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CAUD Board finally accepts sewer grant, super loan package
By Ed Waggener Wastewater handling dominated the September 2013 regular meeting, with news of the pending retirement of James "Bo" Murphy as the utility's Wastewater Treatment plant, and a vote to finally accept a $2.5 million package of mostly grants with a small portion of 1%, 40 year loan, to get some badly needed sewer improvements underway. With the vote, the final obstacle to completion of the merger - to show that all services can operate on its the Public Service Commision (PSC) is expected to give its ok to the merger, at which time, it will be complete. The Columbia Sewer system had always operated at a deficit, but, without PSC oversight, Columbia Utilities could support the sewer system with surpluses, so long as they were available, from water and gas operations. That meant a very modest rate increase, the first for the sewer in 12 years, was necessary. Though the amount of the increase, in dollars, was insignificant, the percentage for minimum charges was raised 25%. The action was taken at the board's regular September meeting, Thursday, September 12, 2013, with only one "no" vote, from member Tim Baker voted "no," Members David Jones, Rudy Higginbotham, and Barry Stotts all voted yes. Chairman Robert Flowers spoke for acceptance of the grant. The project, as finally accepted, has not been changed in any way since first presented to the CAUD Board of Trustees March, 2013 for final approval. As a consequence of the approval of four trustees, the projects will move ahead. And merger will be complete. But the board's failure to act has cost the utility a construction season, and presents them with a less favorable bid market than was available had action been taken earlier. Major projects which will now proceed include the replacement of 5 sewer lift stations, renovation and repainting of the Lindsey Wilson Water Tower, and a new press for the Columbia Wastewater Plant. within 3-5 years, renovation of the water town, now emblazoned "McCammish Mfg," on Industrial Drive of KY 55 south. Subsequent to the vote, the trustees adopted resolutions and authorizations for signing necessary to complete the acceptance of the loans and grants. Bo Murphy sends letter of resignation General Manager Lenny Stone read a letter from James "Bo" Murphy to the board announcing his retirement as Superintendent of the CAUD Wastewater Plant, effective March 31, 2014. The retirement gives enough time for the board to get a replacement hired by the end of 2013, allowing the new superintendent to work with Mr. Murphy for three months. Mr. Murphy, 53, has 35 years in his retirement account, which includes 5 years he purchased. He is considered the most capable wastewater manager, anywhere, but would be working at a net financial loss were he to continue. End of Downtown Project in sigh5 After a mid-point nightmare, General Manager Lenny Stone told the board, Columbia/Adair Utility District (CAUD) now sees a happy conclusion to the Downtown Project. Mr. Stone, Consulting Engineer David Bowles, CAUD Chairman Robert Flowers, Board Attorney Marshall Loy, and members David Jones and Rudy Higginbotham all praised Columbia's Stotts Construction Company for rescuing the project after it was abandoned by the firm which won the original contract. Consulting Engineer David Bowles said that the project should be wrapped up completely in about 3 weeks. The Paull Street project had been the most challenging, faced with old Columbia Utilities lines laid with almost no logical pattern for decades before merger. Stotts Construction was praised for minimizing interruptions to daily travel during the entire project. The school bus was allowed passage at all times and Adair County Public Library access was limited to the Greensburg Street entrance for just one day. Sewer project grant will come through LCADD, GM Stone reports General Manager Lenny Stone told the Board of Trustees that County Judge Executive Ann Melton advised him that she has assurances from the Lake Cumberland Area Development District grant which allow a pass through of funds paid to the county and passed through to CAUD for a sewer project will be allow an expansion at Spectrum Care Academy. According to Stone's report, the expansion will bring a number of "high level-high paying" jobs to the area. The grant through the Lake Cumberland Area Development District, will total $343,000 and includes a $20,000 administration fee to LCADD, the first such fee paid to LCADD or any other agency for nearly two decades. Creekbank project at wastewater plant needs permit for start The Creekbank project to riprap and protect CAUD's Columbia wastewater plant, awaits only Environmental Projection Agency permits to begin. GM Lenny Stone said that paperwork should be be completed in about 60 days. Reason for high number of water breaks explainedd At the meeting General Manager Lenny Stone said that the high number of water main breaks, in the old Columbia Utilities District water lines territory, resulted from in a mishap near the bypass/Campellsville Road intersection. A five year old valve had failed and, as CAUD was replacing, Mr. Stone was injured and was taken from the repair scene to the hospital. (He was wearing a finger cast as a momento last night). During that time, the crew installing the line opened too much pressure and "The result," Mr. Stone said, "was that we blew every weak line in town." In all, failures occurred in rapid succession in five points. "The good news," he said, "is that we've now found the worst situations and corrected them." All Board Members were present. Chairman Robert Flowers presided. COLUMBIA/ADAIR COUNTY UTILITIES BOARD (CAUD), Lenny Stone, Geneal Manager; meets at 6pmCT/7pmET, every second Thursday in the board room of the district at 109 Grant Lane, Columbia, KY. The Board includes Barry Stotts, Robert Flowers, Rudy Higginbotham, Tim Baker, and David Jones. The meetings are open to the public. - Jennifer Carter, Office manager This story was posted on 2013-09-16 08:18:38
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