PENNSBORO, W.Va. — The Phase I water project was discussed at length when Pennsboro Council met on Jan. 16.
Steve Haynes, of Thrasher Group, outlined updates, stating contractors had finished the original work, with approval of a change order form by IJDC (Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council) to do the Pullman Drive area. The contractor will be on site in March to conduct that work, which includes from Myles Avenue to the 7-Eleven.
As for the Industrial Park project, the proposal is to build a 34,000-gallon tank adjacent to what already exists, and eventually demolish the current tank.
The existing tank sets on Simonton Windows property and some that belongs to the industrial park. It is proposed to acquire the real estate where the new tank will go, as well as enough of where the existing tank is to own the land. That way, if another tank needs installed, there will be a pad ready to go.
Mayor Robert Riggs said the industrial park voted there would be no charge to obtain the property, but a copy of the land’s lay is needed.
Haynes responded that the existing property corners would be located by surveyors.
“Will it be ready to go to bid in March? Is that a reasonable request?” asked Riggs.
“That depends on the Hughes River Water Board and West Union’s decision, which would affect on how the line is sized,” answered Haynes.
The mayor asked if the City could bid an eight-inch line with the IJDC and alter it if needed. “If we wait until the consolidation committee does it, it could be June or July. If we get tanks and West Union doesn’t buy water, then we can downsize it back to six inch.”
“Right now, we have a 10- or 12-inch line. You will be selling water to at least the regional jail, in my opinion,” said Haynes.
Riggs asked that as soon as the deed is received, to proceed in getting it to bid. “I don’t want to be messing with these tanks in the middle of July or August with droughts and stuff, and not having the tanks drained in the summer.”
The process takes 30 days for each tank. Repairs can happen quickly, but site prep and the foundation needs done, with a two-week process to install.
Haynes desired being added to the technology system to monitor tank levels, in regards to the West Union project. He wanted to be able to see the fill rate and to run analysis to double check the flow rates.
There was then talk of the possibility of getting funds from the Army Corps of Engineers, and Mayor Riggs was attempting to set up a meeting to discuss this.
“I don’t want this to go on back burner. IJDC is awarding money to places and a year later, there hasn’t been anything done. We need to show that we are in good faith coming up with funding to keep this in place,” said Riggs. “If we can get funding somewhere to go with the $5 million, we’re looking good.”
Conversation then switched to that of selling water to part of West Union, or the entire town.
Part of the proposal is taking water from Pennsboro to the regional jail (projected in the neighborhood of 200,000 to 225,000 gallons per day), then there is a proposal for everything in Doddridge County, or the county could build their own plant.
“If we’re only selling to the jail, our elevation is high enough above their tanks that we can gravity feed and won’t need to pump, knocking 20 cents off the fee,” reported Mayor Riggs. If we can gravity feed to jail, we can pursue that. We are 100,000 feet higher than their tank.
If water is furnished to the jail, the plan is funding would come from West Union, tying into the existing line at the old water plant and then to Perkins Supply, where it is now; but the customers would belong to the City of Pennsboro.
“The benefit is if we have a problem in Pennsboro or the water is contaminated, they could open a valve at the jail and send water. It may not be enough to run the entire city, but it would be enough to get by for an emergency,” said Riggs.
He also commented that the State is all about consolidation on water plants. “The HRWB is only at 20 percent capacity. There’s plenty of water to furnish and looking at all the figures, it comes down to what the consolidation meeting says, and funding. The one plant, if West Union built, would be borrowing $14 million and they would have to impose that amount on their customers.”
Riggs continued, “If they let us tie into the jail, it can happen quickly. That would take the burden off the West Union plant, which is at capacity. It comes down to getting everyone to agree to the figures.”
Haynes explained how the process would work. “West Union would pay a transportation fee/resale rate to Pennsboro, and Pennsboro would be responsible for everything back from meter. Any water loss beyond the master meter will be compensated for. It is proposed that West Union have a project to aid in construction to give money to Pennsboro, making improvements to the local system, plus maybe the Hughes River Water Board system, too.”
“If we do all of West Union, there would be a cost to increase line size from industrial park to the sewer plant,” added Riggs.
At this time, the HRWB is only pumping four to six hours per day. West Union is pumping 14 to 17 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide enough water for its customers.
Sewer Project
Todd Dingess, CPA, has been reviewing options for the sewer project.
The city received a grant to do line repairs where major problems occurred with inflow into the plant. A $4.7 million grant was awarded, but the state cut the amount back to $4.1 million. The City is looking for alternatives to cover the additional $600,000.
“We don’t want to take new loans out,” said Mayor Riggs.
There has to be a sewer rate increase to qualify for the loans, and with increase, the state mandated a policy saying all municipalities have to put 12.5% of water/sewer revenue into special fund for emergency repairs.
“At 12.5 percent on top of the loans, our sewer fund is not generating any money if there are problems,” said Riggs. “Based on that, it would be like a three-tier rate hike, projected at seven percent taking affect on first increase, then a first reading at the special meeting next week, and a second reading and third meeting with public hearing. It would be a two percent increase six months from that and another two percent increase in six months.”
He said the overall bill would be adjusted about $2 to $3 on average, with basic consumption of 2,500 gallon usage.
No water rate increase will occur at this time, because of savings in the Phase I.
“We don’t have to do that at this time, but the sewer is not in this situation,” said the Mayor.
“Rates have to meet certain criteria to qualify for grants. It’s recommended a two to three percent increase every year. It’s the minimal we can get by with and is projected to generate $2,700 to $3,000 a month in income.”
Riggs said if the city’s pump goes out, there would be zero money in the sewer account.
He stated the plant is relatively new, but original parts of new plant were started in 2007, and it already has age on it.
Attorney Jessica Myers was asked to draw up an ordinance and a special meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26, 5:30 p.m., to conduct the first reading.
