Thurston Board of Public Affairs

Meeting Minutes

March 14, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Lowell @ 6:31 P.M.

Roll call: Lowell Hite, present; Bev Reese, present; Aaron Reedy, present, 1 open seat.

Aaron announced that Laura Clark resigned from the BOPA because she was appointed to an open seat on Village Council.

Visitors present: JoAnn Hite, Michelle Shumaker (Village Secretary), Mary Barber (Mayor), Jim Farrell

Bev made a motion to approve the February 2006, meeting minutes. Lowell second. All yea.

Bev made a motion to accept the February 2006 Financial Statement. Lowell second. All yea.

Jim Farrell was present to discuss the issue with account # 271A, 8109 High St. He received our letter dated February 16, 2006. He thought the past due amount had been paid because it wasn’t reflected on the bill. He’s ready to pay the bill tonight. He’s concerned about having to split the tap – that’s not what he and Lowell verbally agreed to years ago. Jim said he was trying to save the Village money. Aaron asked Lowell how much that saved the Village. Lowell said about $50.00. Farrell said there’s never been a problem before. Michelle said there was a problem with the Casto account on that property in 2004. Jim said he wasn’t aware of that. Michelle had her notes from that time and told him they discussed the issue on the phone. Jim said he had no problem keeping both accounts in his own name and handling the water bill with the tenants.

The board discussed the issue. Lowell said Farrell should collect a deposit from the renters and hold on to that. Casto’s return should be refunded since the account is going in Farrell’s name. Bev made a motion to waive the deposit requirement for Farrell on the property at 8109 & 8111 High Street. Lowell second. All yea. Jim paid Michelle the $233.62 that was past due.

Lowell wanted it noted that the new tap fee schedule didn’t reflect the cost of a 8” tap. Aaron asked if he also wanted it noted that it doesn’t reflect the cost of a ½” or ¼” tap either – or any size in between 2”, 3”, 4”, etc.

The board went over the letter from the Walnut Creek Sewer District regarding calculating bills for customers who move out after the meter is read. Lowell said the clerk doesn’t know how to bill. The board discussed it – Lowell explained how it should work. It made sense to those present. Lowell said he would get with Tammy about it.

Lowell asked for purchase order for $900 for water meters from SLC Meters. Aaron will get it for him.

Michelle brought up the issue about the form from the USDA that no one seems to want to complete. She contacted the USDA for details and they referred her to the website. She checked with the Village of Carroll – they said Fairfield Utilities filled out the form and gave Carroll a copy. Michelle checked with Village of Baltimore – they said they wouldn’t be the ones to fill it out – they don’t have most of the information. Aaron said that it should be filled out by whoever is handling the water contract, and that’s the Walnut Creek Sewer District. No action was taken by the board on the issue.

Lowell said there was a water main break at the pump house at Rt 37 & Rt 256. David Price fixed it.

Lowell said he thinks we’re going to have to take care of the meters in the trailer court because the owners aren’t doing anything about them. Michelle pulled out an ordinance from October of 1982 that states that it is the responsibility of the owner of the trailer court to maintain and repair the water meters for the trailers. Michelle had sent a notice about this to Wightsel back in August and November of 2005. Aaron said we could do the repairs and charge assessments to the Trailer Court property.

Lowell said that Julie Thomas wanted a separate meter for water flowers at her house so she doesn’t have to get charged for sewer costs on that usage. No action was taken.

Bev made a motion to adjourn. Lowell second. All yea. Time is 8:00 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk