Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, Medford Capel, Utilities Commission 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. Gross moved that the minutes of the meeting of August 25, 1997 be approved as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Utilities Commission has cash on hand and in banks of $280,711.96 as of September 25, 1997.

Mayor Bailey asked Mr. Capel for his report. Mr. Capel reported that another well pump went bad and repairs are on the way. He said the men are reading the meters for the quarterly billing. He said two of the men will attend a class on water treatment in Rock Hall. He said they have repaired 4 leaks since last month and the repaired places have been blacktopped. He said a small leak was reported on Mt. Vernon and they will get to it as soon as possible.

Mr. Capel said we had a little problem with the coliform count at the lagoon but we are still in compliance with the regulations. He said they washed it out with a pressure washer and heavily dosed it with chlorine and hopefully the count will be back down to less than 2. We are allowed a count of 14.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions. Mr. Bristoll said the lower Eastern Shore has reported problems with their water systems. He asked Mr. Capel if we had any of those problems. Mr. Capel said the only problem we have had may be that we were pumping a lot of water - over a million gallons a day, but we are back to about 750,000 gallons a day which was the normal rate. Mr. Bristoll said the news articles referred to the fact that some localities had not kept their systems up. Mr. Capel said the wear on equipment and pumps just happens. He said most of our equipment was probably going on twenty years old and when it reaches that age it wears out. He said most of what we have had are normal maintenance problems.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously. Mr. Kirby moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:35 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by: Approved by:

Joan Merryman, Stenographer Margo G. Bailey, Mayor

RETURN to 1998 Minutes