Water & Sewer Commission

Town of Mount Airy Water and Sewer Commission Meeting Minutes March 6, 2019 Commission members in attendance: Dick Swanson, Council Liaison Peter Helt, Mark Moxley, Karl Munder and Ron Runkles. Minutes: Ron Runkles moved to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2019 meeting. Seconded by Mark Moxley and the motion passed unanimously. Old Business: Stormwater Management Update: The current cost estimate for the Twin Ridge dam restoration is approximately $1 million and should be included in the FY 2020 budget. The East/West stormwater pond construction approximates $600 to $800 thousand with work starting sometime beyond the FY 2019 budget cycle. The Merridale Gardens pond restoration should be complete by the end of March or beginning of April depending on the weather. Rainfall/WWTP Flow: Dick Swanson distributed copies of the current WWTP flow data and rainfall totals for the past 60 days. WWTP flow averaged over 1.1 millions gpd compared to POE averaging 600 thousand gpd. Inflow and infiltration continue to account for most of the excess WWTP flow due in part to heavy rains submerging some manholes allowing inflow. Consequently, the proposed FY 2020 I&I budget will double to approximately $160 thousand to address the inflow. Master Plan Update: Bill Butts requested that the W&S review the 2013 Comprehensive Master Plan Implementation Status/Action Plan Spreadsheet and send update in the status of Master Plan initiatives relating to the Water & Sewer Commission. The members had no updates to the spreadsheet. Mark Moxley suggested that the next update to the Master Plan include consideration eliminating the extension of Rising Ridge road through East/West Park partly due to the proposed construction of a stowmwater management pond in the park. New Business: Maryland Legislative Updates: Dick Swanson briefly explained the purpose and possible impact on the Town of four bills before the Maryland legislature; House Bill 417 water pollution control and public notification of sewer overflows and WWTP bypasses, Senate Bill 505 reporting requirements for environmental violations, House Bill 472 a constitutional amendment to expand environmental rights, and Senate Bill 267 establish a task force to study/recommend reductions in debris entering stormwater inlets. Except for House Bill 417, all these bills are opposed by the Carroll County Department of Land and Resource Management and we concur. FY 2018 Financials & FY 2020 Budget: As stated above, the W&S concurs with increasing the proposed FY 2020 I&I budget to $160,000. Water Resources Utility of the Future Today: The flag that accompanied the award recognizing the WRCC comprised of Mt Airy, Carroll County and the other seven municipalities was unfurled at the meeting and will remain in Mt Airy during the month of March before being passed on to the next municipality. Other Business: Update on Grass Clipping & Yard Waste Ordinance: The Town Council passed Ordinance No. 2019-1 with the changes recommended by the W&S in the December. Adjournment: Mark Moxley moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Karl Munder and passed by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm. W&S Meeting: The next W&S meeting is April 3, 2019 in Town Hall at 7:00 pm. Prepared by Dick Swanson, Secretary