by Neil Richard
Editor's Note: In taking a large departure from our usual format, we would like to hear from our readers what style they prefer when reading about Board meetings. This week's coverage is an example of a more simplistic and shortened version of coverage that focuses on the main points of interest. Compared to our typical, long winded and dry approach, we want to hear from you which of these formats you prefer, or if you would enjoy reading, watching, or listening to the meetings in some other way. Feel free to leave your comments here or send us an email at theprjct94@gmail.com. Thanks!
The Service Authority Board of Directors began their second meeting of the evening from their usual seats. Having just finished another budget work session where they were joined by the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee on the floor, the Directors kept the ball rolling after only a short break between meetings. [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is a member of the Service Authority Citizen Budget Advisory Committee.]
As the meeting began, Mike Bennett did note that Ruby Brabo was present for the work session but stepped out to participate in conference call and would return as soon as she was done.
Kim Dodge, a frequent speaker during Public Comment, once again voiced her opposition to raising water and sewer rates. She reiterated that as a small business owner that operates in her own home, she sees a direct impact to her profits when rates go up. It should be noted here that the Directors agreed just an hour earlier during their budget work session to plan on increasing rates ten percent next year and by four percent the following three years. The ten percent increase will bring rates up to just six cents per thousand gallons above the rates assessed three years ago. The current rate per thousand gallons is below rates set four years ago, explaining why the Service Authority did not see an increase in revenue this year.
In the continuing saga of the Consent Order from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Chris Werle and Mike Bennett both mentioned a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to bring some of the sewage pump stations into compliance. There are numerous ones out of compliance, as in 31 of 35, but it appears the majority of those, 19 of them, can be fixed in-house or through minor repairs. Those that need more serious work will require a PER and face such challenges as acquiring more land, purchasing generators, and evaluating various alarm systems. The hope is that the PER, once complete, could be submitted to DEQ to prove that progress is being made and that a schedule has been created to make repairs on the pump stations. The Board approved funding for the PER to not exceed $34,780.
Jonathan Weakley, General Manager, once again provided a detailed report of all things related to water and sewer. There was some discussion about the ground water withdrawal permits for wells, how much is allowed to come out of the ground, and when those permits get renewed. At one point Weakley mentioned speaking to a "Mr. Sweeney" to get more information but it should be noted that he was referring to Dan Sweeney, not the former employee of the Service Authority that retired last year. Regarding the withdrawal permits, Hopyard apparently exceeded limits last year and thus stirred some discussion about making sure the new permits factored in the planned growth, both residential and commercial, in Hopyard.
In his update on the Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) at the Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs), Weakley said that only Dahlgren WWTP was operating above the limits set by the grant but still below the permit limits. He did say that Purkins Corner WWTP exceeded limits because of a mechanical failure and hydraulic overloading.
Weakley also brought up a pump station in Dahlgren that gave him some concern as it was an underground location and required employees to enter a confined space. He said that other communities had these but he was not a fan because of the safety issues associated with them. Weakley said he was looking at bringing the controls above ground to make them easier, and safer, to access. He ended his report by saying that the Wendy's in Dahlgren would open in July or August of this year.
Meeting Attendees:
Christopher Werle (Board of Directors)
Jonathon Weakley (General Manager of Service Authority)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Michael Bennett (Chairman, Citizen)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Service Authority will next meet on April 30, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Revercomb Building.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Service Authority Meeting.
Editor's Note: In taking a large departure from our usual format, we would like to hear from our readers what style they prefer when reading about Board meetings. This week's coverage is an example of a more simplistic and shortened version of coverage that focuses on the main points of interest. Compared to our typical, long winded and dry approach, we want to hear from you which of these formats you prefer, or if you would enjoy reading, watching, or listening to the meetings in some other way. Feel free to leave your comments here or send us an email at theprjct94@gmail.com. Thanks!
The Service Authority Board of Directors began their second meeting of the evening from their usual seats. Having just finished another budget work session where they were joined by the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee on the floor, the Directors kept the ball rolling after only a short break between meetings. [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is a member of the Service Authority Citizen Budget Advisory Committee.]
As the meeting began, Mike Bennett did note that Ruby Brabo was present for the work session but stepped out to participate in conference call and would return as soon as she was done.
Kim Dodge, a frequent speaker during Public Comment, once again voiced her opposition to raising water and sewer rates. She reiterated that as a small business owner that operates in her own home, she sees a direct impact to her profits when rates go up. It should be noted here that the Directors agreed just an hour earlier during their budget work session to plan on increasing rates ten percent next year and by four percent the following three years. The ten percent increase will bring rates up to just six cents per thousand gallons above the rates assessed three years ago. The current rate per thousand gallons is below rates set four years ago, explaining why the Service Authority did not see an increase in revenue this year.
In the continuing saga of the Consent Order from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Chris Werle and Mike Bennett both mentioned a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to bring some of the sewage pump stations into compliance. There are numerous ones out of compliance, as in 31 of 35, but it appears the majority of those, 19 of them, can be fixed in-house or through minor repairs. Those that need more serious work will require a PER and face such challenges as acquiring more land, purchasing generators, and evaluating various alarm systems. The hope is that the PER, once complete, could be submitted to DEQ to prove that progress is being made and that a schedule has been created to make repairs on the pump stations. The Board approved funding for the PER to not exceed $34,780.
Jonathan Weakley, General Manager, once again provided a detailed report of all things related to water and sewer. There was some discussion about the ground water withdrawal permits for wells, how much is allowed to come out of the ground, and when those permits get renewed. At one point Weakley mentioned speaking to a "Mr. Sweeney" to get more information but it should be noted that he was referring to Dan Sweeney, not the former employee of the Service Authority that retired last year. Regarding the withdrawal permits, Hopyard apparently exceeded limits last year and thus stirred some discussion about making sure the new permits factored in the planned growth, both residential and commercial, in Hopyard.
In his update on the Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) at the Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs), Weakley said that only Dahlgren WWTP was operating above the limits set by the grant but still below the permit limits. He did say that Purkins Corner WWTP exceeded limits because of a mechanical failure and hydraulic overloading.
Weakley also brought up a pump station in Dahlgren that gave him some concern as it was an underground location and required employees to enter a confined space. He said that other communities had these but he was not a fan because of the safety issues associated with them. Weakley said he was looking at bringing the controls above ground to make them easier, and safer, to access. He ended his report by saying that the Wendy's in Dahlgren would open in July or August of this year.
Meeting Attendees:
Christopher Werle (Board of Directors)
Jonathon Weakley (General Manager of Service Authority)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Michael Bennett (Chairman, Citizen)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Service Authority will next meet on April 30, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Revercomb Building.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Service Authority Meeting.
Neil, I truly appreciate the work you are doing, and you are doing an excellent job! I encourage you to use the format most comfortable for you. I will gratefully accept whatever you send me. Truth be told, I prefer the detailed notes, but I know your time is valuable. My salient concern is that you continue this endeavor! Thank you for all you do. Harry
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for the feedback!
DeleteI also prefer more details. But understand if not
ReplyDeleteThank you! Always nice to know what readers prefer.
Delete