UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 6, 2021
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Council members Tom Herz, Ellsworth Tolliver and Meghan Efland, Bob Sipes (Utilities Manager), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Utilities Commission meeting minutes of June 7, 2021. Rev. Tolliver moved to approve the minutes of the Utilities Commission minutes of June 7, 2021, as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Efland Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that cash on hands for the Utilities Commission was $2,233,451.17 with $1,113,123.68 set aside for capital projects.
Mayor Foster asked for a motion to pay the bills. Ms. Efland moved to pay bills as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Herz and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated that Queen Street has had some leaks in the sewer line (100 block North Queen). He said that the area was blacktopped not long ago, and he did not want to dig, so he was buying correlators that should pinpoint the location of the leak. He said that he knew the plates that they currently have in place were difficult for the residents, but he did not want to dig up the entire block. The correlators will arrive in a week or so. Mr. Sipes stated that he thought the correlators would come in handy in other areas of Town as well where there were wet spots showing on the road.
Mr. Sipes stated that there was a leak at Brown Street and Roberts Avenue by the Hospital which would be worked on tomorrow (July 7). He said that he would work with 911 and the hospital to make sure that he did not interfere with emergency traffic. Mr. Herz asked if the leak on Brown Street was related to the installation of fiber. Mr. Sipes stated that he said he would not know what is causing the problem until he was into the street.
Mr. Sipes stated that one of the PLCs at the wastewater treatment plant was replaced and working well. He said that he would have two or three more replaced in this budget year. Mr. Sipes stated that a touchscreen was installed but the older program would not convert. He said that the $1,200.00 was charged to do the install.
Mr. Sipes stated that the Consumer Confidence Report (Water Quality Report) is online and will be in the newspaper. It was also available in a paper version at Town Hall.
Mr. Sipes stated that he contracted with Apex Consultants to draw up the plan for the Hospital for permission to bore on their lands. He said that there was quite a bit of information to process but he did not want to rush the plan. Mr. Sipes stated that he has not been advised of a date for the shutdown.
Mr. Sipes stated that there is a $6,000.00 charge for chemicals in the bills.
Mr. Herz asked if Mr. Sipes ever met with Shore Rivers. Mr. Sipes stated that he has not met with them and the last time he interacted with the Riverkeepers was when there was a lime incident at the water plant.
There being no further questions or comments, Mr. Herz moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m., was seconded by Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by: Jennifer Mulligan David Foster
Town Clerk Mayor