed who and how stormwater permit reporting requirements will be provided to MDE for the Frederick County portion of Town. The parties agreed that Mount Airy would get a separate Phase II permit and document the services Carroll County provides relating to the Frederick side and Mount Airy will report progress in meeting stormwater permit requirements. This does not increase Mount Airy's stormwater mitigation requirements. Water Tower #1: The Town is planning a $600,000 renovation to the 230,000 gallon Water Tower #1 located next to the Bank of America. Dick Swanson stated that he asked the Town to consider performing a repair vs replacement analysis of the 1959 tower. He is working with the Town Engineer on the study and provided the W&S with the list of factors being taken into consideration in the review. Other Business: Peter Helt reported that only six water shut-offs occurred due to late payment which is a significant decrease over previous quarters and most likely is due to the increase in late payment fees. Adjournment: Peter Helt moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Fred Goundry and passed by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm. W&S Meeting: The next W&S meeting is April 5, 2017 in Town Hall at 7:00 pm. Prepared by Dick Swanson, Secretary