MINUTES
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
October 17, 2000

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W. Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, Medford Capel, Utilities Manager, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Utilities Commission has cash on hand and in banks of $455,731.76.

Mayor Bailey called on Mr. Capel for his report. Mr. Capel stated that they had been discussing computer programs for locating water and sewer lines in Town. He said he has located a program that costs $29 and he gave the Council a sample section of a map which showed the location of fire hydrants. He said the mapping would show the sewer lines and size, the water mains and size and the fire hydrants.

Mr. Capel said a symposium will be held in Orlando, Florida in November on "Rehab Showcase." He said there will be demonstrations of equipment which will install rehabilitation sections in sewer laterals and water mains without breaking out so much of the streets. He said he did not know the cost for the meeting but he would like to go. He said if the Town would pay for the gas to Orlando and back, he would pay the other travel expenses. He said the meeting will be November 13 to 15, 2000. Mr. Capel said the rehab process involved placing a pipe burster equipment into the line, expanding it, then a new piece of pipe is pulled back and this rehabilitates the service line. Mr. Clark asked what the difference in cost was between using this type of equipment and the way we now make repairs. Mr. Capel said it would eliminate traffic problems, keep streets open, and eliminate the need for blacktop where total street cuts are made. He also noted the restrictions set by MOSH for safety measures when someone has to work down in a hole or at a pumping station underground. He said it would be a money saver and time saver.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that Mr. Capel be allowed to attend the meeting in Orlando as discussed, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Capel stated that there was a sewage pumping station in College Heights that does not have any power backup. He said we are required to have power back up for sewer lift and pumping stations. He said anytime we have a backup or sewage overflow we must report it to the Maryland Department of the Environment. He said he had some research on getting a generator for the pumping station at College Heights and the cost would be $1400 including the transfer switch. He said that equipment would start automatically if the current goes off. He said he was also getting a price on a portable trailer mounted generator which can be taken to the smaller stations in the case of a power outage. He said a transfer switch was not needed for the portable generator. He suggested that the Town gets bids on this equipment.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that bids be sought for the generators as discussed by Mr. Capel and was seconded by Mr. Bristoll. Mr. Kirby asked where that would come out of the budget. Mr. Ingersoll said it would be a capital item. He asked Mr. Capel if was sure it was $1400 and not $14,000 as it would not be necessary to bid something for $1400. Mr. Capel said he meant $14,000 for each generator plus installation. He said the using the portable generator would require an attachment at the pumping station to plug it in. Mr. Ingersoll said funds allocated in the capital budget for painting the water tower would have to be transferred to the cost of generators. He said Mr. Capel had stated that the painting of the tower could wait a year, that this was more important. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said her motion stands to seek bids for the permanent generator at College Heights and the portable generator, and Mr. Bristoll affirmed his second. Mr. Bristoll asked what Mr. Capel's estimate was for the whole package. Mr. Capel said $28,000 to $30,000. The vote on the motion to seek bids was passed unanimously.

Mr. Capel went back to the computer programming for the location of the lines and hydrants. He said he was using the program on his own computer. He said the mapping can be done on the computer or on a disk. He said if the Council was satisfied with it he would use it.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Clark moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:45 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor